General Assmebly

Vandalism Could Become a Felony in Rhode Island

John Bender — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:24:42 +0000

Legislation that would create harsher punishments for vandalism in Rhode Island has recently been introduced in the state house.

Sen. Frank Lombardi has seen enough of the costly vandalism that he says, has seen an increase in the past few years.

For example, the destruction at a Newport cemetery 2 years ago would have cost $125,000 in cleanup and repairs, had it not been for a group of volunteers.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Lydia Rogers — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:39:11 +0000

Most adults failed a mock NECAP test. Glass could be used as cover material at the state landfill under a proposed bill. These stories and more on the RIPR Morning News Podcast.

Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@ripr.org

Straight talk on jobs needed in RI

Scott MacKay — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 18:33:42 +0000

Another week passes with the usual palaver from the Rhode Island political and business elite on economic development. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay says its time for some changes in the way Rhode Islanders view our state and ourselves.

Chafee team previews his budget; jobs and competitiveness highlighted

Ian Donnis — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:40:26 +0000

Making Rhode Island more competitive and getting Rhode Islanders back to work are central points of Governor Lincoln Chafee's State of the State address tonight.

Budget staffers and other members of the governor's administration held a background briefing for reporters a short time ago at the Department of Administration building on Smith Hill. The details are embargoed until Chafee begins his speech this evening in the House chamber.

But in addition to the points in the first sentence of the post, the Chafee administration also plans to emphasize:

Taveras boosts Fox in home stretch; Binder hammers away on 38 Studios

Ian Donnis — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Providence Mayor Angel Taveras is lending another boost to House Speaker Gordon Fox in the closing stretch before Election Day. The popular mayor, who used to share a Dorrance Street law office with Fox, sent this email this morning:

Dear Providence Friends and Neighbors:

In down economy, RI’s net gambling revenue grows by almost 23M over last year

Ian Donnis — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 10:00:00 +0000

No matter that casinos are on the horizon in Massachusetts, and Foxwoods is facing an uncertain future. The Rhode Island Lottery’s latest contribution to the state general fund is $377.7 million, almost $23 million more than the previous year, according to a legislative news release:

Video lottery accounted for $320.8 million or 84% of total gross profit.

RI Supreme Court denies Tobon’s case in challenge to San Bento

Ian Donnis — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000

On a 3-2 decision, the Rhode Island Supreme Court has denied Carlos Tobon’s call for a manual recount following his controversial and contested one-vote loss to state Representative William San Bento of Pawtucket.

Schillings use Facebook to fire back, unload on Rhode Island officials

Ian Donnis — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Despite repeated and sustained requests for interviews from a bevy of Rhode Island news organizations, Curt Schilling and his wife Shonda continue to utilize Facebook to fire back at reports emanating from the Ocean State.

Fox says loan guarantee program wasn’t expanded exclusively for 38 Studios

Ian Donnis — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 09:00:00 +0000

House Speaker Gordon Fox is distancing himself from responsibility for the demise of 38 Studios.

Moody’s offers mixed comment on RI’s 2013 budget

Ian Donnis — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Moody’s Investors Service says the $8.1 billion budget signed into law by Governor Lincoln Chafee on June 15 “is credit positive for Central Falls and schools, but leaves Woonsocket and pensions unaddressed.”

Moody’s points to “a material increase in funding for schools” — $34 million, or almost 4 percent, “marking the third consecutive annual increase in school funding. State funding for education now stands at over $900 million, well above pre-recession peak.”