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

 

 

§  Ruggerio introduces ‘Harold M. Metts School Safety Act’
Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) has introduced legislation (2021-S 0073) to prohibit the possession of firearms on school grounds. Named in honor of its longtime champion in the Senate, The Harold M. Metts School Safety Act of 2021 would allow only peace officers, retired law enforcement officers, and persons under contract to provide school security to carry a firearm on school grounds. Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence) will introduce similar legislation in the House.
Click here to see news release.

§  Senate Finance Committee meets to hear pandemic response funding updates
The Senate Finance Committee met virtually to hear updates on federal funding for pandemic response. The committee heard from the Department of Administration on funding updates regarding the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act; December 2020 stimulus changes to CARES funding and deadlines; and additional federal aid passed in December and new budget options available to the state.

 

§  Rep. McNamara introduces resolution asking AG to investigate water authority
Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) and other members of the Kent County House delegation introduced a resolution (2021-H 5030) urging the attorney general to investigate the billing procedures of the Kent County Water Authority. Beginning in October 2020, several water authority customers began receiving bills that were far in excess of what they usually pay. In one incident, customers received a bill that was 455 percent higher than usual, with no explanation provided for the increase.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Rep. O’Brien resolution calls for an end to COVID-19 restaurant time closures

Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) will be introducing a resolution calling for the end to COVID-19 mandated restaurant closing times.  Currently, restaurants and other social businesses are required to close by 10 p.m. during the week and 10:30 p.m. on the weekends. Small business owners have called the closing times arbitrary and devastating to their small businesses.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Martin Luther King Commission’s annual celebration broadcast on Capitol TV

The Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission’s annual celebration of the life and death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held virtually and broadcast on Capitol Television featuring pre-taped segments from Rhode Island dignitaries explaining what the legacy of Dr. King means to them. The commission and celebration are chaired by Rep. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence).

Click here to watch video.

 

A new survey finds a majority of college students oppose that tactic used by some pro-Palestinian campus protesters. The Generation Lab survey reported by Axios found that only a small number of students have actually participated in the protests. More than eight-in-ten say that protesters that vandalize property or illegally occupy campus buildings should be held responsible by their schools.       When it comes to the economy, Americans don't have much confidence in anybody, President Biden in particular. A Gallup poll shows that only 38-percent of U.S. adults have "a great deal" or "a fair amount" of confidence in Biden to make the right decisions about the economy.        Former President Trump's criminal hush money trial got personal Tuesday as former adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand. Under cross examination, Daniels talked about an alleged sexual encounter with Donald Trump nearly two decades ago. She's at the core of the case that alleges Trump paid her 130-thousand dollars to stay quiet about the story ahead of the 2016 election.       The Justice Department is scheduling a meeting with the families of victims of two fatal Boeing 737 Max crashes. The DOJ contacted the families Tuesday as it is close to deciding on if the aviation company violated a 2021 deal that allowed it to escape criminal prosecution regarding the deaths.        The road to the NBA Finals continued on Tuesday. The Boston Celtics crushed the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-95 in Game One of the Eastern Conference semifinals. In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder downed the Dallas Mavericks 117-95 in Game One.        Live Nation is offering tickets to select shows for just 25-dollars each through May 14th. To find a participating venue in your area, go to livenation.com/concertweek.       

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