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 introduces legislation to ease zoning for emergency shelter units
Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) introduced legislation (2025-H 5100) to enable cities and towns to allow temporary emergency housing structures for people experiencing homelessness during severe weather or other disasters.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Solomon bill would pave way for foreign-trained doctors to practice medicine
Rep. Joseph J. Solomon Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick) has introduced legislation (2025-H 5108) that would allow internationally trained physicians to practice at health care facilities in rural and underserved communities and would provide a mentorship alternative to the residency requirement. It would also create pathways to licensure and allow them to apply for a full, unrestricted license to practice medicine.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Corvese bill would bar auto insurers from using ZIP codes to set premiums
Rep. Arthur J. Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence) has introduced legislation to prohibit auto insurers from using ZIP codes as a factor in determining their customers’ rates. The legislation (2025-H 5104) would halt an inequitable practice that can be discriminatory and leads to higher insurance premiums for many of those who can least afford them.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Potter, Ujifusa bill aims to reduce prior authorization requirements

Rep. Brandon Potter (D-Dist. 16, Cranston) and Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol) have introduced legislation (2025-H 5120, 2025-S 0053) to prohibit health insurers from requiring prior authorization for treatment and services ordered by a patient’s primary care provider (PCP). The legislation is meant to help patients access the care they need in a timely manner while also decreasing a significant administrative burden on PCPs so they can focus on patient care.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate confirms Turco as Life Science Hub CEO

The Senate voted unanimously to confirm Mark Turco as the first CEO of Rhode Island’s new Life Science Hub Tuesday. Turco, a 25-year industry veteran, will oversee the agency’s strategy to develop Rhode Island as a regional leader in the life science industry.

 

§  Senate committees meet to review response to homelessness

The Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government met with the Senate Committee on Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight to review the Department of Housing’s response to the state’s homelessness crisis. The panels also heard a status update on the Echo Village shelter project.

Click here to watch committee meeting.

 

§  Commission celebrates life of civil rights leader Martin Luther King

The Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission held its annual celebration of the life of the great civil rights leader. The official holiday commemoration included remarks by commission members, state and religious leaders, several musical presentations, and a number of awards. Rep. Nathan W. Biah (D-Dist. 3, Providence), who chairs the MLK State Holiday Commission, served as master of ceremonies.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Alzate and Diaz condemn President Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship

Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) and Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) condemned President Donald Trump’s recent executive order ending birthright citizenship. Both legislators stand behind Attorney General Peter F. Neronha and his decision to pursue a lawsuit to stop the executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship in the United States.

Click here to see Alzate release

Click here to see Diaz 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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