If Donald Trump is intent on seizing Greenland, Rhode Island might want to use the resulting distraction to annex Seekonk. 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 […]
Politics
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Shekarchi on a tough fiscal climate, making progress on housing, and more
Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi starts 2025 in an enviable position. He has overwhelming support from the members who make up the House of Representatives — and won re-election as speaker this week with 62 of 75 votes. Shekarchi has more than $3 million in his campaign account — and that gives the Warwick Democrat a lot of flexibility if Governor Dan McKee decides against seeking re-election next year. But Rhode Island faces a tougher fiscal climate due to the end of federal COVID aid. Shekarchi has spearheaded efforts to create more housing, but progress has been incremental and the cost of a home or apartment remains unaffordable for many people. The state faces other challenges with healthcare and the economy, including the potential loss of the storied toymaker Hasbro. So what would it take to make up more ground on these difficult issues, and do state leaders have the right plan for moving forward?
Posted inLocal, Politics
A divided Rhode Island Senate re-elects Ruggerio as president
Dominick Ruggerio won re-election as president of the Rhode Island Senate Tuesday, as the General Assembly met for the first time in 2025, although almost a third of senators did not support Ruggerio amid ongoing questions about his health. Ruggerio, 76, won another two-year term in one of the two top leadership positions on a […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Politics
Providence legislative priorities to center around schools and housing
The City of Providence has announced its priorities for the legislative session that starts at the Statehouse Tuesday. Among them are plans to shore up more cash to cover the millions of dollars the city owes in funding for its schools, and measures meant to entice developers to build more housing. Schools When a judge […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Amid threats to LGBTQ rights, a trans health advocate is seeking out community
In the wee hours of Nov. 6, Volta Tran was up watching the election returns. By 2 or 3 a.m., it became clear to her that Trump was coming out ahead. “It felt like a repeat of 2016, of course,” she said. “I felt, not numb to it, but I felt … I felt familiarity.” […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Legislative session preview, LGBTQ rights under Trump, and more
Rhode Island lawmakers return to the capital on Tuesday for a new session. A massive budget deficit, continued troubles with the Washington Bridge, healthcare, and housing remain some of the top issues politicians face in the Ocean State. Our reporters roundtable shares what to watch this legislative session. Also, president-elect Trump has promised to roll back anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people, and restrict access to transgender health care. We hear what members of the LGBTQ community can do to prepare. And we look ahead to the year in local arts and culture, and share a few of the productions, concerts and exhibits we’re most excited about. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Jan. 3, 2025
It’s a shiny new year, brimming with possibilities. 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: The Rhode Island Senate remains the more fractious of Smith […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
How can members of the local LGBTQ community prepare for a second Trump term?
As Donald Trump prepares for his second term in the White House, Sarah Austin, staff attorney with GLAD Law, spoke with Luis Hernandez about possible threats to LGBTQ rights, and what members of the local LGBTQ community can do to prepare. Interview highlights: On possible threats to LGBTQ rights: Sarah Austin: I think it’s very […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Sen. Ryan Pearson on what’s next for the RI Senate after a split in calls for new leadership
Ryan Pearson’s term as the second-ranking member of the Rhode Island Senate will formally end Tuesday. During a Democratic Senate caucus in November, Pearson lost a challenge to Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, and Senate Whip Val Lawson won the support to take over Pearson’s role in the legislative session starting next week. More fallout is expected. All this comes as legislators will wrestle with a big budget deficit and thorny issues including housing, healthcare and the economy. Pearson and his supporters say they were motivated by how Ruggerio, now 76, missed large parts of the last session due to various health issues. But was it a smart play to pursue the challenge against Rhode Island’s longest-serving lawmaker, and will that hurt the Senate’s ability to get things done in the new session?
Posted inLocal, Politics
New year, new laws: The RI laws that go into effect on Jan. 1
Minimum wage in Rhode Island finally ended its years-long march to $15 an hour on Wednesday — one of a number of state laws that go into effect or change on the first of the year. In 2021, Gov. Dan McKee signed a law that gradually raised the minimum wage from $11.50 an hour on […]
