State spending in Rhode Island continues to rise at an unsustainable rate amid slowing revenues and uncertainty about federal funding, a business-backed fiscal watchdog group warned in a report released Wednesday. The Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council found that state general revenue spending climbed by 10.9% over the last two fiscal years, while state general […]
Val Lawson
Posted inLocal, Politics
R.I. bill banning the sale of ‘assault weapons’ becomes law
Rhode Islanders buying or selling rapid-fire, military-style rifles could land in prison for 10 years or face a $10,000 fine, under a new law signed Thursday by Gov. Dan McKee. “This is progress today and it will make Rhode Island safe for our families and our neighbors,” McKee said at a statehouse signing ceremony crowded […]
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, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for June 13, 2025
The General Assembly session is almost all over but the crying. 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: In some ways, the $14.3 billion budget […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
RI Senate President Lawson and GOP team up to deal possible death-blow to ‘assault weapons’ bill
The tiny four-member Republican caucus in the Rhode Island Senate made the difference in a vote Thursday that may have killed a proposed “assault weapon” ban in the current General Assembly session. On a 20-to-17 vote, senators effectively rejected an effort by Sen. Pam Lauria (D-Barrington) to move the AWB bill from the Judiciary Committee […]
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 inBusiness, Local, Politics
Senate leadership change might open the door for curbing payday lending
Rhode Island Senate President Val Lawson said she supports a bill to cap payday lending in the state — a sign that the long-running battle to curb a practice that critics say traps poor people in a cycle of debt might be drawing to a close. However, Lawson offered a caveat, and opponents of restricting […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
State Sen. Meghan Kallman on Pawtucket soccer, responding to Trump and top legislative issues
Pawtucket got a recent lift when the city’s newish soccer team, Rhode Island FC, played to a sold-out crowd during the home opener at the new stadium there. There are plans for new housing to be built near the Centerville Bank Stadium and boosters of the stadium hope it will catalyze more growth. But Pawtucket has also wrestled with challenges in recent years, including the loss of the PawSox and the closing of Memorial Hospital. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is causing uncertainty for the state budget outlook as lawmakers approach the end of the legislative session. And the state Senate is working to make up for lost time after a recent change in leadership. Big issues hang in the balance, including a proposed ban on new sales of assault style weapons and a potential tax hike on Rhode Island’s richest one percent. So how’s the outlook amid uncertainty in DC? And does the new soccer stadium signal brighter days for Pawtucket? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in depth with Pawtucket state Senator Meghan Kallman.
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for May 9, 2025
If Gina Raimondo was still governor, she could roll out her meatloaf recipe while talking on Real Housewives of RI. 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 […]
