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
- Plans announced to reconfigure Pell bridge ramps
Gov. Gina Raimondo, President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown), Rep. Marvin L. Abney (D-Dist. 73, Newport, Middletown), Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport), Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Little Compton), Newport city officials, and Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr. announced that they have agreed on initial plans to reconfigure the Pell Bridge ramps to provide quicker access to Newport town center, to relieve traffic backups on the bridge, and to open 34 acres for redevelopment.
Click here to see news release.
- Rep. Casimiro bill would include mobile homes as low/moderate income housing
Rep. Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter) has introduced legislation (2017-H 5850) that would allow mobile and manufactured homes that are part of mobile and manufactured home parks to be counted as low and moderate income housing within a municipality. Sen. Paul W. Fogarty (D-Dist. 23, Glocester, Burrillville, North Smithfield) has introduced the companion legislation (2017-S 0217) in the Senate. Sen.Elaine J. Morgan, (R-Dist. 34, Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond, West Greenwich), has proposed similar legislation (2017-S 581) as well.
Click here to see Casimiro release.
Click here to see Morgan release.
- Rep. Tobon reintroduces bill requiring the listing of all ingredients on cosmetics
Rep. Carlos E. Tobon (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket) has reintroduced legislation (2017-H 5905) that requires manufacturers to disclose all cosmetic ingredients on product labels and company websites. Representative Tobon introduced the bill last legislative session and it has been referred to the House Committee on Health, Education & Welfare.
Click here to see news release.
- Rep. Morgan introduces package of municipal spending reduction tools
House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan (R-Dist. 26, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) has introduced a package of legislation designed to bring fiscal relief to cities and towns across Rhode Island. These municipal spending reduction tools will eliminate and reform state mandated laws that prevent municipalities from being able to control their spending. If passed, the package will help towns reduce their costs for pensions, building repairs, insurance, and litigation. These bills provide a path to lessen and reduce the need to collect higher taxes from residents.
Click here to see news release.
- Coalition announces campaign to end the carried interest tax loophole
The Strong Economy for All Coalition announced its support of bills (2017-H 5563, 2017-S 0259) sponsored by Rep. Aaron Regunberg (D-Dist. 4, Providence) and Sen. Adam J. Satchell (D-Dist. 9, West Warwick) to tax the carried interest income of hedge fund and private equity investors as traditional earned income.
Click here to see news release.
- Rep. Corvese bill would create animal abuse registry
Rep. Arthur Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence) has filed legislation (2017-H 5104) to create a statewide animal abuser registry aimed at preventing those with a history of mistreating animals from obtaining more of them.
Click here to see news release.
- Advocates back careful study of marijuana legalization’s effects
At an event announcing their opposition to marijuana legalization in Rhode Island, Attorney General Peter Kilmartin, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, the Ocean State Prevention Alliance and What’s the Rush, Rhode Island? put their support behind legislation (2017-S 0277, 2017-H 5551) sponsored by Sen. Cindy A. Coyne (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) and Rep. Dennis M. Canario (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) to establish a commission to study the impact of legalization in Colorado and Washington State to better understand the impact it might have on Rhode Island.
Click here to see news release.
- Sen. Felag introduces R.I. Livable Home Tax Credit legislation
Sen. Walter S. Felag, Jr. (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) has introduced legislation (2017-S 0477) that would create the Rhode Island Livable Home Tax Credit. The act would provide a tax credit against the state’s personal income tax for taxpayers who purchase new residences or retrofit residences that meet or are modified to meet standards that make the residences more accessible for the elderly or disabled persons. Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced the companion legislation (2017-H 5778) in the House of Representatives.
Click here to see news release.
- Rep. Shanley bill would establish student loan forgiveness program
Rep. Evan P. Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick) has introduced legislation (2017-H 5889) that would establish the “Get on Your Feet” student loan forgiveness program. The legislation would assist recent college and university graduates in the repayment of their student loans by providing for payments to eligible students to be applied toward their student loans. The program would apply only to those who went to high school and college in Rhode Island, and live and work in the state.
Click here to see news release.
- Rep. Nardolillo bill aims to protect families with a disabled parent
Rep. Robert Nardolillo (R-Dist. 28, Coventry) has submitted legislation (2017-H 5395) to prevent a parent’s disability from serving as the basis for denial or restriction in a matter involving a child’s welfare, foster care, family law, guardianship or adoption without written findings by Family Court.
Click here to see news release.
