Does the bill passed last week by the Rhode Island House of Representatives that would change the police bill of rights, known as LEOBOR, mark a setback for transparency in government? It depends who you ask. In a web posting Monday, the New England First Amendment Coalition and affiliated groups say the bill would keep […]
General Assembly
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
On a lopsided vote, the Rhode Island House passes a bill to overhaul police discipline
A bill overhauling how Rhode Island police departments handle misconduct cleared an important hurdle Thursday, clearing the House of Representatives on a 58-to-14 vote, although supporters and critics clashed on whether the legislation goes far enough to ensure public accountability. Efforts to change the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, or LEOBOR, were a non-starter […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for April 12, 2024
If someone was selling kits to build your own ark, they could clean up (before we all float away). You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 8, 2024
Notice how most folks have a little more spring in their step with extra daylight? You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF THE […]
Posted inHousing, Local, Politics
Shekarchi offers more bills to respond to Rhode Island’s housing crisis
Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi on Thursday unveiled 15 bills meant to help the state make progress in the housing crisis. During a Statehouse press conference, Shekarchi expressed disappointment that Rhode Island remains last in the nation in per-capita housing production, despite the allocation of tens of millions of dollars in recent years. He […]
Posted inHealth, Local, Politics
Rhode Island Senate touts package to address healthcare needs
The Rhode Island Senate unveiled a package Tuesday of 25 bills meant to boost healthcare access and affordability in the state. A variety of related challenges, ranging from a shortage of primary care doctors to the uncertain future of some local hospitals, have gained growing attention in recent years. The Senate legislation responds by targeting […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Report mulls measures to address complaints on RI’s 2011 pension overhaul
A report prepared by an advisory group to Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa lays out a series of possible options for tweaking the 2011 overhaul of the state pension system. But none of the options are inexpensive. Lawmakers will need to reconcile the possible effects on the state budget with the anger of a […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Legislative Democrats unveil progressive ‘Working Families’ agenda
About two-dozen Democratic state representatives rallied Tuesday behind what they call the Working Families Agenda – which includes proposals to lower prescription drug costs, build more affordable housing, and expand free meals for students – and they want to pay for it by hiking taxes on affluent Rhode Islanders. The agenda has the backing of […]
Posted inPolitics
McKee proposes slightly smaller $13.68 billion spending plan
Call it a return to reality budget for Rhode Island. For the first time in recent history, Gov. Dan McKee’s $13.68 billion spending plan for 2024-25 reduces the amount envisioned to run the state for the next fiscal year, if only by a relatively paltry $335 million. Introducing the proposal, McKee touted his plan as […]
Posted inPolitics
R.I. GOP backs new effort to create an inspector general
Rhode Island Republicans on Tuesday renewed a long-running quest to establish an office of inspector general to reduce fraud and boost public confidence in state government. Speaking during a mid-day Statehouse news conference ahead of the first legislative session of 2024, state GOP chairman Joe Powers was joined by House Republican Leader Mike Chippendale of […]