RI Legislative Black and Latino Caucus issues statement on House passage of the ‘Let RI Vote Act’

 

            STATE HOUSE – The Rhode Island Legislative Black and Latino Caucus, chaired by Rep. Karen Alzate, is issuing the following statement concerning the passage of the Let RI Vote Act by the House of Representatives today:

            “The Rhode Island Black and Latino Caucus is a strong supporter of the Let RI Vote Act and we are thankful that our House colleagues joined us and supported passage of this important bill.  Voting access is critical to the proper functioning of our society and this bill is the key to ensuring safe and secure voting access for all of our residents.  As others before us have fought for voting rights for individuals of color and women, the RI Legislative Black and Latino Caucus will continue to advocate for expanding and enhancing voter access while also fighting against voter suppression tactics and polices,” said Representative Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket).

            The legislation (2022-H 7100A), sponsored by House Majority Whip Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence), makes mail voting easier by allowing online mail ballot applications, and permitting any voter to use a mail ballot or an emergency mail ballot without needing an excuse for why they can’t visit their polling location on Election Day.

            The Rhode Island Legislative Black and Latino Caucus represents and advocates for the interests of disadvantaged people throughout the State of Rhode Island. It seeks to increase a diverse participation and representation in all levels of government. The goal is to close, and ultimately to eliminate, disparities that still exist between white and non-white Americans in every aspect of life.

 

Minnesota officials are testifying before Congress on government fraud allegations in the state. Three Republican state lawmakers are appearing before the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. That committee's chairman, Representative James Comer, has also invited Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and state Attorney General Keith Ellison to testify at a future hearing.        The U.S. says it's seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers. In a post on X, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said one was seized in the North Atlantic and another was seized near the Caribbean. Both vessels were either last docked in Venezuela or were heading to the country.        Nick Reiner will be arraigned soon for the murder of his parents at their Los Angeles home last month. Actor-director Rob Reiner and his photographer wife, Michele, died from knife wounds a few hours after their son caused a scene at a holiday party. On Monday, People magazine reported that Nick Reiner was removed from a suicide watch at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles.        The White House is holding a briefing that includes an announcement from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. That's according to a post on X from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Leavitt said the secretaries will make "another major MAHA announcement."        The window for eligible customers to file a claim against Amazon is open. Amazon settled a 2023 antitrust lawsuit with the FTC for two-point-five-billion dollars in September, alleging the company coerced millions of customers into enrolling in Prime subscriptions. The FTC says the agreements were made egregiously difficult to cancel.        Netflix is giving the first look at its slate of movies and shows coming this year. The streaming giant dropped a four-minute video Wednesday that teases some of the more than 160 shows and movies confirmed to be on the way. They include "Enola Holmes 3," season 4 of "Bridgerton" and the "Peaky Blinders" movie.