Politics & Government

This Week at the General Assembly

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.rilin.state.ri.us/News/.

 

Governor signs bills to increase size of polling places

The General Assembly has passed and the governor has signed into law legislation that will allow the number of active voters served by the same polling place to increase, if necessary, from 1,900 to 3,000. The legislation was introduced to accommodate changes necessary as a result of the reapportionment process completed earlier this year, and to help municipalities save money. Sen. James E. Doyle II (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) sponsored the Senate bill (2012-S 2489Aaa) and Rep. John M. Carnevale (D-Dist. 13, Providence, Johnston) sponsored the House bill (2012-H 7055A). Click here to see news release.

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Payday lending legislation wins support of Raimondo, Taveras

Rep. Frank G. Ferri (D-Dist. 22, Warwick) and Sen. Juan M. Pichardo (D-Dist. 2, Providence) received the support of General Treasurer Gina Raimondo and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras for their legislation (2012-H 7257, 2012-S 2307) to remove a special exemption from state law that allows “payday lenders” to charge up to 260 percent interest. The support came at a roundtable discussion on the issue held at the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation.

Winter utility shutoff moratorium extension approved

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With the urging of Speaker of the House Gordon D. Fox and President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed, and the support of National Grid, the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission approved a two-week extension (until the beginning of May) of the winter utility-termination moratorium, which normally expires on April 15. Speaker Fox and President Paiva Weed had written to the PUC in support of the extension, saying the action was needed “to help low-income households.”

Hoyle promoted to auditor general

House Speaker Gordon D. Fox named Dennis E. Hoyle, a 32-year veteran of the auditor general’s office, to the position of auditor general. Speaker Fox commended Hoyle, who has served as acting auditor general since January 2010, for his diligence in uncovering financing irregularities at the Institute for International Sport and his work on municipal pension funding. The auditor general provides independent evaluations of state agencies to the General Assembly.

House passes Edwards transparency bill for political parties, action committees

The House has approved legislation (2012-H 7060aa) sponsored by Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth) requiring any group or political action committee advocating for or against a charter-amending question on a ballot to file a report of all contributions received from a sole source in excess of $100. It would also expand the current law to include contributions in relation to any town or city charter amendment considered in a financial town referendum or at a financial town meeting. Click here to see news release.

Bill calls for safe disposal of potentially toxic human waste

Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Smithfield) has introduced legislation (2012-S 2640) that would require patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments to be given information by health care professionals about the proper disposal of potentially toxic human waste and to require that Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance policies cover any associated expenses. An identical House bill (2012-H 8013) was introduced by Rep. Thomas Winfield (D-Dist. 53, Smithfield, Glocester). Click here to see news release.
 

Bill would bar dogs riding on laps of drivers

Rep. Peter G. Palumbo (D-Dist. 16, Cranston) has introduced legislation (2012-H 7926) that would prohibit drivers from allowing dogs to sit on their laps while the vehicle is being operated. Violators would face a fine of $85 for a first offense. The bill is currently before the House Committee on Judiciary.

Hearn, DaSilva pitch full-day kindergarten incentives bill

Rep. Joy Hearn (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence) and Rep. Roberto DaSilva (D-Dist. 63, East Providence, Pawtucket) are sponsoring legislation (2012-H 8049) to  provide incentives for school districts that do not currently have full-day kindergarten to offer it. The funding would be distributed on a competitive basis and would cover start-up costs for programs that would serve more than half the kindergarten students in the district. Click here to see news release.

Ship gets Senate, House OK as state’s official sailing education vessel

As the House of Representatives did a week earlier, the Senate approved legislation that will designate the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry tall ship as the state’s official sailing education vessel. The three-masted square-rigged vessel, when not performing education-at-sea programs, will be displayed and open to the public in Newport. The bills (2012-H 7870, 2012-S 2698) were sponsored by Rep. Peter F. Martin (D-Dist. 75, Newport) and Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton).
Click here to see House news release. Click here to see Senate news release.


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