Rhode Island lawmakers returned to the Statehouse on Tuesday, approving the spending of 10% of the state’s federal American Rescue Plan Act money, as top legislators signaled the likely legalization of recreational marijuana this year.
The approval came quickly on the first day of legislative business. Gov. Dan McKee signed a revised budget that adds the spending a short time later.
Under an agreement between McKee and top lawmakers that was announced last month, the state will spend $119 million in APRA money in an attempt to boost small businesses, aid industries hurt by the pandemic, and expand the state’s affordable housing supply, among other uses.
Both the House and Senate met at the Statehouse as the state wrestles with the Omicron variant. For most of the 2021 session, the House met at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium and the Senate at Rhode Island College.
Some GOP lawmakers in the House did not wear masks, while GOP Leader Blake Filippi removed his mask while speaking. At least one Democrat did the same thing while discussing a bill on the House floor.
In their opening day remarks, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio touted the record of their chambers while citing priorities for 2022.
This is an election year for state lawmakers and progressives are pushing to make more inroads in the 113-seat legislature, following gains in recent election cycles.
In discussing his record, Ruggerio cited the passage last year of a $15 minimum wage, approval of a bill imposing specific goals for responding to climate change, the funding of a statewide body camera program, and a requirement for insurers to pay for telehealth appointments.
Looking ahead, he said he anticipates the legalization of recreational marijuana. Ruggerio’s goals include creating a tuition-forgiveness program for workers entering such fields as nursing and teaching, and putting the state on the path to reach universal pre-K in five years.
Shekarchi touted the passage of a pay equity bill last year, along with passage of legislation to keep Twin River (now known as Ballys) and IGT in Rhode Island, holding the line against tax increases, and raising the focus on the state’s housing crisis, in part with a new fund to stimulate housing.
The speaker said he anticipated the emergence “soon” of draft legislation on marijuana. He also cited the need to consider additional investments from the state’s APRA money, and the House’s role in parsing Gov. McKee’s next budget proposal.
“Our most important responsibility in the House, and one we don’t take lightly, is the adoption of the state budget,” Shekarchi said. “Governor McKee will begin that process later this month with his budget proposal. From there, we will get to work adopting a budget that meets the needs of Rhode Islanders in these difficult times.”
Rhode Island lawmakers also voted Tuesday to override McKee’s veto of a bill regulating short-term rental properties and his veto of a bill requiring consumers to pay markups to auto body shops.
The controversial rental property legislation will require all short-term rentals, including Airbnbs and VRBOs, to be registered with the state Department of Business Regulation. Property owners who are caught not in compliance may face fines of up to $1,000.
The state House and Senate previously approved the legislation last summer. McKee later vetoed it, arguing that cities and towns should make their own rules about short-term rentals.
But Rep. Lauren Carson (D-Newport), who sponsored the legislation, said people who operate short-term rentals should be treated like other small business owners in the state.
“If I owned a hair salon in my property, I would have to register it. If I owned a landscaping company that worked out of my garage, I would have to register it,” she said. “In this case, it’s a short-term rental property, and they need to be registered with the state of Rhode Island.”
Auto body bills are a perennial issue at the Statehouse. In his veto message, McKee said the latest measure will increase costs for consumers. Supporters of the override said the legislation solidifies existing practices and offers protection for consumers.
The General Assembly typically meets from January through June.
The Public’s Radio’s Antonia Ayres-Brown contributed to this story.
Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org. Follow him on Twitter @IanDon. Sign up here for his weekly RI politics and media newsletter.
