07/04/2009

R.I. advises Web retailers of tax
The retailers are notified they may be obligated to collect sales tax on purchases made by Rhode Islanders.

06/30/2009

Anesthesia error results in a surgical near miss
An eye operation at Miriam Hospital is canceled after a surgeon’s mistake is discovered.

06/28/2009

R.I. House adjourns with bills unresolved
Lawmakers speculate that the hasty end was the result of a communication breakdown between the House and Senate, which left on Friday.

R.I. House adjourns with bills unresolved
Lawmakers speculate that the hasty end was the result of a communication breakdown between the House and Senate, which left on Friday.

06/26/2009

Assembly Digest
Sex-offender bill to get House vote

Advocates for health insurance office celebrate
Advocates who had rallied to save the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner are celebrating their success, after the House on Wednesday decided to scrap its plan to eliminate the $700,000 department.

06/23/2009

Governor, others deplore House move to scrap health insurance commissioner
Two lawmakers propose amending the state budget proposal to save the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner.

06/20/2009

Allies argue for keeping post of R.I. health insurance commissioner
They say the post of health insurance commissioner, slated for elimination in the state budget, has helped both employers and consumers by helping to contain costs.

Allies argue for keeping post of R.I. health insurance commissioner
They say the job of health insurance commissioner, slated for elimination in the state budget, has helped both employers and consumers.

06/21/2009

R.I., Conn. have agreement to catch delinquent taxpayers
PROVIDENCE — Your Rhode Island personal income-tax refund may now be reduced — or even eliminated — if you owe back taxes to Connecticut.

06/19/2009

Unemployed spending less time on hold
The call center is now answering phones and processing claims more promptly.

06/16/2009

Probe sought on Lucas Group payment
The lieutenant governor and the attorney general’s office want to know who authorized the payment for work on the state’s Medicaid waiver.

06/14/2009

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

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.

R.I. Hospital says marking wasn’t verified in wrong-site surgery
The operation at Rhode Island Hospital was stopped and the surgery was then correctly completed on the right side.

House bill would change name of MHRH
Rep. Frank Ferri says the state agency should drop the word “retardation” and be called the Department of Mental Health and Hospitals.

R.I. Hospital says marking wasn’t verified in wrong-site surgery
The operation at R.I. Hospital was stopped and the surgery was then correctly completed on the right side.

06/11/2009

Labor victories bolster firefighters’ confidence
Union leaders point to their victories in arbitrations and court disputes with the mayor.

Key contract differences
Health care •The city wants current firefighters to pay 15 percent of the premium and new firefighters to pay 20 percent.

Report proposes $90 million in pension savings
The report by a panel appointed by the House speaker points to a potential $90 million in savings based on changes to the pension system.

06/10/2009

Senate confirms Alexander as state’s chief of health and human services
He will oversee the state’s health and human services office that serves more than 300,000 Rhode Islanders.

RIPEC points to savings by freeing communities from mandates
A report by the business-backed group suggests that communities get the authority to eliminate or consolidate services.

Pawtucket City Council to vote on tax increase
PAWTUCKET –– The City Council is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a plan to erase this year’s large budget deficits in the next fiscal year by imposing a 5.6 percent property tax increase and drawing on “rainy day” cash reserves, moves that would avert a looming court case over money for the schools.

06/09/2009

Nominee’s claims disputed
A consulting firm claims it was responsible for obtaining the state’s Medicaid waiver, not the man nominated to be the secretary of health and human services.

06/08/2009

A bridge to the past
PAWTUCKET — In the 1930s, if you wanted to erect a major building in Pawtucket, architect John F. O’Malley was the man to see. Among his eclectic list of accomplishments are Pawtucket City Hall, the former Leroy Theater and what is now Shea High School.

A bridge to the past
PAWTUCKET — In the 1930s, if you wanted to erect a major building in Pawtucket, architect John F. O’Malley was the man to see. Among his eclectic list of accomplishments are Pawtucket City Hall, the former Leroy Theater and what is now Shea High School.

R.I. at center of CBN story on gay-marriage debate
The Ocean State has stumbled into the national spotlight once again, this time for its status as the only New England state that prohibits gay marriage.

R.I. at center of CBN story on gay-marriage debate
The Ocean State has stumbled into the national spotlight once again, this time for its status as the only New England state that prohibits gay marriage.

06/07/2009

Pensions for some government employees in R.I. top $100,000
Cost-of-living increases have boosted the annual payments.

Fiscal constraints among issues that would face Supreme Court nominee Suttell
If confirmed as chief justice, Paul A. Suttell’s top job will be to maintain the state’s court system in a time of economic stress.

Fiscal constraints among issues that would face Supreme Court nominee Suttell
If confirmed, Justice Paul A. Suttell’s top challenge will be to maintain the state’s court system in a time of economic stress.

Pensions for some government employees in R.I. top $100,000
Cost-of-living increases have boosted the annual payments.

Pensions for some government employees in R.I. top $100,000

Fiscal constraints among issues that would face Supreme Court nominee Suttell

06/06/2009

Public employees enter pension debate at State House hearing
Public employees at a State House hearing offer alternatives to some of the pension reform plans that have surfaced.

Public employees enter pension debate at State House hearing
Public employees at a State House hearing offer alternatives to some of the pension reform plans that have surfaced.

06/05/2009

R.I. House approves Sox, Patriots license plates
The measure, which now goes to the Senate, would create the premium-priced plates for Red Sox and Patriots fans, with the extra money going to charity.

06/03/2009

R.I. Supreme Court rejects sex offender’s risk challenge
PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a convicted sex offender’s challenge of his classification by the state as presenting the highest risk of committing such crimes again.

R.I. historic tax credit to become history
Created in 2001, the program has helped pay for the redevelopment of mill buildings, making luxury condominiums, offices and restaurants out of long-vacant structures.

06/02/2009

New agency, rules at homeless shelter
The House of Hope will take over Harrington Hall, in Cranston, where beds will no longer be reserved for sex offenders.

R.I. Senate president seeks EDC overhaul
M. Teresa Paiva Weed submits a bill that would expand the Economic Development Corporation from 8 members to 13 and allow Governor Carcieri to dismiss current members in February.

05/31/2009

R.I. court rules against Raytheon’s request for sales-tax refund
The state said Raytheon owed the tax for items it bought and used in connection with government contracts. Raytheon argued those items were exempt.

05/29/2009

Biography of Paul A. Suttell
Paul A. Suttell

Corporate tax break comes under scrutiny
With Rhode Island facing a $590-million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, lawmakers are reviewing a measure that allows companies to lower their tax rate in exchange for creating jobs.

05/28/2009

Chafee fundraiser brings out eclectic group of supporters
Some 200 Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters attend the gathering for the former U.S. senator, who’s seen making a run for governor.

05/26/2009

Public comment sought on plan by hospitals to affiliate
St. Joseph Health Services and Roger Williams Medical Center want to cut costs by consolidating administrative functions and coordinating clinical care.

05/22/2009

Bill to reorganize CRMC has governor’s support
The legislation, which has the governor’s backing, would reduce the council’s membership and create a legislative oversight panel.

05/21/2009

Panel OKs closing sex offender loophole
The measure would require those convicted of molestation or sexual assault to wear global positioning system devices while their formal classifications are being determined.

05/20/2009

Disciplinary hearing on pharmacy owned by Blais set for June
A routine inspection of the Pawtuxet Valley Prescription Center, owned by Coventry Sen. Leo Blais, turned up a number of alleged violations.

State paid for work on Medicaid waiver plan
A New Hampshire company was given a $30,000 contract in connection with the overhaul plan.

Pension reform still awaiting actuarial report
PROVIDENCE — More than two months have gone by since a pension study commission appointed by House Speaker William J. Murphy took a series of votes aimed at creating a new — and for taxpayers, significantly less expensive — retirement package for 23,700 state employees and public school teachers.

05/19/2009

One-day pay cut for most state workers
The reduction, hammered out last year as part of new four-year state employee contracts, will be reflected in the workers’ June 12 paychecks and save an estimated $2.44 million.

Pair of doctors punished by state medical board
Disciplinary action is taken against Dr. James R. Urban, an East Greenwich internist, and Dr. Donya Ann Powers, a Pawtucket family practitioner.

05/17/2009

State lawmakers debate who needs GPS tracking
State lawmakers have attempted to increase the use of GPS tracking for sex offenders.

05/16/2009

R.I. Hospital to examine its surgical safety issues
The decision follows an incident this week when a surgeon began operating on the wrong side of a child’s mouth.

R.I. Hospital to examine its surgical safety issues
The decision follows an incident this week when a surgeon began operating on the wrong side of a child’s mouth.

Effect of end to dog racing questioned
A 2004 state budget office report disputes the greyhound owners’ recurring argument that the state would lose millions of video-slot dollars.

05/15/2009

Attorney general’s brother considers succeeding him
State Democratic Chairman William J. Lynch may seek his brother Patrick C. Lynch’s post if he makes a run for governor.

Candidates interviewed for Family Court post
Seven candidates are interviewed by the state Judicial Nominating Committee for a Family Court judgeship.

05/14/2009

Hearing revives R.I.’s gay-marriage debate
PROVIDENCE — On the heels of victories in five other New England states and movement in the New York legislature, same-sex marriage supporters in Rhode Island flocked to the State House on Wednesday, alongside ardent critics, to make their case for gay marriage in this state.

Hasbro doctor begins operating on wrong part of child’s mouth
Rhode Island Hospital is at a loss to explain why a surgeon began operating on the wrong side of a child’s mouth.

Call for casino referendum draws familiar opponent
A Senate panel takes up a measure by Smithfield Democrat Sen. John Tassoni for a public vote on turning the state’s slot parlors into full-fledged casinos.

05/09/2009

DBR denies hearing for greyhound owners on suspension of racing
The Department of Business Regulation says the conflict between Twin River’s owners and the Rhode Island Greyhound Owners Association is a civil matter.

05/08/2009

R.I. Divison of Taxation mining data for deninquent taxes
Using new computer technology, the state collects $2 million from residents, and now turns its focus to delinquent corporations.

05/07/2009

Candidates make their cases for chief judgeship of District Court
Nine candidates interview for the position of chief judge of the state’s District Court system.

Twin River decision to suspend racing angers greyhound owners and trainers
LINCOLN — Clutching his brochure with both hands, Ken Richard watched intently as the greyhounds charged toward the first bend at the Twin River racing track. His dog, Smooth Chapman, a white and brown 2-year-old male, is near the front.

05/06/2009

Rhode Island revenue collections down an estimated $100 million
Officials find the state has collected about $100 million less than they had predicted last fall.

Twin River owners say they’ll ‘suspend’ dog-racing on May 31
PROVIDENCE — Owners of the Twin River greyhound track and slot parlor have put the state on notice they intend to “suspend” dog-racing on May 31.

Coventry child is 10th probable case of flu
A Coventry child has been identified as the 10th probable case of swine flu in Rhode Island.

R.I. stimulus advisers get down to work
Panel promises transparency as it proposes ways to spend federal funds.