Friday, May 3, 2013
Governor signs historic bill after final passage by House.
STATE HOUSE – With Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee’s signature shortly after a 56-15 vote House, same-sex marriage became law in Rhode Island Thursday, to cheers of advocates and citizens who have pursued passage of the legislation since it was first introduced in Rhode Island in 1997. “This is a great day in Rhode Island, not just for the many Rhode Island families who will now get the recognition and equality that they so richly deserve, and not only for the thousands who have been fighting for decades for the dignity and rights of all citizens. It is also a wonderful day for the generations of future Rhode Islanders who may never know a time when some people didn’t have all the same rights as others, and who hopefully will grow up wondering …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Governor to sign historic bill within moments
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, May 2
STATE HOUSE – With a final vote in the House today of 56 to 15, the General Assembly has enacted same-sex marriage in Rhode Island, to cheers of advocates and citizens who have pursued passage of the legislation since it was first introduced in Rhode Island in 1997. “This is a great day in Rhode Island, not just for the many Rhode Island families who will now get the recognition and equality that they so richly deserve, and not only for the thousands who have been fighting for decades for the dignity and rights of all citizens. It is also a wonderful day for the generations of future Rhode Islanders who may never know a time when some people didn’t have all the same rights as others, and who hopefully will grow up wondering how on earth …
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
"With the Senate's approval, the bill now goes back to the House for approval, then to Gov. Lincoln Chafee for his signature."
In a 26-12 vote, the Rhode Island Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would allow same-sex marriage in the state, the last in New England to approve such a measure. The House of Representatives voted 51-19 on Jan. 25 to approve that chamber's version of the bill. Should the House pass the Senate version, the legislation would go to Gov. Lincoln Chafee, who has pledged his support. Sen. Lou Raptakis (D-Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, voted Tuesday in favor of amended Senate Bill 38 (S38), which defines marriage as "the legally recognized union" of two people, regardless of gender. He reaffirmed his decision today, once again voting in favor of marriage equality. Sen. Nick Kettle…
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
A Senate vote may take place as early as Wednesday.
Rhode Island took one step closer to the legalization of same-sex marriage on Tuesday following Judiciary Committee passage of a bill that would allow gay couples to marry in the state. With little debate, the 10-member Senate committee, which includes Sen. Lou Raptakis of Coventry, voted 7-4 to pass the amended Senate Bill 38 (S38), sponsored by Sen. Donna Nesselbush (D-Pawtucket). The bill defines marriage as "the legally recognized union" of two people, regardless of gender. The seven Committee members who voted in favor of the bill include Sens. Stephen Archambault, William Conley, Dawson Hodgson, Paul Jabour, Erin Lynch, Nesselbush and Raptakis. Committee Chairman Mike McCaffrey, Sens. Frank Lombardi and Harold Metts, and Senate …
State Senate GOP Caucus becomes first in the nation to stand united for marriage equality.
All five Republicans in the 38-member Rhode Island Senate - including Sen. Nick Kettle of Coventry - have committed to support the same-sex marriage bill being voted on today by State Senate Judiciary Committee. On Tuesday morning, the Rhode Island Senate Republican Caucus announced its support for a bill that would grant marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples, becoming the first unanimous decision by a legislative caucus of either party in the nation to back marriage equality legislation. The State Senate Judiciary Committee, which includes Sen. Lou Raptakis of Coventry, is expected to approve the legislation at 3 p.m. today. “This is a game changer,” said Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). “Never before …
During a rally on Monday evening, more than 70 community members gathered in Coventry to urge Sen. Raptakis to vote in favor of marriage equality legislation.
On Monday evening, more than 70 members of the Coventry community gathered in the park at the Sandy Bottom Road/Tiogue Avenue intersection to show their support for marriage equality. With the Senate Judiciary Committee due to vote on a bill today, the crowd gathered last night to call on Senator Lou Raptakis (D-Coventry, East Greenwich, West Warwick) to "support all loving and committed couples' right to marry the person they love," according to Kyle Megrath, Field Organizer for Rhode Islanders United for Marriage (RIUM). Senate Bill 38, sponsored by Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Pawtucket), would define marriage as "the legally recognized union" of two people, regardless of gender. According to Ray Sullivan, executive director of RIUM, …
Saturday, March 30, 2013
The Coventry senator says he hasn’t made a “firm decision” yet on voting to allow SSM legislation to be voted on by the full Senate.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The Coventry senator says he hasn’t made a “firm decision” yet on voting to allow SSM legislation to be voted on by the full Senate.
State Sen. Lou Raptakis (D-Coventry, E.G., W.W.) has removed his name as a sponsor of legislation to hold a referendum on same sex marriage, but he’s stopped short of saying he will definitely support allowing a bill legalizing same sex marriage to be voted on by the full Senate. Raptakis is one of ten members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the panel in control of the legislation right now. Senate Bill 708, sponsored by Sen. Frank A. Ciccone III (D-Providence), would put a referendum before voters, asking if they want to legalize same-sex marriage by adding language to the state Constitution that defines marriage as "the legally-recognized union of two people." Senate Bill 38, sponsored by Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Pawtucket), would…
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Coventry's Sen. Raptakis intently listened to testimony but kept mum during the extensive hearing.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Bill S708 would put same-sex marriage to a statewide vote while also allowing small business owners to decline selling goods and services for marriage ceremonies if doing so violates their religious beliefs.
jakeone
2:44 pm on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
All of this energy should have been directed towards are great business friendly state. more ›