Deeply touched by the letter, Senator Tassoni launched an election campaign, and in November 2000 he defeated a 22-year incumbent to win a seat in the state Senate. He is currently serving in his fifth term in the Senate. A Democrat, he represents District 22, which encompasses Smithfield and North Smithfield.

Sen. Tassoni serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government. He is a member of the Senate Committee on Labor and the Senate Committee on Constitutional and Regulatory Issues.

He is Co-Chairman of the Housing Act Oversight Commission, a panel established to oversee implementation of Rhode Island's affordable housing laws and make recommendations for further improvements. Sen. Tassoni championed the successful initiative to reform Rhode Island's affordable housing law from one that had been overwhelming suburban communities with large and dense housing proposals to the new Act, which balances the need for affordable housing with the ability for communities to plan for responsible growth.

Senator Tassoni also serves on the Joint Committee on Health Care Oversight and the Joint Committee on Economic Development. He also serves as a member of the National Council of State Governments' Eastern Regional Conference Transportation Committee.

A vigorous legislator, Senator Tassoni has shepherded numerous bills into law, including the state's prohibition on mandatory overtime for nurses to improve safety for both patients and nurses.

The safety of schoolchildren and youth sports have been issues which Senator Tassoni has championed. He sponsored the law creating a special task force to prevent school violence and bullying in schools, as well as new laws to define and prohibit cyber-bullying. He has led efforts to bring lights to the high school football fields in Smithfield and North Smithfield for an annual Friday night game, as well as a fundraising effort to permanently bring lights to the field at Smithfield High School Sports facility.

Senator Tassoni also sponsored a first-of-its-kind law to provide for public availability of health advisories on mercury contamination in fish, and legislation that expanded the state's DNA database, mandating that the DNA of all violent offenders be recorded and maintained. He spearheaded the successful effort to improve the state's affordable housing law, and has sponsored considerable health care legislation.

He sponsored the new laws prohibiting use of the gas chamber for animal euthanasia; directing the Rhode Island Department of Health to undertake testing and screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) for children who are uninsured or underinsured; prohibiting coaches and other school employees from providing or advocating the use of performance-enhancing dietary supplements by young athletes; and imposing stricter rules regarding who may be in a car driven by a teenager on a provisional license.

Sen. Tassoni co-sponsored the Jobs Growth Act of 2005, a tax incentive program that poses no risk to the state and resulted in the addition of 1,000 new jobs and a $65 million capital expansion at Fidelity Investments in Smithfield.

Senator Tassoni has also been an outspoken advocate for domestic violence prevention issues and for the construction of a full-scale training facility for the State Fire Academy.

He has been a vocal and consistent consumer advocate, particularly in regards to utility rates.

He has been recognized for his various efforts by: the Big Brothers of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Motorcycle Association, the Rhode Island Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependence, the Rhode Island State Nurses Association, United Nurses and Allied Professionals, the Housing Network of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Board of Girls' Basketball, the North Smithfield Girls' Hockey program, the Lions Club Cancer in Children Organization, Defenders of Animals, Inc., and Adoption Rhode Island, among others.

Senator Tassoni received the first-annual Marsha E. Carpenter Victims Advocacy Award from the Rhode Island Victims' Advocacy and Support Center in 2004. He also was a recipient of the National Guard's Major General Charles W.F. Dick Medal of Honor, in recognition of his support for the Rhode Island National Guard.

Senator Tassoni is President of The Sentinel Group, a Providence-based business consulting, marketing, labor relations and media relations firm. His was previously a senior business agent for AFSCME Council 94, and served as President of the printers union, GCIU Local 239M and Local 12N. A former printer, he was employed by Quebecor Federated from 1989 to 1997. He had previously worked for Amica Insurance from 1979 to 1989.

Senator Tassoni is a United Way Counselor with the AFL-CIO. He is a member of the Smithfield Elks Club, Lodge No. 2359, and the Smithfield Lions Club. A Board member of the Jay Lawrence Foundation, and the 2009 Honorary Chairman of the Walk A Thon for Big Brothers of RI.

He is a communicant of Saint Michael's Church in Smithfield. He is married to Smithfield Town Councilwoman S. Jean Cerroni. He is the father of Jennifer Tassoni, a graduate of Bentley College.