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

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Governance

268 articles · page 16 of 23
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

House Speaker Shekarchi Expected to Step Down, Seek RI Supreme Court Seat

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi is expected to resign the speakership—widely considered Rhode Island's most powerful political post—to apply for a vacancy on the Rhode Island Supreme Court by Thursday's deadline. Majority Leader Christopher R. Blazejewski is set to succeed him. The move raises 'revolving door' ethics questions, as a similar 2020 application by then-Senator Erin Lynch Prata drew scrutiny over whether legislators can seek judicial appointments while in office or within one year of leaving.

bostonglobe.comMAY 7, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

RI Child Advocate Sues to Block DOJ Subpoena for Transgender Care Records

Rhode Island's Office of the Child Advocate filed an emergency motion in US District Court to quash a Department of Justice subpoena demanding detailed medical records of minors receiving gender-affirming care at Rhode Island Hospital. A Texas judge had already granted DOJ's enforcement order without hearing from the hospital. Judge Mary McElroy (D.R.I.) scheduled a May 12 hearing. The child advocate called the subpoena an 'unprecedented intrusion' issued for an 'improper purpose' rather than legitimate law enforcement.

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

Senator Whitehouse Warns GOP on Sidestepping US Attorney Confirmation

US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse told the Senate Judiciary Committee that Republicans will 'permanently disable' the panel's oversight if they allow the Trump administration to bypass Senate confirmation for US attorneys—including in Rhode Island, where Charles 'Chas' Calenda was kept in place without nomination or hearing. Whitehouse, a former US attorney, predicted Democrats will use the same tactic when back in power, warning, 'Don't come complaining to me.'

bostonglobe.comMAY 7, 2026
CommerceGovernancePaywall

Providence files first enforcement action under ban on algorithmic rent pricing software

The city of Providence filed an enforcement action against Audubon Capital Partners LLC, alleging the firm used banned algorithmic software to coordinate rent pricing. City spokesperson Joshua Estrella said the complaint is the first enforcement action under the law adopted last year to ban algorithmic rent pricing in the city.

pbn.comMAY 7, 2026
CommerceGovernanceFree press

Providence opens new Business Center to streamline services for small businesses

Providence leaders celebrated the opening of a new Providence Business Center on the first floor of 444 Westminster Street. The center is designed to be a one-stop shop for small-business needs. Mayor Brett Smiley's office said the dedicated space will streamline services available to small businesses in the city.

turnto10.comMAY 7, 2026
GovernanceFree press

House Speaker Shekarchi Resigns, Pursues Rhode Island Supreme Court Seat

House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi has resigned from his leadership position to seek appointment to the Rhode Island Supreme Court. The vacancy arose after Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg's February retirement announcement. House Majority Leader Christopher R. Blazejewski is the likely successor, calling members Wednesday afternoon to request support. Shekarchi completed his application for the Supreme Court position this past week.

golocalprov.comMAY 7, 2026
CommerceGovernancePaywall

Bipartisan RI coalition rallies against proposed 'millionaires tax' and estate tax changes

A bipartisan group of Rhode Island lawmakers and business leaders held a press conference opposing Gov. McKee's proposed 3% surtax on income over $1 million and other tax policies they say undermine economic growth. The coalition argues these tax increases could drive high earners and businesses out of Rhode Island, harming the state's competitiveness.

pbn.comMAY 6, 2026
CommerceGovernanceFree press

Rhode Island settles with Deloitte for $12M over 2024 RIBridges ransomware attack

Rhode Island finalized a settlement with Deloitte Consulting LLP related to the December 2024 ransomware attack that shut down the RIBridges benefits system. Deloitte will pay the state a total of $12 million ($5 million paid in February 2025, plus $7 million now) and has provided $6 million in system enhancements and operational support. The attack exposed private information of more than 650,000 people.

insurancejournal.comMAY 6, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryPaywall

Rhode Island bill allowing expungement of multiple felonies advances to House floor

Rhode Island lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow up to four non-violent felonies to be expunged from criminal records after a 15-year waiting period following completion of sentences. The bill, already passed by the Senate and sponsored by Sen. Jake Bissaillon, would also permit expungement of multiple misdemeanors. Crimes such as child endangerment, elder abuse, and DUI would remain ineligible. The House Judiciary Committee approved the measure 10-5, with a floor vote scheduled for May 12.

providencejournal.comMAY 6, 2026
GovernanceFree press

Rhode Island Senate passes genetic privacy bill regulating direct-to-consumer DNA testing

The Rhode Island Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Sam Zurier and Rep. Edith Ajello that would regulate the largely unregulated direct-to-consumer genetic testing market. The Genetic Information Privacy Act would require explicit consent before companies collect, use, or disclose customers' genetic data, ban deceptive website design patterns, and impose civil penalties up to $1,000 for negligent violations. The bill has now passed both chambers of the General Assembly.

rhodeislandcurrent.comMAY 6, 2026
GovernanceFree press

Rhode Island House passes bill moving presidential primary to Super Tuesday

The Rhode Island House of Representatives approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Joseph McNamara that would move the state's presidential preference primary from the fourth Tuesday in April to the first Tuesday in March, aligning it with Super Tuesday when roughly one-third of all convention delegates are selected. Supporters argue the change would give Rhode Island voters greater access to presidential candidates and increase civic participation.

cranstononline.comMAY 6, 2026
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