07/09/2009

New Medicaid rules aim to reduce nursing home admissions
PROVIDENCE –– Rose Belanger is a fighter, a 79-year-old spitfire raised in the Italian neighborhoods of Federal Hill.

Rep. Kennedy optimistic he’s on the road to sobriety
The Rhode Island Democrat says his network of medical professionals and fellow recovering addicts had urged him to “do some soul-searching” at a treatment facility.

R.I. Tea Party dumped from Bristol Fourth of July parade
Organizers of the annual event say the anti-tax group violated parade protocol by handing out copies of the U.S. Constitution during the march.

Cranston debates workers’ labeling
The Cranston City Council wants to make all town employees classified, but the mayor vetoes the measure.

07/08/2009

R.I.’s attorney general is well traveled
PROVIDENCE — Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch has traveled far and wide — and often — in the last 18 months.

07/06/2009

Rhode Island State Police investigate State House confrontation
The state police have investigated a State House confrontation involving a handful of state officials and Henry Fellela, the husband of Rep. Deborah Fellela, D-Johnston.

07/02/2009

Supporters of state name change poised to woo voters’ support
Though the General Assembly has yet to approve placing the question before the state’s voters, the campaign for dropping “Plantations” from the state name has begun.

Lt. Gov. Roberts bows out of race for governor
But the field of would-be successors to Governor Carcieri still remains crowded even after the lieutenant governor’s announcement.

Senate commission to study marijuana decriminalization
The Senate commission will issue a report on decriminalization by Jan. 31, 2010.

Supporters of state name change poised to woo voters’ support
Though the General Assembly has yet to approve placing the question before the state’s voters, the campaign for dropping “Plantations” from the state name has begun.

Lt. Gov. Roberts bows out of race for governor
But the field of would-be successors to Governor Carcieri still remains crowded even after the lieutenant governor’s announcement.

07/01/2009

Carcieri OKs $7.8-billion R.I. budget
But the governor says the plan relies on one-time fixes and lawmakers put off difficult choices on spending.

R.I. Senate recesses with bills in limbo
Among the bills yet to be acted on are a ban on indoor prostitution and a call for a referendum on the state name.

06/30/2009

Amazon cuts its R.I. ties over sales tax
PROVIDENCE –– The Internet giant Amazon.com has severed formal ties with all Rhode Island businesses, a move intended to shield the online retailer from the General Assembly’s push to tax some online sales as soon as Wednesday.

06/29/2009

Health care still free for R.I. lawmakers
State lawmakers spared their own free health-care packages — costing up to $17,986 apiece — from last week’s round of budget cuts across state government and the municipal aid landscape.

06/28/2009

R.I. may vote on striking ‘plantations’ from state’s name
The General Assembly moves closer to giving Rhode Islanders a vote in 2010 on striking “Providence Plantations” from the state’s name.

Meet with Whitehouse, Langevin this week
The U.S. senator and U.S. representative each plan events this week to meet with constituents.

06/27/2009

With federal help, $7.8-billion budget goes to Carcieri
PROVIDENCE — The Senate approved a $7.8-billion state budget Friday night, sending the tax-and-spending bill for the budget year that begins Wednesday to the governor’s desk and ending a 24-hour standoff.

06/26/2009

Assembly Digest
Sex-offender bill to get House vote

06/25/2009

Budget proposal appears on track
With a few minor modifications, the House appears poised to approve the plan endorsed by its Finance Committee.

Bill would toughen sex offender law
The bill would make it a felony offense for a convicted child molester to knowingly enter a playground, school or day-care center.

Lynch will not appeal ruling on state election law
U.S. District Judge William E. Smith struck down the stipulation that a petition drive may not begin until Jan. 1 of the election year.

Bill would toughen sex offender law
The bill would make it a felony offense for a convicted child molester to knowingly enter a playground, school or day-care center.

06/24/2009

High drama as House ponders repeal of flat tax
Proponents of ending the flat tax say that the state cannot afford the payment alternative that benefits only the wealthy.

Senate to vote on bills against prostitution, sex-trafficking
The Senate is expected to take up legislation that would make indoor prostitution a crime and strengthen laws against sex-trafficking.

06/22/2009

Watson, Costantino trade salvos over budget process
The annual frenzy continued last week in Room 35 of the State House.

Watson, Costantino trade salvos over budget process
The annual frenzy continued last week in Room 35 of the State House.

06/21/2009

Death of mentally-ill inmate raises question of care
James Davis-Reed, who died of “positional asphyxia” while under video surveillance, was “too fragile to be in prison,” says one state official.

R.I. General Assembly session is winding down
Lawmakers expect the legislative session to end July 1, leaving about a week to deal with — or ignore — nearly 2,000 proposals.

Inmate deaths
Inmate deaths

Death of mentally-ill inmate raises question of care
He banged his head against the wall until his teeth were loose, says one investigator. He clawed at his chest to get the devil out.

06/19/2009

Reaction muted to state budget plan
There were complaints, but the overall assessment was: It could have been worse.

Sex workers testify at Senate hearing on prostitution bill
They voice their opposition to a bill that would outlaw indoor prostitution.

Bill to change electoral vote shot down by R.I. House
PROVIDENCE — In a reversal from last year, state lawmakers have voted down a proposal aimed at changing the way that the president and vice president of the United States are elected.

06/18/2009

Rhode Island's Budget: A most delicate balance
The House Finance Committee’s plan trims pensions, boosts gas tax and relies on federal economic stimulus funds.

Work begins on health bill
As the first version of the bill surfaces, former Senate leaders urge compromise to gain health-care reform.

FY 2010: $7.76 billion
Dubbed the most challenging budget in state history, the House Finance Committee approves the plan in a 16-to-1 vote.

06/17/2009

RI Assembly overrides veto on marijuana compassion centers
Lawmakers override Governor Carcieri’s veto of a measure allowing the creation of state-licensed “compassion centers” to grow and sell marijuana to authorized patients.

Mayor Lombardi ‘out of loop’ on N. Providence payroll plan
The North Providence mayor initially thought the town would borrow federal stimulus funds to cover the June 12 payroll, but that plan changed.

Democrats demand names of TransformRI radio ads
Governor Carcieri is honorary chairman of the organization that has made radio ads touting his proposals.

Carceiri says Lt. Gov. Roberts’ charges without merit
Republican Governor Carcieri lashed back Tuesday at Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, a Democrat, for what he calls her “irresponsible and erroneous accusations” about his administration’s agreement to pay $370,000 to the Lucas Group for its consulting work on the state’s Medicaid overhaul.

06/16/2009

Poll: 43% oppose gay marriage
But some question the pollster’s methodology and challenge the results, which run counter to a previous survey’s findings.

Budget proposal still a secret
Lawmakers refuse to release details on their plan to close the $590-million budget deficit until Wednesday.

Moderate Party lawyers ask court for $46,416 in legal fees
Mark W. Freel and Robert D. Coulter successfully challenged a state law on the starting date for collecting signatures for the state ballot.

06/15/2009

Lawmakers bubbly over ’Gansett’s return
Most businesses hoping to come to Rhode Island don’t get to make their pitch from the speaker’s rostrum.

06/14/2009

Firefighter dispute puts Cicilline’s leadership style under scrutiny
This was supposed to be David N. Cicilline’s moment in the sun, a high point of his 6-1/2 years as mayor of Providence, a display of his stature in the national firmament of mayors and with the Obama administration.

Ohio river city mayor sees a Providence attraction worth stealing
The mayor of Cuyahoga Falls would like to adapt WaterFire to his own riverfront.

Firefighter dispute puts Cicilline’s leadership style under scrutiny
This was supposed to be David N. Cicilline’s moment in the sun, a high point of his 6½ years as mayor of Providence, a display of his stature in the national firmament of mayors and with the Obama administration.

General Assembly considers bill to reduce spending on public art
The legislation, submitted last week, would limit the amount in state construction projects that goes toward art, but earmarks more money for local arts programs.

06/13/2009

Carcieri vetoes bill allowing marijuana dispensaries
Senate leaders say they are already planning to schedule a vote to override the governor’s veto before the legislative session ends.

State to pay Lucas Group $370,000 for work previously called ‘voluntary’
The Carcieri administration agrees to the payment after insisting that The Lucas Group was volunteering its time to work on efforts to obtain a federal Medicaid waiver.

06/12/2009

A president in Central Falls: Colombian community gives a warm welcome to Uribe
CENTRAL FALLS — Andres Taborda, 16, and his aunt waited in the long line that snaked down Illinois Street on Thursday to hear Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez speak at Central Falls High School.

Rep. Kennedy decides to ‘step away’ for medical treatment
WASHINGTON — Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, a public face of recovery from addiction since an automobile accident spurred him into rehabilitation three years ago, has entered an undisclosed medical facility for treatment.

The unraveling of the administration’s planned R.I. visit
From the Obama administration to officials with the mayors’ organization, everyone assumed the contract dispute between Providence and its firefighters would be resolved. They were all wrong.

Tougher sex laws gain backing
Under the bills proposed in both chambers, coercion would no longer need to be proved in order to prosecute adults for sex trafficking of minors.

Rights group opposes Providence’s protest rules
PROVIDENCE — As if the protests and cancellations weren’t enough, this weekend’s U.S. Conference of Mayors gathering drew more unwanted attention Thursday when the Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union called on Mayor David N. Cicilline to stop using an online registration form for people who plan to protest or picket at the event.

Activists call for state to put lid on bottled water
PROVIDENCE — On the day before the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors opens here, activists gathered Thursday on the steps of the State House to urge officials in Rhode Island and across the country to step up efforts to reduce the nation’s consumption of bottled water.

Lawmakers outlaw pub crawls in wake of student’s death
The bill narrowly passes the House following a heated debate on civil liberties and the role of lawmakers in legislating public behavior.

06/11/2009

Without Obama administration officials, mayors' conference organizers revise meeting’s focus
PROVIDENCE — The U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting starting today had been built around mayors having face-to-face access to federal officials, but with President Obama’s team abruptly pulling out last Friday because of likely union protests against Mayor David N. Cicilline, the focus of the conference has changed.

06/12/2009

Rights group opposes Providence’s protest rules
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — As if the protests and cancellations weren’t enough, this weekend’s U.S. Conference of Mayors gathering drew more unwanted attention Thursday when the Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union called on Mayor David N. Cicilline to stop using an on-line registration form for people who plan to protest or picket at the event.

Stimulus money earmarked for energy-efficient buildings
$14.5 million is earmarked to make municipal buildings more energy efficient.

06/11/2009

The unraveling of the administration’s planned visit to mayors' meeting in Providence
WASHINGTON — Three weeks ago, Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline and his colleagues from around the country were celebrating the kind of coup that local politicians dream about.

"Tea Party" goers deliver a message
PROVIDENCE –– The angry men and women flooded through the marble hallways of the State House Wednesday night, an estimated 500 strong, united in a simple message against government spending and new taxes.

East Providence school board bashed over comment rule
EAST PROVIDENCE — The war between the city’s teachers and the School Committee continued Tuesday night as more than 250 picketed before a committee meeting at City Hall. The verbal sparring continued inside.

Rep. Lima proposes Yankees plates for R.I. motorists
The measure comes on the heels of legislation recently passed by the House to create Red Sox and Patriots license plates for Rhode Island drivers.

06/10/2009

Assembly, in veto-proof votes, OKs medical-marijuana dispensaries
The legislation, which contains enough votes to override a governor’s veto, permits state-licensed dispensaries for use by the critically ill.