Speaker Shekarchi’s legislation to amend Low and Moderate Housing Act passes House

 

WARWICK, RI – Legislation sponsored by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi to amend Rhode Island’s Low and Moderate Income Housing Act was passed by the House today. The legislation is part of Speaker Shekarchi’s 14-bill package of legislation to address Rhode Island’s housing crisis.

“Rhode Island is in dire need of more housing. The package of legislation my colleagues and I have put forth will make it easier to develop housing by eliminating unnecessary barriers, and this bill is one more tool in our toolbox,” said Speaker Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick). “When it comes to the development process, time is money. Streamlining the permitting process will cut some of the costs associated with building more homes, while expediting the timeframe for those new homes to be built.”

The bill (2023-H6081A) would provide amendments relative to low- and moderate-income housing and modify and clarify the procedure for review of applications to build housing. It would streamline the process of permitting from three steps to two steps, not including pre-application, to follow the purpose of the comprehensive permit process, and sets forth necessary submission items at each stage of the permitting process. The legislation retains current standards, but provides greater clarity for the review of applications.

The legislation does not alter the Low and Moderate Income Housing Act’s requirement that cities and towns maintain 10 percent of their year-round housing stock as affordable. According to data from HousingWorksRI’s 2022 Housing Fact Book, only six municipalities in Rhode Island have achieved the goals set forth in the Act.

 

 

President Trump says the tariffs imposed on other countries are having the desired effect, and he's now open to negotiations. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said his initial tariff plan is over, and he's watching it settle in. He said every country has called, asking to cut a trade deal with the U.S. to avoid the tariffs.        Stocks are closing sharply lower one day after President Trump announced sweeping global tariffs. The S&P 500 had its worse day since 2020 as the White House announced a baseline tariff rate of ten-percent against most countries yesterday that will go into effect on Saturday. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 16-79 to 40-545. The S&P 500 lost 274 points to 53-96. The Nasdaq lost 10-50 points to 16-550.        A multi-day severe weather event is unfolding for more than 55-million people. It comes after at least seven people were killed in the South Central U.S. after storms that included several tornadoes hit the region yesterday. Tonight, there is still a tornado threat for the same areas, but forecasters warn there could also be potentially catastrophic flooding in the Mid-South and Midwest.        The Federal Aviation Administration is offering more support to air traffic controllers at Reagan National Airport. The Critical Incident Stress Management team will be meeting with airport personnel sometime early this month. The FAA is also reviewing the arrival rate at the airport and will conduct regular wellness checks.        The Senate has confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The television personality was confirmed on a party-line vote of 53-45. Oz now assumes a role that provides health insurance to roughly 160 million Americans.        Steven Spielberg and George Lucas top the latest Forbes list of celebrity billionaires. The latest Forbes ranking of the world's wealthiest people includes 18 celebrities, with film director Steven Spielberg topping the list at five-point-three-billion dollars. Star Wars creator George Lucas is in second place with a net worth of five-point-one-billion dollars.