Monday, March 25, 2013
Recent goings on at the Rhode Island State House.
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Monday, March 25
Senate Judiciary Committee holds 12-hour hearing on same-sex marriage bills The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on two Senate bills related to same-sex marriage. The first bill (2013-S 0038), sponsored by Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, North Providence), removes gender-specific language from the section of the general laws that governs eligibility for marriage, and addresses state and federal law recognition, applicability in the state of Rhode Island, marriage licenses, protection of freedom of religion in marriages and the merger of civil unions into marriages. The second bill (2013-S 0708), sponsored by Sen. Frank A. Ciccone III (D-Dist. 7, Providence, North Providence), is a resolution calling for a ballot …
Monday, February 25, 2013
Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the Rhode Island General Assembly this week.
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Monday, February 25
Walaska calls for creation of Port Marketing Collaborative To help promote and grow the state’s ports, Sen. William A. Walaska (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) has introduced legislation (2013-S 0172), “The Rhode Island Port Marketing Collaborative” act, to gather together state agencies and port stakeholders to develop and maintain a strategic plan for the state’s ports, facilities and maritime trades, with a focus on job creation. Identical legislation will be sponsored in the House by Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown). Click here to see news release. DiPalma bill would allow service members swift exit from auto, apartment leases Sen. Louis DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) has introduced…
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The following op-ed was submitted by state Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) who serves as chairperson of the Small Business Renewable Energy Task Force.
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Thursday, October 20, 2011
Rhode Island ranks among the lowest 10 states in the country when it comes to renewable energy. However, in the 2011 session, the General Assembly passed a suite of renewable energy laws—some of the most cohesive and comprehensive in the nation—that will leap frog Rhode Island from laggard to leader in renewable energy. It’s more than just protecting our environment, it’s about creating jobs in our state. It was an honor to chair the Small Business Renewable Energy Task Force. The SBRE Task Force was a very diverse group of stakeholders including state government (EDC, DEM, Office of Energy), small businesses (rTerra, Newport Biodiesel, Central Tool Manufacturing), renewable energy advocates, and National Grid. We focused on three key …
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Violators will face much higher fines, prison sentences of up to 90 days and forfeiture of boats and fishing equipment.
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Saturday, July 23, 2011
Poachers beware: Rhode Island has new, stiffer penalties for those who catch more than the legal limit on striped bass, or try to bag those that are too small. Under a bill passed by the General Assembly that has now been signed into law, the fine for violating striper limits in Rhode Island will increase substantially, and those caught could face prison sentences of up to 90 days as well as forfeiture of their boat and fishing equipment. According to the sponsors of the new law, Rep. Peter G. Palumbo and Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey, the move brings the striper penalties in line with those for violating other game limits, and aimed at preventing poachers – whether fishing commercially or recreationally – from skirting limits for their own …
Sunday, July 10, 2011
A look at laws passed in the latest session of the General Assembly and their implications to Rhode Islanders.
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Sunday, July 10, 2011
STATE SPENDING EDUCATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT / BUSINESS PUBLIC SAFETY JUSTICE SYSTEM ELECTIONS GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENT CONSUMER/QUALITY OF LIFE HEALTH CARE OTHER LEGISLATION
Monday, June 27, 2011
A look at what Rhode Island lawmakers have been up to over the last week.
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Monday, June 27, 2011
Here are highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit the General Assembly website. Cyberstalking now a crime under domestic violence statutes The governor has signed into law legislation to expand the domestic violence statutes to include “cyberstalking and cyberharassment” as punishable actions. Passed by the General Assembly in recent weeks was House bill (2011-H 5264) by Rep. Elaine M. Coderre (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket) and Senate bill (2011-S 0334) by Sen. Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence). Click here to see news release. Legislation to protect Social Security numbers signed into law It is now illegal for merchants or retailers in Rhode Island …
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Here are highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly at the State House in Providence this week.
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Sunday, June 5, 2011
House OKs bill to prohibit ‘sexting’ by minors The House has approved legislation (2011-H 5094aa) to establish a lesser offense (a status offense) for minors who “sext,” or transmit sexually explicit photos and videos electronically. Sponsored by Rep. Peter Martin (D-Dist. 75, Newport), the bill is intended to protect minors from being prosecuted under the state child pornography laws and face a possible five-year prison term. A similar Senate bill (2011-S 0733) was introduced by Sen. Beatrice A. Lanzi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston). Click here to see news release. Red Sox specialty license plates to be available Legislation passed by the General Assembly has been signed into law by the governor, offering Rhode Island motorists license plates that…
Ben Riggs
12:03 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
This is complete nonsense. These alternative energy projects do not create jobs. They send huge sums of taxpayer subsidized funds to China and Germany to purchase wind turbines and solar panels. And because they increase the cost of electricity, they reduce the funds that people have to spend in our local economy. They also don't help the environment or reduce fossil fuel usage. As shown in a … more ›