Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

This week at the

General Assembly

 

STATE HOUSE — Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease

 

 

§  General Assembly receives state budget proposal

The FY 2023 state budget proposal (2022-H 7123) was unveiled by Gov. Daniel McKee and introduced by House Finance Committee Chairman Marvin L. Abney (D-Dist. 73, Newport, Middletown). The supplemental budget for FY 2022 (2022-H 7122) was also introduced by Chairman Abney. Both bills have been referred to the House Finance Committee where they will be analyzed and reviewed over the coming months.

 

§  Governor delivers State of the State address to General Assembly

Governor Daniel McKee delivered the State of the State address on Jan. 18 in the House chamber. House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) and members of their legislative leadership teams attended the event. Governor McKee presented key policy proposals for the upcoming legislative session to help Rhode Island recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and several aspects of his proposed FY 2023 budget.

 

§  Redistricting Commission approves new district maps
The Special Commission on Reapportionment approved new House, Senate and congressional district maps during its final meeting. Legislation enumerating the district boundaries will now be drafted and introduced in the House and Senate chambers. These bills will be assigned to committees and go through the same process as other bills.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Kennedy bill seeks to curtail fraudulent online sales
House Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly) has introduced legislation (2022-H 7013) to curtail the growing threat of the online sale of counterfeit and stolen goods, which has become a $509 billion criminal enterprise.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  McNamara bills address mental health challenges in education
Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced two bills that focus on the unique educational challenges that the pandemic has generated.
The first (2022-H 6648) would direct that services provided by school social workers and certified school psychologists would be included as health care-related services eligible for federal Medicaid reimbursement. The second (2022-H 7062) would provide that in developing alternative-learning plans, consideration would be given to the unique difficulties and interruptions that many students are experiencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Commission studying CRMC takes public testimony
The special House commission studying the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), led by Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown), collected public testimony on suggestions for improving the procedures or organization of the CRMC, the state’s lead agency for reviewing developments in coastal areas.
Click here to see news release.

§  Sen. Calkin sponsors bills aimed at reducing PFAS exposure

Sen. Jeanine Calkin (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) is sponsoring several bills aimed at protecting Rhode Islanders from the dangers of  per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The bills would require PFAS testing and removal in public water supplies, and prohibit PFAS from clothing, food packaging and carpeting sold or produced in Rhode Island. PFAS, which are linked to cancer and may cause adverse effects on the immune system and other tissues and organs, are found in hundreds of consumer products as well as firefighting foam and other applications.
Click here to see news release.

 

Former President Trump's claim that he can't face prosecution for anything done while in the Oval Office if he's not first impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate goes before the Supreme Court today. Trump's attorneys will try to convince the Court that Trump shouldn't face charges for alleged election interference. The former president maintains that not having total immunity would lead to an endless cycle of politically-motivated prosecutions.        House Speaker Mike Johnson visited Columbia University Wednesday, demanding its president resign unless she reigns in what he called anti-semitic protests. His comments come as pro-Palestinian protests continue against Israel's war with Hamas continue to spread across college campuses nationwide. The speaker raised the possibility of calling in the National Guard if protests are not quashed.        Activist Malala Yousafzai [[ MAH-la-la you-SOFF-zye ]] is speaking out in support of the Palestinian cause. On Wednesday, the Nobel Peace Prize winner released a statement on social media saying she condemns the Israeli government for violating international law and committing war crimes.        The City of Minneapolis has reached a settlement with a man who witnessed the murder of George Floyd. Donald Williams was at the scene of the crime back in May of 2020, and claims Derek Chauvin [[ SHO-vin ]] and another former Minneapolis police officer caused him emotional damage that amounted to assault. Williams filed a civil lawsuit last May claiming the officer's actions "constituted a threat of bodily harm." The Minneapolis City Council is expected to approve a settlement of 150-thousand dollars on Thursday.       The U.S. Department of Agriculture says any dairy cows transported across state lines must be tested for bird flu. In March, an outbreak of the bird flu was found in herds of dairy cows for the first time and just this week fragments of the virus were found in pasteurized milk samples.        Meta shares dropped Wednesday in after-hours trading after an underwhelming first quarter earnings report. While the report beat expectations, the company's capital expenditure outlook for the year was increased. Stock fell 15 percent after market close after rising 39 percent so far this year.       

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