Bill Passed for Penalties for DWI With Child Passengers

A bill that stiffens penalties for drunken driving charges with children in the car has passed the Rhode Island Senate, and now heads to the House.

Release courtesy of the Legislative Press Bureau. On Wednesday, the Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin to stiffen penalties for adults who drive under the influence with a child in their vehicle. “Driving under the influence is a serious offense, but it rises to a new level of danger when it endangers a helpless child. People who drive drunk with a child in their cars are committing a much more serious crime than DUI, and they deserve a much more significant sentence,” said Senator Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence). “This bill sends a message that putting a child’s life at risk in this way will not be tolerated in Rhode Island.” Current Rhode Island law allows those convicted of DUI who committed …

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Ruff! Meow? Pet News!

[REACT] Bill Would Prohibit Debarking, Declawing Requirements

A bill co-sponsored by Susan Sosnowski would prohibit landlords from requiring pet owners to declaw or devoice their animals.

What do you think of a proposed bill to prohibit landlords from requiring that pet owners de-claw or de-vocalize their pets? Tell us in the comments section below! The following is a release about the proposed bill. Calling the surgical procedures inhumane and potentially dangerous to pets, Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio is urging passage of legislation to prohibit property owners from requiring “devocalization” and “declawing” of dogs and cats as a condition of occupancy. “Devocalization” or “debarking” is a surgical procedure that involves opening an animal (usually a dog) at the throat or through the mouth to cut the vocal cords to reduce the sound of barking. The scarring resulting from the procedure can cause the animal …

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Sheehan Will Chair Oversight Committee

Senator James Sheehan has been appointed chairman of the Oversight Committee after serving as the vice chairman in 2012.

Release courtesy of the Legislative Press Bureau. Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) has been appointed the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Oversight for the 2013-2014 General Assembly session. The appointment was announced Wednesday by the president of the Senate, M. Teresa Paiva Weed. Senator Sheehan, who is serving his seventh term in the Rhode Island Senate, was the vice chairman of the Oversight Committee during the previous legislative session. The Senate Committee on Government Oversight considers appointments of the governor that are sent to it by the Senate for advice and consent. The committee also monitors and evaluates past, current and prospective performance of public bodies and …

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Hodgson Says Work Today Will Pay Off Years From Now

The Republican Senator for District 35 is running for re-election.

As a member of the small Republican minority in the state Senate, Dawson Hodgson said his job isn’t to rack up lots of big legislative accomplishments. Rather, Hodgson sees his role as setting the stage for fundamental change in Rhode Island state government. "The payoff for what I'm doing now is going to be long, long after I'm gone," he said. Hodgson, who is running for re-election to Senate Dist. 35 against Democrat Winters B. Hames III, lives in North Kingstown with his wife and two young sons on the farm that’s part of the family turf business, Sodco. A lawyer, he spent four years working in the state Attorney General’s office before deciding to run for state Senate two years ago. Today, he helps to manage the turf business. He's …

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Tina McKendall, Republican Candidate for Senate District 36

McKendall is looking for a spot in the General Assembly.

Name : Ms. Mariacristina McKendall Also known as : Tina Date of birth : March 27, 1953 Place of residence : North Kingstown, RI College : University of RI & Rhode Island College Degree : Nursing Year of graduation : 1983 Job titles held : Lactation Consultant, Certified in High Risk Obstetrics, Vice President (current) Employers : Rhode Island, Kent County and Women and Infants Hospitals, McKendall & Associates, Inc. (current) Party affiliation : Republican Running for position: State Senate District 36 Incumbent: No Previous elective offices : None Unsuccessful bids for elective offices : None Address 1800 Post Road, Suite 17, Warwick, RI 02886 Name : Donny McKendall Title : Campaign Coordinator Facebook : facebook.com/electtinamckendall …

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Dawson Tucker Hodgson, Republican for Senate District 35

Dawson Tucker Hodgson is running for re-election, for a second term in the Senate.

Name : Dawson Tucker Hodgson Date of birth : July 10, 1978 Place of residence : North Kingstown College : Bucknell University Degree : B.A. Year of graduation : 2000 University : University of Connecticut School of Law Degree : J.D. Year of graduation : 2004 Job titles held : Criminal Prosecutor Employers : Rhode Island Department of Attorney General Party affiliation : Republican Running for position: Senate District 35 Incumbent: Yes First elected: November 2, 2010 Previous elective offices : NA Unsuccessful bids for elective offices: NA URLs Website : www.DawsonHodgson.com Twitter : @DawsonHodgson Facebook : Dawson Hodgson Youtube : http://www.youtube.com/SenatorDawsonHodgson Dawson Hodgson was elected to the Rhode Island Senate on Nov…

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Sheehan: Transparency Needed for Quasi-Public Agencies

Sen. James Sheehan is submitting legislation that will require more transparency and oversight of committees.

Release courtesy of the Rhode Island Legislative Press Bureau. Are Rhode Island’s quasi-public agencies operating effectively and efficiently and in the best interest of the state and its citizens? Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) says the recent turmoil at the RI Economic Development Corporation with the 38 Studios debacle helps answer this question and “underscores the need for a thorough review of and comprehensive reform of the quasi-public corporations in the state.” Senator Sheehan said he has long had questions and concerns about the efficiency and accountability of the state’s quasi-public agencies, but that those concerns have been greatly heightened by the recent troubles involving EDC and 38 …

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Ted Geisel

8:22 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012

Hi Jason, I did check out his web page. You seem to be quite the Sheehan fanboy. How about just answering a few of my questions. Do you think its a good idea to increase the budget 6 percent in this economy? Do you think expanding the committees budget and staff will help? Has Sheehan actually been on the Government Oversight committee for several years and got his position because his fellow …   more ›

Hodgson Running for Second Term in Senate

Senator Dawson Hodgson, who now represents South Kingstown and Narragansett, will seek a second term.

State Senator Dawson Hodgson today filed papers with the North Kingstown Board of Canvassers, officially declaring his intention to seek a second term in the Rhode Island Senate.  “I am proud of the reputation I have earned as a conscientious and diligent senator who stands up to be counted when it matters most for Rhode Island,” Hodgson said in an announcement e-mailed to constituents.  “I have been engaged on nearly substantive issue to come before the legislature during my term, and I am confident that my record accords with the vision of leadership I’ve articulated since I was elected in 2010 – we must have clean, competent government for Rhode Island, and foster an environment that promotes job growth. The results of the current …

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Tanzi Honored By YWCA as Rising Political Star

According to a release, representative Teresa Tanzi has been honored by the YWCA of Northern Rhode Island.

Rep. Teresa Tanzi has been honored as a rising political star at the fourth annual Women Holding Office Celebration by the YWCA of Northern Rhode Island. The event is held annually to honor outstanding women elected to public office, and to encourage more women to step forward and run for office themselves. Tanzi, a first-term Democrat who represents District 34 in Narragansett and South Kingstown, took the opportunity to urge other women, especially those currently volunteering behind the scenes for other candidates, to run for office themselves. “There are so many women I know who are like me – women who want real change in the world but are busy with families, work and other commitments. My message is that you can’t wait until you have …

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