Vol. CXXXII · No. CDLXXXIXFRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026Ocean State Edition

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489 articles · page 11 of 41
GovernancePaywall

Rhode Island Senate advances charter school moratorium despite opposition campaign

The Rhode Island Senate Committee on Education voted 8-1 on June 3 to advance a three-year moratorium on new and expanded charter schools, sending the bill to the Senate floor. The legislation by Sen. Melissa Murray would cap the number of charter schools at 28, down from the current 35-school limit. The vote came despite a $72,000 advertising campaign opposing the measure, with only Republican Sen. Thomas Paolino voting against it.

bostonglobe.comJUN 8, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

US District Court in RI strikes down Trump immigration freeze for 39 countries

US District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ruled that Trump administration policies halting asylum applications, work permits, and green cards for immigrants from 39 nations were unlawful. In a 135-page opinion, the judge found the policies threw countless immigrants into "indeterminate legal limbo" and were motivated by "anti-immigrant sentiments," not legitimate national security concerns. The decision vacated the policies and affirmed constitutional due process rights for affected immigrants.

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© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
bostonglobe.comJUN 7, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Federal judge rebukes DOJ lawyers in RI transgender care investigation

US District Judge Mary McElroy referred Justice Department lawyers for possible discipline over their handling of a transgender youth care investigation at Rhode Island Hospital. The judge previously quashed an administrative subpoena seeking sensitive medical records, finding DOJ lawyers misled the court and withheld information. In her May ruling, McElroy wrote that the Justice Department "has proven unworthy of trust" and accused lawyers of "misrepresenting facts under oath."

cbsnews.comJUN 7, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Trump administration appeals RI voter data privacy ruling to First Circuit

The US Department of Justice filed a notice of appeal seeking to overturn a Rhode Island federal court decision barring its probe for sensitive voter information. The appeal to the First Circuit challenges US District Judge Mary McElroy's April ruling denying DOJ demands for an unredacted voter registration list containing driver's license numbers and Social Security digits from Secretary of State Gregg Amore. Federal district courts in California, Oregon, Michigan and Massachusetts have dismissed similar DOJ lawsuits.

rhodeislandcurrent.comJUN 7, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Woman files lawsuit over deadly Portsmouth staircase collapse

Kathleen Magrath filed a lawsuit in late May against the Portuguese American Citizens Club and the town of Portsmouth over a June 2025 staircase collapse that killed 15-year-old Kelly Nevitt and injured four others. The lawsuit claims Magrath suffered "traumatic bodily injuries" when the Power Street building's entrance staircase collapsed during a graduation party. She alleges the club owners and town "knew or should have known of the unsafe condition" through reasonable inspection and maintenance.

wpri.comJUN 7, 2026
CommerceGovernancePaywall

RI House Passes $15.2B Budget with Phased-In Millionaires Tax

The Rhode Island House approved a record $15.2 billion fiscal 2027 budget by 64-10, including a three-year phased-in wealth tax rising to 8.99% by 2029 on income over $1 million. The tax is expected to generate $22.4 million in fiscal 2027 and $142 million by 2030. The budget also funds a new inspector general's office and increases spending on healthcare and transit.

pbn.comJUN 7, 2026
CommerceGovernanceFree press

House Budget Grows $523M Over FY26 as McKee Cites Revenue Surplus

Rhode Island's fiscal 2027 budget proposal totals $14.34 billion, a $523 million increase over the prior year and a 3.6% rise. Governor McKee says the state can afford the spending increase partly because Rhode Island collected roughly $230 million more revenue than expected. Critics say the state is overspending, with the budget growing at twice the rate of inflation. Forty-five percent goes to healthcare and human services.

turnto10.comJUN 7, 2026
CommerceOther

RI April Economy Shows Positives, May Signal Early Recovery Stage

Rhode Island's economy in April 2026 showed a Current Conditions Index of 42, with five of 12 indicators improving year-over-year. URI economist Leonard Lardaro says the state may be in the earliest stages of recovery. Retail sales grew 3.6%, total manufacturing hours rose 6.1%, and single-unit permits increased 7.9%. However, it's the 11th time in 12 months the CCI was below 50.

uri.eduJUN 7, 2026
CommerceGovernanceFree press

RI Approves First Kratom Manufacturer License, 19 Applications Pending

The Rhode Island Department of Health issued its first kratom manufacturer license to an out-of-state manufacturer. RIDOH has received 20 applications across four categories: retailer, distributor, manufacturer, and importer, with 19 pending. The move follows Rhode Island's recent legalization of kratom with regulations requiring licenses, age restrictions, and labeling.

turnto10.comJUN 7, 2026
GovernanceFree press

House committee advances revised FY27 budget with phased millionaire's tax

The House Finance Committee gave initial approval to a revised $15.2 billion fiscal 2027 budget on May 29 featuring a phased-in millionaire's tax over three years instead of a single-year increase. House Speaker Christopher Blazejewski called the graduated approach a legislative compromise, though both business groups and progressive advocates expressed dissatisfaction. The budget now awaits full House and Senate votes.

rhodeislandcurrent.comJUN 7, 2026
GovernanceFree press

Rat poison ban clears both chambers of Rhode Island General Assembly

Legislation to limit availability of anticoagulant rodenticides passed the Rhode Island House in a 56-8 vote on June 4, following unanimous Senate approval on May 26. Sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Kislak and Sen. Melissa Murray, the bill restricts consumer access to certain rat poisons that harm predator species. Concurrence votes are expected soon before the measure heads to Gov. McKee's desk.

rhodeislandcurrent.comJUN 7, 2026
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