05/18/2008

Bakst: Darrell West’s parting words
You may have read that Darrell West, the Brown University political scientist I call Professor Sound Bite, is leaving town and heading for Washington.

05/16/2008

Senate approves marijuana dispensaries
But the bill faces House opposition and probably won’t become law this year.

05/15/2008

Bakst: Gay equality at issue at the State House and beyond

05/14/2008

Governor wants $200 million for contract employees
Legislators on the House Finance Committee, however, have a host of questions about the plan.

05/13/2008

Mediation scheduled to resolve Damiani dispute with East Providence
EAST PROVIDENCE — Mediation is the next step for the discrimination complaint former Sen. Michael J. Damiani filed last year against the city when it required Damiani to get a physical exam and other tests before becoming one of its assistant harbormasters.

Rosenberg column: Friendship on the menu at Jim’s
A photo on the front page of Saturday’s Journal, showing Bobby Kennedy’s son Max campaigning for Barack Obama at Jim’s Steak and Spaghetti Restaurant in Huntington, W. Va., brought back memories.

At CVS trial, things already are depressing
No matter how it turns out, it was obvious from yesterday’s opening arguments that the trial of two former CVS executives on federal corruption charges is not going to be pretty.

05/12/2008

R.I. politicians planning ahead
From state Treasurer Frank Caprio to former Congressman Robert Weygand, many are considering their options.

State parties reveal their financial status
To get more Republicans elected to the Rhode Island General Assembly and to federal offices, state GOP Chairman Giovanni Cicione promised to “spend every penny” of the party’s campaign war chest, which the GOP nearly did in the first quarter of this year.

05/11/2008

Middle-class concerned about closing the deficit
A mother of two school-age children worries about the quality of education: “There’s a huge trickle down effect with all of these cuts.”

05/10/2008

R.I. budget hole grows by at least $50 million
Financial analysts say the shortfall for the coming fiscal year has grown by more than $50 million.

05/11/2008

Bakst: Gambling’s reach grows longer
I commend Governor Carcieri for vetoing legislation for round-the-clock gambling on weekends and holidays at Twin River and Newport Grand.

05/09/2008

Fired West Warwick building official announces council bid
He contends he was axed as building official in retaliation for cooperating with a bribery investigation.

Cooke bows out of race for House
Citing threatening comments on a newspaper Web site, Caswell Cooke abandons his bid to unseat Democrat Peter Lewiss.

Lawmakers’ motives called into question
PROVIDENCE — Perennial political candidate Christopher F. Young took the annual debate on gay marriage in an unexpected direction late Wednesday night when he accused state representatives of corruption and questioned their interest in Satan.

Red-light cameras are a go
The House approves a bill to permanently allow the cameras at traffic intersections to catch motorists who run through them.

Cooke bows out of race for House
Citing threatening comments on a newspaper Web site, Caswell Cooke abandons his bid to unseat Democrat Peter Lewiss.

05/08/2008

Delegate numbers favor Obama
According to a Democratic Party insider, the race is essentially over despite Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s intention to continue campaigning.

Delegate numbers favor Obama
According to a Democratic Party insider, the race is essentially over despite Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s intention to continue campaigning.

No votes taken on same-sex marriage bills
PROVIDENCE — Jenn Steinfeld celebrated an anniversary of sorts in a crowded committee room at the State House last night.

Democratic nomination race at an end?
Thoughts about Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton as the Democrats turn to West Virginia, scene of a historic 1960 primary:

Foster candidates announce for council
A Democrat, a Republican and an independent are vying for the post left open in March by Harold R. Shippee.

05/07/2008

In Indiana, Obama stands tough
INDIANAPOLIS — If Sen. Barack Obama didn’t decisively knock off Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in Indiana’s photo-finish primary yesterday, he at least showed that he can take a punch and come back stronger.

In Indiana, Obama stands tough
INDIANAPOLIS — If Sen. Barack Obama didn’t decisively knock off Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in Indiana’s photo-finish primary yesterday, he at least showed that he can take a punch and come back stronger.

Clinton’s win may solidify split among Democrats
INDIANAPOLIS — With a populist edge and a pitch to cut gasoline taxes, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton was beating Sen. Barack Obama decisively among working-class white voters and voters most concerned about the slumping economy in another hard-pressed state in the heartland.

05/06/2008

State tax revenues lower than expected
PROVIDENCE –– The state’s largest revenue sources –– income and sales taxes –– are down sharply through the first 10 months of the fiscal year, a further sign that Rhode Island’s financial problems are mounting as lawmakers struggle to balance the 2008-09 budget facing the largest deficit in nearly two decades.

Bakst: Can’t imagine Reed rejecting a call to duty
Sen. Jack Reed insists he doesn’t want to be Secretary of Defense.

State tax revenues lower than expected
PROVIDENCE –– The state’s largest revenue sources –– income and sales taxes –– are down sharply through the first 10 months of the fiscal year, a further sign that Rhode Island’s financial problems are mounting as lawmakers struggle to balance the 2008-09 budget facing the largest deficit in nearly two decades.

05/02/2008

Carcieri signs midyear budget
The plan closes a $168-million deficit by cutting social-service programs and money to cities and towns.

05/01/2008

Over objections, panel OKs plan that cuts aid, programs
Opponents yesterday mounted a last-ditch effort to block the bill, which heads to the full Senate this afternoon.

Amid the storms, Obama struggles to hang on
As punishing on voters as long presidential campaigns can be, at least they usually provide a chance to see a candidate forced to confront a crisis.

04/30/2008

Join the cheese party: Wine and dine or take out from Cool Moose Party founder Robert Healey’s cafe in Warren
WARREN

Senator says he’ll seek reelection
The four-term senator for Smithfield and North Smithfield heads the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government.

Citizens Alliance switches gears
The group has now registered as a political action committee and plans to recuit candidates for local offices.

Property rights group formed
CHARLESTOWN — Councilmen James M. Mageau and Bruce W. Picard have founded a nonprofit organization to fight new state wastewater regulations.

04/29/2008

Analysts say R.I. economy in recession
From the jobless rate to the number of home foreclosures, the state is faring worse than its neighbors.

R.I. secretary of state Mollis proposes Saturday voting
The polling idea is part of a package of legislation that the secretary of state will announce today.

Read a transcript of projo.com chat with Senator Reed
As part of his special report in The Providence Sunday Journal and on projo.com, Journal staff writer G. Wayne Miller hosted U.S. Sen. Jack Reed yesterday for a live chat on projo.com.

Carcieri, clergy: Little drama, little urgency
I don’t say that the three top religious leaders who conferred last Friday with Governor Carcieri and joined him in meeting reporters lost their nerve. But if you’d like to say it, be my guest.

04/28/2008

Senator Reed answers readers' questions in live chat / Transcript

Political Scene: Assembly may take another look at cell phone ban
Remember the plan to ban drivers from talking on hand-held cell phones?

04/26/2008

Assembly closes deficit with cuts
But the action last night is seen as only a prelude to the cutting needed to close a shortfall approaching $500 million in the next fiscal year.

Senator Reed in the spotlight
Check the national news these days and you are likely to find Jack Reed, Rhode Island’s senior U.S. senator, discussing foreign policy, the military, economics, health care and other issues. You may find speculation that he’s in line to be secretary of defense.

04/27/2008

Issues surrounding smoke shop trial aren’t settled
Bad vibes linger from the Narragansett Indian smoke shop trial in Superior Court.

Senator Jack Reed: A Humble Path to Power
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island says he intends to stay where he is, but his name comes up frequently as a good candidate for vice president or secretary of defense.

04/25/2008

House bill cuts Rhode Island polling hours
Polling places would close an hour earlier, at 8 p.m., if the bill approved by the house yesterday becomes law.

Chat online with Reed
Check the national news these days and you are likely to find Jack Reed, Rhode Island’s senior U.S. senator, discussing foreign policy, the military, economics, health care and other issues. You may find speculation that he’s in line to be secretary of defense.

04/24/2008

Rehoboth voters reject limits on political signs
Proposed by the selectmen, the bylaw sought to limit sign size and placement. Voters say the restrictions violated free speech.

Faced with cut in health benefits, state R.I. workers may retire early
The governor’s cost-cutting retirement plan is expected to prompt thousands of state employees to retire early to avoid tougher eligibility rules.

Obama and Clinton locked in an enduring battle, but to what end?
Hillary Clinton defeats Barack Obama in Pennsylvania, and so the Democratic Party’s excitement — and agony — continues.

04/23/2008

House committee clears cuts to close $168 million deficit
In order to close the $168-million gap for the current fiscal year, the plan cuts state aid to cities and towns, and a host of social-service programs.

Bolivian president shares the wealth
Evo Morales tells a Brown University crowd that in the past, “Bolivians were poor. But Bolivia was never poor.”

Bolivian president shares the wealth
Evo Morales tells a Brown University crowd that in the past, “Bolivians were poor. But Bolivia was never poor.”

04/22/2008

Former anchor looks at America
NBC newsman and author Tom Brokaw speaks to a packed hall at Brown University last night.

Pawtucket reports surge in voter registration
The biggest number of new registrations is in the 18-to-25-year-old group.

Former anchor looks at America
NBC newsman and author Tom Brokaw speaks to a packed hall at Brown University last night.

At Angelo’s, celebrating Rhode Island
When the U.S. Small Business Administration recently named Angelo’s restaurant on Federal Hill its family-owned business of the year, proprietor Bob Antignano laid out a spread that included veal and peppers and fried calamari.

04/21/2008

Bray removed from Guard Web site

04/20/2008

M. Charles Bakst looks at the latest sparring between Clinton and Obama
If I were a Democratic partisan with my heart set on the party’s winning the White House this year, right about now I’d cry.

04/18/2008

Silva apologizes for comment at East Providence City Council meeting
EAST PROVIDENCE — A month after he told audience members to “shut up” during a contentious meeting, City Councilman Bryan Silva has apologized.