The Rhode Island General Assembly is set to approve a budget and recess later this month, signaling the approach to the next statewide election season. With that in mind, here are some of the top questions looming over the race for the state’s top job. 1. CAN DAN MCKEE WIN? If you’re not a fan […]
Politics
Posted inArts And Culture, Politics, The Weekly Catch, Transportation
What federal budget cuts would mean for RI, an uncertain future for RIPTA, and more
One in three Rhode Islanders depend on Medicaid. That’s why there’s grave concern if the Senate passes Trump’s budget plan, which includes massive cuts to the health insurance program. We’ll talk about what’s at stake with Rhode Island representative Gabe Amo. Also, RIPTA officials are facing a $33 million deficit. Lawmakers in the General Assembly need to pass a budget with the money to fill that gap, or cut bus lines and schedules throughout the state. And we speak with Westerly documentarian Hilary Steinman, who tackles the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act in her new film “Change, Not Charity.” Plus: A look back on the week in Rhode Island politics, and a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for May 30, 2025
There’s no truth to the rumor that the Red Sox’ mojo was MIA when the latest time capsule was unearthed on the former site of McCoy Stadium. 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 […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local, Politics
Rhode Island libraries face deep cuts in Trump’s budget
President Trump’s new budget proposal calls for cutting the main source of federal funds for state and local libraries. The president’s budget outline, released earlier this month, would eliminate a little known federal agency called the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The proposed cuts weren’t exactly a surprise. Executive Order 14238, signed by […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
R.I. Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos on responding to Trump, food deserts and Providence taxes
Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos is expected to face competition from fellow Democrats when she seeks re-election next year. That is due to how a signature-gathering controversy dragged down her First Congressional District campaign in 2023. She finished fourth in the 12-way Democratic primary, with just 8% of the vote. But Matos is already staking out the ground to defend her job as lieutenant governor and perhaps one day climb higher in local politics. She’s speaking out about immigrant rights and small businesses, and drawing attention to the problem posed by so-called food deserts. The lieutenant governor in Rhode Island has just a few official functions, and some Rhode Islanders question the value of the office. So is Matos now making more of a difference as the state’s second ranking elected official? And can people like her do more to tackle Rhode Island’s biggest challenges? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in depth with Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos.
Posted inHealth, Local, Politics
Neronha unveils new approach on RI’s health care crisis
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha ratcheted up his years-long advocacy on health care Tuesday by unveiling a series of steps meant to address the state’s health care crisis, including a newly filed lawsuit accusing the nation’s three largest pharmacy benefit managers of driving up prescription costs. “We allege that they effectively extort manufacturers of […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
McKee concerned about DC budget fallout
Efforts by Republicans in Washington to change Medicaid and other programs are sparking uncertainty about the budget outlook here in Rhode Island.
Posted inArts And Culture, Education, Politics, The Weekly Catch
RIC program cuts, warning signs about the Washington Bridge, and more
Rhode Island College recently announced it will cut 20 degree programs this fall, mostly in the humanities. We’ll hear from a professor and student at RIC who say the cuts are short-sighted, and were done with little input from faculty or students. And did the Rhode Island Department of Transportation miss the warning signs about the Washington Bridge? Our reporters talked with engineers who say that critical components deserved special attention years before the closure. Also, Newport Art Museum’s latest show features a 28-foot-long painting of a plaid whale. Plus: A look back on the week in Rhode Island politics, and a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inLocal, Politics
Rhode Island congressmen fight for emergency food aid
Ever since the Trump Administration abruptly dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development, emergency food supplies have been piling up at the North Kingstown warehouse of Edesia Nutrition. As of last week, Edesia had stockpiled more than 120,000 boxes of Plumpy’Nut, a specially formulated mixture of ground peanuts, powdered milk, sugar and oil created to […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, Politics
Senate leadership change might open the door for curbing payday lending
Rhode Island Senate President Val Lawson said she supports a bill to cap payday lending in the state — a sign that the long-running battle to curb a practice that critics say traps poor people in a cycle of debt might be drawing to a close. However, Lawson offered a caveat, and opponents of restricting […]
