Rhode Island’s House Finance Committee plans to vote Thursday night on a new state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The budget revised by the House’s Democratic leadership is usually revealed shortly before a quick vote in the Finance Committee. While critics complain about a lack of time to digest billions of dollars […]
Politics
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Infante-Green and teachers’ unions clash during legislative hearing
Rhode Island Education Commission Angélica Infante-Green told a legislative panel Monday night that a strong foundation has been built for the anticipated five-year turn-around of the Providence schools. But Infante-Green also came in for sharp criticism from some Providence teachers and the unions that represent them. The commissioner began her virtual appearance during a meeting […]
Posted inArticle, Politics, South Coast Bureau
Judge throws out plea deal that spared jail time for convicted Fall River mayor’s chief of staff
A federal judge rejected a plea deal today that prosecutors reached with Gen Andrade, the former campaign manager and chief of staff to ex-Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia. The deal required Andrade to pay a $10,000 fine but would have spared her jail time — a sentence the judge considered too lenient for the crimes […]
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Massachusetts voters to decide if million-dollar earners should pay higher taxes
A ballot question that would raise taxes on the wealthiest Massachusetts residents was approved by lawmakers today for a statewide vote in 2022, almost four years after the popular proposal was delayed by a ruling from the state’s highest court. Taxpayers of all incomes currently pay Massachusetts 5 cents for each dollar they earn. The […]
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R.I. Senate approves bill to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage
The Rhode Island Senate passed a bill Tuesday that would extend Medicaid coverage for new mothers until 12 months after delivery of a baby. Under current law, pregnant people in Rhode Island are eligible for Medicaid coverage if they make up to 250% of the federal poverty level. But many lose that coverage just 60 […]
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Unofficial results show Vargas winning vacant Ward 15 seat in Providence
An aide in the Rhode Island Senate won a four-way Democratic primary Tuesday for a vacant seat on Providence City Council, according to unofficial results. Unofficial results from the state Board of Elections show Oscar Vargas with 379 votes, compared with 290 for Doris De Los Santos, 115 for Casandra Inez, and 74 for Santos […]
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Tax battle heats up with end of R.I. legislative session drawing closer
With Rhode Island General Assembly heading into the final stretch of the legislative session, the clash over taxes is intensifying. A growing progressive presence in the General Assembly points to concentrated income gains among the wealthy in advocating for higher taxes on affluent Rhode Islanders. And on Monday, the Rhode Island Business Coalition, representing more […]
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Prospect Medical ownership change wins approval, with $80M in escrow and other conditions
Prospect Medical Holdings, the California-based hospital chain, finally got what it wanted when Attorney General Peter Neronha this week approved its long-sought ownership change involving two Rhode Island hospitals. But Neronha’s approval, announced Tuesday, came at a cost to the company. Under conditions imposed by Neronha, Prospect is required to create an $80 million escrow […]
Posted inArticle, Politics, South Coast Bureau
Fall River police suspend captain behind controversial Facebook post about George Floyd’s death
The morning after Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder, Captain Jay Huard was scrolling through Facebook on his lunch break when he saw a post that resonated with how he felt about the trial. “Chauvin immediately stood and calmly placed his hands behind his back. Imagine where we’d be had George […]
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Elorza’s pension proposal relies on a risky approach and an adviser linked with 38 Studios
The underfunded pension system in Providence is like a time bomb. That’s because the huge shortfall for long-term obligations threatens to overwhelm other parts of the city’s budget. But there are a lot of questions about Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza’s latest proposed fix. Rhode Island’s House Finance Committee is expected to hold an initial hearing on Elorza’s plan this week or next week.
