rhode island house of representatives

NRA lobbyist comes to RI

Ian Donnis — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:35:28 +0000

The debate over how to respond to gun-related violence is heating up at the Statehouse. A lobbyist for the National Rifle Association is slated to brief state reps Wednesday.

NRA lobbyist Darin Goens will offer a briefing at the request of Woonsocket Representative Lisa Baldelli Hunt. The discussion comes as the Assembly is expected to consider a series of gun-related bills later this session.

General Assembly Back in Session

Ian Donnis — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:12:57 +0000

After a one-week winter break, the General Assembly gets back to work Tuesday.

Students plan march for marriage equality

Jehane Samaha — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 19:47:07 +0000

Students from Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design planned to do something different for Valentine’s Day. In an effort to ensure marriage equality in Rhode Island, students planned a rally on College Hill before a march to the Statehouse, where Representative Frank Ferri was scheduled to speak publicly.

Protest organizer Michelle Bailhe says many groups come together in support of marriage equality.

House discusses K-9 veterans' day

Jehane Samaha — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:37:10 +0000

Since World War II, thousands of dogs have served the USA, though their contributions often go unnoticed. Yesterday, the Rhode Island House Veterans’ Affairs Committee considered a bill to set March 13^th as a state-wide holiday, “K-9 Veterans’ Day.”

Ron Aiello, President of the United States War Dogs Association, says in the past 10 years, there have been approximately 600 to 700 dog teams in the Middle East at any one time.

Fox's Supreme love

Catherine Welch — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:53:07 +0000

House Speaker Gordon Fox is stepping down from the rostrum and taking on another role this weekend- Motown music historian. The house leader has a deep love for the R&B and soul music that came out of the Motor City back in the 1960’s.

When Gordon Fox was a kid, his home was filled with the sounds of Motown. He listened to his sister’s records by the Supremes and Temptations. And every Saturday his mom would dance to Motown while cleaning the house. Fox says as a bi-racial kid growing up, the blend of pop and soul spoke to him.

Lawmaker calls for his own to pay part of insurance premium

Ian Donnis — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:46:35 +0000

The House Republican leader is renewing an effort requiring state lawmakers to pay for one-fifth of the cost of their state-provided health insurance. Brian Newberry calls the issue a matter of fairness.

RI House poised to vote on same sex marriage

Catherine Welch — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:43:21 +0000

The Rhode Island House is taking up the same-sex marriage bill at this hour. Rhode Island Public Radio’s Catherine Welch is there and filed this report.