86 views
Source:
Providence Journal
PROVIDENCE Former Senate Majority Leader John “Jack” Ravens is set to take a seat on the state Public Utilities Commission after winning confirmation Tuesday.
Despite the opposition of some senators who argue that Revens lacks the experience in energy and utilities issues that would qualify him for the $139,000-a-year position, his appointment was all but assured after he secured the support of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and other members of Senate leadership.
Indeed, it was two members of the leadership team Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey and Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin who spoke in support of Revens before the 29-to-9 vote in favor of his appointment to the commission that sets electric, gas and water rates in Rhode Island and implements state energy policies.
RHODE ISLAND â The Senate has confirmed now former Gov. Gina Raimondo to serve as the next U.S. Commerce Secretary.
The Tuesday vote, which passed with bipartisan support, came more than seven weeks after President Joe Biden first tapped Raimondo to serve in his cabinet. In the hours that followed her confirmation, Raimondo would officially resign her governorship and pave the way for Lt. Gov. Dan McKee to take the reins.Â
âServing as governor these past six years has been the honor of my lifetime,â Raimondo wrote in her official letter of resignation to McKee. âTogether, we jump-started our economy, lifted up small businesses, made record investments in education, led the fight against climate change, made long-overdue repairs to crumbling roads, bridges and schools, and provided skills and a pathway to a good job for thousands of Rhode Islanders.â
Staffers are coming and going and where it stops nobody knows.
One Job, Two People Combined Salary $319,162.63
Presently, the top position has two people serving Shekarchi’s new JCLS executive director Henry Kinch has come over from the judiciary where he was the clerk of the court for Providence County and, the executive director Frank Montanaro continues in his role. Montanaro continues to receive his salary but is only working on certain aspects of his job.
According to Shekarchi’s spokesman Larry Berman who was also spokesmen for former speakers Gordon Fox and Nick Mattiello told GoLocal is a statement, “Frank Montanaro has a temporary title of director of facilities, operations, and capital projects. He is helping in the transition in the short-term while finishing with various capital projects that he was previously overseeing.”
Senate leaders pushing for legalization
Senate leadership on Tuesday unveiled legislation to create a comprehensive tax and regulatory structure that legalizes cannabis in the State of Rhode Island. If enacted, a Cannabis Control Commission would oversee a competitive and accessible licensing structure that would generate tax revenue through the sales tax, a special sales tax, and a local sales tax.
The bill has the support of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, according to Senate spokesman Greg Pare.
The legislation, which will be sent to Senate Judiciary Committee, legalizes the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by individuals over the age of 21. It also allows for home grow comparable to neighboring Massachusetts. Cannabis consumption would be prohibited in public places, and unsealed containers would be prohibited from the passenger areas of a car.GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
PROVIDENCE â Legislation introduced by District 35 (East Greenwich, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Narragansett) Senator Bridget Valverde that would expand abortion and medical care access for low-income individuals recently hit a roadblock imposed by Rhode Island Senate Democrats. The bill, despite its medical nature and Valverdeâs objection, is now assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it has little hope to pass, rather than the Senateâs Committee on health and human services.
âThis bill should be heard in the Health & Human Services Committee, where it belongs and where I asked it be referred even before I formally introduced the bill,â said Valverde. âAfter all, this is a bill that only addresses coverage for a health care service. The Health & Human Services Committee, of which I am the Vice Chair, routinely deals with health coverage legislation. Instead, it was sent to the Judiciary Committee, which deals with criminal codes. It do