Enjoy summer while we can — it will be gone in a flash. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. A quick program note: I’m taking some time off, so this column will next appear on July 18. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox […]
Joe Shekarchi
Posted inEconomy, Local, Politics
McKee distances himself from R.I.’s new budget
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee has a message to voters who might not be happy about all the new taxes and fees in the state budget for the new fiscal year starting next week: Don’t blame him. “Talk to your General Assembly members,” he suggested, at a roundtable with reporters on Smith Hill on Wednesday. […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for June 20, 2025
I volunteer to play 1B for the Sox for a lot less money than Rafael Devers. 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: More than […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
RI House passes $14.3 billion budget with more healthcare money
The Rhode Island House of Representatives used a speedy three-hour debate Tuesday to pass a $14.3 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, amid uncertainty about possible fallout from GOP spending cuts in Washington, D.C. The vote came on a 66-to-9 mostly party-line vote. State Rep. Marie Hopkins (R-Warwick), a nurse who said […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
New RI House budget includes more money for healthcare
A $14.3 billion budget approved Tuesday night by the Rhode Island House Finance Committee funnels more money to healthcare, education and RIPTA, while steering clear of a tax hike for upper income Rhode Islanders. The Finance Committee approved the spending plan, 11 to 3, on a party-line vote, after an hour-long presentation by House Fiscal […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for June 6, 2025
The tempers are rising with the temperature at the Statehouse. 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: When does the calculus of doing nothing outweigh […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
RI House Judiciary Committee approves assault weapon ban bill
In a historic vote, the Rhode House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved a bill that would ban guns defined as assault weapons as of July 2026, sending the legislation to the House of Representatives for a vote on Thursday. If the measure becomes law, guns purchased before the effective date will still be legal. The […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Six big questions about Rhode Island’s 2026 race for governor
The Rhode Island General Assembly is set to approve a budget and recess later this month, signaling the approach to the next statewide election season. With that in mind, here are some of the top questions looming over the race for the state’s top job. 1. CAN DAN MCKEE WIN? If you’re not a fan […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for May 30, 2025
There’s no truth to the rumor that the Red Sox’ mojo was MIA when the latest time capsule was unearthed on the former site of McCoy Stadium. 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 […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for April 4, 2025
Raise your hand if you remember when Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan saluted those who braved a parking lot on I-95 to make it to Quonset by exhorting, “Rhode Island, smallest state in the nation, we will rock you!” You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go. *** Want […]
