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 […]
Politics
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Common Cause of Rhode Island’s John Marion on good government, Trump, and more
The rise of Val Lawson as president of the Rhode Island Senate put questions of conflict of interest front and center at the Statehouse this year. That’s because Lawson also serves as president of one of the state’s largest teachers’ unions. Lawson says she’s capable of policing her own potential conflicts, and the Rhode Island Ethics Commission offered an ok for her dual roles as president. But Lawson’s number two is a longtime former labor official and labor remains an influential special interest at the Statehouse. That’s a place where corporate lobbyists significantly outnumber advocates for nonprofit groups. In related news, efforts to modernize the state’s open records law once again ran into a brick wall on Smith Hill this year. So what did this legislative session show us about the outlook for good government in Rhode Island? How can everyday citizens make their voices heard in the corridors of power? And what can be done about the broader problem of political violence in our polarized world? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in depth with John Marion, executive director of the nonpartisan good government group Common Cause of Rhode Island.
Posted inLocal, Politics
Amended ‘assault weapon’ bill advances to RI Senate amid criticism
The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved an assault weapon bill that left both gun-rights advocates and some gun-safety supporters feeling disappointed. The bill, an amended version of legislation sponsored by Sen. Louis DiPalma (D-Middletown), cleared the Judiciary Committee on an 8-to-6 vote. The amended bill bans the sale, although not the use […]
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 inEconomy, Local, New England News Collaborative, Politics
Northeast governors, Canadian premiers pledge collaboration despite trade war and tourism slide
Maine’s 176 craft breweries are already feeling the impacts of tariffs on aluminum and other packaging materials from Canada. Canadians’ reservations at Vermont hotels are down by 45%. And in Massachusetts, where nearly 2,400 Canadians study each year, Gov. Maura Healey is wondering about the impacts on research institutions and teaching hospitals. Governors shared those […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
RI House GOP raps Neronha’s plan to use millions in settlement money to address dental care for needy Providence kids
Two Rhode Island House Republicans say Attorney General Peter Neronha’s move to steer $10 million in settlement funds for improving dental health for poor Providence children is against the law. Neronha announced the plan last month as part of construction firm Barletta Heavy Division’s agreement to settle a case involving the unlawful dumping of contaminated […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Politics
Thousands of Rhode Islanders demonstrate against President Trump
Thousands of Rhode Islanders participated in protests against President Trump on Saturday, expressing hope that their dissent will send a loud message against the president and his policies. “It’s important to show that people all over the country are furious with the way in which his arrogance and his tyranny has taken over,” said Rick […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Organizers behind the local ‘No Kings’ protest this weekend, and why the Providence NAACP is practically shut down
his Saturday, the United States Army celebrates its 250th anniversary. Trump is honoring the day with a military parade – the first such event since the end of the first Gulf War in 1991. Millions across the country are expected to hold “No Kings” protests in response. We’ll talk with organizers of two local protests. Also, the Providence NAACP is practically shut down. The president and all the officers were suspended by the national NAACP. We’ll get an update. And for Artscape we meet local artist Jordan Seaberry. He has a new web comic called “WTF can artists do during a fascist takeover?” Plus, Ian Donnis takes a look back on the week in Rhode Island politics and we have a few recommendations for things to do this week.
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 […]
