But General Treasurer Gina Raimondo has collected twice as much from some of her most ardent backers, including Texas billionaire John Arnold, a former hedge-fund manager and natural gas trader at Enron, and his wife, Laura.

The two gave Raimondo a total of $4,000 in 2012, and another $4,000 this year.

How is this possible? Raimondo has two fundraising accounts. Her
"Gina M. Raimondo'' account held $1.7 million at the time of her last report to the state Board of Elections. Her "Gina PAC' 'had $107,203 in its coffers as of March 31.

"This is a more accurate way to account for expenses," said Raimondo's spokeswoman, Joy Fox. "People who give the campaign know it will be used for the campaign. People who give to the PAC know it will be used to support like-minded candidate and causes.''

Asked if this is allowed, the state's campaign finance director Richard Thornton responded by e-mailing a copy of the state law prohibiting contributions to any candidate, or political action committee or political party committee "which in the aggregate exceed $1,000 within a calendar year.''

Read more in Monday's Political Scene column.

Rep. Maria Cimini, D-Providence, wrote: "Perhaps you share my disappointment. Maybe you had hope(d) that this would be the year to lower the corporate income tax...restore the historic tax credit...fast-track the school funding formula...invest in public transportation, higher education or workforce development.

"With the news that we're encountering a large revenue shortfall...those opportunities to better Rhode Island may be in danger or lost,'' she wrote.

Cimini is the lead sponsor of a bill to raise the top rate from 5.99 percent to 7.99 percent on taxable income above $250,000.

That doesn't mean, however, that Hassett will seek another council term.

Hassett, a senior investigator for the state Department of Labor and Training's workers' compensation fraud and compliance unit, may run for Providence mayor.

"I would love to be mayor," Hassett said. He has represented residents in Smith Hill, the Capital Center and parts of Mount Pleasant since 1997. "I have not ruled out that opportunity, but I am very content with being a councilman right now."

Hassett says he supports former state Democratic chairman Edwin Pacheco for secretary of state. He called Pacheco an "accomplished individual" who "would make major improvements for Rhode Island."

Here's the claim, from Lynn Derbyshire, an associate professor at the University of Rhode Island: "If you are black or brown, you are nine times more likely to be stopped and frisked" in New York City.

Here's how we ended with a ruling of Mostly True:

Staff: Sheldon's thoughts & prayers are w/all affected by the tragedy in Oklahoma. Please read full statement here: 1.usa.gov/12Jx0O8

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) May 21, 2013

Whitehouse released the following statement today through a spokesperson:

"Yesterday afternoon Senator Whitehouse took to the Senate floor to deliver his weekly speech about climate change. It was a speech that had been prepared in advance, and which included a general reference to tornadoes in Oklahoma. Tragically, and unbeknownst to the Senator at the time, a series of tornadoes were hitting Oklahoma at the same moment he gave his remarks. Senator Whitehouse regrets the timing of his speech and offers his thoughts and prayers to the victims of yesterday's storms and their families, and he stands ready to work with the Senators from Oklahoma to assist them and their constituents in this time of need."

Journal file photo

Stephen P. Laffey

Former Cranston Mayor Stephen P. Laffey has filed papers to run for governor in Colorado, a Denver television website is reporting.

Laffey, a Republican who moved to Colorado three years ago, is expected to officially announce his campaign Tuesday morning, kdvr.com reports.

The website reports that Laffey is the first serious candidate to enter what could be a crowded primary field vying for the party's nomination in 2014. The incumbent is a Democrat, Gov. John Hickenlooper

Laffey was mayor of Cranston from 2003 to 2007. He lost a GOP primary to then-Sen. Lincoln Chaffee in 2006.

One rumor had her resigning soon so that she would be eligible -- under Rhode Island's revolving-door law -- for Governor Chafee to appoint her to a judgeship a year from now. Another version of the rumor had her eyeing a magistrate's post and a not-yet-open seat on the Supreme Court.

WPRO Radio talk-show host John DePetro took the hallway chatter to a new level with this posting on Tuesday on his webpage:

"Exclusive: Weed gonna leave. Sources: Paiva Weed makes deal with Chafee to become judge ... Sources tell John DePetro that 'miss Newport' wants to jump out now so she can 'get on the bench' while Governor Gump is still in power."

Paiva Weed's response: "Obviously, it is not good for me or my leadership team to have these kinds of rumors out there. I don't know where they originated, but there is absolutely no truth in them."

"I am planning on staying through the session and running for reelection," and then seeking another term as Senate president in January 2015, she said.

Asked if there was any intrigue of which she was aware that might explain the rumors, she quoted her second in command, Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio: " 'The only working mill in Rhode Island is the rumor mill.'

"And that is the only thing to which I can attribute the recent rumors. We are a very solid team."

But just to set the record straight, Sen. Dawson Hodgson, R-North Kingstown, tweeted this response to Paiva Weed's comments to Political Scene: "Kenyon's Grist Mill surviving RI Biz climate since 1696."

But what was on the menu -- besides the restaurant's take on classic Italian fare -- is anyone's guess.

The restaurant's general manager told a Journal reporter to leave the building soon after he entered. The first two lawmakers to arrive for the gathering -- Sen. Paul Fogarty, D-Glocester, and Sen. Paul Jabour, D-Providence -- declined to comment.
Arriving later, Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, D-Newport, said the event was not a party caucus where chamber business would be hashed out.

"Just dinner," she said as she entered along with her chief of staff, Thomas Coderre, and Sen. Louis DiPalma, D-Middletown.

Over the next hour, at least half of the 33 Democrats in the 38-member chamber trickled in.

Some, such as Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio, D-North Providence, and his staff opted to avoid the complimentary front-door valet service -- and the Journal reporter standing nearby -- and park their cars themselves.

Others, such as Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin, D-Providence, and Finance Committee Chairman Daniel DaPonte, D-East Providence, stopped to chat.
But the message was the same.

"Just dinner with friends," said Goodwin. "It doesn't happen often enough."

Senate spokesman Gregory Pare said no state funds were used for the dinner.

Providence Journal file photo / Frieda Squires

Mary Donnelly, visiting nurse on Block Island, attends to Violette Connolly, 86, at her home in this 2006 file photo.

BLOCK ISLAND, R.I. -- A milestone worth noting: After 54 years nursing her fellow Block Islanders back to health, Mary Donnelly has retired.

Donnelly was the island's state nurse and administrator of the Mary D Fund, a charity she created to provide year-round residents with needed financial help during the winter months.

She retired on March 13, at the age of 86, with a $58,294-a-year pension, according to a state Retirement Board report.

"She is truly a pioneer in population health," said the state's former Human Services Director, Jane Hayward, who is now the president and CEO of the R.I. Health Center Association, after a recent celebration of Donnelly's career.

"She recognized the impact of social determinants on health status before anyone was writing about them in the literature. To combat their impact, she created the Mary D. Fund which last year distributed over $50,000 to islanders in need -- for mortgages, medication, health costs, fuel, etc.

"She is really something and even at this point, she runs the fund herself, keeps its books, writes the checks and preserves the confidentiality of those who come for help. She also managed to raise seven kids. ... she is quite a lady!!!"

Joining Jackie Baginski are Erika Lamb and Laura Rokoff.

Lamb was a board member and fund-development committee chair for the Southside Community Land Trust. She is also a past trustee of the Lincoln School.

Rokoff most recently worked in New York as a research assistant at Demos, a public policy organization.

The new bill tracker tool allows a person to subscribe to up to 50 bills to follow. Users will receive e-mail updates regarding the change in status of these bills on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis, depending upon their preferred settings.

House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, D-Providence, calls it the "next large leap" in the legislature's desire to improve transparency and accountability.

The service comes after the assembly, in March, started live web-streaming of major committee hearings and House and Senate floor sessions and archiving those videos on its website. Last year, it started posting floor votes immediately on the website.

Last year, Doherty made an unsuccessful bid for Congress in the 1st District, losing to Democrat David Cicilline.

In a statement issued on Friday, Doherty said: "Now that the dust has settled from the 2012 election and people are turning their attention to the 2014 gubernatorial election, I can confidently announce that, at this time, I have no intention of running in 2014 for governor of Rhode Island or any other political office.

"While I appreciate the outpouring of support and willingness of many to support me in a potential campaign for governor, after a long race for Congress and a longer career serving Rhode Island in the State Police, I am looking forward to spending time with my family, while continuing to make Rhode Island a better place through my work with charitable organizations, youth outreach, and other non-political endeavors.''

His withdrawal from consideration leaves the Republican field open to Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, who has expressed interest in running for governor, but has not made a formal announcement.

file photo

Ernest Almonte

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Former state auditor general Ernie Almonte announced his intention to run for state treasurer next year in a letter to supporters Wednesday.

The Smithfield Democrat had said last year he intended to run in the now-crowded governor's race.

"I have made a decision based on logic," said Almonte, who has since updated his website and personal profiles on social media. "I realize at this point in my life, I can create greater good for the State of Rhode Island by applying my education, experience and ethical foundation to the office of General Treasurer."

Former treasurer Frank Caprio, who launched an unsuccessful bid for governor in 2010, has announced his intention to reclaim his seat.

Earlier this month, Rhode Island became the 10th state in the nation to allow same-sex couples to marry. There are now 12 states plus the District of Colombia where same-sex marriage is now legal or will be soon. (Rhode Island's law goes into effect Aug. 1.)

Rhode Island Republicans gained national attention during the debate when all five members of the Senate GOP Caucus threw their support behind the bill.

State Sen. Dawson Hodgson, R-North Kingstown, will also be speaking at the event, which will take place at the NYLO-Warwick Hotel.

The Log Cabin Republicans' mission is to "advance the interests of the gay and lesbian community within the Republican Party."

The book is titled "Hacking Politics: How Geek, Progressives, the Tea Party, Gamers, Anarchists and Suits teamed up to Defeat SOPA and Save the Internet."

It focuses on the 2012 campaign to defeat the "Stop Online Piracy Act," or SOPA, as well as other "keep the Internet free" battles.

Segal, who finished third in a four-way Democratic primary for the 1st Congressional District, and is a former Providence City Councilman, co-edited and wrote part of the book along with David Moon and Patrick Ruffini.

It includes contributions from the late Internet activist Aaron Swartz and Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of the social media site Reddit, among many others and is available for download at O/R Books.