Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo said Wednesday she is unsure if she will sign a continuing contracts bill cruising through the General Assembly. Speaking with reporters after having met earlier with the leaders of Providence, Johnston, Central Falls and other communities, Raimondo said she took as legitimate their concerns about decreased negotiating leverage and potentially […]
General Assembly
Posted inArticle, Education
Top RI Lawmakers Put Their Support Behind New Push To Improve Public Schools
A seven-bill legislative package unveiled by Rhode Island’s top lawmakers Tuesday was billed as a way to emulate Massachusetts’ success in improving public schools. During a Statehouse news conference, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio were joined by fellow lawmakers in sketching out the plan. Efforts to improve Rhode Island’s under-performing public […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
RI GOP, Teachers’ Union Clash Over Whether Lawson’s Vote On Contracts Bill Was A Conflict
The Rhode Island GOP filed a complaint Monday charging that state Sen. Valarie Lawson (D-East Providence) — who serves as the paid vice president of the National Education Association Rhode Island Teachers’ union — took part in a conflict of interest by twice voting for a continuing contracts bill. Lawson and the NEA rejected the […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics & Media Roundup For May 3
Thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. 1) If not now, when? That’s a pertinent question for efforts to improve Rhode Island’s locally administered pensions. As General Treasurer Seth Magaziner detailed, in […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Bonus Q&A: Reilly on RI GOP, Global Warming, Budget & More
Former RI state Rep. Daniel Reilly (R-Portsmouth).
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Reilly On Labor-Backed Bills, Pension Liabilities & Whether Voters Needed To OK Expanded Gambling
Former RI state Rep. Daniel Reilly (R-Portsmouth).
Posted inArticle, Politics
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For April 26
Thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. 1) The continuing contracts bill sailed through the Rhode Island House Tuesday on a 60-to-8 vote. This followed dire predictions from city and town officials […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Bonus Q&A: Cassar On RI’s Hospital Landscape, House Factions, Dem Presidential Field & More
Rhode Island state Rep. Liana Cassar (D-Barrington) joins Bonus Q&A to discuss the state’s changing healthcare landscape, the factional dynamics in the RI House, the Democratic field for president, and more.
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Cassar On Continuing Contracts Bill, Budget Outlook & Abortion
Rhode Island State Representative Liana Cassar (D-Barrington) joins Political Roundtable to discuss the continuing contracts bill passed this week by the House, and whether it will damage cities and towns and lead to higher property taxes. We also discuss the worsening state budget outlook and the status of a bill meant to guarantee abortion rights.
Posted inArticle, Politics
RI House Approves Continuing Contracts Bill Opposed By Cities And Towns
A continuing contracts bill that attracted sharp opposition from Rhode Island’s city and town leaders was passed Tuesday by the House of Representatives, on a largely party-line 60-8 vote. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Camille Vella-Wilkinson (D-Warwick), would keep in place the terms of a previous teachers’ or municipal workers’ contract if negotiators fail to […]
