Woonsocket Radio News Room

House approves Chairman Azzinaro’s veterans information bill

 

            STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today passed legislation sponsored by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Samuel A. Azzinaro which would require employers to post basic information on veterans' benefits and services within their businesses for their employees.

            “While our veterans have sacrificed so much for us all, it is no secret that acclimating back to civilian life at home can be difficult and this is why there are so many benefits and services to help our veterans after their time in the service.  But our veterans cannot access these benefits and services if they are not aware of them and that is why this legislation is needed.  By offering this simple piece of information, we can provide the support to our veterans that they need and deserve,” said Chairman Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly).

            The legislation (2023-H 5933) would require employers in the state with more than 50 employees to display a poster containing basic information on veterans’ benefits and services which would be created and distributed by the Department of Labor and Training in consultation with the Office of Veterans Services.

            The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration where Sen. Walter S. Felag (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) has introduced the legislation (2023-S 0662).

 

A former "Watergate" prosecutor says she believes former President Trump is "toast" as the investigation of his handling of classified documents moves forward. Jill Wine-Banks told MSNBC the case against Trump is strong as special counsel Jack Smith is reportedly nearing the end of his investigation. Her comments come amid reports the federal grand jury in the case is expected to meet this week.        Former Vice President Mike Pence is officially running for president in 2024. Pence filed the paperwork to enter the race today, joining a growing field of candidates vying for the Republican nomination. Pence has spent the last several months making frequent trips to early primary states like South Carolina, New Hampshire and Iowa.        The mother of a six-year-old who shot his teacher in Virginia is facing federal charges. Deja Taylor is charged with being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Court documents allege she claimed to not being "an unlawful user" of any illegal drug when purchasing a handgun last year even though she was a marijuana use.        Police are investigating the deaths of six women all found in the same area of Oregon in the last three months. All six bodies were found within one-hundred miles of each other in secluded areas of the woods across the Portland region. The deaths are being investigated as suspicious but police haven't determined whether all the women were homicide victims.        The victims of a private jet that crashed in Virginia yesterday were residents of New York. John Rumpelowns, who owns the jet, says his daughter, two-year-old granddaughter, her nanny and the pilot were heading back to East Hampton after a visiting him in North Carolina. The FAA says the small plane bound for MacArthur Airport flew into unauthorized airspace over Washington and crashed in the mountains, killing all four people on board.        A #BOYCOTTNASCAR hashtag reportedly is picking up speed after the company tweeted and an image showing support for the LGBTQ community. The majority of comments from the millions of people who he commented say they will no longer support the racing organization. But Stephen Rhodes, the first openly gay NASCAR driver, tells Queen City News, "For all the fans that are leaving, I guarantee that there is just as many coming."        

Old News Archives