Government
Public services and government action
What you need to know about the Open Meetings Act during Covid
McKee's new order allows public meetings by governmental bodies "to be held virtually for any purpose and makes clear that public bodies must provide remote access to their meetings, even if they are able to convene in person."
DHS offices throughout the state have been closed for 22 months...
"The lack of assistance is a barrier that is preventing some Rhode Islanders from getting and keeping critical services like SNAP, cash assistance and especially child care - things that are desperately needed at this time<" said Senator Melissa Murray, demanding that DHS be adequately staffed.
Religious leaders call for government action on poverty
"The coalition’s mission has never been more essential," said Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman. "The unprecedented challenges of this pandemic have laid bare the cost of our nation's offensive health, economic, and social inequalities, and it is well past time to recognize that simple truth. All of us, our governor, our state legislators, and every single citizen, must work together to create a more compassionate and just community; a community that prioritizes the welfare of our most vulnerable neighbors. And this work must begin today."
Mendes and Brown end Sleep Out protest, vow further action
“Governor McKee always had the tools and resources to solve the crisis of houselessness, but he chose to ignore it until it became a political problem for him,” said Senator Cynthia Mendes. “It shouldn’t take hundreds of Rhode Islanders sleeping in tents outside the State House to get the Governor to pay attention to this crisis.”
Governor McKee takes helter-skelter approach to combatting homelessness
"Even with the resources announced today there will still be Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness," said Jennifer Barrera, HMIS Program Manager at the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness as she introduced the Governor.
Record turnout for Sleep Out to end homelessness
"As amazing as it is to be in solidarity with so many Rhode Islanders, we shouldn't have to do this," said Senator Cynthia Mendes. "We shouldn't have to be here, we shouldn't have to demand that the leaders of this state prioritize human life and we demand that they do not allow some people to freeze to death this winter..."
Reed and Whitehouse protested against for extreme military budget
"Senator Reed has single-handedly gutted Senator Gillibrand's very important bill which would have protected our servicewomen and servicemen in the military from sexual assault," said Rhode Island resident Susannah Halloway. "He did it behind closed doors. He did it after he indicated he would not do it, so he's a liar."
Bristol-Warren schools again under fire for racist policies
"Black students were disproportionately suspended by immense margins compared to their fellow white students," writes the ACLU of Rhode Island, after analyzing the data.
Senator Mendes holds rally ahead of second night outside RI State House
"We know that the moral will to make it happen has never been evident [at the State House]," said Senator Mendes. "They will only do it with public pressure and under a unified voice about what our values are. They have shown us who they are, and now we're going to show them who we are."
First payments in PVD Guaranteed Income Program already effecting positive change
"I'm sure I'm not the only one who works in health care who has the intentions of helping people," said Ms. Perry. "We all know how moms are. If we can get us all up on our feet, a little bit better, we would be in a really great place despite all of the coronavirus."