University of Rhode Island News

Sosnowski, Lally Praise URI First Responders

V. Susan Sosnowski and Donald Lally praise first responders for their actions at URI on Thursday.

Release courtesy the Legislative Press Bureau. Rep. Donald J. Lally and Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, both of whose districts include University of Rhode Island’s Kingston campus, applauded URI and local emergency responders on Friday for their swift and thorough response to the report of a possible gunman on the campus on Thursday. “On behalf of our community, I feel safer seeing how quickly URI’s staff and our local police, fire and rescue crews responded, and how they organized a complete investigation under chaotic circumstances while keeping citizens and students out of harm’s way. We are extremely lucky and grateful that this didn’t turn out to be a shooting, but more than any drill would have, it made me aware of how well our first …

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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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House OKs Changes to ‘Good Time’ Law

A bill sponsored by Susan Sosnowski and Teresa Tanzi just needs senate approval to change the ‘Good Time’ prison regulations.

The House of Representatives approved legislation on Thursday aimed at preventing those serving time for particularly serious crimes from earning time off their sentences for good behavior. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski and Rep. Teresa Tanzi on behalf of Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin, was introduced in response to the potential release last year of Michael Woodmansee, who was convicted of killing 5-year-old Jason Foreman in 1975 in South Kingstown. Woodmansee, who later agreed to remain in state custody through voluntary institutional commitment, was allowed to earn 12 years off the 40 he was supposed to serve through “good time” and participation in a prison job. The legislation (2012-H 7112A, 2012-S 2179A) …

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RI Agriculture and Seafood Act Passed

A new law will help to seed and feed local farms and fishing sectors, legislators say.

Legislation to boost Rhode Island agriculture and seafood industries has been signed into law after passing the General Assembly. Introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski and Rep. Deborah Ruggiero, the Rhode Island Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (2012-S 2611A, 2012-H 7701aa) directs the state Department of Environmental Management to establish program to provide small grants and technical assistance to farms and seafood businesses to promote sales of locally grown products. The bill also creates the Interagency Food and Nutrition Policy Advisory Council, which will help remove regulatory barriers that stand in the way of the local farming and fishing industries’ success. The legislation is aimed at assisting local farms and fishing …

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