Val’s campaign relies on grassroots supporters like you! To volunteer or pick up a yard sign, please contact Val at vlawson814@gmail.com or 401.316.5666

2022 Endorsements

Rhode Island AFL CIO
Clean Water Action
Climate Action Rhode Island
Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence
Planned Parenthood Votes Rhode Island
Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals
National Association of Social Workers 
Rhode Island
Political Action Committee
Rhode Island Building Construction Trades
UFCW Local 328
National Education Association of Rhode Island
Rhode Island Working Families Party
United Nurses and Allied Professionals

About Val

  • Lifelong East Providence resident
  • Married to Len Rounds, small business owner
  • Former classroom teacher, East Providence High School (U.S. History & Civics)
  • Vice-president, National Education Association Rhode Island
  • Graduate of East Providence High School; bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and Master of Education, Rhode Island College

Accomplishments

  • Sponsored legislation mandating monthly snapshot reports from the Department of Transportation about all repair efforts undertaken on the Washington Bridge
  • Eliminated the car tax, the state income tax on veterans’ military pensions, and the sales tax on utility bills for small businesses, and sponsored legislation allowing EP to adopt a tax exemption for disabled veterans
  • Eliminated the car tax so EP residents will no longer receive a car tax bill after 2022
  • Raised the tax exemption on pension plans and annuities income from $20,000 to $50,000 for qualified single filers, and $100,000 for joint filers
  • Dedicated $250 million for affordable housing, including down payment assistance for those who qualify
  • Passed critical gun safety legislation banning high capacity magazines, banning open carry of long guns and raising the age to buy a gun or ammo from 18 to 21
  • Primary sponsor of the bill that expands RI’s Temporary Caregiver Insurance program from six weeks to eight, helping new parents and those caring for a critically ill family member
  • Passed safe storage gun safety legislation
  • Passed a package of bills that speeds up housing production by streamlining processes
  • Secured $160,000 in the state budget for EP school district for students in the CRAFT program
  • Sponsored the resolution to develop the City Center in EP to help alleviate the housing affordability crisis
  • Passed the Reproductive Privacy Act, which codified Roe v. Wade into state law
  • Secured $200,000 to save jobs at Linn Health and Rehabilitation nursing home and help create a new memory care unit
  • Supported initiatives that will help alleviate the primary care doctor shortage and nurse staffing shortage

Contribute

There is important work to do in our state, but we can’t do it alone. Please consider contributing to our campaign. With your help, we can get our state on the right track.

Get In Touch

You can reach me at 401.316.5666 or vlawson814@gmail.com. I want to hear your feedback and learn what’s important to you.