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Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi will decide within the next three weeks whether to pursue a seat on the state Supreme Court. The decision comes as a vacancy on the court creates a potential opening. Shekarchi's potential departure would significantly impact state legislative leadership and the composition of the state's highest court.
Mayor Brett Smiley presented a $635.7 million budget for fiscal year 2027, promising no property tax or fee increases despite a 4.2% spending increase. The budget allocates 96.6% to fixed costs including salaries and school appropriations. Smiley emphasized addressing the city's housing affordability crisis while avoiding tax hikes on residents.
Gov. Dan McKee is advocating for repeal of a two-cent gas tax increase passed by the General Assembly last year, which he declined to sign. The proposal would save Rhode Island residents an estimated $9 million annually and is part of McKee's "Affordability for All" budget agenda as gas prices rise.
The Rhode Island AFL-CIO is calling on the McKee administration to reimburse public service workers who had to refile taxes due to a series of payroll glitches from the state's new $95 million accounting system. Problems included botched W-2s, misidentified employers, and incorrectly reported Health Savings Account contributions affecting state employees.
The Rhode Island House and Senate approved matching bills creating an independent corporate authority to acquire, develop, and maintain the Crook Point Bridge. The legislation aims to prevent the state Department of Transportation from demolishing the 50-year-old drawbridge stuck in upright position between Providence and East Providence, following Providence Mayor Brett Smiley's request to preserve the landmark.
Rhode Island Health and Human Services Secretary Richard Charest announced his retirement effective July 3, following three years leading the agency with a $6.4 billion annual budget representing nearly 50% of state spending. Charest was praised for expanding access to care but his tenure was marked by federal reimbursement suspensions for Medicaid administration due to state payroll software problems.
A bill proposed by Deputy Senate President Pro Tempore Matthew LaMountain would remove testosterone from Rhode Island's prescription drug monitoring database and require deletion of existing records. Supporters argue the measure would protect transgender patients' privacy and extend existing shield laws, while critics warn about potential misuse of sensitive health information.
The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed legislation addressing clergy sexual abuse following the Attorney General's recent report on abuse within the Catholic Church. The bills aim to strengthen accountability measures and protections for abuse survivors through enhanced reporting and legal mechanisms.
The Rhode Island House of Representatives approved legislation to protect pets in domestic violence situations. The bill addresses concerns that abusers use pets as leverage against victims and provides legal mechanisms to include animals in protective orders and custody arrangements during abuse cases.
The Rhode Island General Assembly passed legislation allowing certified nurses to perform critical foot care at home, addressing a statutory gap that prevented homebound patients from receiving treatment. The modified legislation includes specific training requirements, license renewal standards, and fees, and now awaits Gov. Dan McKee's signature.
The U.S. District Court for Rhode Island issued a general order on April 13 permitting out-of-state attorneys to represent detainees filing habeas corpus petitions pro bono for one year. The order responds to a 232% surge in such petitions in 2026, with immigration-related cases comprising 32% of all civil filings. Attorneys must be in good standing with at least one federal or state bar to qualify under the temporary rule.
