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

 

 

§  Ruggerio introduces ‘Harold M. Metts School Safety Act’
Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) has introduced legislation (2021-S 0073) to prohibit the possession of firearms on school grounds. Named in honor of its longtime champion in the Senate, The Harold M. Metts School Safety Act of 2021 would allow only peace officers, retired law enforcement officers, and persons under contract to provide school security to carry a firearm on school grounds. Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence) will introduce similar legislation in the House.
Click here to see news release.

§  Senate Finance Committee meets to hear pandemic response funding updates
The Senate Finance Committee met virtually to hear updates on federal funding for pandemic response. The committee heard from the Department of Administration on funding updates regarding the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act; December 2020 stimulus changes to CARES funding and deadlines; and additional federal aid passed in December and new budget options available to the state.

 

§  Rep. McNamara introduces resolution asking AG to investigate water authority
Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) and other members of the Kent County House delegation introduced a resolution (2021-H 5030) urging the attorney general to investigate the billing procedures of the Kent County Water Authority. Beginning in October 2020, several water authority customers began receiving bills that were far in excess of what they usually pay. In one incident, customers received a bill that was 455 percent higher than usual, with no explanation provided for the increase.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Rep. O’Brien resolution calls for an end to COVID-19 restaurant time closures

Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) will be introducing a resolution calling for the end to COVID-19 mandated restaurant closing times.  Currently, restaurants and other social businesses are required to close by 10 p.m. during the week and 10:30 p.m. on the weekends. Small business owners have called the closing times arbitrary and devastating to their small businesses.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Martin Luther King Commission’s annual celebration broadcast on Capitol TV

The Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission’s annual celebration of the life and death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held virtually and broadcast on Capitol Television featuring pre-taped segments from Rhode Island dignitaries explaining what the legacy of Dr. King means to them. The commission and celebration are chaired by Rep. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence).

Click here to watch video.

 

Israel has launched a retaliatory strike against Iran. U.S. officials confirm missiles have struck a number of locations inside Iran, with no word yet on whether there were any casualties. Several explosions were reported near a number of sites linked to Iran's nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy Agency says none of the sites sustained any damage.        Lawyers in the Donald Trump "hush money" trial will be selecting six alternates today. A 12-member jury is already chosen for the New York trial, which could begin Monday. The former president is accused of falsifying records to cover up a "hush money" payment to an adult film star before he was elected in 2016.        More than 100 protesters at Columbia University are being issued summonses for trespassing. New York City Mayor Eric Adams says the school's students have a proud history of protests, but they're not allowed to trespass. Adams says the university's president reached out to the NYPD for support, after numerous warnings to students occupying the campus's south lawn.        Lawmakers are considering a proposal to establish a Stand Your Ground law in New Jersey. The bill would expand the use of force when acting in self-defense. Stand Your Ground laws became controversial more than a decade ago when Florida man George Zimmerman used it as a defense in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.        Taylor Swift is releasing a second installment to her new album, "The Tortured Poets Department." The highly-anticipated new album dropped at midnight, featuring 16 songs including the first single, "Fortnite." Two hours later, Swift announced that it was actually a "secret double album," and released 15 more songs.        The second weekend of the Coachella Music Festival is set to begin today. Headliners are Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat and Tyler the Creator with other acts taking the stage once again like Ice Spice, Blur, Kid Cudi and J Balvin. Those unable to attend will be able to watch a live stream on YouTube later today.        

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