Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week, January 8 – 12, 2024.
The following weekly recap was provided by the press bureau of the Rhode Island General Assembly. For more information on any of these items, visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease.
President Ruggerio, Speaker Shekarchi announce hearings on St. Mary’s Home
Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence)
and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) issued statements
expressing their deep concern over the serious issues discovered in the Child
Advocate’s report of St. Mary’s Home for Children and announcing that both Senate
and House oversight hearings will begin shortly. “Protecting our most vulnerable
children, and ensuring they have access to essential treatment and services in our
state, remains an absolute top priority for me and the entire Senate,” said President
Ruggerio. Click here to see the news release.
Corvese bill would create open primaries
Rep. Arthur Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence) has introduced legislation to
establish open primaries for state and municipal elections to ensure that the
candidates who take office are supported by a majority of voters. Under the bill
(2024-H 7117), the party primary system would be replaced with a “general primary”
in which all declared candidates are listed. The top two vote-getters in the primary for
each office would then face off in the general election. Click here to see the news release.
McNamara looks to get Warwick representation on Airport Corporation board
Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced
legislation that would require Warwick representation on the Rhode Island Airport
Corporation Board of Directors. The bill (2024-H 7069) would require that one of the
seven directors of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation be appointed by the mayor of
Warwick with the advice and consent of the Rhode Island Senate. Click here to see the news release.
Edwards bill would prohibit development of Sapowet Marsh Management Area
Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton) has introduced legislation (2024-H
7060) that would protect the Sapowet Marsh Management Area in Tiverton and
prohibit any commercial development on the 296-acre salt marsh. The bill would
designate the area as open space to be utilized only for passive outdoor recreation.
Click here to see the news release.
Euer appointed to EPA advisory committee
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport,
Jamestown) was appointed to the Local Government Advisory Committee of the
Environmental Protection Agency, an independent committee that advises the EPA
administrator on specific environmental questions or topics that critically impact local
government. For the first time in the committee’s history, women hold a majority of
membership seats and all of the committee’s leadership positions. Click here to see the news release.
Senators take part in White House event on investments in Rhode Island
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown,
Newport, Little Compton, Tiverton), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Dawn
Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown), Sen. Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32,
Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) and Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly,
Charlestown, South Kingstown) took part in a White House event highlighting the
impacts of major federal investments being made in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Click here to see news release for Aquidneck Island/East Bay senators.
Click here to see news release for Senator Gu.
Cano to participate in AFL-CIO MLK Day Human Rights Conference
Sen. Sandra Cano, chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, will be a panel
member at the 2024 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights
Conference held in Montgomery, Alabama. The conference will be held from Jan. 12
to 14. Chairwoman Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) will participate in a panel discussion
entitled “Democracy’s Front Lines: Power in Our Nation’s State Legislatures” and
she will speak to the rising levels of extremism within the political process and how it
has affected Rhode Island, particularly public schools. Click here to see the news release.
Martin Luther King Jr. Commission’s annual celebration to be held Jan. 15
The Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission will be holding its annual
celebration of the life, and death, of the great civil rights leader on Monday, Jan. 15.
The official holiday commemoration will include remarks by commission members,
state and religious leaders, several musical presentations, and a number of awards will
be presented. Rep. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence), who
chairs the commission that annually organizes and hosts the celebration, will serve as
master of ceremonies. Click here to see the news release.
