Linda Ujifusa, a Portsmouth Democrat, first won election to the Rhode Island Senate in 2022. As a progressive woman, she exemplifies how the General Assembly has changed over the last 10 years. Ujifusa is a California native and Harvard-educated lawyer. She was among the senators who pushed unsuccessfully during a November caucus for different leadership in the chamber. The concern was that Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, now 76, was dealing with too many health issues to effectively lead the Senate. But Ruggerio maintained the presidency, and some of those who opposed him fell out of favor with his leadership. So can the Senate make progress now on key issues facing Rhode Island? Is there a role for state lawmakers in responding to the Trump administration? And what is the way forward on such issues as healthcare and the environment?
Ian Donnis
One of the state’s top political reporters, Ian Donnis joined The Public’s Radio in 2009. Ian has reported on Rhode Island politics since 1999, arriving in the state just two weeks before the FBI raided City Hall and Buddy Cianci’s East Side home. Ian covers breaking news, develops in-depth features and investigative reports, and welcomes a range of newsmakers to “Political Roundtable” each week. He also writes our Friday political newsletter and maintains a strong social media presence.
For many years, Ian was a panelist on WPRI-TV’s Sunday morning public affairs show, Newsmakers, and he’s a regular guest on A Lively Experiment on Rhode Island PBS. His previous experience includes serving as news editor of The Providence Phoenix and as a reporter for the Associated Press and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. He has a BS in journalism from Boston University.
Outside of work, Ian enjoys baseball, cooking, and exploring Rhode Island.
Posted inLocal, Politics
Magaziner says Trump is trying to remake the federal government
The Trump administration’s freeze on trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans — which was rescinded Wednesday after a broad backlash — shows how the White House is intent on remaking the federal government, according to U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner. During a late-morning news conference in his Warwick office, Magaziner spoke before the federal […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, Transportation
RI officials object to Trump administration block on transportation aid
State officials say the Trump administration is blocking billions of dollars in previously awarded federal transportation aid, including hundreds of millions planned for the Washington Bridge and other needs in Rhode Island. “We don’t know the answer to the likelihood of getting it or not getting it,” House Speaker Joe Shekarchi said in an interview […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Jan. 24, 2025
It’s always coldest before the approach to spring training. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: President Trump’s use of an executive order to try […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee on Trump, RI’s economy, Washington Bridge & more
A new era in American politics started with the return of Donald Trump to the White House this week. The effect is already being felt across the country due to a volley of executive orders signed by Trump. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, a Democrat, was an early supporter of Joe Biden in 2020 and he now faces the task of leading the state’s response to the Trump administration. During his State of the State address last week, McKee offered a positive message about the future. While it’s true that the state hit an all-time high for jobs last year, Rhode Island still faces persistent challenges with issues like the economy, housing, transportation, public schools and technology. This is an important year for McKee, 73, since he hopes to win re-election next year. So does he have the right stuff to move the state forward? And at what point is McKee willing to stand up to Trump?
Posted inImmigration, Local, Politics
McKee says he stands with RI immigrants lacking legal status
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said he will stand with Rhode Island residents here without legal status, even as they face heightened immigration enforcement by the Trump administration. State police, however, will continue to work with federal law enforcement officials on criminal matters. “We’re going to continue what we’re doing. If there [are] people who […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Jan. 17, 2025
Remaking the Old Canteen as a hot dog venue — is nothing sacred? You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** 1. STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Dan McKee had a […]
Posted inBusiness, Political Roundtable, Politics
Providence Chamber President Laurie White
Elected officials in Rhode Island have been trying to reinvent the state’s economy practically since the Great Depression — and it remains a work in progress. During his State of the State speech on Tuesday, Governor Dan McKee cited an upbeat message. He says Rhode Island is flipping the script on outdated narratives about being an economic laggard. But polling shows Rhode Islanders do not share McKee’s optimism about the state being headed in the right direction. The state still lacks the kind of more diversified economy found in Massachusetts. And the possible move out of state by Hasbro shows how unexpected changes can quickly emerge. As president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce since 2005, Laurie White has a front row seat on these issues. So what are the top obstacles to building a better economy — and does the chamber have any bright ideas for making things better?
This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce Laurie White.
Posted inLocal, Politics
McKee proposes $14.2B budget for 2025-26
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee’s latest $14.2 billion budget proposal adds about a quarter-billion dollars from the current spending plan, reflecting the challenge of fueling the government in a state where expenditures continue to outpace revenue. McKee said his budget, which he unveiled Thursday, would close an approximately $250 million deficit without any broad-based tax […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
Zachary Cunha reflects on four years as RI’s top federal prosecutor
TRANSCRIPT: Ian Donnis: U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha, what is top of mind for you when you look back on your tenure as Rhode Island’s top federal prosecutor? Zachary Cunha: Well, you know, as I look back at the past three years, I’m tremendously pleased at the extent to which we’ve been able to make progress […]
