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

 

§  Legislators approve spending portion of ARPA funds

The General Assembly approved and the governor immediately signed into law a plan (2021-H 6494A, 2021-S 1006A) for using $119 million of Rhode Island’s $1.13 billion American Rescue Plan Act State Fiscal Recovery Funds to help children, families, small businesses and the tourism industry, and boost affordable housing and broadband planning. Legislators added $6 million to further enhance support for child care needs, as well as safeguards and specifics, to the plan that was originally proposed by Gov. Dan McKee.
Click here to see news release.

§  General Assembly overrides veto of bill to register short-term rentals
The General Assembly voted to override the governor’s veto of legislation (2021-H 5505A, 2021-S 0501B) sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) and Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) to require every short-term rental property listed for rent in Rhode Island on the website of any third-party hosting platform to be registered with the Department of Business Regulation. The bill, which now becomes law, is meant to furnish basic information to ensure compliance with safety and tax regulations and owners’ contact information in case of an emergency.
Click here to see news release.

§  Speaker Shekarchi says affordable housing will top legislative priorities

Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) opened the 2022 session by announcing that affordable housing will continue to be his top legislative priority. He also indicated that a good deal of the chamber’s work will focus on the health and economic issues related to the pandemic, and that the House would begin a robust hearing process on the legalization of marijuana.

Click here to see news release.

§  President Ruggerio lays out legislative priorities for 2022
Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) convened the Senate for its 2022 legislative session, laying out the agenda for the year including a goal of 100 percent renewable energy for Rhode Island by the end of the decade, universal access to pre-kindergarten within five years, tuition forgiveness for nurses and teachers, addressing climate change and water infrastructure, building a girls’ residential psychiatric treatment facility, and the legalization of marijuana.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate confirms several judges and magistrates
The Senate confirmed several new judges and magistrates who were appointed by the governor on the opening day of the 2022 legislative session.  The judicial appointments, which require the advice and consent of the Senate, were confirmed to posts within the Rhode Island Superior Court, the Rhode Island Family Court, the Rhode Island District Court and the Rhode Island Worker’s Compensation Court.  The Senate also approved two magistrate appointments to the Rhode Island Superior Court.

 

§  Legislation seeks to expand investment in Rhode Island school buildings
Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket), Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) and Rep. Brandon Potter (D-Dist. 16, Cranston) joined General Treasurer Seth Magaziner in announcing that they will sponsor legislation seeking voter approval this year to expand the ongoing investment in school construction by $300 million, with incentives for energy efficiency or renewable energy use and the use of Rhode Island based and minority contractors.
Click here to see news release.

 

Former President Trump is back in a New York City court for his criminal hush money trial. Former longtime assistant Rhona Graff is now on the stand. Trump faces felony charges of falsifying business records to cover up payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged affair.       Former President Trump says he's ready to debate President Biden as soon as tonight. In a social media post, Trump suggested the two debate "anywhere, anytime, anyplace" including out side the New York courthouse where the former president is on trial. The invitation comes after President Biden said he would debate Trump during an interview with radio host Howard Stern.        Hundreds of people across the U.S. have been arrested since protests erupted over the war in Gaza. Anti-Israel protests have sprung up across the country since the NYPD arrested over 100 demonstrators at Columbia University on April 18th. The New York Times says over 400 protesters have been arrested for refusing to disperse as tent cities pop up on more college campuses.        The U.S. is sending Ukraine its largest military aid package to date. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a package worth six-billion-dollars today that will include munitions for Patriot missile defense systems. Austin thanked Congress for passing a massive foreign aid package that will help make it possible for Ukraine to fight off Russia's invasion.        It's a tripleheader in the NBA Playoffs tonight. In the first game, the Indiana Pacers will host the Milwaukee Bucks with their series tied at one game apiece. That game will be followed by the Los Angeles Clippers taking on the Mavericks in Dallas. That series is also tied at one-one. In the last game of the night, the Phoenix Suns will look to avoid going down three-games-to-none when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves.       Aaron Sorkin is writing a sequel to "The Social Network." Speaking at "The Town" podcast, the Oscar-winning writer talked about how Facebook has evolved in influencing democracy since his 2010 film. When pressed about why he blames the Meta-owned social media platform for the 2021 Capitol riots, he said "you're going to need to buy a movie ticket." The Social Network movie chronicled Mark Zuckerberg's journey as co-founder of Facebook.        

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