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| 6/18/2013 |
House Finance Committee approves 2014 state budget
The House Finance Committee voted 12 to 0, with two abstentions, today to approve an $8.2 billion 2014 state budget bill that includes no tax or fee increases, contains numerous economic development initiatives, fully funds the implementation of the school funding formula, adds funding to higher education and provides additional funding for cities and towns.
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| 6/18/2013 |
Assembly OKs anti-cheating law for new Twin River games
In anticipation of the opening of table games at Twin River tomorrow, the General Assembly today gave final passage to legislation establishing criminal laws against cheating at casino games and creating a gaming enforcement unit within the State Police.
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| 6/13/2013 |
Senate, House pass 'national popular vote' bills
The House of Representatives and the Senate today approved companion bills that would add Rhode Island to a compact of states agreeing to commit their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the most popular votes in presidential balloting across the country. The compact would not take effect until the total number of electoral votes of the states that have joined the compact is enough to constitute a majority of the Electoral College. Currently, nine states with a total of 132 electoral votes – or just slightly less than half the necessary 270 total -- have enacted law to participate in the “national popular vote.”
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| 6/12/2013 |
Arts seen as path to economic growth
Acknowledging that the arts are a powerful economic engine that can contribute significantly to the state’s fiscal health, the General Assembly has approved a joint resolution to create a “State of the Arts” Planning Task Force to foster and promote the arts and culture in Rhode Island. Introduced in the Senate by President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed and sponsored in the House by Speaker of the House of Representatives Gordon D. Fox, the resolutions ask the governor to establish a task force to develop a comprehensive strategic plan and to identify specific action steps that can be taken to attract, retain, support, expand and market the arts and associated creative industries in Rhode Island.
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| 6/11/2013 |
Senate passes legislation to overhaul EDC
Incorporating changes recommended by the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council and other groups, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation would be reformed and rebranded into the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation under legislation approved today by the Rhode Island Senate. The legislation sets a mission statement for the corporation and increases accountability and transparency of the agency's operations.
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| 6/5/2013 |
Senate, House OK companion bills to establish statewide wetlands, septic disposal standards
Recognizing the need for a more uniform environmental protection policy across the state, the Senate and House of Representatives today approved identical pieces of legislation that will move the state toward a consistent single set of environmental standards for the state, while allowing local input to environmental policy decisions.
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| 6/4/2013 |
Six bills in leadership’s economic development package pass House chamber
Six bills that would shake up the how the state fosters economic development opportunities in Rhode Island have passed the House of Representatives today. The legislation aims to ensure the state’s economic development efforts are guided by a well-developed plan with long-term and short-term goals. The bills also streamline the state’s commerce-related activities into a single entity, increase accountability and encourage business growth through incentives.
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