Vol. CXXXII · No. CCLXVIIISATURDAY, JULY 11, 2026Ocean State Edition

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Governance

268 articles · page 20 of 23
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

Federal judge blocks DOJ demand for Rhode Island voter registration lists

U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy dismissed the Justice Department's lawsuit demanding Rhode Island's voter registration rolls, ruling that federal voter registration laws do not authorize a "fishing expedition" by the Trump administration. McElroy found that the Attorney General's stated purpose—to ensure compliance with voter registration laws—does not plausibly relate to individual voting rights. The ruling comes amid similar challenges to DOJ voter-roll demands in other states.

news.bloomberglaw.comAPR 26, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Federal judge dismisses DOJ lawsuit seeking unredacted Rhode Island voter data

U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy dismissed the Justice Department's lawsuit demanding detailed voter registration information from Rhode Island, ruling federal law does not permit 'the kind of fishing expedition it seeks here.' The Trump administration had sought unredacted voter rolls including partial Social Security numbers and driver's license data. The decision follows similar rejections in California, Michigan, Oregon, and Massachusetts, marking the fifth consecutive court loss for DOJ in its nationwide voter data collection campaign.

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© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
boston.comAPR 24, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Federal judge dismisses DOJ lawsuit demanding RI voter records

U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy dismissed the Trump administration's lawsuit seeking unredacted voter data from Rhode Island, calling the DOJ's effort a "fishing expedition" with no plausible factual basis. The ruling marks the fifth consecutive judicial defeat nationwide for the DOJ's voter-data demands. Secretary of State Gregg Amore, represented by AG Peter Neronha, said the decision reaffirms state authority over voter file privacy.

yahoo.comAPR 24, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

Providence agrees to pay former HR director $45K in wrongful-termination settlement

The City of Providence settled a lawsuit with Sybil Bailey, its former human resources director, paying $45,000 (plus legal fees) to resolve claims she was wrongfully terminated during Jorge Elorza's mayoral tenure. Bailey alleged age and sex discrimination after being fired in 2019; the city denies wrongdoing. A 2020 City Council dispute over an earlier $138,000 severance deal helped trigger the suit.

bostonglobe.comAPR 24, 2026
GovernanceFree press

McKee and Foulkes agree to three Democratic primary debates before early voting

Gov. Dan McKee and primary challenger Helena Foulkes have committed to three debates before early voting begins in August. Foulkes publicly called for the debates to discuss housing, health care costs, and her vision for the state. The General Assembly is moving the primary election day to September 9, with early voting starting earlier.

digital-stage.wpri.comAPR 24, 2026
GovernancePaywall

Cranston Mayor proposes 7.4% tax levy hike to cover $10 million deficit

Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins is seeking a 7.4 percent increase in the city's tax levy to address a nearly $10 million budget deficit, which would raise the average single-family home tax bill by $500. The mayor's budget also eliminates funding for dozens of city jobs, with 17 staff members already accepting buyouts. Hopkins blamed the former finance director for submitting inaccurate budget projections over two years.

providencejournal.comAPR 23, 2026
GovernanceCommercePaywall

Federal judge halts RI cannabis dispensary license lottery over ownership rules

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting Rhode Island's process for awarding 20 new recreational cannabis dispensary licenses after lawsuits challenged the state's requirement that 51 percent of dispensary businesses be owned locally. License applicants and cultivators say they are losing money waiting to learn if they can open, and frustration with the Cannabis Control Commission is mounting.

providencejournal.comAPR 23, 2026
CommerceGovernancePaywall

RI Commerce opens applications for Main Street, Site Readiness grants through May 29

R.I. Commerce Corp. announced it is accepting applications for two commercial improvement grant programs until May 29: the Main Street Rhode Island Streetscape Improvement Fund and the Site Readiness Program. The Streetscape fund supports projects improving appearance, accessibility, and appeal of commercial corridors, while the Site Readiness program targets site-development needs. Both are aimed at developers, nonprofits, and private entities.

pbn.comAPR 23, 2026
CommerceGovernancePaywall

RI awards $72 million to produce, preserve 332 homes including 308 affordable units

Gov. Dan McKee and RIHousing announced nearly $72 million in state and federal funding to produce and preserve 332 homes statewide, including 308 affordable units. The awards include $31 million from voter-approved bonds and represent the first wave of a $113 million consolidated funding round. Projects range from new construction in South Kingstown and Pawtucket to preservation of existing affordable housing in Newport.

pbn.comAPR 23, 2026
CommerceGovernancePaywall

RI debates data center development, starting with Smithfield Hanton City proposal

Rhode Island finds itself in a political debate over data center development, with a team of local developers proposing a data center in Hanton City—a 17th-century ghost town site behind Fidelity Investments' Smithfield campus. The project is part of a new business park proposal. The story is paywalled and limited detail is available, but it signals emerging regulatory and land-use questions around data centers in Rhode Island.

providencejournal.comAPR 23, 2026
GovernanceHousingFree press

Providence City Council Approves Rent Control, Faces Smiley Veto Threat

The Providence City Council gave final approval to a rent control ordinance, marking the first time in the city's history that legislation has been passed to limit rent increases. The ordinance now heads to Mayor Brett Smiley, who has pledged to veto it. This represents a significant policy debate over housing affordability in Rhode Island's capital.

golocalprov.comAPR 23, 2026
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