Woonsocket Radio News Room

Statement sent from numerous representatives to Governor McKee

 

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

 

Dear Governor Daniel J. McKee:

 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic of the last 18 months, those professionals that were society’s first line of defense against the virus—among the many, our nurses, doctors, CNAs, police, fire, emergency personnel—were lauded as “heroes” and “saviors” during this historic time of crisis.  Undaunted and unvaccinated, these individuals performed their daily duties at great personal risk to keep the rest of us healthy and the rest of us safe.  

 

However, now some of those same “heroes” and “saviors” are facing the loss of employment due to state executive orders mandating COVID- 19 vaccinations prior to October 1st.  While we strongly urge all adults to get vaccinated, we also believe none of our “heroes” should be in the unemployment line should they make the personal decision to decline vaccination.

 

We, the undersigned members of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, are respectfully calling upon Governor Daniel McKee to amend the October 1st deadline for termination of employment for those licensed professionals choosing not to be vaccinated, and to direct the Rhode Island Department of Health to develop appropriate guidelines for those individuals to retain their employment while maintaining the public health.

 

If appropriate governmental action is not taken within the given time frame to protect these workers’ jobs, we respectfully request Speaker Shekarchi to reconvene the Rhode Island House of Representatives, in concert with the Rhode Island Senate, to address this extreme and unjust mandate, and, moreover, to set parameters for any future state, municipal, and private sector mandates concerning the commerce of daily life in the era of COVID-19.

 

Representative Arthur J. Corvese

 

Representative Thomas E. Noret

 

Representative Julie A. Casimiro

 

Representative Patricia A. Serpa 

 

Representative Deborah A. Felella

 

Representative Charlene Lima

 

Representative Gregory J. Costantino

 

Representative Steven M. Casey

 

Representative Carlos E. Tobon

 

Representative Grace Diaz

 

Representative Anastasia P. Williams

 

Representative Camille Vella-Wilkinson

 

Representative Robert D. Phillips

 

Representative William W. O’Brien

 

Representative Robert E. Craven Sr.

 

Representative Edward T. Cardillo Jr.

 

Representative Bernard A. Hawkins

 

Representative Mary Duffy Messier

 

Representative Samuel A. Azzinaro

 

Representative Steven J. Lima

 

Representative Ramon A. Perez

 

Representative James N. McLaughlin

 

Representative Nathan W. Biah

 

Representative Raymond A. Hull

 

Minority Leader Blake A. Filippi

 

Representative Brian C. Newberry

 

Representative Michael W. Chippendale

 

Representative David J. Place

 

Representative Robert J. Quattrocchi

 

Representative Sherry Roberts

 

Representative George A. Nardone

 

Representative Patricia L. Morgan

 

Representative Justin Price

 

 

President Trump met with U.S. oil executives at the White House today to discuss Venezuela's oil infrastructure. Trump said Venezuela has been working with the U.S., and a decision will be made soon on which oil companies will take part in the project. The meeting comes after the U.S. military captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.        The White House is touting cellphone footage showing the perspective of the ICE agent involved in a shooting in Minneapolis. In a post, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says the video is evidence that, "The media smeared an ICE Agent who properly defended himself from being run over by organized leftist protesters." The video was originally posted by "Alpha News," and it appears to show Renee Good behind the wheel, and her wife outside the SUV, getting into a verbal confrontation with ICE agents.        President Trump isn't backing down from his position on Greenland. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, "We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not." Trump added that he would like to make a deal, but is ready to "do it the hard way" if necessary. The President said something with Greenland must be done before Russia or China move in.        Police have not arrested a suspect in the shooting outside of an LDS church in Salt Lake City that killed two people. Police say there was an argument that apparently spilled outside when people left a funeral service on Wednesday night. In addition to the two deaths, six others were injured. Investigators believe the argument in the meetinghouse led to the shooting. Officials also say many of the witnesses are not cooperating.        President Trump is threatening land strikes in Mexico. In an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News last night, Trump said, "We've knocked out 97-percent of the drugs coming in by water and we are now going to start hitting land with regard to the cartels." He then went on to say, "The cartels are running Mexico, it's very sad to watch and see what's happened to that country." He did not provide any other details. This comes as Trump has threatened to take action in Mexico, Cuba, Greenland and Colombia following last week's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.        The College Football Playoff is back underway tonight in Atlanta. Number five Oregon is taking on number one Indiana in the Peach Bowl. The winner will take on number ten Miami in the National Championship in Miami Gardens on January 19th.       

Old News Archives