Monday, May 13, 2013
The lawmakers are applauded for working to end inhumane treatment of farm animals in Rhode Island.
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Monday, May 13
STATE HOUSE –The Humane Society of the United States recently awarded Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27,Coventry, West Warwick, Warwick) and Rhode Island Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) as Rhode Island’s Humane State Legislators for 2012. Each year, The HSUS recognizes select state lawmakers across the country who pursue path-breaking animal protection legislation and demonstrably advance reform in the policy-making arena. Sen. Ruggerio and Rep. Serpa are recognized for their sponsorship of two farm animal welfare measures. The first (2012-S 2191Aaa, 2012-H 7180A) bans veal crates for veal calves and gestation crates for breeding sows – cages that permanently confine the animals and …
Monday, April 15, 2013
The award is given by the Rhode Island State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management.
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Monday, April 15
STATE HOUSE – Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry,Warwick) has been chosen as the recipient of the 2013 Outstanding Public Servant Award from the Rhode Island State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management. Every year, the council recognizes a public servant who demonstrates a commitment to legislation or public service consistent with its legislative priorities. The council noted that it selected Representative Serpa for the award because of her continued commitment to the business community, economic development, eliminating barriers to job creation and promoting workforce education and development. “I am extremely grateful for this honor,” Representative Serpa said of the award. “Economic development…
Sunday, March 17, 2013
If passed, the bill would allow for a faster solution to cutting back millions in waste in a stagnant economy.
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Sunday, March 17
STATE HOUSE – While the federal government has taken unprecedented steps toward health care reform in this country, Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry,Warwick) says Medicaid fraud is still a topic that should stay a part of the conversation this year. The bill (2013-H 5734) would allow the state to use technology to identify fraudulent activity in the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) before payment is made. Last year, the House of Representatives passed a resolution respectfully requesting Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee to implement programs and methodology to improve Medicaid integrity inRhode Island, building a foundation for the introduction of the current legislation. “If someone described this …
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Dunkin Donuts plans to award one scholarship to a senior at every Rhode Island high school.
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Tuesday, February 12
Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D – Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) is encouraging students in her districts to apply for a $1,000 Dunkin’ Donuts scholarship for college-bound seniors. “The Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees of Rhode Island and Bristol County, Massachusetts, have graciously decided to continue their annual scholarship program for high school seniors,” Representative Serpa said. “With the company awarding one scholarship for every high school in Rhode Island, every eligible senior should be applying for it. I know a lot of families and students worry about the financial aspect of higher education, and every little bit helps.” The Dunkin’ Donuts Franchisee Scholarship Program was established in order to promote the importance …
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Exemption would only apply to new business investments.
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Thursday, February 7
An idea that grew from the Small Business Association’s annual economic summit has Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D – Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) pushing hard for Rhode Island to implement a capital gains tax exemption that will make the state more attractive for new businesses and entrepreneurs. “Stability and an alluring tax policy are enough to begin building a more solid economic foundation here in Rhode Island,” Representative Serpa said. “We have to put ourselves in the place of outside investors and ask, ‘Why would I want to start a business here?’ The capital gains tax exemption applies to new investments in Rhode Island businesses, and it doesn’t allow loopholes for existing businesses to sell out and take advantage of …
Sunday, July 22, 2012
The program to boost scientific achievement in Rhode Island classrooms received $500,000 in state funding.
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Sunday, July 22, 2012
As a result of a joint resolution (2012-H 7451, 2012-S 2404), lawmakers voted to allocate $500,000 of the state budget to go toward a private/public partnership with the JASON Project, a nonprofit organization founded by University of Rhode Island Professor Robert Ballard designed to help teachers develop their 21st century skills while promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the classroom. “Education is one of the most important investments we can make as a state,” said Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick), sponsor of the House bill. “It is imperative not to lose sight of that, even during times of financial turmoil. Programs like the JASON Project are especially important now, when …
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee has signed legislation, introduced by Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick), which would require a cost-benefit analysis and periodic review of all regulations governing or impacting small businesses.
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Saturday, June 30, 2012
Under provisions of the new law (2012-H 8024A), each affected agency shall review 25 percent of its regulations each year for four years until all existing regulations have been evaluated for any adverse impacts on small businesses and economic impact statements have been prepared, with the exception of emergency regulations. The law excludes certain entities from the definition of “small business,” including financial institutions, insurance companies, mineral, oil and gas brokers, subdividers, developers, landscape architectural firms, nonprofit institutions, businesses offering entertainment activities and productions and utilities companies. It also shifts oversight of proposed small business regulation from the Rhode Island Economic…
Sunday, June 10, 2012
The bill would provide an exemption on the capital gains for new investments in Rhode Island businesses.
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Sunday, June 10, 2012
Building upon her experience at the annual Small Business Economic Summit held in January, Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) has introduced a tax policy bill to make Rhode Island more attractive for new businesses and to further invest in existing businesses. “Consistency, stability and tax policy are the main considerations when companies and investors look to open businesses here,” the representative said. “This bill would provide an exemption on the capital gains for new investments in Rhode Island businesses made after Jan. 1, 2012 and going into the future. Many entrepreneurs look to establish successful businesses, sell them at a profit and move onto other initiatives. My legislation encourages …
Sunday, May 6, 2012
The bill would require all compensation to be disclosed before the Department of Administration could approve a contract.
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Sunday, May 6, 2012
With the General Assembly’s move to cut $24 million from agencies servicing developmentally disabled individuals last year, Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) is looking to change the law so that nonprofit organizations and agencies must disclose their executives’ compensation and administrative costs when seeking contracts with the state. “Some of these executives are making six-figure salaries,” Representative Serpa said. “It’s not my intent to embarrass or point fingers at any one agency. What I’m concerned about is the fact that in a time when we’re seeing educational and health care nonprofits sharing the burden – as evidenced with Brown University and LifeSpan’s deals with the city of Providence …
Stephanie Caldwell
10:15 am on Monday, May 13, 2013
I'm so proud of our little state for passing this legislation. Our farming culture is has always been something to be proud of here and these bills will make sure it stays that way. :) more ›