News

It appears that New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a billionaire media mogul, has switched his affinity from Gov. Lincoln Chafee to RI General Treasurer Gina Raimondo in the 2014 Ocean State campaign for governor.

While kicking off a push to install a network of 50 electric vehicle charging stations, Gov. Lincoln Chafee announced the state will replace much of its fleet with hybrid and electric vehicles. Chafee made the announcement at Roger Williams University, where the first charging station was unveiled.

Director of Administration Richard Licht said the program started this spring, and so far the state has replaced 30 gas-fueled vehicles with hybrids.  He notes that a waiver will be given to agencies, such as law enforcement, that can’t find a comparable substitute.

The City of Providence is teaming with Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to spruce up 17 bus shelters along 2 major bus routes.  City art, tourism and planning officials will search for artists and artist groups with experience in public art design. 

Artists are asked to generate concepts based on North Main Street’s history or Broad Street’s multicultural heritage.  Besides these renovations, the city states that the “artwork will reflect the unique characteristics of the neighborhoods along each route.”

Gov. Lincoln Chafee is shrugging off news that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is holding a fundraiser this week for state Treasurer Gina Raimondo.

Bloomberg stumped for Chafee in the 2010 governor’s race calling him one of the nation’s most effective leaders. Channel 12 reports that Bloomberg is hosting a fundraiser Thursday for treasurer Gina Raimondo, who is expected to run for governor. 

A Providence psychiatrist has announced his candidacy for mayor of the capital city, and this is a man with a lot of experience running for the job. 

After unsuccessful mayoral runs in 2006 and 2010, Dr. Daniel Harrop – a longtime Republican activist – is running for mayor of Providence again. As a Republican in a largely Democratic city, it will be an uphill climb. But Harrop said the city’s unfunded pension liability under the leadership of Democrats is unsustainable.

On today's podcast, Moody's downgrades the state's 38 Studios bonds, and the Water Supply board of Providence may increase rates.

Plus, Rhode Island Public Radio's healthcare reporter Kristin Gourlay looks at the state's new prescription drug monitoring program.

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the state’s bonds for its failed deal with 38 Studios.  Moody’s has put those and other state bonds under review for possible additional downgrades.

In explaining the move, Moody’s points to uncertainty in the General Assembly about whether to allocate money for paying back the 38 Studios’ bonds. The investors’ service downgraded the 38 Studios bonds from a low credit risk to a moderate risk.

State lawmakers continue to meet behind closed doors as they prepare to unveil their changes to the budget introduced by Governor Lincoln Chafee.  The legislative spending plan will be vetted Tuesday by the House Finance Committee.

Filling a budget hole of about 30 million dollars is the top challenge facing lawmakers. The deficit is a result of lower than expected state revenues. Linda Katz of the liberal Center for Economic Progress is concerned that social programs for the needy may take a hit when legislators try to clear the red ink.

A compromise measure in the Rhode Island House will require voters to show ID – but not photo ID – when they go to the polls. The bill will be the subject of a House Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday.

Democratic State Representative Larry Valencia of Richmond had introduced a bill to repeal the state’s voter ID law. Valencia says he opposes voter ID because he sees it as a barrier to voting. But the rep said his bill will be amended to address concerns on both sides of the issue.

For Rhode Islanders between 15 and 44 years old, the leading cause of death is accidental drug overdose, usually involving prescription painkillers.  State health leaders are calling it an epidemic. There’s growing evidence that tracking the number of pills doctors prescribe to potential abusers might ease the problem. But Rhode Island’s fledgling prescription drug monitoring program is just getting started.

The dark side of opiates