Bob Plain
Women’s Caucus calls for Delorenzo to be removed from party leadership
The Women’s Caucus of the Rhode Island Democratic Party is calling for embattled party leader Joe Delorenzo “to be immediately removed from his position as second vice chair of the RI Democratic State Committee,” the group said in a statement. Delorenzo took to AM radio earlier this week to disparage a female Democratic legislator who […]
Delorenzo dismisses Tanzi’s allegations of sexual harassment at State House
After a group of mostly female Democrats called on former state Representative Joe Delorenzo to resign from his post as Second Vice Chair of the state Democratic Party yesterday, Delorenzo took to the airwaves and belittled one of the letter writer’s allegations that she was sexually harassed at the State House, which came to light […]
Female lawmakers from across RI call for Delorenzo to resign post with Democrats
It might be time for Democratic Party official Joseph Delorenzo to resign, according to female lawmakers from across Rhode Island reacting to controversial remarks the Second Vice Chair made about the progressive wing of the party. “The RI Democratic Party believes in equality, values diversity, and is working to ensure economic security for all Rhode […]
RI delegation chides Trump for administrative dismantling of Obamacare
Rather than dismantling Obamacare through executive orders, Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation urged President Donald Trump and Republicans to work with Democrats to fix the Affordable Care Act. The four Democrats oppose Trump’s executive orders that would allow for cheaper plans with fewer benefits and stop subsidies for some poor people’s health care. Senator Jack Reed […]
Cicilline legislation would provide view into Trump’s swamp
Congressman David Cicilline’s new bill won’t actually drain the swamp out of Trump Administration, but it could give America a better glimpse at that ecosystem. It’s called the DRAIN The Swamp Act, or the Determining if Regulatory Actions are in the Interest of the Nation or the Swamp Act, and it would require “agencies to […]
Langevin moves left again, votes against limiting abortions
Langevin voted against H.R. 36, a bill that would prevent abortions after 20 weeks instead of the 24. In the past, Langevin has supported this limitation.
Narragansetts say tribe can’t sell water without a vote of the people
“There’s a constitution in this tribe,” said Domingo Talldog Monroe. “The body is the final say. That’s the way it is set up through our bi-laws and constitution as a tribe…”
Spencer Dickinson is running for governor
Former state legislator Spencer Dickinson is running for governor, he told RI Future. The Wakefield Democrat who filed papers last week said he plans a grassroots campaign against incumbent Governor Gina Raimondo, of Providence. “I’m running for governor because I think the governor we have has the wrong focus and has gone the wrong way,” […]
Judge Licht says Smithfield can’t curtail rights of medical cannabis growers
Smithfield can’t restrict the rights of state-licensed medical cannabis growers through its zoning ordinance, said Superior Court Judge Richard Licht in putting a temporary injunction on the town’s new zoning ordinance that restricted caregivers from 12 to 2 plants, among other reductions in their rights. “This decision confirms the legitimacy of Rhode Island’s medical marijuana […]
Langevin supports Medicare for All, Reed is only holdout
After being pressed hard by constituents, Congressman Jim Langevin announced today he too supports Medicare for All. “After much deliberation,” said Langevin in a prepared statement, “I have determined that this is a policy worthy of serious consideration, so I have decided to cosponsor the Medicare for All Act.” “I have long said the Affordable Care Act is […]
RI congressional delegation split on Medicare for All
When it comes to Medicare for All, Rhode Island’s congressional delegation is split down the middle. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman David Cicilline both cosponsor such bills in their respective chambers, while Senator Jack Reed and Congressman Jim Langevin are both still undecided. Whitehouse made news recently as an early cosponsor of Vermont Senator Bernie […]
ProJo gives teachers short shrift, reporter complains about property taxes
Not all news stories are created equally, and not all political interest groups get equal treatment in the Providence Journal. For example, the ProJo covered both the National Educational Association of Rhode Island and the Center for Freedom and Prosperity when the teachers’ union and the anti-tax activists each launched television advertisements. But for some […]
Whitehouse explains Medicare For All, prospects for bills passage
“It’s to provide the opportunity to people who are not eligible for Medicare to never-the-less join Medicare and have all the advantages of reliability, efficiency, and security of Medicare,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, describing the Medicare For All bill he will be cosponsoring in the coming days. “At this point, it’s pretty aspirational,” he said. […]
Sheldon Whitehouse cosponsors Bernie Sanders’ Medicare For All legislation
Rhode Island will have a signature on Senator Bernie Sanders’ much-anticipated Medicare For All bill set to be introduced on Wednesday as Senator Sheldon Whitehouse will be a cosponsor. “It’s time we had a real conversation about creating a national health plan,” Whitehouse said in a statement released today. “We have come a long way […]
Pawtucket ends lunch shaming, moves toward free food for all students
Pawtucket is employing a two-part strategy to changing its approach to school lunch. The first part was to stop lunch shaming. In April, RI Future flagged the Pawtucket School District as one of several in Rhode Island that serves cold cheese sandwiches to students if their parents don’t pay their food bill on time – […]
DNC Chairman Tom Perez to teach at Brown
Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee and former labor secretary to President Barack Obama, is returning to Brown University, his alma mater, to teach a course this fall. “Today’s students at Brown will be tomorrow’s leaders,” Perez said in a statement from the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, where he will […]
RI Democrats stand with Dreamers, oppose ending DACA
Top elected officials in Rhode Island spoke out against President Trump’s plan to cancel DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that grants amnesty to 800,000 children of undocumented immigrants. “As long as I am Governor of this state,” said Governor Gina Raimondo, “Rhode Island will stand up for the American Dream, and the […]
RI delegation chides Trump for ending DACA
Rhode Island’s all-Democratic congressional delegation reacted harshly today after the White House confirmed President Donald Trump plans to upend immigration status for 800,000 Americans by eliminating DACA, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. “President Trump’s priorities are backwards,” said Senator Jack Reed. “This decision is shameful and cruel,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “America has […]
Lawsuit, complaints to AG contend Corrigan isn’t legally EG’s town manager
Was East Greenwich fire fighter Jim Perry fired as retaliation in an erupting labor dispute? Does the East Greenwich Town Council routinely violate the state Open Meetings Act? Is Gayle Corrigan even legally the town manager? These are a sampling of the questions both the Attorney General and a Superior Court judge have been asked […]
Providence elementary school students eat free this year
School meals will be free for every elementary school student in the Providence Public School District this year, according to a press release from PPSD. “Providence Public Schools are committed to creating educational environments that support health and wellness,” said School Board member Robert Gondola, the chairman of the board’s Health and Wellness Committee. “The […]
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