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Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 3 hours ago
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.Senators John J. Tassoni and Leo R. Blais were among those who filed reports with the Capitol Police after the incident, which occurred shortly before 11 p.m. on Thursday, June 26.Fellela, 51, confronted the senators and a Senate staffer...
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Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 07/02/2009
PROVIDENCE — Weeks after legalizing the sale of marijuana to sick people, lawmakers have voted to explore how much Rhode Island might collect in revenue if it were to make all sales of marijuana legal and impose a “sin tax” of $35 per ounce.During the ’s aborted rush to adjournment Friday, the Senate approved a resolution — introduced earlier the same day — to create...
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Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 07/02/2009
Nick Figueroa, who heads a committee seeking a change in the state name, at a news conference Wednesday.The Providence Journal / Kris CraigPROVIDENCE — Supporters of a plan that would give voters in next year’s general election the opportunity to strike the phrase “and Providence Plantations” from the state’s formal name, launched a public awareness and education campaign...
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Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 07/02/2009
RobertsPROVIDENCE –– Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts will not run for governor in 2010, according to a surprise announcement Wednesday afternoon that squelched widespread speculation the Cranston Democratic would compete for Rhode Island’s most powerful elected post.The move comes just two months after the first-term lieutenant governor unveiled a high-profile “campaign team”...
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Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 07/01/2009
PROVIDENCE –– on Tuesday reluctantly signed into law a $7.8-billion budget package that raises Rhode Island’s gas tax by 2 cents per gallon, cuts millions of dollars from cities and towns, and trims pension benefits for thousands of state workers and teachers.If he had the option, the governor said, he would not have signed the plan, which boosts overall government spending by $900...
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Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 07/01/2009
Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, center, talks with Senate Minority Leader Dennis Algiere, right, before the Senate went back into session Tuesday.The Providence Journal / Connie GroschPROVIDENCE — Just before 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed banged her gavel and sent the Senate into extended recess for at least part of the summer, capping a chaotic month on Smith...
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Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 06/30/2009
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 ’s push to tax some online sales as soon as Wednesday.An Amazon spokeswoman declined to say how many businesses –– local book dealers and other retailers — will be affected, but she confirmed that notification...
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Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 06/29/2009
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.In fact, the $7.76-billion state budget approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon would give the state’s part-time lawmakers — who meet on average three days a week,...
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Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 06/28/2009
Voters next year may have the opportunity to do something that African-American legislators have been unable to accomplish for decades: strike the phrase “and Providence Plantations” from the state’s name.In actions Thursday and Friday that some described as historic, the House and then the Senate voted overwhelmingly to send to voters in November 2010 a constitutional amendment that...
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Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 06/27/2009
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.Forced to fill the largest revenue shortfall in decades, lawmakers voted 34 to 2 to approve a budget that raises Rhode Island’s gas tax by 2 cents per gallon, trims the pension benefits...
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Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 06/25/2009
PROVIDENCE –– After hours of intense debate, the House of Representatives late Wednesday night was poised to approve a state spending plan that will wipe out millions of dollars to cities and towns, narrow pension benefits for thousands of state workers and teachers, and boost Rhode Island’s gasoline tax by 2 cents per gallon.Forced to close the largest budget deficit in recent memory...
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Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 06/25/2009
Rep. Nicholas Mattiello, D-Cranston, right, talks with two Woonsocket representatives in the House lounge: Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, left, and Jon Brien, center. Mattiello has introduced legislation which would make it a felony for a convicted sex offender to knowingly enter a playground, daycare center or school.The Providence Journal / Connie GroschPROVIDENCE –– The House Judiciary Committee...
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Providence Journal (Free subscription) | 06/25/2009
PROVIDENCE — Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch’s office said Wednesday it will not appeal a federal judge’s ruling that struck down part of the state election law as it pertains to new political parties.Lynch’s office had defended the Board of Elections and Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis in the Moderate Party of Rhode Island’s challenge of the law stipulating how new...
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