I was dreamin’ when I wrote this/Forgive me if it goes astray/woke up super-early for Lively/hence my acuity is on the wane today. 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. *** […]
Politics
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
RI Senate GOP Leader Jessica de la Cruz on Trump, remaking government and Rhode Island Republicans
Republicans are riding high in Washington, with control of the White House, the U.S. Senate and the House. Back here in Rhode Island, the GOP faces a very different situation. The party holds just 14 of 113 legislative seats — a number that remained unchanged after November’s elections. One bright spot for the local GOP: the Republican leader in the Rhode Island Senate, Jessica de la Cruz. She’s among the most visible members of her party in the state and she offered a sharp response to Democratic Governor Dan McKee’s State of the State address last month. But de la Cruz has not been able to build the Republican presence in the Senate and it’s unclear who will represent the GOP in the fast-approaching 2026 race for governor. So what are de la Cruz’s plans? Can she form her critique of McKee into legislation? And what does she have to say about Democrats’ voluminous criticism of President Trump? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with Rhode Island Senate GOP Leader Jessica de la Cruz.
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics
Some Rhode Island craft brewers say state regulations throttle their businesses
Matt Richardson and his wife opened Tilted Barn Brewery on an old family farm in Exeter in 2014. Craft beer was exploding in popularity at the time and Tilted Barn was an immediate hit. Richardson, however, quickly discovered a problem he’s still dealing with more than a decade later: Customers who want to take home […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Cunha resigns as U.S. attorney for Rhode Island
Zachary A. Cunha resigned his position as U.S. attorney for Rhode Island on Monday at the direction of the White House, his office said. Cunha, who assumed his role in December 2021, was nominated by President Joe Biden. Presidents often replace U.S. Attorneys appointed by their predecessor and Cunha was not expected to stay on […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Feb.14, 2025
Spring is drawing closer and — huzzah! — the Sox suddenly look much better. 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: Providence is Rhode Island’s […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Mayor Smiley on Trump’s effect, Providence schools and what’s ailing Democrats
Rhode Island’s capital city, Providence, is overwhelmingly Democratic. But that doesn’t mean the city is beyond reach of the sweeping changes in government being promoted by President Donald Trump and his supporters. Even under the best of circumstances, Providence struggles to generate enough revenue to pay for city government. And despite decades of talk about the need to improve Providence schools, that goal remains elusive. The man responsible for taking on these challenges is Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. He emphasized a so-called back to basics approach when he won election in 2022. But what can Providence do if cuts in Washington, DC, have a big local impact? Does Smiley have a real plan for improving city schools? And what does the first-term mayor think Democrats need to do to raise their national appeal? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with the mayor of Providence, Brett Smiley.
Posted inLocal, Politics, Transportation
RIDOT head says RI has enough bridge money even with possible Trump block on funds
Even if the Trump administration hangs onto hundreds of millions of federal dollars already promised to Rhode Island, the state will have more than enough money to build a new westbound Washington Bridge, Transportation Director Peter Alviti said Thursday. Alviti said more than $600 million has been allocated for the bridge and a series of […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Progressive lawmakers call for stronger effort to help working people
Legislative supporters of the Rhode Island Working Families Party say that Donald Trump and his administration underscore the need for Democrats to support policies that help working people. State Rep. Brandon Potter (D-Cranston) said Democrats need to be bold after losing the White House in November. And while some may debate what the party stands […]
Posted inHealth, Local, Politics
Massachusetts judge temporarily halts Trump NIH cuts nationwide
The NIH under the Trump administration wants to cut the money it adds to federal research grants to cover laboratory costs and other institutional overhead. Of the $35 billion NIH spent last year, 25% went to indirect costs. The NIH under the Trump administration wants to cut that to 15%, potentially saving billions of dollars. […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Reed: If Trump breaks the law, courts need to stop him
The first few weeks of the Trump administration have been a whirlwind, raising alarm among Democrats and pleasing supporters of the president. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed sat down to discuss Trump’s initiatives and how Democrats are responding. Here are highlights from the interview. On how the delegation is responding: Sen. Reed: “I think the delegation […]
