Carroll Andrew Morse
This afternoon, the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee will hear two same-sex marriage bills, S0708 which would put the question to a Constitutional voter referendum in 2014, and S0038 which would directly authorize same-sex marriage by statute. In terms of the guarantees of “protection of religious freedom in marriage”, the bills are polar opposites. The…
Local Impact: Johnston, Middletown 2 Inobvious Priorities: S0513 > Requires school districts to develop plans to promote purchases of locally grown fruits, vegetables and dairy products. 20. S0012: The father-daughter dance bill. (S Education; Wed, Mar 20) 19. H5579: Changes to zoning regulations intended to facilitate the development of “small wind energy systems”. (H Municipal…
In a separation of powers system, the legislature is made to be the most powerful branch of government precisely because no one person is supposed to be able to easily dominate its proceedings. Rules of a legislative body are supposed to support this principle. Indeed, early on in the parliamentary manual used by the Rhode…
1. A great many Rhode Island legislators, along with their minions, supporters and enablers, are confused about the necessity of holding bills for further study. The specific process that is used at the RI General Assembly conflates two ideas that are not inextricably linked. That it can be prudent to delay action on a particular…
Paul Spetrini of GoLocalProv posted a story last night on the decision by the House Judiciary Chair to void the previous night’s vote that would have sent an Ethics amendment to the full House that contains this item of note…[Spokesman Larry Berman] added that Fox wants “more time” to review the bill. “Arguments were made…
Yesterday’s meeting of the Rhode Island House of Representatives Judiciary Committee began with the surprise move of Representative Christopher Blazejewski asking Chair Edith Ajello to void the reconsideration of a further study vote from yesterday that had resulted in a proposed Constitutional amendment on the Ethics commission being sent to the House floor. The Chair…
[7:30] One more: For the record, Reps still present: Ajello, Costa, Marcello, Almeida, Walsh, Martin. [7:23] Testimony on the Master lever has concluded. On to a bill requiring board of canvassers to report on provisional ballots. Signing off, for the moment… [7:20] Margaret Kane: Eliminating the Master lever requires voters to read the ballot and…
10. H5760: Allows all Rhode Island school departments to accept “donations, gifts and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, conditional or otherwise, from any state, the federal government, or any governmental entity or agency; or from any person, firm, association, foundation or corporation”. (H House, Education and Welfare; Wed, Mar 13) Right now,…
20. H5300: Creates an underground utility contractor licensing process (and fee) where, apparently, none currently exists. (H Corporations; Wed, Mar 13) 19. S0212: Allows “mobile and manufactured homes within a mobile and manufactured home park” to count towards a city or town’s low or moderate income housing requirements. (Senate Housing and Municipal Government; Thu, Mar…
For the first time, the list goes to three parts… Local Impact: Central Falls 2, One or a Few Big Employers. Inobvious priorities: S0498 > Adds the executive director of the Economic Development Corporation to the Interagency Council for the Homeless; S0353 > Sets weekend fees for justices of the peace; H5395 > Golf carts…