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

 

 

§  Shekarchi re-elected Speaker; lists housing, doctor shortage as top priorities

Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) was re-elected to lead the House of Representatives as the 2025-2026 term began. He outlined a legislative agenda topped by addressing the state’s affordable housing and homelessness crises, and pledged to address a primary care doctor shortage, a sizeable budget deficit and investigate the state’s failed westbound Washington Bridge.

 

§  Senate President Ruggerio re-elected; lays out legislative priorities for 2025
Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) was once again chosen to preside over the Senate for its 2025-2026 term, laying out the agenda for the year. Ruggerio spoke of the great challenges facing the legislature, including a looming budget deficit. He announced that the Senate will establish a new Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies to focus on policy related to the legal, societal and ethical implications of those technologies.

 

  • New senators sworn into office

Six new members of the Rhode Island Senate joined their colleagues and took the oath of office on Tuesday. Senators Peter Appollonio Jr. (D-Dist. 29, Warwick), Andrew Dimitri (D-Dist. 25, Johnston), Todd Patalano (D-Dist. 26, Cranston), Brian Thompson (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland), Lori Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) and Lammis Vargas (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence) were sworn into office by Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore.

 

  • New representatives take oath of office

Six new members of the Rhode Island House of Representatives joined their colleagues and took the oath of office on Tuesday. Representatives Jenni A. Furtado (D-Dist. 64, East Providence), Earl A. Read III (D-Dist. 26, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick), Richard Fascia (R-Dist. 42, Johnston, Cranston), Marie Hopkins (R-Dist. 21, Warwick), Christopher G. Paplauskas (R-Dist. 15, Cranston) and Paul Santucci (R-Dist. 53, Smithfield, Glocester) were sworn into office by Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore.

 

  • New committee chairs appointed in Senate
    Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) appointed new leaders for several committees for the 2025-2026 term. The Judiciary Committee will be chaired by Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston). Sen. Melissa A. Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) will lead the Health and Human Services Committee. Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) will chair the Education Committee. The Environment and Agriculture Committee will be led by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown). Sen. Robert Britto (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) will lead the Commerce Committee. Sen. Jacob Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence) will chair the Housing and Municipal Government Committee.

 

  • State leaders, advocates celebrate greater paid family leave, child care eligibility
    Leaders from the General Assembly, McKee administration, advocates and families with young children gathered at the Federal Hill House Early Learning Center in Providence Thursday to celebrate the implementation of two important programs that support Rhode Island young children and working families: the expansion of Rhode Island’s Temporary Caregivers Insurance program to seven weeks of paid family leave, and the expansion of eligibility for Rhode Island’s Child Care Assistance Program to families earning 261% of the federal poverty level, the highest level in state history.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • House Speaker addresses Interfaith Coalition poverty vigil at State House
    Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) and Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) spoke to a gathering of the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty as the organization marked its 17th annual vigil at the State House Tuesday. Speaker Shekarchi told those assembled “We’re making progress, but progress is not enough until all Rhode Islanders have a safe place to live and enough food to eat.”

 

  • Legislators call on governor to declare homelessness a public health emergency
    A group of 46 legislators called on Gov. Dan McKee to declare homelessness a public health emergency. “Your leadership is needed now to protect and save the lives of Rhode Islanders across our state, including our working-class neighbors, our children, and our veterans,” they said in their statement to the governor.

Click here to see news release.                                                          

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.       

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