With many believing U.S. democracy is in peril, Brookings Senior Fellow Darrell M. West offers a more optimistic outlook. It’s not that West, a former director of Brown University’s Taubman Center, doesn’t see that democracy may be in jeopardy, but he is confident that mainly younger voters are recognizing the dangers. We talked with West, […]
Politics
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island Senate approves $13.96B FY25 budget in 34-1 vote
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentJune 14, 2024 A $13.96 billion fiscal 2025 budget awaits Gov. Dan McKee’s signature following passage in the Rhode Island Senate just after the clock struck midnight on Friday. The spending plan, approved by a 34-1 vote, mirrors the version that sailed through the Rhode Island House on June 7. […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island General Assembly approves ADU bill to boost housing supply
The Rhode Island General Assembly has approved a bill that would allow homeowners to develop rental units in their basements or at the rear of their homes. The legislation, which now only awaits the governor’s signature, would create a new class of “accessory dwelling units,” or ADUs. ADUs are small, separate living spaces that are […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport teachers seeking to block job fair
The union that represents Newport’s teachers is seeking a temporary restraining order to block Newport schools from holding a job fair tomorrow (Thursday) while unfair labor charges and grievances are pending in relation to the displacement of 41 teachers and layoff of 16 others. The dispute between the union and school administration erupted over the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News, Politics
Rhode Island lawmakers approve bill to ban “captive hunting” operations
By STEVE LeBLANC Associated Press Lawmakers have approved legislation that would let Rhode Island join the more than half of states with a full or partial ban on “captive hunting” — a hunt that occurs within a structure designed to restrict the free movement of animals and prevent them from escaping. The bill would bar […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Senate approves Energy Storage Legislation
The Senate approved legislation Tuesday that would require the state to build more energy storage systems as Rhode Island moves toward renewable forms of energy. The Energy Storage Systems Act would require the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and the Office of Energy Resources to develop and fund programs to meet benchmarks for energy storage capacity […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport seeking poll workers
With election season getting underway, the City of Newport is looking for individuals interested in serving as Poll Workers for the upcoming primary and general elections. Newport residents 16 years of age or older who are registered, or pre-registered to vote for those under 18, are encouraged to reach out to the City’s Canvassing Office […]
Posted inCity & Government
Op-Ed: Let Rhode Island pharmacists close the primary care gap
New England is being crippled by a shortage of primary care providers. More than one in ten Rhode Islanders do not have a doctor at all. In the nation’s smallest and second most densely populated state, there are twelve Medically Underserved Areas and four primary care Health Care Provider Shortage Areas. Even if they find a clinic that is accepting patients, […]
Posted inNews
Rep. Cortvriend will run for a fourth term in R.I. House District 72, which represents Middletown and Portsmouth
Rhode Island House Representative Terri-Denise Cortvriend announced that she will run for a fourth term in House District 72, which serves Middletown and Portsmouth. Rep. Cortvriend’s announcement follows; HOUSE REP. CORTVRIEND TO RUN FOR FOURTH TERMPORTSMOUTH, RI – Rhode Island House Representative Terri-Denise Cortvriend announced that she will run for a fourth term representing House […]
Posted inNews
Steph Smyth announces run for Newport City Council
Today, Steph Smyth announced her candidacy for Newport City Council. Smyth should be a familiar name to many Newport residents as she ran for office in 2022, missing a seat on Newport City Council by just 113 votes. Smyth’s full announcement follows; Lifelong Resident, Active Community Member Steph Smyth Announces Run For Newport City Council […]
Posted inNews
Middletown Library offers Town Council candidate training
The Middletown Public Library has announced a new program that aims to equip first-time town council candidates with the skills and tools necessary to successfully run for office. The program, which is being offered in collaboration with Town Council Member Barbara VonVillas, will include a thorough introduction to municipal leadership and current issues facing the […]
Posted inCity & Government, Election, News, Politics
Biden lays into Trump over convictions and says he now poses a greater threat than in 2016
By FATIMA HUSSEIN and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press GREENWICH, Conn. (AP) — President Joe Biden laid into his predecessor and likely opponent in November’s election, Donald Trump, for being convicted by a Manhattan jury on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments, saying Monday night that “this campaign has entered uncharted territory.” Speaking at a fundraiser in Greenwich, Connecticut, […]
Posted inNews
Lynn Underwood Ceglie announces candidacy for reelection to Newport City Council; will run for Second Ward Councilor
Lynn Underwood Ceglie, who currently serves as Vice Chair and an At-Large Councilor on Newport City Council, today announced her intent to run for Second Ward Councilor on Newport City Council this November. Councilor Ceglie provided What’sUpNewp with the following announcement; Newport City Councilor, Lynn Underwood Ceglie announces that she will run in Newport’s 2nd […]
Posted inNews, Politics
Vermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change
By LISA RATHKE Associated Press Vermont has become the first state to enact a law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a share of the damage caused by climate change after the state suffered catastrophic summer flooding and damage from other extreme weather. Republican Gov. Phil Scott allowed the bill to become law without his signature late […]
Posted inNews, Politics
Liberal icon Bernie Sanders is running for Senate reelection, squelching retirement rumors
By LISA RATHKE Associated Press Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont announced Monday he will run for reelection this year, squelching speculation that the 82-year-old progressive icon might retire at a time when the Democratic Party is anxious about the advancing age of its top leaders. Hailing from a Democratic stronghold, Sanders’ decision virtually guarantees that […]
Posted inCity & Government
Will de-politicizing CRMC win legislative support?
Shoreline access has been a hot-button issue for many communities in Rhode Island as legislators seek to adopt rules to assure Rhode Islanders’ access to beaches, protect homeowners, and strengthen the organization that oversees the state’s shoreline. That was the motivation behind the legislation proposed by Senator Victoria Gu, D-Dist. 38 (Charlestown, Westerly, South Kingstown) […]
Posted inNews
Schools: Meeting the challenge with less money
Will the governor’s proposed budget ease challenges for schools across the state that are bracing for lost COVID funds and the Rhode Island Department of Education no longer forgiving districts for declining enrollment? Add to the lost federal and state funds, there are concerns in some communities that town or city councils will level fund […]
Posted inCity & Government
Democrat Gabe Amo one win away from being 1st person of color to represent Rhode Island in Congress
By STEVE LeBLANC Associated Press For generations, the political face of Rhode Island was often Italian or Irish American. But that is changing. The latest shift came Tuesday when Gabe Amo, who grew up in Pawtucket the son of Ghanaian and Liberian immigrants, topped a crowded Democratic primary field for the state’s 1st Congressional District special election. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Watch: A conversation with Gabe Amo, Democratic Candidate for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District
Former White House aide Gabe Amo could become the first person of color to represent Rhode Island in Congress after his win Tuesday in the crowded Democratic primary for the state’s 1st Congressional District. Amo, a Pawtucket resident, will square off against Jamestown resident Gerry Leonard, a U.S. Marine veteran and political newcomer who defeated […]
Posted inCity & Government
Current and former Newport leaders endorse Sandra Cano for Congress
Current and Former Newport leaders, including School Committee Members Stephanie Winslow and Kendra Meunter, former School Committee Member Aida Neary, and former Mayor and City Councilwoman Jamie Bova, today announced their support and endorsement of Sandra Cano in the race for Congressional District One. “These Newport leaders join the ever-growing diverse coalition that has now […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals endorses Senator Sandra Cano for Congress
The Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals (RIFTHP) today announced the endorsement of Senator Sandra Cano in her effort to be elected to Congress from Rhode Island Congressional District One. The RIFTHP Executive Council, after a comprehensive vetting of many qualified candidates, voted to support Senator Cano in the primary election on Tuesday, September 5th. “For […]
Posted inCity & Government
Watch: A conversation with Rhode Island’s Congressional District 1 candidates
Between July 20 – August 3, What’sUpNewp hosted live virtual video conversations with candidates for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional district. During the interviews, we learned more about the candidates, found out why they are running in this special election, and discussed what they believe sets them apart from their opponents. A special primary for the […]
Posted inNews
27 senators are up for reelection—which, if any, are 'progressive' relative to the political lean of their states?
Over the past three decades, Democratic Party voters have shifted more to the left than voters in the Republican Party have to the right, according to a report by the Brookings Institution. Gallup Poll data shows that since 1994, the share of Democratic voters self-identifying as “liberal” has more than doubled, growing from 25% to […]
Posted inCity & Government
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Stephen Casey, Democratic Candidate for Congressional District 1
Stephen Casey, a Democratic Candidate for Rhode Island’s Congressional District 1, joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at 2 pm on Thursday, August 3, 2023. During the interview, we learn more about Stephen, find out why he’s running in this special election, and discuss what he believes sets him apart from his opponents. […]
Posted inCity & Government
WUN-ON-ONE: A conversation with Walter Berbrick, Democratic Candidate for Congressional District 1
Walter Berbrick, a Democratic Candidate for Rhode Island’s Congressional District 1, joined What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. During the interview, we learn more about Walter, find out why he’s running in this special election, and discuss what he believes sets him apart from his opponents. […]