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

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489 articles · page 25 of 41
GovernanceJudiciaryFree press

Rhode Island Senate passes bill reducing misdemeanor sentences by one day

The Rhode Island Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Jonathan Acosta to reduce the maximum misdemeanor sentence from 365 to 364 days, aimed at protecting immigrants from federal detention or removal. The bill passed 33-5, with all four Senate Republicans and Sen. Leonidas Raptakis voting against. The judicial branch raised concerns about the bill's immediate effect date. This marks the sixth consecutive year the Senate has passed similar legislation.

rhodeislandcurrent.comMAY 14, 2026
GovernancePaywall

Rhode Island debate intensifies over proposed millionaires tax amid revenue surplus

Rhode Island lawmakers are debating a proposed 'millionaires tax' despite the state's unexpected $233 million revenue surplus. The Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council released a May 12 report arguing higher income tax rates cause wealthy residents to leave for lower-tax states, citing Massachusetts as a cautionary example. The Economic Progress Institute advocates for the tax to fund critical programs and address future revenue shortfalls. Both Democratic gubernatorial candidates support the tax increase.

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© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
providencejournal.comMAY 14, 2026
GovernanceFree press

McKee identifies $50M in additional costs offsetting revenue windfall

Governor Dan McKee warned in a May 13 memo that over $50 million in unanticipated costs will reduce the recently identified $233 million revenue surplus. Major cost drivers include $230 million in additional K-12 education funding due to updated March enrollment figures showing more students in poverty, and unknown continuing deficits at the Department of Children, Youth and Families and Department of Behavioral Healthcare. McKee proposed increasing education funding to $31.3 million and using $18 million to replenish the supplemental rainy-day fund.

yahoo.comMAY 14, 2026
GovernancePaywall

Rhode Island House passes bill exempting vehicles without front plate brackets

The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed bill H7989 exempting vehicles manufactured without a front license plate bracket from displaying a front plate, though drivers must keep the second plate inside the vehicle. The May 5 vote saw all nine House Republicans oppose the measure, questioning its logic and potential impact on law enforcement. The bill addresses the growing number of high-end electric vehicles made without front plate mounting options.

providencejournal.comMAY 14, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Federal Judge Blasts DOJ for Misrepresenting Facts in Trans Youth Medical Records Case

U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy accused the Department of Justice of making "false representations" and "dirty pool" after DOJ lawyers "shopped" a case to a Texas judge to enforce a Rhode Island subpoena for transgender youth medical records. McElroy said DOJ falsely claimed Rhode Island Hospital hadn't communicated with them in months, when emails show contact two days before the Texas filing. The case is the latest clash between the District Court of Rhode Island and DOJ over transparency.

bostonglobe.comMAY 13, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

R.I. Attorney General Sues Quidnessett Country Club to Remove Unauthorized Seawall

Attorney General Peter Neronha filed a lawsuit in Superior Court seeking removal of a 600-foot unauthorized seawall built by the Quidnessett Country Club in 2023 and restoration of the coastline. Since 2023, the Coastal Resources Management Council has unsuccessfully tried to force the club to remove the wall. The club argues it has been trying for decades to protect its 14th hole from erosion and has challenged the removal order in court. Environmental groups say the slow enforcement sets a bad precedent.

bostonglobe.comMAY 13, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

Rhode Island Only State with Lifetime Supreme Court Tenure, No Mandatory Retirement Age

Rhode Island is the only state with lifetime appointments and no mandatory retirement age for its Supreme Court justices, according to a 2024 Brennan Center analysis. All 47 other states have fixed terms for state supreme court justices. Senator Dawn Euer supports imposing a mandatory retirement age, citing concerns about accountability and the example of federal courts overturning precedents with "zero accountability." The issue has returned to focus with former Speaker Shekarchi's application for a Supreme Court seat.

bostonglobe.comMAY 13, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Portsmouth Man Sentenced to Life for 2023 Hatchet Murder of Landlord

Newport County Superior Court Justice William E. Carnes sentenced Jacob Morrill, 27, of Portsmouth, to life in prison for the first-degree murder of his landlord, Xuefeng Wu, 50, whom Morrill killed with a hatchet in May 2023. Morrill was also convicted of fraudulent use of a credit card after using Wu's debit card to pay his utility bill the day of the killing. Morrill intends to appeal his conviction, arguing the court made evidentiary rulings he objected to and that there was insufficient evidence for a first-degree murder finding.

bostonglobe.comMAY 13, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Senate Committee to Consider Asking Supreme Court Opinion on Clergy Abuse Bill Constitutionality

The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee will consider a resolution asking the state Supreme Court whether legislation reviving expired civil sexual abuse claims against institutions like the Diocese of Providence is constitutional. Committee Chairman Matthew LaMountain says this is the quickest way to test constitutionality, but House Judiciary Chairwoman Carol Hagan McEntee calls it an abdication of legislative duty. Similar laws have been upheld in some states but repealed in five others. This would be the first such request in 20 years.

newenglandnewspress.comMAY 13, 2026
CommerceFree press

Sewage spill closes Rhode Island's top shellfishing area, threatens quahog industry

An 880,000-gallon sewage spill from a broken East Providence pipe forced closure of Area 16E, one of Rhode Island's most productive clam beds. Commercial shellfishermen like Dave Ghigliotty and Jim Boyd report devastating financial losses, with the area producing three to four times more clams than alternative fishing grounds. Water quality testing will continue before reopening.

oceanstatemedia.orgMAY 13, 2026
CommercePaywall

Aspen Aerogels violated building code by using oven without permits before explosion

The Boston Globe reports that Aspen Aerogels violated building code by operating an oven without final permits before an April 8 explosion that injured 11. East Providence officials identified eight building code violations, some related to the explosion. The company has been cooperating to address violations and could reopen this week pending final inspections.

bostonglobe.comMAY 13, 2026
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