John McDaid
RI Dems endorse incumbents in fractious state convention
Last night’s RI Democratic State committee meeting offered no surprises in the outcome — incumbent Governor Raimondo and Lt. Gov. McKee received expected endorsements — but the process of getting there provided moments of conflict that illuminated tensions within the Party. The convention of the more than 100 members of the state committee — city […]
Gov. Raimondo signs red flag and bump stock bills
At a state house rotunda ceremony this morning, surrounded by scores of Moms Demand Action and RI Coalition Against Gun Violence activists wearing orange t-shirts, Gov. Gina Raimondo signed into law two new pieces of gun safety legislation. The first, sponsored in the Senate by Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin and in the House by […]
Kennedy, Raimondo lead mental health, substance abuse conversation
Gov. Gina Raimondo and state officials were joined by former Congressman Patrick Kennedy on Saturday for a discussion about the mental health and substance abuse issues facing Rhode Island. Hosted by Portsmouth Sen. Jim Seveney, members of the Governor’s cabinet and substance abuse community program leaders spent an hour and a half in a standing-room-only […]
Environmental groups join Sen. Whitehouse to spotlight plastic pollution
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse was joined by local environmental groups at a press conference Monday morning in Middletown to discuss the crisis of plastic pollution in our oceans and highlight federal legislation and local actions being taken to address the threat. Dave McLaughlin, executive director of Clean Ocean Access, hosted the event at their headquarters. “Earth […]
Island legislators tackle issues at forum
Six local legislators fielded questions from the public during a two-hour forum at the CCRI Newport auditorium Thursday morning. Hosted by executive director John Shea of the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, the event featured questions submitted beforehand as well as a robust Q&A period. Senators Lou DiPalma (D-12), Jim Seveney (D-11), and Dawn Euer (D-13), […]
Whitehouse debuts $30M fund for coastal resiliency
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse chose the flood-prone Island Park section of Portsmouth as the backdrop to introduce the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund. With local business, government leaders, and NGOs looking on, Whitehouse announced that the fund received its first $30 million appropriation in last month’s omnibus spending bill. Whitehouse began by showing the two dozen […]
Thousands of Rhode Islanders march for our lives
At least 8,000 students, parents, allies, and activists gathered on the lawn in front of the State House Saturday for the March for Our Lives RI, the local instance of a gun safety movement that brought millions to the streets with more than 800 marches across the country. They came from all corners of the […]
Packed State House greets assault weapons ban bill
Nearly 500 people packed the Rhode Island State House rotunda Tuesday for a rally celebrating the introduction of a bill banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines. They filled the stairs and the second-floor hallways, dangled banners over railings, and cheered the legislators and high school students who urged the general assembly to take action. […]
Raimondo signs ‘red flag’ gun safety executive order
Flanked by red-t-shirted members of Moms Demand Action, Gov. Gina Raimondo signed an executive order at Warwick City Hall this afternoon aimed at assisting law enforcement in removing guns from those determined to pose danger to themselves or others. The three components of the order provide for coordination among state and local police investigating reports […]
Politicians, activists and survivors cheer as domestic violence gun bill becomes law
It was standing room only in the State Room at the State House this afternoon as activists, survivors, and elected officials gathered to witness Gov. Gina Raimondo sign the Protect RI Families Act, which restricts access to firearms for domestic abusers. Gov. Raimondo, in introductory remarks, noted that elected officials always tend to offer prayers […]
Governors face the crisis of innovation in Providence Summer Meeting
Perhaps the clearest example of the much-discussed challenge of innovation came in the closing session of the National Governors Association (NGA) in Providence. The outgoing chair, Virginia’s Terry McAuliffe, attempted to pass the gavel to incoming governor Brian Sandoval of Nevada. They had arranged for a drone to buzz in from offstage and drop it […]
Newport County legislators weigh in on car tax, RI Promise
Eight Newport County legislators, at an Aquidneck Island Planning Commission forum on Thursday, chimed in on two of the hottest topics at the State House: the car tax and RI Promise, Gov. Gina Raimondo’s college tuition proposal. In general, they were cautious about the feasibility of car tax reduction, and expressed qualified support for reducing […]
BCC Conference explores Native American genocide
“This is not a chapter, but a continuing story in the US today. The tribulations of Native Americans persist despite intentions to the contrary,” said Bristol Community College President Jack Sbrega.
Women’s Caucus kickoff packs RI Democratic Party HQ
More than 70 women attended the standing-room-only kickoff of a brand new Women’s Caucus at Rhode Island Democratic Party headquarters in Warwick last night. The 2-hour meeting brought together political leaders, activisists, educators, entrepreneurs, and a wide range of other professionals from 21 RI cities and towns to organize this new women’s-issue-focused group within the […]
Women’s Rally packs State House with message of peaceful resistance
An estimated 7,000 people – many wearing pink hats and carrying signs of resistance – packed the State House lawn in Providence this afternoon in the Women’s Rally Providence, organized in solidarity with the Women’s March in Washington. The peaceful two-hour event featured speeches from political leaders, activists, and students, as well as musical performances and thunderous […]
Innovation spotlighted at RIDE conference
Hundreds of educators, school administrators, and students came together at the RI Convention Center today for the fifth annual “Innovation Powered by Technology” conference, sponsored by the RI Dept. of Education. Across dozens of small discussions, panels, and demos, participants from all across the state had the chance to share best practices, learn about innovations, […]
RI Dems turn out to launch local Hillary headquarters
A full roster of elected officials and almost 200 people packed the Rhode Island Democratic headquarters in Warwick Saturday morning to kick off a statewide effort to support presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. The storefront office was standing room only as the governor and our congressional delegation energized attendees with their perspectives on the race and […]
Clinton’s nomination speech: Stick it to the king
“To all of your supporters here and around the country: I want you to know, I’ve heard you. Your cause is our cause. Our country needs your ideas, energy, and passion. That is the only way we can turn our progressive platform into real change for America.”
Obama makes powerful case for Hillary
On a night that began with vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine being nominated by acclamation, Democrats – and one high-profile Independent – squared off against Trump and built a solid affirmative case for a Hillary Clinton presidency. Aiming squarely at the image that Trump projected in his convention last week, Obama offered a scathing dissection. […]
Martin O’Malley visits RI delegation as they reflect on Clinton’s nomination
Two former Presidential candidates visited the RI delegation at breakfast this morning as the group was still reflecting on the historic nomination of Hillary Clinton. Before Sen. Bernie Sanders stopped by, Gov. Martin O’Malley paid a visit and offered his thoughts on the convention and the need for unity going forward. “Watching every night of […]
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