Monday, April 8, 2013
A look at what happened last week at the State House
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Monday, April 8
Bill clears way for gender-specific school events Schools would no longer need to be concerned that father-daughter or mother-son dances are contrary to the state’s gender discrimination laws as a result of legislation passed by the Senate. Sponsored by Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick), the bill (2013-S 0012Aaa) will amend state law to provide that activities for students of one sex are permissible if reasonably comparable activities are provided for students of the other sex. Legislation introduced to improve safety in R.I. schools Three bills addressing school safety issues have been introduced in both chambers. Developed by the legislature and the governor’s office, the bills will, among other things, require …
Monday, March 25, 2013
Recent goings on at the Rhode Island State House.
Fox, Paiva Weed, Raimondo take action to pave the way for economic growth House Speaker Gordon D. Fox (D-Dist. 4, Providence), Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) and General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo announced a legislative proposal to improve Rhode Island’s locally maintained roads and bridges and spur economic growth. The proposed Municipal Road and Bridge Revolving Fund, to be administered by the AAA-rated Rhode Island Clean Water Finance Authority, would provide municipalities access to lower-cost borrowing for long-range planning and infrastructure investment. Click here to see news release. Senate Judiciary Committee holds 12-hour hearing on same-sex marriage bills The Senate Judiciary Committee …
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Members of the public will now be able to watch committee hearings and a live Senate session on the Internet for the first time in Rhode Island’s history.
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Wednesday, March 20
Members of the public will now be able to watch committee hearings and a live Senate session on the Internet for the first time in Rhode Island’s history. Capitol TV will be live streaming up to four committee hearings simultaneously, which will allow members of the public to see votes and hearings in real time. Those hearings, as well as the House and Senate sessions, will then be archived so they can be viewed through the Rhode Island General Assembly website on demand. Currently, Capitol TV airs a live House session and tapes the Senate session to broadcast after. Without web-streaming, the channel could only broadcast one live committee meeting at a time. “Now there will be more ways than ever for the public to access information and …
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
The Senate passed a bill by Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis last week that will require individuals convicted of first- or second-degree murder and who have not been sentenced to life in prison to serve at least 50 percent of a sentence prior to being eligible
Senate unveils 'Moving the Needle' legislative package President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown), Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence), Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and other senators unveiled a legislative package designed to improve Rhode Island’s business climate and its position on national business-friendliness surveys. The legislation was developed from the recommendations of a joint report by the Senate and the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council called “Moving the Needle.” Click here to see news release. Senate passes Raptakis murder/parole bill The Senate has approved legislation…
Monday, March 4, 2013
A bill introduced Thursday in the General Assembly would make it just that.
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Monday, March 4
Everyone – everyone – loves fried calamari. And not just in Rhode Island. Travel beyond our borders and you'll find fried calamari on the menu in Los Angeles, Wisconsin, and Washington D.C., to name a few of the places that have co-opted our batter-fried squid rings and tentacles served with red sauce and pickled hot peppers. Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston), in recognition of that fact, thinks calamari should be designated Rhode Island's official state appetizer. Bill 2013-H 5654, which McNamara (no relation to this author) introduced Thursday, would do just that. “Some much of what we hear or read about Rhode Island is negative,” said McNamara in a statement. “We need to start promoting the good and wonderful …
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
In a session full of pomp, circumstance, family and friends, the members of the 2013-14 General Assembly convene for the first time.
Sen. Teresa Paiva-Weed (D-Newport, Jamestown) regained the Senate presidency, with Sen. Dawson Hodgson (R-E.G., N.K., S.K., Narr.) casting the lone "nay" vote. East Greenwich has a new state representative for the first time in 20 years, with the swearing in Tuesday of Anthony Giarrusso (R-E.G., W.G.) at the State House. Giarrusso was one of 75 state representatives to be sworn in during the New Year's Day ceremony, but had the distinction of being the only newly elected Republican to the House. There are only six Republican state representatives. Rep. Gordon Fox (D-Providence) was returned to the House speakership by a vote of 66-6, with 3 abstentions. Across the way, in the Senate chambers, 38 senators were sworn in, including Hodgson…
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Here's a look at what went on at the State House this week.
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Saturday, June 11, 2011
House OKs bill to help police fight Internet child pornography The House has approved legislation (2011-H 5093A) to give law enforcement agencies administrative subpoena power to obtain information from Internet service providers relative to the distribution or storage of child pornography. Sponsored by Rep. Peter Martin (D-Dist. 75, Newport), the bill will require ISPs to provide certain information to assist investigations of suspected violations of the state’s anti-pornography laws. An identical Senate bill (2011-S 0781A) was introduced by Sen. Beatrice A. Lanzi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston). Click here to see news release. House bill gives adult adoptees access to birth certificates The House has approved a bill (2011-H 5453A) to allow adult …
Suzanne Gioni
6:35 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Yes. Doesn't need to take much time... just do it! more ›