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May 2011 Archives
3:03 PM Tue, May 31, 2011 | Permalink |
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By PHILIP MARCELO Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday on a proposal to grant gay couples civil unions in Rhode Island, a Senate spokesman has confirmed. The proposal, introduced......
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12:55 PM Tue, May 31, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Katherine Gregg PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- As House and Senate negotiators start talking in earnest about the new state budget that will emerge in a week or so, the Chafee administration is weighing in with an eleventh-hour request for......
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7:05 AM Mon, May 30, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar, Journal State House Bureau When he ran for governor last year, Moderate Party founder Ken Block said repeatedly that Rhode Island could save $150 million by going after waste and fraud in its Medicaid programs. His claim......
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7:00 AM Mon, May 30, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar, Journal State House Bureau If Rhode Islanders were asked to name one person who has led the charge on pension reform this year, it's safe to say that many would choose state General Treasurer Gina Raimondo. In......
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3:47 PM Thu, May 26, 2011 | Permalink |
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By GINA MACRIS Journal staff writer PROVIDENCE -- Former R.I. Attorney General and gubernatorial candidates Patrick C. Lynch has been hired as a consultant by a Washington D.C.-based trade group representing for-profit colleges, the Coalition for Educational Success. Lynch will......
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3:23 PM Thu, May 26, 2011 | Permalink |
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By PHILIP MARCELO Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A proposal by Governor Chafee's administration to require cities and towns to guarantee lenders first rights to their property taxes and general revenue is up for a vote of the......
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3:11 PM Thu, May 26, 2011 | Permalink |
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By KATHERINE GREGG Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- It's a Smith Hill tradition. With the General Assembly heading into its final -- and most critical -- decision-making weeks, a last round of fundraising invitations have gone out from......
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1:38 PM Thu, May 26, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Email
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A new nonprofit in the city hopes to better inform the public about how city government works and increase debate about important policy and governance issues in Providence. BetterProvidence was launched in January. Its organizers wrote an......
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1:20 PM Wed, May 25, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Email
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Former state representative John J. Loughlin II, who is probably running for Congress in the First District, confirmed this week that his campaign will continue to raise money even as he is serving on active duty for......
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12:56 PM Wed, May 25, 2011 | Permalink |
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The operators of the Twin River slot parlor are headed to the State House Wednesday to make their case for a voter referendum on their bid to turn the former greyhound racetrack into a full-scale casino with......
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9:11 AM Wed, May 25, 2011 | Permalink |
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Rhode Island U.S. Sen. Jack Reed is being honored by the country's largest Italian-American heritage group. The Sons of Italy Foundation is scheduled to honor Reed for his dedication to public service at its annual gala......
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11:53 AM Tue, May 24, 2011 | Permalink |
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- ABC-TV has received approval for a $7-million tax credit for filming "Body of Proof" in Los Angeles, the director of the California Film Commission tells the Los Angeles Times. The production, which shot its first season in......
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10:18 AM Tue, May 24, 2011 | Permalink |
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WASHINGTON -- With Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse presiding, a Senate subcommittee is conducting a hearing Tuesday on the nation's problem with prescription drug abuse and possible ways to solve it. Whitehouse's office noted in announcing the hearing that Rhode Island......
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7:03 PM Mon, May 23, 2011 | Permalink |
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- With the state buckling under the weight of its "crushing'' pension obligations, state Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo is recommending radical changes, and making it clear that she believes the rescue effort has to include longtime state......
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2:59 PM Mon, May 23, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar Email
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The process that will eventually lead to a redrawing of the state's legislative and congressional districts took another step forward last week when the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill calling for the process to be overseen......
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2:26 PM Mon, May 23, 2011 | Permalink |
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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- One of Gov. Tom Corbett's top advisers is making a name for himself in an unusual way as the administration settles in at the Capitol. Public Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander felt the need to issue a......
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7:00 AM Mon, May 23, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Journal State House Bureau Perhaps feeling like he was entering hostile territory, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras came to the State House on Tuesday armed for battle. Taveras was seen walking the halls with a bulletproof vest under......
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6:45 AM Mon, May 23, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar Journal State House Bureau Last Thursday's House session was noteworthy for several reasons, not the least of was the speed with which the chamber dealt with an issue one member described as "a societal game changer" and......
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6:30 AM Mon, May 23, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Journal State House Bureau A move by Congressman David N. Cicilline to re-enlist the services of Christopher Bizzacco, who managed Cicilline's winning 2002 mayoral run and later served as his City Hall chief of staff, is catching......
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11:43 AM Fri, May 20, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Katherine Gregg Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Amid rising concern about how much public employee pensions are costing taxpayers, a group of lawmakers is proposing one way to start cutting that looming $621.8-million cost: eliminate the promise......
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9:33 AM Fri, May 20, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Email
Republican John J. Loughlin II has enlisted Michael V. Napolitano as spokesman in his bid for the First Congressional District seat currently held by David N. Cicilline, a Providence Democrat. Napolitano, the former communications director and press secretary last year......
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1:35 PM Thu, May 19, 2011 | Permalink |
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Thursday on a bill that would legalize civil unions in Rhode Island, providing same-sex couples with the same "rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities" that state law grants to married......
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7:35 AM Thu, May 19, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Email
Has the time come for Rhode Island to call another convention to amend or revise the state constitution? Legislation introduced by Sen. Paul W. Fogarty, D-Glocester, would ask voters in the 2012 general election just that question. Fogarty says he......
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2:50 PM Wed, May 18, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- While in-depth pension reform appears increasingly unlikely during this legislative session, Governor Chafee says, he is hopeful that lawmakers will at least consider his proposal to make state workers pay......
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9:29 AM Wed, May 18, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Email
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Providence landlords came out to the State House on Tuesday night to support a bill that would give cities and towns the option to assess taxes on tax-exempt colleges and hospitals. They said that while Providence's nonprofit......
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9:51 PM Mon, May 16, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Email
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline is in Rhode Island all this week and has plans for a fundraiser at a city hotel on Wednesday. The fundraiser comes close on the heels of last week's announcement by former......
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6:46 PM Mon, May 16, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Barbara Polichetti Email
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- After being shouted down by members of a crowd attending an Operation Clean Government forum Saturday, Sen. James Sheehan, D-North Kingstown, said he felt it was appropriate when he received an apology via e-mail later that day......
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7:05 AM Mon, May 16, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- State Rep. Larry Valencia held a news conference last week to drum up support for a bill that would raise the income tax on the state's highest wage earners, but......
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7:05 AM Mon, May 16, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Ken Block, the Moderate Party founder and former gubernatorial candidate, took another whack at the General Assembly's legislative grant program last week, calling it "a prime example" of "the good......
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7:05 AM Mon, May 16, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Katherine Gregg Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- In an attempt to shine more light on ballot questions, the state Senate last week approved a bill (S-349) that would require the printing of "pro" and "con" arguments for......
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7:05 AM Mon, May 16, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Katherine Gregg Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Former state police Supt. Brendan Doherty has launched his Republican campaign for the U.S. House seat held by first-term Democrat David N. Cicilline with $50,000 of his own money, according......
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12:27 PM Fri, May 13, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The state Senate will host its second "economic summit" of the year on Monday, focusing on growth and job development opportunities in Rhode Island's manufacturing, tourism and hospitality industries. The......
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3:42 AM Fri, May 13, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar Email
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. -- Ten days ago, state Rep. Doreen Costa had never met or spoken with Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, a Minnesota Republican and Tea Party supporter who some view as a potential candidate for president in 2012. But courtesy......
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7:11 PM Thu, May 12, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Karen Lee Ziner Journal Staff Writer PROVIDENCE, R.I. --The Senate passed a Voter ID bill on Thursday that will require voters to provide proof of their identity at the polls, starting in 2012. The 27-to-6 vote marked the first......
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7:06 PM Thu, May 12, 2011 | Permalink |
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline's one-time colleagues in the General Assembly rallied round him with praise on Thursday, after the state's former top cop -- Brendan P. Doherty -- announced his own Republican candidacy for the 1st......
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4:47 PM Thu, May 12, 2011 | Permalink |
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By G. WAYNE MILLER Journal staff writer PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- Declaring he is "in it to win it!" and bearing the slogan "common sense, uncommon integrity," former State Police Superintendent Brendan P. Doherty on Thursday afternoon formally announced his candidacy......
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8:45 PM Wed, May 11, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Katherine Gregg Email
PROVIDENCE. R.I. - Still one day away from officially announcing his bid for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District seat, former State Police Supt. Brendan P. Doherty already sounds like a candidate. On Wednesday, he released a statement that said,......
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9:32 AM Wed, May 11, 2011 | Permalink |
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WASHINGTON -- Sen. Jack Reed and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse are among the congressional Democrats who will meet at the White House Wednesday to talk with President Obama about the federal deficit, with a deadline looming for legislation to raise......
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7:55 AM Wed, May 11, 2011 | Permalink |
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By MICHELLE R. SMITH Associated Press WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP) -- Patrick Kennedy, a former Democratic congressman from Rhode Island and son of the late Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, said Tuesday that his departure from Congress has given him a......
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6:39 PM Tue, May 10, 2011 | Permalink |
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By KATHERINE GREGG Journal State House bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Former Republican Congressional candidate John Loughlin leaves Sunday morning for a seven-and-a-half month stint with the U.S. Army in Iraq. Loughlin is coming out of retirement as a lieutenant colonel......
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3:06 PM Tue, May 10, 2011 | Permalink |
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By G. WAYNE MILLER Journal staff writer PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Recently retired state police Supt. Brendan P. Doherty will announce on Thursday that he is running for the 1st Congressional seat now held by former Providence mayor U.S. Rep. David......
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3:05 PM Tue, May 10, 2011 | Permalink |
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By KATHERINE GREGG Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Something happened after the Senate Labor Committee posted its ambitious agenda for this week. When it first appeared on the legislative website, the agenda indicated that the committee was holding......
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3:04 PM Tue, May 10, 2011 | Permalink |
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By KATHERINE GREGG Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The state Senate will hold its second "economic summit'' of the year next Monday, with its spotlight focused on "job opportunities in the manufacturing, tourism and hospitality industries.'' Spokesman Greg......
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12:51 PM Tue, May 10, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Retired state Police Supt. Brendan Doherty will hold a news conference in Pawtucket on Thursday to discuss his future plans, his friend and spokesman Dante Bellini Jr. said Tuesday. In......
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7:00 AM Mon, May 09, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Katherine Gregg Journal State House Staff The Rhode Island Republican version of Family Feud continued to play out for days after the tiny House GOP booted Robert A. Watson as its leader last week. Only a week earlier the......
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7:00 AM Mon, May 09, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Katherine Gregg Journal State House Bureau The Rhode Island Republican version of Family Feud continued to play out for days after the tiny House GOP booted Robert A. Watson as its leader last week. Only a week earlier the......
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2:33 PM Fri, May 06, 2011 | Permalink |
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Rhode Island lawmakers plan to hold hearings on a bill creating civil unions for gay couples next week. The House of Representatives announced Friday that it will hold hearings Wednesday. The bill would give gay couples......
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12:14 PM Fri, May 06, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The recovery is still fragile, but income growth and job growth are among the factors that that show Rhode Island's economy is on the upswing, two economists told a team......
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12:08 PM Fri, May 06, 2011 | Permalink |
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By G. Wayne Miller Journal Staff Writer CUMBERLAND, R.I. -- As he mulls a possible political future, recently retired State Police superintendent Brendan P. Doherty has formed a security-consulting firm and announced he will work in partnership with a much......
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2:02 PM Thu, May 05, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Email
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday delayed a vote on legislation that would require Senate approval of the governor's pick for state commissioner of elementary and secondary education as well as the state commissioner for higher education.......
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10:31 PM Wed, May 04, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Email
Benjamin "Barry" Hinckley III, the Newport Republican who says he will challenge Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse in 2012, is apparently in Washington, D.C., this week, having met with Tea Party favorites Senators Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, according to......
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4:20 PM Wed, May 04, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Email
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee, who is an avid horseman, is hosting a Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser Wednesday night at the Metacomet Country Club. The "Run for the Roses" reception is an annual campaign fundraiser that the independent governor has......
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3:06 PM Wed, May 04, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Email
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Chafee administration is still reviewing the so-called "global Medicaid waiver" agreement his predecessor, Republican Gov. Donald Carcieri, reached with the federal government in 2009, Chafee's Secretary of Health and Human Services, Steven M. Costantino, said. That......
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2:19 PM Wed, May 04, 2011 | Permalink |
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By PHILIP MARCELO Journal State House Bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee's administration is reviewing whether a recently proposed federal rule dealing with Medicaid may impact budget savings that the governor has assumed in the coming fiscal year. The Centers......
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9:27 AM Wed, May 04, 2011 | Permalink |
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MICHELLE R. SMITH Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- The onetime Rhode Island Democratic candidate for governor who said President Barack Obama could "shove it" shortly before November's election has a new career at an Atlanta-based finance firm. Frank Caprio,......
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4:26 PM Tue, May 03, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Katherine Gregg and Randal Edgar Journal State House bureau PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The 10-member House Republican bloc has voted to replace Robert A. Watson as House minority leader, a week-and-a-half after his arrest in Connecticut on driving-under-the-influence and marijuana......
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10:26 AM Tue, May 03, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar Email
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo's campaign account spent more than it collected during the first quarter of 2011, but she still managed to finish with the largest account total among the state's general officers, according to the......
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6:30 PM Mon, May 02, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar Email
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- For the first time, the General Assembly is posting committee votes online. Four months after adding House and Senate floor votes to its website, the Assembly on Monday added committee votes, which are accessible from the Assembly's......
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2:42 PM Mon, May 02, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar Email
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Lt. Governor Elizabeth H. Roberts' campaign account spent about twice as much as it took in during the first quarter of 2011, finishing with a balance of $9,096 as of March 31, according to her latest campaign......
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11:58 AM Mon, May 02, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Philip Marcelo Email
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee is in North Carolina on Monday for a conference on education, and then he will sit in on a discussion with four other past governors of Rhode Island. The 2011 Governors Education Symposium is being......
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6:40 PM Sun, May 01, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Randal Edgar The legislative grant program that disburses some $2 million each year to select nonprofit agencies got some more unwelcome publicity last week, this time from Moderate Party founder and former gubernatorial candidate Ken Block. In a statement......
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6:30 PM Sun, May 01, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Katherine Gregg House Communications Director Larry Berman has taken a new approach to communications since his $8,000 raise made big news, along with dozens of other raises given General Assembly staffers. He no longer responds to telephone calls and......
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6:20 PM Sun, May 01, 2011 | Permalink |
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By Katherine Gregg Gone are the days when the majority of the state's top-level politicians were willing to disclose their income tax returns. Across the country, many major-league politicians still do so, including New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and President......
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