General Assembly

A water drop and ripples

The RI Senate wants people to put themselves in dangerous situations.

By Justin Katz | January 10, 2026 |

Here’s a simple truth:  you get more of what you celebrate. It’s almost hard to believe, but when Antonia Noori Farzan’s Providence Journal article carries the headline, “Resolution honoring woman killed by ICE draws controversy in RI Senate,” the controversy isn’t that the Senate reflexively honored somebody from another state based on a dishonest summary…

A water drop and ripples

The General Assembly… lawyers hiring lawyers.

By Justin Katz | December 12, 2025 |

In his Political Roundup column last week, Ian Donnis included an item noting that the General Assembly’s bill to pay attorney Zachary Cunha (with office support) to questioning Department of Transportation Directory Peter Alviti came to $83,240. Many, many people were impressed with Cunha’s performance, but at $16,648 per hour of hearing, he better have…

A journalist on a soap box in a city street rants about the way things used to be

Politics This Week: Media Roiled by Change

By Justin Katz | December 8, 2025 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz review the latest in Rhode Island politics.

Rep. Joseph McNamara faints at the sight of a sports' teams silly string gauntlet.

McNamara’s pre-filed anti-hazing bill is an example of bad government.

By Justin Katz | December 7, 2025 |

“We need a statewide policy where every student-athlete, coach and administrator will understand that these behaviors will no longer be acceptable and there will be consequences to both athletes and teams,” [Warwick Democrat State Representative Joseph] McNamara said. Do we really need this, or is it nanny-state political opportunism?  According to Christian Winthrop of The Newport…

A water drop and ripples

Why don’t Act on Climate articles say anything about efforts to repeal it?

By Justin Katz | November 27, 2025 |

I mean, that’s the obvious question to arise from the news, as Nancy Lavin reports it in Providence Business News: Rhode Island needs to put the pedal to the metal on its clean energy transition – while reducing its reliance on driving – if it wants to achieve its own decarbonization mandates, according to a new…

A water drop and ripples

Sen. Tikoian’s frankness presents an interesting question.

By Justin Katz | November 24, 2025 |

In an extended interview with Ocean State Media’s Ian Donnis state Senator David Tikoian (D: Smithfield, North Providence, Johnston), the senator acknowledges he voted for Donald Trump in 2016, but he says “I thought at the time, but given what’s happened recently, I think otherwise.”  If it’s not clear, that’s his way of squaring his vote…

State Rep. Julie Casimiro shakes her fist at a coffee shop

Should a business group accept a donation from a business-threatening representative?

By Justin Katz | November 19, 2025 |

This post from from Democrat State Representative Julie Casimiro (North Kingstown, Exeter) caught my eye on November 5: According to the Post Road Business Alliance’s website, its mission is to “empower businesses and build community,” and the photograph Casimiro giving them money.  The representative has told Anchor Rising the money came from her campaign account…

A water drop and ripples

Environmentalism excuses profligacy in RI government.

By Justin Katz | November 18, 2025 |

Watching state government impose painful costs on the people it’s supposed to be serving in the name of progressive ideology, it’s clear the General Assembly is where impractical ideas go to thrive.  Patricia Morgan provides a good example:

A water drop and ripples

Umm… planning to study an issue isn’t a revolution.

By Justin Katz | October 29, 2025 |

I don’t know that I’ve ever seen as glowing an article about a local politician’s successful push for a legislative study commission as this one, by Kendra Gravelle of the Kent County Daily Times: As he made his way from door to door ahead of last year’s general election, introducing himself to residents and chatting with…

A circle of people exchanges cash secretly

Maybe the government has to force temporary disability insurance because it’s not as great a deal as it sounds.

By Justin Katz | August 26, 2025 |

Rhode Island Democrat Governor Daniel McKee held a performative “ceremonial bill signing” to promote changes to the state’s programs for temporary disability insurance (TDI) and temporary caregiver insurance (TCI).  As Jusolyn Flower of WPRI reports, the legislation has two distinct provisions: Currently, workers receive 60% of their wages, but that will reportedly rise to 70%…