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RI POLITICS

The latest political news in Rhode Island

Endorsements, campaign announcements, and more leading up to the special election for R.I.’s First Congressional District

Latest Politics Headlines

RI SHORE ACCESS

R.I. speaker ‘very confident’ a shore access bill will pass this year

It’s still unclear where and how the final line would be drawn in any compromise. But “the public will win,” House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said, “and I’m proud of that.”
RI POLITICS

R.I. GOP files ethics complaint against Speaker Shekarchi

The Democratic House speaker rejects a claim that he pushed for a failed 2017 bill regarding weddings at farms to benefit a client of his law firm.
RI REPORT PODCAST

On his final day in Congress, Cicilline expects to vote on debt ceiling deal

On the Rhode Island Report podcast, the Rhode Island Democrat said he is “learning toward a yes” vote on the agreement struck between President Biden and House Speaker McCarthy.

RI POLITICS
Hospitals in R.I. have tenants that are not exempt from real estate taxes. Lawmakers say it’s time for them to pay.
Many tax-exempt institutions rent out a portion of their buildings to businesses, such as coffee shops, restaurants, or other for-profits that have business ties to their nonprofit landlords. But in many cases, according to the bill’s sponsors, these businesses are evading property tax payments.

RI POLITICS
RIPEC warns that R.I. budget ‘dramatically higher’ than 5 years ago
Governor McKee’s budget proposal is “the last of a series of flush state budgets fueled by enormous allocations of federal pandemic funding and very large general revenue surpluses,” the business-backed group says.

RI POLITICS
The race is on in Rhode Island’s Senate District 1
Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin, a Providence Democrat, represented Senate District 1 for 36 years until she died on April 15 after a long battle with cancer. Now, three Democrats and one Republican say they are planning to run.

RI POLITICS
Candidates in Senate District 1 weigh in on R.I. legislation
Four candidates respond to questions about abortion coverage, gun legislation, the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, and iGaming.

ELECTION 2022

2022 election in Rhode Island: results, news, and analysis

Rhode Island voters are deciding on Nov. 8 whether Democratic Governor Daniel K. McKee will get to serve his first full term in office, and whether the Democratic Party will retain its three-decade hold on a U.S. House seat. Follow along as the Globe Rhode Island team brings you coverage of the 2022 General Election.
See: All of the results from the 2022 R.I. general election

More Rhode Island Politics Headlines

COMMENTARY | PETER F. NERONHA, MIA ACKERMAN AND DAWN EUER

A rental registry would require R.I. landlords to provide proof that properties meet lead safety requirements

We have a compliance problem in Rhode Island, which is why we are proposing legislation to strengthen enforcement of laws we already have on the books.

EDUCATION

Raimondo tells Brown graduates to ‘stick around’ R.I., commit to public service

“We have a lot of issues that we, together, have to deal with,” US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said after accepting an honorary degree from Brown University on Sunday. “They can all be solved... if you guys get in the game.”

COMMENTARY | KAREN SANTILLI AND JOSH MILLER

Waiver proposal would help R.I. pay for housing for those with complex medical needs

The Rhode Island General Assembly is now considering legislation that would allow the state to request flexibility to direct Medicaid funds toward housing.

TRANSPORTATION

New proposal scales back RIPTA overhaul plan

This afternoon, the Senate Finance Committee is set to hear the original proposal to put RIPTA under RIDOT, as well as a new plan that would make RIDOT’s director chair of RIPTA’s board.

RI POLITICS

Advocates urge R.I. to keep focused on social equity one year after marijuana legalization

Now that Governor McKee has nominated Cannabis Control Commission members, the Cannabis Justice Coalition is emphasizing provisions to repair the harm done by the “War on Drugs.”

RI POLITICS

A running list of possible candidates for Cicilline’s congressional seat

Now that House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and former CVS executive Helena Foulkes have announced that they won’t run, the floodgates are beginning to open with potential candidates who suddenly see the race as winnable.

COMMENTARY | MEGHAN KALLMAN, NICOLE JELLINEK, BETH CRONIN AND CHRIS FEDERICO

Pharmacists can help make birth control more accessible in Rhode Island

The most commonly cited barrier to reproductive health care services is difficulty finding a health care provider. Proposed legislation would allow licensed pharmacists to prescribe and dispense FDA-approved hormonal contraceptives.

COMMENTARY | VALARIE LAWSON AND REBECCA KISLAK

Ranked choice voting would improve R.I.’s elections and make more voices heard

Instead of choosing a single candidate, voters rank the candidates. If your favorite candidate fares poorly, your vote will count for a backup choice.

RI Political Briefs

Rhode Island political news: January 2023