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

 

§  General Assembly approves Warwick school budget commission bill
The General Assembly passed legislation (2025-H 5252A, 2025-S 0242) introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) and Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) that allows the city of Warwick to create a five-member commission to oversee the operations of Warwick Public Schools and present a preliminary analysis of the school district’s financial situation. The measure now moves to the governor’s office.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  House passes bill protecting kids’ access to COVID-19 vaccine at pharmacies
The House approved legislation (2025-H 5427A) sponsored by Rep. Michelle McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton) on behalf of the Department of Health to ensure that pharmacists can continue to provide COVID-19 vaccines to children, regardless of any changes at the federal level. The bill adds the COVID-19 vaccine to the state law allowing pharmacists to administer the flu vaccine to children, and changes the minimum age of the children eligible to receive both vaccines at a pharmacy from age 9 to age 3. The legislation now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Robert Britto (D-Dist. 18, Providence, Pawtucket) is sponsoring its companion (2025-S 0699).
Click here to see news release.

 

§  House OKs Phillips bill mandating 30 days between driver’s permit and license
The House of Representatives passed legislation (2025-H 5513) introduced by Rep. Robert D. Phillips (D-Dist. 51, Woonsocket, Cumberland) that would implement a 30-day waiting period following the issuance of a learner’s permit before taking a road test in order to obtain a full license for anyone over the age of 18. The measure now moves to the Senate, where similar legislation (2025-S 0624) has been introduced by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Little Compton).
Click here to see news release.

 

  • House OKs O’Brien bill to require Narcan training for lifeguards, park rangers

The House approved Rep. William W. O’Brien’s (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) legislation (2025-H 5273A) that would require all full-time lifeguards, park and forest rangers who work at any public beach or facility to be trained in administering opioid antagonists, such as Narcan.  The bill would also require all state and municipal public beaches or facilities that employ lifeguards, park and forest rangers to keep available a minimum of four doses of opioid antagonist. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where Senate Majority Whip David P. Tikoian (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Lincoln) has introduced the legislation (2025-S 0343).

Click here to see news release.

 

  • House passes Boylan bill to waive VIN check fees for veterans, military members
    The House voted to approve a bill (2025-H 5081) from Rep. Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence) to waive the fee for vehicle identification number (VIN) inspections for veterans and active-duty military personnel. The bill now heads to the Senate, where Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) has introduced companion legislation (2025-S 0075).

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Urso bill would extend workplace protections to those experiencing menopause
    Sen. Lori Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) has introduced legislation (2025-S 0361) to update fair employment practices to support women experiencing menopause. Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) plans to introduce companion legislation in the House.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Legislators introduce bills to strengthen shoreline access
    Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown) and Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) have introduced a pair of bills to protect Rhode Islanders’ access to the shoreline by allowing towns to preserve recreation easements on abandoned roads (2025-S 0349, 2025-H 5960) and protecting parking near these rights of way (2025-S 0716, 2025-H 6093).

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Bill would encourage townhomes as affordable homeownership option
    Sen. Meghan E. Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, Providence) and Rep. June S. Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol) have introduced legislation (2025-S 0504, 2025-H 5798) to encourage the development of attached single-family homes, such as townhomes, which can offer more affordable opportunities in Rhode Island’s housing market.
    Click here to see news release.

 

  • Sponsors, advocates host Multilingual Education Advocacy Day
    Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), Sen. Lammis J. Vargas (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence) and Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence) were joined by the Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode Island (CMRI) for the seventh annual Multilingual Education Advocacy Day to call for the passage of legislation (2025-S 0785, 2025-H 5744 and 2025-S 0457, 2025-H 5982) to invest in multilingual education in Rhode Island.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • 204th Greek Independence Day celebration held at State House

Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich) hosted a celebration of Greek Independence Day at the State House on March 25, bringing together federal and state leaders, mayors and members of all three Hellenic communities to recognize the 204th anniversary of Greece’s independence and the Feast of the Annunciation. Resolutions (2025-S 0880, 2025-H 6130) honoring Greek Independence Day, sponsored by Senator Raptakis and Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), passed in both the Senate and House. Legislation (2025-S 0155) sponsored by Senator Raptakis that would create a Rhode Island Greek Heritage license plate in conjunction with the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) was also approved by the Senate.

Click here to see news 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.       

Old News Archives