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

 

 

§  Shekarchi re-elected Speaker; lists housing, doctor shortage as top priorities

Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) was re-elected to lead the House of Representatives as the 2025-2026 term began. He outlined a legislative agenda topped by addressing the state’s affordable housing and homelessness crises, and pledged to address a primary care doctor shortage, a sizeable budget deficit and investigate the state’s failed westbound Washington Bridge.

 

§  Senate President Ruggerio re-elected; lays out legislative priorities for 2025
Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) was once again chosen to preside over the Senate for its 2025-2026 term, laying out the agenda for the year. Ruggerio spoke of the great challenges facing the legislature, including a looming budget deficit. He announced that the Senate will establish a new Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies to focus on policy related to the legal, societal and ethical implications of those technologies.

 

  • New senators sworn into office

Six new members of the Rhode Island Senate joined their colleagues and took the oath of office on Tuesday. Senators Peter Appollonio Jr. (D-Dist. 29, Warwick), Andrew Dimitri (D-Dist. 25, Johnston), Todd Patalano (D-Dist. 26, Cranston), Brian Thompson (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland), Lori Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) and Lammis Vargas (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence) were sworn into office by Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore.

 

  • New representatives take oath of office

Six new members of the Rhode Island House of Representatives joined their colleagues and took the oath of office on Tuesday. Representatives Jenni A. Furtado (D-Dist. 64, East Providence), Earl A. Read III (D-Dist. 26, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick), Richard Fascia (R-Dist. 42, Johnston, Cranston), Marie Hopkins (R-Dist. 21, Warwick), Christopher G. Paplauskas (R-Dist. 15, Cranston) and Paul Santucci (R-Dist. 53, Smithfield, Glocester) were sworn into office by Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore.

 

  • New committee chairs appointed in Senate
    Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) appointed new leaders for several committees for the 2025-2026 term. The Judiciary Committee will be chaired by Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston). Sen. Melissa A. Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) will lead the Health and Human Services Committee. Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) will chair the Education Committee. The Environment and Agriculture Committee will be led by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown). Sen. Robert Britto (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) will lead the Commerce Committee. Sen. Jacob Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence) will chair the Housing and Municipal Government Committee.

 

  • State leaders, advocates celebrate greater paid family leave, child care eligibility
    Leaders from the General Assembly, McKee administration, advocates and families with young children gathered at the Federal Hill House Early Learning Center in Providence Thursday to celebrate the implementation of two important programs that support Rhode Island young children and working families: the expansion of Rhode Island’s Temporary Caregivers Insurance program to seven weeks of paid family leave, and the expansion of eligibility for Rhode Island’s Child Care Assistance Program to families earning 261% of the federal poverty level, the highest level in state history.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • House Speaker addresses Interfaith Coalition poverty vigil at State House
    Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) and Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) spoke to a gathering of the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty as the organization marked its 17th annual vigil at the State House Tuesday. Speaker Shekarchi told those assembled “We’re making progress, but progress is not enough until all Rhode Islanders have a safe place to live and enough food to eat.”

 

  • Legislators call on governor to declare homelessness a public health emergency
    A group of 46 legislators called on Gov. Dan McKee to declare homelessness a public health emergency. “Your leadership is needed now to protect and save the lives of Rhode Islanders across our state, including our working-class neighbors, our children, and our veterans,” they said in their statement to the governor.

Click here to see news release.                                                          

Russian President Putin says his country is open to a ceasefire plan. During a news briefing today, he reportedly said the proposal needs to "lead to an enduring peace and should remove the root causes of this crisis." This as U.S. officials traveled to Moscow today to discuss a possible ceasefire with Russian officials. Earlier this week, Ukraine said it would agree to a U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire plan if Russia did as well.        Anti-Israel protestors are being arrested inside Trump Tower in New York City today. They are calling for the release of a detained activist. Video shows at least 100 people crowded in the dining area of the building. They are pushing for former Columbia student Mahmoud Khaill to be let go after he was arrested last weekend.        Alcohol is latest target of the global trade war. President Trump says he will place a 200-percent tariff on European wine and Champagne. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said it would be in response to a 50-percent tariff on Whiskey implemented by the EU. The President said the union was created for "the sole purpose of taking advantage of the U.S."        President Trump's pick for CDC Director is having his nomination withdrawn by the White House. According to a senior administration official, former Florida congressman Dave Weldon will no longer attempt to be confirmed as the next head of the CDC. It came just hours before Weldon was set to testify before a Senate committee at his confirmation hearing. It's unclear why the nomination was withdrawn.        Cities in the U.S. are growing again, and it's driven by immigration. According to the Census Bureau, the number of people living in U.S. metro areas went up by three-point-two million between 2023 and 2024. That's more than a one-percent gain. Nearly 90-percent of U.S. metro areas grew in population. All of the country's 387 metro areas had an increase in international migration in the same time period, accounting for almost two-point-seven million of the total population gain.        Conference tournament action is in full swing in the college basketball world. Major conferences like the ACC, Big East, and Big 12 are playing their quarterfinal round games today, while the Big Ten and the SEC are playing their 2nd round games. Games of note include number 12 Iowa State vs. number 18 BYU in the Big 12, number ten Clemson against SMU in the ACC, number 23 Marquette vs Xavier in the Big East and Indiana is taking on Oregon in the Big Ten tourney.       

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