Republicans run the show in Washington, D.C., these days, but the GOP remains on the margins in Rhode Island. The state hasn’t elected a Republican governor since 2006 and the party holds just 14 of 113 seats in the General Assembly. Back in 2022, Ashley Kalus got almost 39 percent of the vote as the GOP alternative to Democrat Dan McKee. But Kalus faced a handicap since she was a recent transplant to Rhode Island, and her share of the vote was similar to what a generic candidate might receive. Four years later, Kalus is more ensconced in the state and she continues to use social media posts to criticize the status quo. So is Kalus gearing up for another run for governor? What does she make of the Trump administration? And what is Kalus’ prescription for increasing GOP representation in Rhode Island? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in depth with former Republican candidate for governor Ashley Kalus.
Politics
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics
Bond sale to finance hospital deal in Rhode Island still ongoing
The Centurion Foundation, the Georgia nonprofit attempting to acquire two cash-strapped Rhode Island hospitals, is doubling down on its attempt to sell the bonds needed to finance the deal, although the outlook remains uncertain. Initial plans called for closing the $160 million bond sale in late May. Because not enough bonds have been sold — […]
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
McKee objects to Trump’s deployment of California National Guard
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has been in the news a lot over the past few weeks, from lackluster numbers in a poll from the University of New Hampshire, to new hires for his re-election campaign, to the announcement of a plan to replace the westbound Washington Bridge. With those issues swirling, The Public’s Radio […]
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 inEconomy, Local, Politics
New Washington Bridge expected by November 2028
The westbound Washington Bridge that carries I-195 is expected to be rebuilt by November 2028, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said Friday, setting a target for a return to normalcy for Rhode Island drivers. McKee identified Chicago-based Walsh Construction as the firm that will complete the new span — at a cost of up to […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
State Rep. Jason Knight on the uncertain outlook for banning ‘assault weapons’ in Rhode Island
For people who want to ban new sales of so-called assault weapons in Rhode Island, this is the best of times AND the most uncertain of times.
For years, supporters called on lawmakers to take a vote. This week, the House of Representatives put its support behind the bill. The legislation to ban new sales of guns defined as assault weapons is seen as having the support to make it through a vote by the full state Senate. But therein lies the rub. To get to the Senate floor, the bill first has to win approval from the closely divided Senate Judiciary Committee. Senate President Val Lawson could use her power to move the legislation to a different committee with more support. But Lawson’s deputy, Majority Leader Frank Ciccone, is a staunch gun rights supporter — and it remains unclear if the effort to ban so-called assault weapons will make it to the Senate floor this year. So has the effort in the House been for nothing? If the Senate kills the bill, what comes next? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in depth with state Representative Jason Knight, Democrat of Barrington, who sponsored the assault weapon ban in the House.
Posted inEducation, Local, Politics
On Capitol Hill, Brown student blasts ‘Ivy League bloat’
A rising junior at Brown University who has been sharply critical of his elite college took his case to Capitol Hill Wednesday, testifying before a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee. Alex Shieh told lawmakers, “I’m not here to glorify the Ivy League, I’m here to warn you.” Shieh claimed Brown and other elite universities […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Local, Politics
President Trump’s DOJ tells Rhode Island it’s under investigation
President Trump’s U.S. Justice Department notified Rhode Island on Wednesday that it is opening an investigation of whether the state engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race or other protected aspects of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The notification came in a letter to state Attorney General Peter Neronha […]
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 […]
