Rhode Island's Future News Feed

Hearing Today: Unshackling Pregnant Prisoners

Bruce Reilly — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:30:50 +0100

Ever wonder what society does with a pregnant prisoner at the ACI and Training School? Probably not. But you may be interested in knowing that a bill will be heard tonight, in Room 313 around 4:15pm, to stop the practice of shackling women and girls during their second and third trimesters. A practice which is particularly dangerous to both mother and child.

The ACI, for reasons of security, haRead More...

Cicillini's only option for the Providence P.D.

Bruce Reilly — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:44:51 +0100

With recent revelations that three members of the Providence Police Department have been arrested for drug dealing, a little perspective is called upon from the Lockdown Lowdown...

Do you honestly believe they caught every dealer or illegal operator in the department? With 700 folks working in an organization, a little malfeasance should be expected from time to time. But in this situation it is worth noting tRead More...

Press Mayoral Candidates for Answers on PPD Drug/Cicilline Issues

Arthur Beatini — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:19:28 +0100

To date only one -- count 'em, one -- announced candidate for mayor of Providence has demonstrated the requisite leadership and courage not only to comment on the issues of the PPD drug scandal and the actions and non-actions of David Cicilline and Dean Esserman, but also to propose the ways and means to stop the bleeding and repair the system.

That candidate is Councilman John J. Lombardi.

When, if ever, will Angel Taveras and Steven Costantino weigh in?

AsRead More...

Our Oceans are Drowning in a Sea of Pollution

Frank Carini — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:11:29 +0100

Water, water everywhere, but seldom a drop that is plastic-free.

There are about 46,000 pieces of floating plastic per square mile of ocean, according to the United Nations Environment Program.

That's a lot of water bottles, six-pack holders and nurdles — tiny pellets of plastic about the size of lentils that can be melted down and formed into such products as banana guards and novelty testicles that hang from bumpers — swimming with what many of us eat.

President Obama'sRead More...

RI Foreclosures 3/11/2010

k thomas — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:53:50 +0100

RI Foreclosures 3/11/2010

As of 6am 3/11/2010

Taken from the Providence Journal ads
Also you can select RI or Mass at: Real Estate Auction Calendar

RI Foreclosures: 3/11/2010

188 Wadsworth Street Providence Thursday, March 11, 2010 1:00 PM
1275 Chalkstone Avenue A/k/a 1275-1277 Chalkstone Avenue Providence Thursday, March 11, 2010 11:00 AM
10 Nimitz Road East Providence Thursday, March 11, 2010 11:00 AM
16 Albermarle Avenue Johnston Thursday, MarcRead More...

Turning Around Schools in Providence

Keith — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:28:06 +0100

While media attention was (and is) still being showered on the unfortunate situation in Central Falls, Providence Public Schools’ superintendent Tom Brady announced the plans for the 5 schools targeted for reform by the state’s turnaround list. Four of the schools–Charlotte B. Woods Elementary, Lillian Feinstein Elementary @ Sackett St., Roger Williams Middle School, and Cooley Health, Science, and Technology High School–have been slated for a unique approach to the “restart” option.&Read More...

Chris Fierro: Let's repeal the flat tax!

Brian Hull — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:11:25 +0100

Go Chris!!!

Rep. Chris Fierro has been appointed to the House Finance Committee by Speaker Gordon D. Fox.

The Finance Committee is considered one of the most influential assignments in the House, since that committee is largely responsible for shaping the state budget and all other bills that have a potential financial impact on the state. It is alsoRead More...

Myrth York Endorses Angel Taveras for Mayor of Providence

Brian Hull — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:24:43 +0100

Update: Here are Myrth York's prepared remarks. The video can be seen here.

Good afternoon and thank you for being here.

Over the last several weeks, I’ve been both humbled and honored by so many friends and supporters who have enthusiastically encouraged me to consider running for mayor.

I love this city. I raised my family here, and I care very passionately about its future.

And while I have decided that I will not be a candidate for offRead More...

Bob Kerr breaks through the Projo Editoral Board's Fog

Pat Crowley — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:14:08 +0100

Thumbs up for Bob Kerr for being a voice of reason against the Ed Achorns and Froma Harrops of the world.

Once, it seemed it might be state workers who were plotting the downfall. They seemed so unyielding.

Then illegal immigrants seemed the greater threat to undermine everything we hold dear with their eagerness to walk the same streets and breathe the same air that we do.

It is now as clear as a babbling brook in springtime, however, just what lies at the heart ofRead More...

Carcieri breaks the law again, ignores deadline for 2010 Tax Expenditures Report

Brian Hull — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:33:06 +0100

We already know that the Governor was breaking the law when he refused to release the third quarter motor vehicle excise tax payment to cities and towns past the February 1 deadline. We all owe Scott Guthrie a huge thank you for discovering this violation.

It appears that Governor Carcieri is breaking the law again. I’ve been trying to find a copy of the January 2010 Tax Expenditures Report. Funny thing is, it doesn’t exist… in violation of state statute.

§ 44-48.1Read More...

Routine Chemical Exposure is Slowly Killing Us

Frank Carini — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:11:03 +0100

Everyday people — even Joe the Plumber — are regularly exposed to 200-plus chemicals. They're percolating in our bodies, and likely compromising our health.

The acronyms DDT, PCB, PVC, PBDE and BPA are the foundations of a toxic alphabet soup that is boiling in our waterways and collecting in our tissue.

Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water and its sources — rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springRead More...

Arts Advocacy Day - March 16

Brian Hull — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:31:00 +0100

Join the RI Citizens for the Arts at their Annual Arts Advocacy Day at the State House. Help raise the voice of the creative sector in the halls and walls of our house of governance! Participants wanted! REGISTER TODAY!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Governor's State Room, State House, 2nd Floor
2:00 - 6:00 pm

Talk is not cheap
Advocating is a way to affect change.
Participate in your legislative procRead More...

What the hell is Pecha Kucha?

Pat Crowley — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:00:00 +0100

UPDATE: In what other city could you find sharing a stage a former Republican US Senator, the Director of the Providence Chamber of Commerce.....and me? From the shameless self-promotion department, the event tonight starts at 7:20, I should go on about 8:20. This is the one year anniverary of Pecha Kucha and because Dan Bass will be the highlight of the night it should be packed! Get to Waterplace Restaurant at 1 Finance Read More...

Doug Gablinske on House Finance?

Brian Hull — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:39:37 +0100

Update: Well, there you have it, Doug Gablinske has been appointed to House Finance and as Chair of the Education Subcommittee, exactly as predicted.

The other 3 appointments are: former Speaker William Murphy, Chris Fierro (YAY!!!), and Mary Ann Shallcross Smith.

What's interesting is that I hearing two different stories about the Chairmanship:

I heard from a reliable source tonight that William Murphy was appointed to the House Finance Committee in order to chair theRead More...

Meeting to discuss CF teacher firings cancelled

Jesse from Cranston — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:23:06 +0100

A meeting scheduled for tonight, March 9, to discuss the mass teacher firings in Central Falls has been cancelled.

One question that I have -- that I don't think has been addressed at all in this latest controversy -- is whether the state still directly funds CF schools. I've noticed that the district has a "Board of Trustees," not a school committee, though I'm not sure whether this is just a matter of semantics.

I know this seems like a minor aspect to the story, but I think iRead More...

Central Falls Teachers' Union v. Frances Gallo

Brian Hull — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:17:17 +0100

The Central Falls Teachers' Union is ready to talk and work out the differences that have erupted into an acrimonious confrontation with Frances Gallo. They're willing to sit down and hammer this out, conceding much of what Gallo wanted for the transformational model to be implemented.

The specifics of the reforms matter most to the teachers at Central Falls High school. They have proposed an education plan for the high school, something that was never even consRead More...

Fundraiser for Sen. Juan Pichardo - March 10

Brian Hull — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:41:20 +0100

Please support Sen. Juan Pichardo at his upcoming fundraiser on Wednesday, March 10 from 6:30-9:00pm.

Mediterraneo's Restaurant
134 Atwells Avenue
Providence, RI

If you are unable to attend, you can make a contribution online.

The Opposite of Stimulus

Tom Sgouros — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:02:40 +0100

Much has been made nationally of the Obama administration's stimulus package and efforts to turn around one of the weakest economies we have seen in decades. But in Rhode Island, our leaders have enacted counterproductive measures that have only harmed Rhode Island families and small businesses and continue to hold us back. It is not too late to turn around these policy decisions and take decisive action to put working Rhode Islanders first, but it will require stronger voices than we have Read More...

Members and community keys to ufcw local 328 victory

Jim Riley — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:58:53 +0100

Many thanks to all who supported UFCW Local 328's successful effort to gain a fair and equitable new three year agreement with Stop & Shop. Our ratification meetings were held on sunday at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet. The contract, which protects and improves the existing health & welfare plan, continues to fund the defined benefit pension fund at the current level, and included a ratification bonus as well as general wage increases throughout the 3 years was overwhelmingly and passionaRead More...

Help Repeal the Flat Tax

danbass — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:22:41 +0100

Have your property taxes increased this year? It's no accident.

As we all know, Rhode Island has been struggling with consistent budget deficits over the last several years, and has made devastating cuts to our cities and towns in order to preserve the alternative flat tax, which is a massive tax break for less than 1% of the richest Rhode Island taxpayers. These cuts to our cities and towns are forcing property tax increases on Rhode Islanders across the state.