A storm is blowing in and the unveiling of a new Rhode Island budget will spark a lot of stories to follow in the months to come. So thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. […]
General Assembly
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Political Roundtable: Chippendale On Raimondo’s Spending Priorities, Legalizing Marijuana & State Spending
RI House Minority Whip Michael Chippendale (R-Foster) joins Political Roundtable this week to discuss Gov. Gina Raimondo’s spending priorities, her proposal to legalize marijuana for adults, and how Rhode Island can cut its spending.
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
Bonus Q&A: Chippendale On RI’s Under-Performing Schools, ‘Reform Democrats,’ Abortion Legislation & More
RI House Whip Michael Chippendale (R-Foster) stopped by our studio to discuss a range of issues related to the new legislative session, including the state’s under-performing public schools and the impact of ‘Reform Democrats.’
Posted inArticle, Politics
Raimondo’s $9.9B Budget: New Education Spending, No Broad-based Tax Increases
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo unveiled Thursday a $9.9 billion budget proposal that directs more money to education, legalizes marijuana for adults and avoids broad-based tax increases. The spending plan also wipes out an almost $200 million deficit, while imposing some new fees. The executive summary of the budget describes the spending plan as an […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Raimondo Proposes Expansion Of Free Tuition Program; Legislative Support Uncertain
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo used her State of the State address Tuesday to propose a series of investments that she said are needed to strengthen the state, including an expansion of a widely debated free tuition program. But the extent to which the General Assembly will go along with the governor’s wish-list remains uncertain.
Posted inArticle, Education
Announcement On New RI Education Commissioner Expected In Coming Weeks
An announcement for a successor to Rhode Island’s education commissioner, Ken Wagner, is expected in the coming weeks, as state officials focus renewed attention on the need to improve the state’s perennially under-performing public schools, The Public’s Radio has learned.
Posted inArticle, Politics
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For January 11
The legislative session in Rhode Island is off to a fast start, thanks to a vigorous debate on House rules. There’s a lot more happening, so thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
RI House Committee Approves New 24-Hour Waiting Period To Review Major Changes To Bills; Critics Say Broader Changes Needed
The Rhode Island House Rules Committee approved Thursday a minimum 24-hour waiting period to review significant changes to legislation in House committees. But critics said the Rules Committee failed to go far enough in making more changes to improve the legislative process. “I think there’s a substantial improvement in the SubA process,” said House Minority […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Critics Call For Change To RI Legislative Rules; Leadership-Backed Plan Moving Ahead
A group of citizens and ‘Reform Democrats’ urged the House Rules Committee Tuesday night to make broader changes to the rules governing the Rhode Island House of Representatives for the next two years. But the House Rules Committee could approve rules as soon as Thursday that don’t address most of the differences sought by critics.
Posted inArticle, Politics
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For January 4
What better way to kick off a new political year than by getting the party started on New Year’s Day? That was the case in the Biggest Little thanks to a quirk of how the first Tuesday of 2019 fell on the holiday (the General Assembly won’t start again on January 1 until 2030). So […]