general assembly

Political Roundtable: 2014 Race for Treasurer Heats Up + President Obama's Trio of Controversies

Ian Donnis — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Pablo Rodriguez joins the Roundtable this week as we discuss the 2014 race for treasurer; Governor Lincoln Chafee's recent judicial nominations; lower-than-expected state revenues; and the trio of controversies facing President Obama.

Bill Would Give Foreign Nationals a Driver's License

Ian Donnis — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:15:02 +0000

Foreign nationals would be able to get driver’s licenses under a bill being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday afternoon.

One of the cosponsors of the legislation, Democratic Senator Juan Pichardo of Providence, said offering licenses to undocumented residents makes sense.

“By granting a driver’s license for undocumented that will give them the ability to register their vehicles and then pay taxes, therefore having some state revenues,” said Pichardo, “but will also provide a safety measure for many residents.”

TGIF: 14 Things to Know About Rhode Island Politics + Media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:22:45 +0000

May rolls in with history being made in Rhode Island. Welcome back to my weekly column. As always, your thoughts and tips are welcome at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org. Let's head in:

Lawmakers Give Coventry Fire District Until Sept. 1

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:35:53 +0000

Legislation that would allow the troubled Central Coventry Fire District to collect taxes through September 1^st of this year is now headed to the Governor’s desk. The Rhode Island Senate passed the bill 29 to seven last night. It would give the district a little more breathing room to come up with a plan to raise funds. But it doesn’t provide a final solution to the town’s problems. State leaders have been reluctant to provide permanent relief to the town’s fire district, which has been operating in the red since last year.

Same-Sex Marriage is Law in Rhode Island

Ian Donnis — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:30:39 +0000

After a 16-year-fight, Rhode Island yesterday (Thursday) became the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage. As Rhode Island Public Radio political reporter Ian Donnis reports, supporters hailed the development as a victory for grassroots democracy.

Governor Lincoln Chafee signed two companion bills into law shortly after they were approved, 56-to-15, during a final vote in the House of Representatives. Chafee told an audience of hundreds of people in front of the Statehouse that gays and lesbians have been seeking equality for a long time.

Fox Foe Mark Binder Announces New Challenge to the Speaker

Ian Donnis — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:24:02 +0000

We're 18 months out from the November 2014 election, but that's not stopping Mark Binder from announcing on Thursday another legislative challenge to House Speaker Gordon Fox.

Via news release:

Rhode Island Poised to Join 10 Others in Same-Sex Marriage

Ian Donnis — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:30:48 +0000

Ian Donnis will be reporting from the statehouse as Rhode Island is poised to join the other New England states that have already legalized same-sex marriage. This follows a battle of almost 20 years.

Two companion bills for same-sex marriage are expected to get overwhelming support during a House vote this afternoon. Immediately after, Governor Lincoln Chafee plans to sign the legislation into law during a ceremony on the south side of the Statehouse.

Superman Building Owner Pursues State Aid

Ian Donnis — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:08:59 +0000

The owner of the vacant Superman Building in downtown Providence wants to use $39 million in state money to convert it into for residential apartments. It remains unclear whether the General Assembly is willing to support that kind of spending.

The Superman Building has been sitting empty ever since Bank of America left in early April. The property’s owner, High Rock Development of Massachusetts, wants to convert the art deco building into 278 rental apartments.

Speaker Fox Pours Cold Water on Superman Building Owner's Quest for 39M in State Help

Ian Donnis — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:45:04 +0000

HR&A Advisors of New York is out with its economic-impact report on the now-vacant Superman Building, which was prepared for Cornish Associates.

Women hold just 30 of 113 seats in the General Assembly

Ian Donnis — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:36:49 +0000

With the YWCA Rhode Island set to hold its fifth annual Women Holding Office celebration this evening at the Kirkbrae Country Club, it's a good time to revisit the under-representation of women in Rhode Island politics.