Saturday, April 27, 2013
Recent goings on at the Rhode Island State House. Good times?
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Saturday, April 27
Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/. § Senate approves same-sex marriage bill In a 26-to-12 vote, the Senate approved legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry in Rhode Island, effective Aug. 1. The bills (2013-S 0038A, 2013-H 5015B), sponsored by Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, North Providence) and Rep. Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18, Cranston), still have to clear an additional House vote before they can be sent to the governor. That vote is tentatively expected Thursday, following a Judiciary Committee vote on Tuesday. § House leaders unveil economic development package…
Monday, April 22, 2013
Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/.
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Monday, April 22
Efforts ongoing to address Central Coventry Fire District financial problems The financially troubled Central Coventry Fire District will be able to provide emergency services for several more weeks, the result of a $300,000 loan from the Town of Coventry. The loan was approved to allow additional time for General Assembly action on legislation that has been introduced in both the Senate and House of Representatives to address the situation. A number of bills have been introduced in both chambers by several Coventry legislators, including Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich), Rep. Patricia L. Morgan (R-Dist. 26, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) and Rep. Scott J. Guthrie (D-Dist. 28, Coventry). …
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week.
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Sunday, April 14
Release courtesy the Legislative Press Bureau. Nine-bill gun safety package unveiled House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin and State Police Superintendent Col. Steven G. O’Donnell addressed a State House news conference to unveil a nine-bill package of gun safety legislation. The bills are intended to improve gun safety and strengthen existing laws dealing with firearms violations. Among other things, the bills call for a ban on the sale of assault weapons, require national criminal background checks and create a task force to review laws related to mental health and substance abuse issues as they pertain to firearms statutes. Click here to see news …
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The bill was introduced by Representative Joseph McNamara of Cranston.
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Wednesday, March 27
Release courtesy the Legislative Press Bureau. The House of Representatives today approved legislation to ban the use, manufacture and sale of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones in Rhode Island. Proposed by Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin and sponsored by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) and Rep. Arthur J. Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence), the bill would specifically add chemical classes of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones to the state’s Schedule I drug list. Items on Schedule I are regulated by the Department of Health because they are considered to have a high potential for abuse and/or no accepted medical use in treatment in the U.S. “Kids are using synthetic drugs and …
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Wondering what your reps are up to? Find out here!
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Sunday, March 17
STATE HOUSE – Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/ Senate unveils 'Moving the Needle' legislative package President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown), Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence), Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and other senators unveiled a legislative package designed to improve Rhode Island’s business climate and its position on national business-friendliness surveys. The legislation was developed from the recommendations of a joint report by …
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/.
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Sunday, March 3
Senate passes bipartisan resolution urging Congress to avoid sequestration The Senate passed a bipartisan resolution sponsored by President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Dist.13, Newport, Jamestown) urging Congress to work together to avoid the effects of the federal sequester could have on the state. The resolution (2013-S 0435), cosponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) and Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere (R-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown), also asks Congress to halt the immediate cuts facing Rhode Islanders and develop a balanced and responsible plan to manage the nation’s long-term debt. Click here to see news release. Committee hears legislation to ban …
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/.
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Sunday, February 24
Shekarchi bill seeks to rein in EDC authority Legislation introduced by Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) would prohibit the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation from guaranteeing any loans and obligations. The bill (2013-H 5463) would not affect the EDC’s ability to make contracts or loans, but would prohibit the agency from pledging the “faith and credit of the state” for any of those loans or obligations. Click here to see news release. Bill will prohibit property owners from requiring tenants to debark pets Calling the surgical procedures inhumane and potentially dangerous to pets, Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) has introduced legislation (2013-S 0177) to …
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/.
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Saturday, February 16
Assembly sponsors ‘arts charrette’ to promote growth of arts sector The Senate and House of Representatives, in cooperation with Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee, the Rhode Island Foundation, the R.I. State Council on the Arts, Fidelity Investments and RISD, sponsored an “arts charrette” to bring together government, business and nonprofit sectors with the arts community to develop a strategy to further the growth of the arts sector and enhance economic development in the state. President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed and Speaker of the House Gordon D. Fox were among those who addressed the gathering, which was held at Fidelity in Smithfield and attended by more than 120 interested participants. Click here to see news release. Legislation …
Monday, February 11, 2013
Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/. NOTE: Based on sessions up to Feb. 7, thanks to the blizzard.
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Monday, February 11
Marijuana legalization, regulation bill introduced Rep. Edith H. Ajello (D-Dist. 1, Providence) and Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, North Providence) were joined by drug policy reform advocates to announce their legislation (2013-H 5274) to legalize marijuana possession in Rhode Island for adults age 21 and older, with regulations and taxes similar to those for alcohol. By regulating its sale, the state would be better able to control marijuana and would make it more difficult for children to obtain, they said. Click here to see news release. Goldin proposal would expand TDI to cover caregivers On the 20th anniversary of the signing of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, Sen. Gayle Goldin (D-Dist. 3, Providence) …
Monday, February 4, 2013
Senator Dawson Hodgson decries the Senate's "lack of urgency" when it comes to voting on same sex marriage and other bills.
One month into the General Assembly's 2013 session, things haven't changed very much from this point two years ago, according to Sen. Dawson Hodgson (R-Dist. 35). "We’re about a month in, we’ve only had one or two calendars since inauguration day," Hodgson said, referring to days in which there's formal action on a bill. "This is the time of year when we show up and there’s no bill pending, there’s no votes ... on state business." Hodgson said inaction on same-sex marriage is one reason for the Senate's seeming "lack of urgency." "Whether you support same sex marriage or oppose it … these are deeply held motiviations and they are profound on both sides. For my colleagues who are deeply engaged on this issue on both sides, they deserve to …
Govstench
9:35 am on Sunday, March 17, 2013
Steve: you missed the big one - the reversal of the ethics bill at House Judiciary. I was present and it was a shameful act. It is also interesting to note that Capital TV did not broadcast that action. When they moved onto the Master Lever testimony, the cameras were turned on. There is no transparency at that statehouse. more ›