Woonsocket Radio News Room

Senate adopts McKenney rule change to post committee testimony online

 

STATE HOUSE — The Senate today passed legislation introduced by Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) adopting its rules for the 2025-26 session.

The resolution (2025-S 0594) requires the online posting of written testimony received by Senate committees, similar to the process for the House of Representatives and joint legislative committees.

“As leaders, it is essential we make the legislative process as open and transparent as possible. Rhode Islanders deserve easy access to public information, including written testimony on legislation, and I am grateful the Senate is poised to take this important step forward. It will benefit the public and our chamber as an institution,” said Senator McKenney, who chairs the Senate Committee on Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight.

The part-time nature of the Senate committee clerks has prevented this practice in prior years. However, President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) notes that he believes the increased transparency this change would provide for the public warrants the investment it will require. 

“Our Senate leadership team is proud to support Chairman McKenney’s rules resolution and the proposal to post committee testimony online. Responsibly balancing our available resources with the many demands on staff is always a challenge, but it is time to take this important step forward. Improving access to public testimony will strengthen the committee process, improve public transparency, and foster trust in government, all of which is essential to the work we do at the State House,” said President Ruggerio.                                                  

At least 42 people have been killed in severe storms that struck parts of the South and Midwest over the weekend. Many states woke up this morning to damage left behind by wildfires, rain, tornadoes and dust storms. The National Weather Service says at least 34 of the storms seen on Saturday were tornadoes with states like Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana all being impacted.        President Trump is saying some of the pardons issued by former President Biden are invalid. In a Truth Social post early Monday, Trump said he was declaring Biden's pardons for members of the January 6th House select committee "void, vacant, and of no further force or effect, because of the fact that they were done by autopen." He also alleged Biden had no knowledge about the pardons.        Federal authorities say the Rhode Island doctor who was deported to Lebanon had what are described as "sympathetic" photos of Iran's supreme leader on her phone. Doctor Rasha Alawieh was initially detained Thursday when she arrived at Logan International Airport in Boston after a two-week visit with her family in Lebanon. A federal court hearing on her status scheduled for this morning was continued until next week to give her attorney additional time to prepare.        The White House is dyeing the North Lawn fountain green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The fountain could be seen with its bright emerald green water on Monday. The tradition began in 2009 by the Obamas.        New evidence in the death of Gene Hackman is changing the timeline of the actor and his wife's final days. The pair died of natural causes and were discovered February 26th. New cell phone records show Betsy Hackman made several calls to a medical center on February 12th, pushing her estimated deceased date forward.        Rory Mcllroy [[ mack-el-roy ]] is the winner of The Players Championship in Florida. Mcllroy defeated JJ Spaun this morning in a three-hole playoff to win his second Players title. Spaun was able to tie Mcllroy yesterday during the final round at 12-under-par to force the playoff today.       

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