Projo Politics Blog

May 5, 2008 Archives


Rhode Islander engineers big win in Louisiana

7:35 PM Mon, May 05, 2008 | | Write a comment
By Scott MacKay    Email

A 26-year-old Cranston native spearheaded last Saturday's upset special election of a Democratic U.S. House member from a very conservative district anchored by Baton Rouge and its McMansion suburbs. Meet Katie Nee, who tomorrow will become the youngest chief......

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Scott MacKay: Reed and Pastore, the parallels

7:03 PM Mon, May 05, 2008 | | Write a comment
By Scott MacKay    Email

That U.S. Sen. Jack Reed is indeed the "Irish Pastore" was on display once again yesterday at Reed's annual family breakfast at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet banquet hall in his native Cranston. The reference, of course, is to the late Sen. John O.......

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Rep. Ucci wants term limits for General Assembly

7:55 AM Mon, May 05, 2008 | | Write a comment
By Peter Phipps    Email

Rep. Stephen R. Ucci, D-Johnston, has proposed that General Assembly members be limited to three terms and that the length of a legislative term be doubled, to four years. “Longer, four-year terms for lawmakers would result in more stability in......

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A small group of General Assembly members are paying for some of their health insurance

7:54 AM Mon, May 05, 2008 | | Write a comment
By Peter Phipps    Email

The public spotlight placed on their free health-care benefits has prompted several more state lawmakers to offer to pay 10 percent of the cost of the premiums costing up to $16,233 a year for family coverage. In recent days, Senate......

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Jane Hayward told she needs to be vigilant about potential conflicts

7:45 AM Mon, May 05, 2008 | | Write a comment
By Peter Phipps    Email

Before getting too comfortable in her new job, Jane Hayward, former health and human services secretary, decided to check in with the state Ethics Commission. On April 3, Hayward asked the commission what she can and cannot do — under......

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Republican Loughlin considering Kennedy challenge

7:45 AM Mon, May 05, 2008 | | Write a comment
By Peter Phipps    Email

Rep. John Loughlin, a Tiverton Republican, told Political Scene last week that he is considering whether to challenge U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy in November. “It has not been ruled in or ruled out at this point,” said Loughlin, 49,......

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Republicans embrace Operation Clean Government

7:30 AM Mon, May 05, 2008 | | Write a comment
By Peter Phipps    Email

The citizens-advocacy group Operation Clean Government has a new best friend. Who? The state Republican Party, which issued an e-mail under its own e-Pluribus banner last week reminding one and all of OCG’s “Second Annual Forum.” And why would the......

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