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Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is opening a satellite office at Innovate Newport on May 11, expanding access to business services in Greater Newport. CEO Jim Bennett said the presence on Aquidneck Island will help Commerce serve area businesses, with the office located at the Chamber's Innovate Newport hub for technical assistance and entrepreneurship support.
Governor Dan McKee announced his nomination of Donna Sams to serve on the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, according to a press release from the governor's office. McKee also nominated Joseph A. to a judicial position and David Barrett to the University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees. The nominations are part of ongoing appointments to key state boards and commissions.
Providence City Council President Rachel Miller scheduled a vote to override Mayor Brett Smiley's veto of a rent stabilization ordinance. The proposal, which passed 9-6 in April, caps annual rent increases at 4% for some households and allows landlords to raise rent for significant capital improvements and major tax increases. The mayor vetoed the ordinance less than 24 hours after the council approved it. An override requires a two-thirds majority.
Governor Dan McKee announced the nomination of current Rhode Island Superior Court Associate Justice Joseph A. to fill a vacancy on the state Supreme Court. The nomination comes as House Speaker Joe Shekarchi also applies for the same seat after resigning his leadership position. The governor's office released the announcement but provided limited details on the nominee's full name or background.
Governor Dan McKee has nominated 18 people to lifetime judgeships since becoming governor in 2021, with two picks still awaiting Senate review. The article lists all appointees across Superior Court, District Court, Family Court, and Workers' Compensation Court, including the first Indian-Asian American nominated to Family Court. The latest nominations reflect McKee's continued influence on the state judiciary.
The Rhode Island Senate approved legislation allowing cities and towns to extend indoor service hours for bars and restaurants during 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. Participation would be optional for local licensing boards. The bill is part of a broader effort by lawmakers to capitalize on World Cup excitement, though specific vote details and bill number were not provided in the available sidebar text.
Providence filed its first enforcement action under the city's algorithmic rent-pricing ban against Audubon Capital Partners, owner of 95 Lofts, alleging use of banned software that coordinated rent increases up to 44 percent. The case marks the first test of the ordinance adopted last year to combat algorithmic price-fixing in the rental market.
Roger Williams law professor Michael Yelnosky filed an ethics complaint with the Rhode Island Ethics Commission alleging former House Speaker Joe Shekarchi's application for a Supreme Court seat violates the state's 'revolving door' law. The statute bars elected officials from seeking state employment for one year after leaving office. Shekarchi contends the Supreme Court is a constitutional office exempt from the prohibition. The Ethics Commission is expected to conduct a preliminary review on June 2.
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation will open a satellite office at Innovate Newport to expand access to business services across Aquidneck Island and Greater Newport. A ribbon cutting is scheduled for May 11 at 513 Broadway, with remarks from Mayor Charles Holder, RI Commerce President Jim Bennett, and Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce President Erin Donovan-Boyle. Bennett said the office will help Commerce serve businesses in the area and strengthen partnership with the Chamber.
Rhode Island lawmakers are advancing legislation to create a Rhode Island Center for Employee Ownership to help businesses transition to employee ownership models. The center would connect sellers and employees to financing pathways, valuation expertise, and technical support. White Electric Coffee in Providence, which shifted to employee ownership in 2021, said the center could help smooth out uncertainty in the transition process and make it more accessible to small businesses.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced a group of legislative proposals on May 7 aimed at addressing the state's healthcare crisis. The proposals focus on lowering prescription drug costs, ensuring hospital stability, and preventing anti-competitive practices by pharmacy benefit managers. Neronha emphasized the need for comprehensive reform to improve healthcare affordability and accessibility for Rhode Islanders.
