Government
Public services and government action
Wangari Maathai charter school approves lease with John Hope Settlement House over community objections
At a meeting held late Friday afternoon inside the eighth floor law offices of Barton Gilman LLP, the Wangari Maathai Community School Board approved the lease to take over parts of the John Hope Settlement House for their school on a 7-...
Crying foul on John Hope proposal, community members want to postpone Wangari Maathai approval at RIDE
"We demand that the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) postpone its process of approval for the Wangari Maathai Community School to be located at the John Hope Settlement House," said Suzette Cook, who leads a growing group of "...
What's going on in transportation?
To answer the title question, lots! Did you know there are bills in the legislature, S0633, H5883, to have the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) borrow $200 million from future Federal highway funds (called "GARVEE" bonds...
Rhode Island House considers creating a study commission to examine laws on sex work
The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony Tuesday evening from 18 people in favor of creating a special House Commission to study the health and safety impact of revising commercial sexual activity laws. In other words, the commissio...
Judge orders that ICE detainees can be held at the Wyatt
In a win for bondholders, people who have invested heavily in for-profit prisons, money can once more be made in detaining undocumented immigrants under President Donald Trump's Zero Tolerance Southern Border Strategy United States Chief...
Central Falls elected officials counter sue Wyatt bondholders under 'Anti-SLAPP law'
In response to a lawsuit from UMB Bank, representing the Wyatt Detention Facility's bondholders (aka 'The Trustees'), elected officials from Central Falls, named in the lawsuit, are countersuing. After the Central Falls Detention Facilit...
Senate Health Committee hears testimony on providing Medicaid coverage for doulas
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on Senate Bill 0678 that upon passage will provide medical assistance health care for expectant mothers and establishes medical assistance coverage and reimbursement rates...
Burrillville declares itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary Town, after striking the term 'law abiding' from its resolution
The Burrillville Town Council passed a resolution declaring the Town of Burrillville a Second Amendment Sanctuary Town last Wednesday. In addition to declaring the town a 2nd Amendment sanctuary, the resolution, introduced by Burrillvill...
House Judiciary hears testimony on occupational licenses for the formerly incarcerated
The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Tuesday on H5683, a bill that would prevent justice-involved Rhode Islanders from being denied an occupational license based solely or partially on a non-related criminal conviction. The b...
Wangari Maathai Community School refuses to answer community concerns about John Hope Settlement House
Outside the board meeting for the Wangari Maathai Community School held Wednesday evening in the law offices of Barton Gilman LLP, about a dozen people held signs, chanted and marched in support of the John Hope Settlement House. Communi...