Projo Politics Blog

• State Republicans gather to adopt election-year platform

  NEWPORT, R.I. -- State Republicans will gather here on Tuesday night to adopt their election-year platform. A proposal to "end political dynasties in the state by imposing term limits'' on state lawmakers is among the more controversial proposals up for..." [...]
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  Posted: December 08, 2009, 7:22am EST
  

• R.I. House panel plans hearings on Carcieri's deficit plan

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The official start of the 2010 legislative session is still a month away, but House budget writers will hold the first of a series of hearings next week on Governor Carcieri's as-yet unseen plan for plugging the... [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 6:32pm EST
  

• R.I. DOT union president lands legislative job

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Brendan Fogarty has left the top ranks of the largest Department of Transportation union for a higher-paying job as "constituent liaison for the House of Representatives.'' Moving across Smith Street bumped Fogarty's salary up by $13,124 annually..." [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 3:57pm EST
  

• Archambault gearing up for AG bid

  By Steve Peoples Journal State House Bureau Democrat Stephen R. Archambault appears to be getting serious in his bid for state attorney general. Archambault, a Smithfield Town Council member and Lincoln town solicitor, has retained SMK Enterprises to oversee "all..." [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• Marisa White moving from Assembly to judiciary

  By Steve Peoples Journal State House Bureau Marisa White is moving again. As the executive director of the Joint Committee on Legislative Services, White has coordinated the legislature's budget and personnel since 2003. She previously held a high-level human-resource position... [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• 'State mandates' talk delayed two weeks

  By Randal Edgar Journal State House Bureau The Senate Committee on Government Oversight invited two mayors and a town manager to its meeting last Wednesday, hoping to get a local take on "state mandates" that add to the cost of... [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• R.I. treasurer puts unclaimed treasures on eBay

  By Steve Peoples Journal State House Bureau The treasurer's office has turned to an unlikely source to help bring new revenue to the state: eBay. That's right, General Treasurer Frank T. Caprio has notified Political Scene of plans to use... [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• A live ornament in R.I.'s rotunda

  By Steve Peoples Journal State House Bureau There's been another creature sighting in the State House. A couple of weeks after one Carcieri staffer spotted a rat in her first-floor office, another one discovered an unusual brown blob on the... [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• R.I. lawmakers' holiday parties again subdued

  By Katherine Gregg Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE -- 'Tis the season for Christmas parties, but legislative leaders are once again suspending their annual holiday revelries at the State House and limiting their campaign-financed hosting to end-of-year dinners for their...' [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• Kennedy deflects questions about Mass. primary endorsement

  AP Photo/ Stew Milne Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., left, speaks with Rep. Mike Capuano, D-Mass., prior to a news conference on credit card reform Tuesday in Providence. By Paul Grimaldi Journal Staff Writer PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- U.S. Rep. Michael... [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 1:42pm EST
  

• Gray Panthers bestow 'award' on National Grid

  By Steve Peoples Journal State House Bureau Turkey Day came early for the Gray Panthers, a group of elderly Rhode Islanders known for both their passion and sense of humor. Last Tuesday, the organization presented its "2009 Turkey of the..." [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• Ocean State Policy Research Institute board grows

  By Steve Peoples Journal State House Bureau The Ocean State Policy Research Institute is growing. The Providence-based group known for its support of conservative principles -- board members include First Lady Suzanne Carcieri and unsuccessful GOP congressional candidate Jonathan P.... [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• Solomon says he won't run for state treasurer

  By Phil Marcelo Journal State House Bureau A third potential primary candidate for state treasurer has backed out. Providence City Councilor Michael A. Solomon, a Democrat who represents Elmhurst and Mount Pleasant, will seek a second term on the council... [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• Potential primary looms in contest for R.I. state treasurer

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Another high-stakes Democratic primary is shaping up, with two veteran lawmakers - House Finance Chairman Steven Costantino and state Sen. William J. Walaska - getting closer by the day to announcing their possible candidacies for state treasurer.... [...]
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  Posted: November 27, 2009, 4:13pm EST
  

• Warwick Senator Walaska mulls run for RI treasurer

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- State Sen. William Walaska intends to set the stage for a possible run for state treasurer, by notifying the state Board of Elections within the next few days of his intent to start raising money to run... [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 3:03pm EST
  

• Tougher DUI bill is RI law; Lawmakers pledge renewed effort to rid roads of distracted drivers

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- With a text-messaging ban and a new drunken-driving law under their belts, key lawmakers are promising to renew their efforts to win passage of bills to allow the police to stop and tag people for driving without... [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 1:27pm EST
  

• Stimulus report gives something extra to R.I.

  By Steve Peoples, Journal State House Bureau Someone may have awarded Little Rhody three new Congressional districts while we weren't looking. We thought there were just two until last week, when we surfed over to Recovery.gov, the Obama administration's Web...' [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 7:02am EST
  

• NOW endorses Dennigan in run for R.I.'s Second District

  By Steve Peoples, Journal State House Bureau Elizabeth "Betsy" Dennigan has earned the endorsement of the "largest organization of feminist activists in the United States." The National Organization for Women is backing the former East Providence state representative who moved... [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 7:01am EST
  

• R.I. political family heads to Germany with well-wishes

  By Katherine Gregg, Journal State House Bureau Two of the four Kilmartin brothers from Pawtucket are headed to Germany on the day after Thanksgiving to deliver a stack of greeting cards -- and yes, that includes House Majority Whip Peter... [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• Carcieri cancels trip to GOP governors meeting in Texas

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Governor Carcieri has canceled his plan to fly to Lost Pines, Texas Wednesday to attend an annual meeting of the Republican Governors Association. With the RGA picking up all but $304.60 of the travel costs to... [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 11:21am EST
  

• Carcieri headed to Texas for GOP governors conference

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Carcieri is headed to the Hyatt Regency resort and spa in Lost Pines, Texas Wednesday for the Republican Governors Association's annual conference. Before heading back Thursday, he is scheduled to moderate a discussion on energy. A... [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 2:24pm EST
  

• R.I. senator seeks probe into future of Twin River license

  By Katherine Gregg Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE,R.I. -- State Sen. Frank A. Ciccone is calling for a legislative inquiry into the state's role in choosing managers for the bankrupt Twin River, and potential award of the gambling license -... [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 1:46pm EST
  

• Carcieri burial-rights veto skewered on Comedy Central's 'Colbert Report'

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Carcieri landed on national television Monday night as the "star'' of a biting -- but laugh-out-loud -- segment on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report'' about his veto of a bill that would have given gays the... [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 11:06am EST
  

• Caprio meets privately with tribal chief, lobbyists

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. --Three of the best-known faces from the 2006 Harrah's-financed Narragansett Indian casino drive returned to the State House Friday for a private meeting with General Treasurer Frank Caprio. The delegation included the Narragansett's Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, lobbyist...' [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 6:23pm EST
  

• R.I. GOP gubenatorial hopeful Smith names campaign team

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- East Greenwich business executive Rory Smith has begun to assemble a consulting team for his fledgling Republican campaign for governor. On Monday, he announced his hiring of the New Hampshire-based Norway Hill Associates, led by David Carney,... [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 5:19pm EST
  

• Fung vetoes prompt response from Cranston Democrats

  CRANSTON, R.I. -- Mayor Allan W. Fung said he was following the advice of city lawyers this week when he vetoed two ordinances that would have created local rules for lenders to follow when foreclosing on residential properties. The Republican... [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 6:16pm EST
  

• Chafee says poll numbers show a 'competitive' race

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Despite less-than-stellar fund-raising in the last quarter, former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee says that his exploratory campaign' for governor is alive and well after a major cost-cutting move, and that he has poll results that show him...' [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 6:14pm EST
  

• Progreso Latino interim director resigns

  By Karen Lee Ziner Journal staff writer CENTRAL FALLS, RI -- George L. Ortiz Jr., who was named interim director of the advocacy organization Progreso Latino in late September, has resigned. A statement released Friday announcing Ortiz's departure, is dated... [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 3:20pm EST
  

• Reed to appear on Face the Nation Sunday

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- U.S. Sen. Jack Reed will be among the panelists Sunday on CBS's Face the Nation when the group discusses the Fort Hood shootings and the elections this week. Reed will be joined at 10:30 a.m. on WPRI-TV... [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 3:16pm EST
  

• Candidates buy e-mail lists from former RIFuture editor

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A $500 payment to local Democratic activist Matt Jerzyk was among the more curious campaign expenditures reported in the recent batch of candidate filings. On July 7, Jerzyk sold the Elizabeth Roberts' campaign an "e-mail list for...'" [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 6:27pm EST
  

• Roberts ramps up campaign for lieutenant governor

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Four months after withdrawing her name from the list of 2010 gubernatorial hopefuls, it appears that Elizabeth Roberts is following through on plans to seek a second term as Rhode Island's lieutenant governor. She has launched a... [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 6:18pm EST
  

• Mass. Atty. Gen. Coakley to hold RI fundraiser

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is hoping Rhode Islanders will contribute to her quest for a seat in the United States Senate. The Moakley senatorial campaign has scheduled a fundraiser for Friday, Nov. 13, at the University... [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 12:21pm EST
  

• Former prosecutor files to run for R.I. attorney general

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Eight months after he first emerged as a possible 2010 political contender, Republican defense lawyer Erik B. Wallin, of South Kingstown, put the state Board of Elections on official notice Wednesday that he is raising money to... [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 1:19pm EST
  

• R.I. First Lady Sue Carcieri sounds off on talk radio

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island First Lady Sue Carcieri thinks the legislature went astray when it voted to hold a public referendum next year on changing the state's official name. A woman of many opinions, she shared a few of... [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 6:00pm EST
  

• R.I. House Democrats to meet privately on "fiscal situation''

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Despite some criticism from within their own ranks, House Democrats are slated to hold a closed-door caucus at the State House Thursday on "potential plans of action for the current fiscal situation.'' Not everybody agrees the Democrats..." [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 3:25pm EST
  

• Update: Courted by Moderate Party, Corrente won't run for governor

  By STEVE PEOPLES Journal State House Bureau Former U.S. Attorney Robert C. Corrente will not run for governor in 2010. The newly-formed Moderate Party hosted at least two private meetings with Corrente in recent weeks in a courtship that was... [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 3:27pm EST
  

• Update: Courted by Moderate Party, Corrente won't run for governor

  By STEVE PEOPLES Journal State House Bureau Former U.S. Attorney Robert C. Corrente will not run for governor in 2010. The newly-formed Moderate Party hosted at least two private meetings with Corrente in recent weeks in a courtship that was... [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 3:27pm EST
  

• R.I. Moderate Party video evokes sense of déjà vu

  By Steve Peoples Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The newly-formed Moderate Party of Rhode Island has released a made-for-Web video that may contain some familiar footage. Posted on its Web site, the production, which lasts 5 minutes and... [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 7:01am EST
  

• R.I. ACLU director sees flaws in sex trafficking bill

  By Lynn Arditi Journal Staff Writer PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- What does a law against sex-trafficking of minors have to do with art? Nothing, you say? Steven Brown, executive director of the Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union,... [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• State lawyers OK'd Tassoni's appointment as arbitrator

  By Katherine Gregg Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Carcieri administration has filled in some of the blanks on how state Sen. John Tassoni, D-Smithfield, landed on the state's list of qualified mediators/arbitrators to call when there is... [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• R.I. Rep. Watson explains dramatic late-night exit

  By Cynthia Needham Journal Staff Writer PROVIDENCE, R.I. --Those lucky enough to view the chaotic final hours of the Assembly's two-day session late Thursday from the comfort of their living room couch might have witnessed House Minority Leader Robert A.... [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• R.I. Rep. Galbinske seeks truce with teachers union

  By Steve Peoples Journal State House bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Known labor critic Douglas Gablinske, D-Bristol, has extended an olive branch to the head of the state's second-largest teachers union. Gablinske will have lunch this week with Marcia Reback, president... [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 7:00am EST
  

• Former Cranston Mayor Laffey moves to Narragansett

  By Steve Peoples Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Stephen P. Laffey may be around for a while. The outspoken former Cranston mayor has formally moved out of his parents' house and into a two-family house little more than...' [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 6:59am EST
  

• Technically, binding arbitration bill is on R.I. House calendar

  By Steve Peoples Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- There is a bill posted on today's House calendar that would allow binding arbitration for teachers unions. That does not mean that the House is going to review or even... [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 1:31pm EDT
  

• Projo blogging General Assembly special session live tonight, Thursday

  PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- After a four-month hiatus, the General Assembly has returned to Smith Hill this week. Legislative leaders have scheduled hearings or floor votes for scores of individual proposals between Tuesday afternoon and Thursday night. The Providence Journal State... [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 3:25pm EDT
  

• Agenda growing for this week's special R.I. Assembly session

  By Steve Peoples Journal State House bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- With the first committee hearings just a day away, the agenda is growing by the hour for this week's two-day General Assembly session. On Friday evening, R.I. legislative leaders posted... [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 4:40pm EDT
  

• Former Mayor Laffey speaks at Cranston's Park Cinema

  By Randal Edgar CRANSTON, R.I. Former Cranston Mayor Stephen P. Laffey has been out of the public eye for the past couple of years, but the one-time candidate for U.S. Senate was back on stage Friday -- literally --... [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 12:22pm EDT
  

• R.I. Sen. Ciccone backs full-time Assembly

  By Katherine Gregg PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Sen. Frank Ciccone, D-Providence, has served notice he intends to revive his campaign to give voters the opportunity to turn Rhode Island's part-time General Assembly into a full-time legislature where lawmakers are paid $85,000... [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 12:19pm EDT
  

• R.I. GOP hires one staffer, Moderate Party hires two

  By Steve Peoples The campaign-related hiring keeps coming. Last week's batch includes one for GOP gubernatorial hopeful Rory Smith, one for a potential attorney general candidate, and two for the Moderate Party, a further sign that the newly formed organization... [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 12:16pm EDT
  

• Three R.I. gubernatorial hopefuls on tap

  By Katherine Gregg PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Three likely candidates for governor have agreed to take part in Drinking Liberally's "Countdown to 2010" speaking series, including former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee, General Treasurer Frank Caprio and Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch.... [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 12:12pm EDT