Over the past 10 years Representative Joseph A. Trillo has established himself as a leader to his fellow legislators on both sides of the political aisle. Among his many endorsements over the years, he has been named one of the “Top Ten Legislators” every year since elected by Common Cause, a clean government watchdog group. Representative Trillo has demonstrated his leadership by serving as Chair of the House Oversight on Fire Safety and as the Chair of the State House Security Commission. He has put his business experience to use for all Rhode Islanders by serving on the House Corporations Committee as well as being a board member on the Economic Development Corporation.

Since being first elected to the General Assembly in November of 2000, Representative Trillo has served as a catalyst for change in the Ocean State. In 2006, after a large fish kill, Representative Trillo led the effort to pass the Clean Water Act, a law which now protects Narragansett Bay from boaters’ waste water. As a businessman and a long time Rhode Island resident, Joe Trillo understands that lower taxes and less government intervention create economic development and lead to prosperity and job creation. Over the last 10 years, he has become a well-known champion for the tax payers.

Representative Trillo has never voted to increase taxes - a promise he reaffirmed at the Providence Tax Day Tea Party in April 2009, by signing a “No Tax” pledge in front of thousands of his fellow Rhode Islanders. He has fought for ethics reform by sponsoring legislation which would stop elected officials from doing work for any entity that has major business before it.

Representative Joseph Trillo has also been a leader in fighting for pension reform and increased aid for local schools. In 2006, Representative Trillo became a vocal opponent of allowing a “back room” deal for the Casino. Instead, he proposed an open bid to allow competition into the process - not the “good old boy network”.  He was named Deputy Minority Leader in 2006 by his colleagues for exemplary work and leadership on the floor of the General Assembly.

As both an elected official and a member of the Rhode Island community, Rep. Trillo has taken voter communication and involvement to another level. He regularly sends, at his own expense, a survey to his constituents asking their opinions on important issues. As the host of both Trillo Talks and Issues and Ideas, Representative Trillo is able to give Rhode Islanders an inside look at the political landscape and players shaping Rhode Island today. In addition to hosting his own shows, Representative Trillo is also a regular with the Rhode Island media. A frequent guest or co host on popular radio programs such as John DePetro and the WPRO Morning News, The Buddy Cianci Show, The Dan Yorke Show, The Matt Allen Show and The Helen Glover Show. Representative Trillo can also be seen as a regular guest on A Lively Experiment, 10 News Conference, Newsmakers, and On The Record.

Representative Trillo has always been a proud and active member of his community. He has served as the President of the R.I. Alarm Association, Past President of the Cranston Jaycees, Past President of Rhode Island America Organization as well as Past President of the National Association of Musical Merchants. A self described “hands on guy,” Representative Trillo has several U.S. Patents for the original design of marine products, which have sold worldwide. Representative Trillo has been in the security alarm business for over 40 years and is a long time commercial real estate investor. He is an avid boater holding his U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s license. His free time is spent with his wife, Marilyn Cocozza Trillo, their children, Joseph M., Deborah, step-daughter, Erika Leigh Kruse, and their grandchildren.