William Murphy

Scott MacKay Commentary: Why RI Can't Put 38 Studios In The Rear View Mirror

By • Mar 3, 2017
RIPR File Photo

38 Studios is the Rhode Island scandal that just won’t go away. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay wonders how the state can put this mess in the rear-view mirror.

EDC Board Told Legislature Knew About And Vetted 38 Studios

By , & • Sep 24, 2015
Ian Donnis / RIPR

During a closed session on June 9, 2010, the board of Rhode Island's Economic Development Corporation received a briefing on what then-Governor Don Carcieri suggested was a "fairly significant transaction" that had presented itself to the EDC.

Scott MacKay Commentary: More Than Meets Eye In Rep. Joe Almeida Arrest?

By • Feb 12, 2015
Ian Donnis / RIPR

Once again, a Rhode Island General Assembly member has been arrested.Rhode Island Public Radio's political analyst Scott MacKay on why the charges against Rep. Joseph Almeida don’t fit the usual pattern.

The Rhode Island state police have nabbed Providence State Rep. Almeida for allegedly misappropriating about $6,000 in campaign money for personal use.

Judge Declines to Quash Subpoena for Fox Over 38 Studios

By • Jun 3, 2014

A Superior Court judge has declined to quash a subpoena calling for former House speaker Gordon Fox to answer questions related to the state’s lawsuit over 38 Studios.

The ruling by Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein means that Fox must attend a deposition conducted by one of the 14 defendants being sued by the state over 38 Studios.

Speaker Fox resigns, is the RI House ready for a chaotic speaker transfer?

By • Mar 22, 2014

This just in: Gordon Fox has resigned as RI House Speaker. Here's why in a post that predicted this and was posted several hours before the Fox announcement:

Supporters Plan to Rally for Payday Loan Reform

By • Mar 27, 2013

The debate over payday lending is set to begin anew with a Statehouse rally Wednesday afternoon.  Efforts to reduce the annual interest charged by payday lenders have died on Smith Hill for the last two years.

The mayors of Warwick, Cranston, Central Falls and Woonsocket are expected to take part in the rally being staged by the Rhode Island Payday Lending Reform Coalition.

Pay day loans are capped at $500, and are supposed to be paid back within two weeks. The annual interest rate on those loans can amount to 260 percent.