Government
Public services and government action
RI Parole Board reacts to COVID-19 pandemic
"We are not here to panic but to prepare and consider whether there are proactive steps we can take to address matters uniquely within our parole function and that still offer an opportunity for safe and successful release upon parole......
House candidate Nicholas Delmenico calls on General Assembly to meet remotely
“Rhode Islanders don’t know how they are going to keep putting food on the table, yet our elected officials are nowhere to be found.” Democratic candidate for State Representative Nicholas Delmenico (District 27 – West Warwick, Coventry,...
ACLU objects to Raimondo plan empowering State Police to stop vehicles with NY plates
"...giving the State Police the power to stop any New York-registered cars that are merely traveling through the state is a blunderbuss approach that cannot be justified in light of its substantial impact on civil liberties." Rhode Islan...
Economic Progress Institute identifies five steps Rhode Island can take to respond to COVID-19 pandemic
"We must resist such counterproductive policies and act forcefully to ease our sudden entry into recession and lay a foundation for a recovery that promotes shared prosperity." Noting that the COVID-19 pandemic is "both a public health c...
The Disaster Emergency Funding Board approves up to $300m in state borrowing
Senate President Dominick Ruggerio expressed some reservations, calling the DEFB meeting "an imperfect way" to secure the needed line of credit. The Disaster Emergency Funding Board (DEFB) met in the Rhode Island State House today, gathe...
George Wiley Center: Take a moment to submit written comments to the RI PUC by Thursday!
Utilities are a basic need for all, for health/hygiene, work, study/school, safety & well being Please submit written comments to the RI PUC by this Thursday, March 26! George Wiley Center demands: No termination of utilities during the...
Woonsocket City Councilor Kithes proposes municipal actions to address COVID-19 pandemic
"Given the delayed and largely inadequate response by the Trump administration, it’s becoming clear that much of the responsibility of dealing with the COVID-19 crisis is falling on state and local governments," said Kithes. It is import...
RI Rank: RI Senate Shows Promise in Open Government Rankings
RI Rank published it's latest rankings segment last night, Open Government and Ethics Voting Record for the Rhode Island Senate. The results are a welcome contrast from past segments in which the Senate overall fared poorly on their envi...
Corrections Director speaks about prison conditions, possible reductions in census under COVID-19
"We are encouraging judges to use home confinement for example, where they can, where people are eligible and just kind of reminding judges [to] please help us reduce our census." Correction: The section concerning statements by Laura Pi...
Governor Raimondo says homemade medical masks not needed and addresses Open Meetings Act changes
"...although that's a beautiful gesture, it's probably better to let us handle the distribution of properly made medical equipment..." Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo answered questions from journalists remotely at her 1pm COVID-19 p...