11/06/2009

House Democrats caucus on state financial crisis
Most say they were glad to discuss ideas to address the economic crisis in a private setting

11/05/2009

Economist: R.I. recovery will lag
Significant job growth in Rhode Island isn’t forecast until 2011 or 2012

Wallin to run for R.I. attorney general
Former state prosecutor is first Republican to formally announce that he’ll be seeking the post

11/04/2009

RI Ethics Commission dismisses GOP charge against Attorney General Lynch
Committee rejects Republican complaint that attorney general violated gift-cap law

11/03/2009

Moderates’ financing in question
Party chairman might have exceeded the limits by donating $10,000 to both the state and Barrington branch of the party

Corrente won’t be the Moderate Party candidate for governor
Former U.S. Attorney says he wants to return to his private law practice

11/02/2009

Political Scene: R.I. Rep. Galbinske seeks truce with teachers union
State representative seeks to mend rift with second-largest teachers union

10/31/2009

R.I. lawmakers close year’s business with a flurry
Among bills passed: outlawing text messaging while driving

10/30/2009

R.I. General Assembly considers changes for EDC
A new board makeup and contract terms for a new director top the agenda; oversight commission to monitor the agency rejected

R.I. lawmakers plow through heavy agenda to the end
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- On the final night of an unusual October gathering of the part-time General Assembly, lawmakers Thursday night outlawed indoor prostitution, prohibited saltwater fishing without a license, and banned drivers from text messaging on Ocean State roads.

Kennedy, Langevin support compromise public-option bill
Measure doesn’t go as far as they wanted; they say it will reduce amount patients have to pay

10/29/2009

Bills fly through the House at special session
Dozens of bills, including one banning indoor prostitution, advance to Senate

10/28/2009

House tackles state name
PROVIDENCE –– A key legislative committee Tuesday night endorsed plans to allow voters to strip the word “Plantations” from the official state name, give police authority to take blood or urine from drunken-driving suspects after serious accidents, and eliminate the governor’s power to replace U.S. senators should unexpected vacancies occur.

10/27/2009

Sen. Whitehouse detects an air of confidence among U.S. troops in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON — Back from a brief tour of Afghanistan, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said Monday that “the baseline” of progress in the U.S. war effort there is better than it might appear from news coverage of rising casualties and the sharp disagreement over how the Obama administration should proceed.

N. Attleboro Marine killed in Afghanistan crash
WASHINGTON — Back from a brief tour of Afghanistan, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said Monday that “the baseline” of progress in the U.S. war effort there is better than it might appear from news coverage of rising casualties and the sharp disagreement over how the Obama administration should proceed.

R.I. General Assembly to reconvene over long list of issues
The General Assembly has scheduled a special session that is described as “fine-tuning.”

10/26/2009

R.I. prostitutes speak out against bill to close loophole
The General Assembly plans to vote on legislation to outlaw indoor prostitution, which is now legal in Rhode Island.

Political scene: Chairman Corvese told Capitol TV to skip House Labor Committee hearing
State House Room 313 last week was the scene of the most contentious legislative hearing in nearly four months.

10/24/2009

Kennedy criticizes Catholic stand on health care
The congressman’s criticism draws an immediate rebuke from the bishop of Providence.

10/23/2009

Tax changes may be on R.I. horizon
PROVIDENCE — Governor Carcieri’s administration director, Gary Sasse, gave a roomful of state senators a list of “two to three things” to do over the next few months as the state tries to climb out of its financial abyss. The first was: “pray.”

Former U.S. Attorney Corrente considers run for governor
Ex-U.S. Attorney Robert C. Corrente has been meeting with the new Moderate Party to discuss a campaign.

10/22/2009

Stormy hearing on arbitration at State House
The legislation would allow an arbitrator to settle contract disputes between teachers unions and school boards.

Smith seeks GOP nod for governor
Businessman Riordon B. Smith says he has the experience to deal with budget deficits, high taxes and high unemployment.

R.I. House will convene special session on Oct. 28-29
PROVIDENCE — Putting to rest rumors that the General Assembly might not return to work next week after all, House Speaker William J. Murphy has dispatched a letter to colleagues signaling his plans for next week’s special session, a closed-door Democratic caucus in November to talk about “potential plans of action for the current fiscal situation,” and an “economic summit” in early December.

Birth of mayor’s son delays approval of proposed budget
If it isn’t approved Thursday, the budget proposed by City Manager Richard Brown would take effect, which would close the Recreation Center and two libraries.

10/21/2009

R.I. phone bank utilized to support health-care reform
But the head of the state Democratic Party said he had “zero” knowledge of the effort organized by the national committee.

10/19/2009

Political Scene: Former Lt. Gov. Charlie Fogarty is now a lobbyist
Former Lt. Gov. Charlie Fogarty is returning to the State House. But this time, he’ll be wearing a lobbyist badge.

10/17/2009

Dennigan leads challengers in campaign cash
The former state representative has more than $108,000 to challenge U.S. Rep. James Langevin.

10/16/2009

Carcieri renews call to abolish corporate tax
Governor Carcieri tells business leaders the state needs a “game-changer” to attract more commerce.

Adding up the stimulus: Thousands of jobs created
Only six jobs are reported as created in Rhode Island, but the data is incomplete, says the governor’s office.

O’Donnell confirmed as U.S. marshal
WASHINGTON — Rhode Island State Police Lt. Col. Steven G. O’Donnell has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the next U.S. marshal for Rhode Island.

Senate Finance Committee examines state aid to cities and towns
“We want to know whether it’s all justified and what we can do going forward to deal with the fact that our revenues are flat and could decrease,” says Sen. Daniel DaPonte, chairman of the Finance Committee.

10/15/2009

R.I. delegation confident Congress will pass health bill
But Democratic members of both the House and Senate say they’re still unsure whether it will include a “public option.”

10/14/2009

Strong field surfaces in race for governor
PROVIDENCE

Strong field surfaces in race for governor
PROVIDENCE

10/12/2009

Murphy coy over rumor of early departure as speaker
PROVIDENCE — Rumors persist that House Speaker William J. Murphy will step aside from the most powerful political position in Rhode Island before the 2010 legislative session ends, to give a leg up to his chosen successor, House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox.

10/11/2009

John E. Mulligan: Reed says strong U.S. civilian corps needed for success in Afghanistan
The Rhode Island senator, who’ll be on Face the Nation on Sunday, says a strong U.S. civilian corps must follow up on any military success in Afghanistan.

R.I. delegation questions Afghanistan strategy
Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, for example, says the objective should be in defeating al-Qaida.

10/10/2009

Some R.I. academics say honor not yet earned
But others contend that President Obama has already had a dramatic impact on international relations.

R.I. academics mixed on impact of Nobel
A Roger Williams University professor says the prize could create problems for the first-term president.

10/09/2009

Reed has reservations about Afghanistan war plans
WASHINGTON — Sen. Jack Reed has voiced significant concerns not only about the military command’s request for thousands of additional troops to fight a broad counterinsurgency in Afghanistan, but also about the leading alternative: Vice President Joe Biden’s call for a scaled-back fight that stresses special forces and aerial-drone attacks on al-Qaida terrorists in the Pakistan borderlands.

Delegation says casino must have voter OK
Three of R.I.’s members of Congress oppose any law change that would allow the Narragansetts to take over Twin River without a referendum.

Judge’s ruling allows run for mayor in Central Falls
CENTRAL FALLS — A federal judge yesterday threw out the City Charter rule that was used to disqualify the only candidate who filed to run against Mayor Charles D. Moreau, and ordered the city to put him on the ballot if he met all other requirements.