State law currently closes all Rhode Island liquor stores on New Year s Day and Thanksgiving.
But legislation promoted as a way to help businesses recover from the coronavirus pandemic would leave Thanksgiving as the only day liquor stores cannot open.
“COVID-19 has decimated our small businesses and this bill is another small way we can help our small businesses recover from the pandemic, North Providence Democratic Rep. William O Brien, the bill s sponsor, said in a news release. If a liquor store chooses to be open on New Year’s Day, they should be allowed to operate their business, simple as that.
Shekarchi sworn in as new House speaker
NEW HOUSE SPEAKER K. Joseph Shekarchi addresses the chamber after being sworn in to the post on Jan. 5. /COURTESY CAPITOL TV. PROVIDENCE – Seated amongst mask-wearing, socially distanced, legislative colleagues in Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium, Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat, was elected House speaker for a two-year term on Tuesday during the chamber s inaugural 2021 session. In the Senate, Sen. Dominick J. Ruggerio, D-Providence, was re-elected president. He was first elected to the post in…
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