On an eight-to-one vote, the Rhode Island Ethics Commission said Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone — who holds a federal firearms license — can debate and vote on a proposed ban on new sales of assault-style weapons. Ciccone (D-Providence) was first elected to the Senate in 2002. He sought an ethics advisory opinion after becoming […]
Frank Ciccone
Posted inLabor, Local, Politics
Lawson wins R.I. Senate presidency while retaining prominent union role
After Rhode Island Senate Majority Leader Val Lawson won a lopsided vote Tuesday to lead the chamber following the recent death of Dominick Ruggerio, she downplayed potential conflicts stemming from her work as the president of one of the state’s largest teachers’ unions. Lawson (D-East Providence) easily outpaced rival Sen. Ryan W. Pearson (D-Cumberland) on […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for April 25, 2025
Considering the torrents of news, is it time to measure the first 100 days of a new presidential administration in dog-years? 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 […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Behind the scenes battle rages for control of R.I. Senate
A frenetic two-way fight for the presidency of the Rhode Island Senate is playing out behind the scenes following the death of state Sen. Dominick Ruggerio at age 76 on Monday. The battle is taking place through ongoing phone calls, as the contenders — Majority Leader Val Lawson (D-East Providence) and Sen. Frank Ciccone (D-Providence), […]
