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

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268 articles · page 8 of 23
GovernancePaywall

RI lawmakers unanimously repeal 1861 pro-slavery Corwin Amendment ratification

The Rhode Island General Assembly unanimously approved a joint resolution June 3 repealing the state's 1861 ratification of the Corwin Amendment, a failed constitutional amendment that would have protected slavery as a states' rights issue. The obscure ratification was uncovered in February by State House publicist Daniel Trafford during archival research. The Corwin Amendment never became law, as only five states ratified it before the Civil War began and the 13th Amendment later abolished slavery.

bostonglobe.comJUN 5, 2026
GovernancePaywall

House budget rejects McKee's rollback of 2033 renewable energy deadline

The House Finance Committee budget released May 29 rejects Gov. McKee's proposal to delay the state's 2033 deadline for 100% renewable electricity until 2050, but accepts his plan to include large-scale hydro and nuclear as clean energy sources. Environmental and labor groups praised the decision, with RI AFL-CIO President Patrick Crowley calling it 'a great compromise.' The budget maintains energy efficiency programs McKee sought to cap, despite the governor's concerns about high electricity rates.

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© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
bostonglobe.comJUN 5, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

Rhode Island Ethics Commission votes to investigate Shekarchi Supreme Court bid

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted 6–1 to investigate whether former House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi violated the state's revolving-door ban by applying for a Supreme Court seat. The complaint argues Shekarchi's application breached the ethics code prohibiting state officials from seeking employment with another state agency while in office or for one year after. Shekarchi maintains the matter was settled in 2020 when the commission allowed then-Sen. Erin Lynch Prata's application.

bostonglobe.comJUN 4, 2026
CommerceGovernanceOther

Bally's wins Rhode Island's second online sportsbook license, launches Nov 2026

The Rhode Island Lottery awarded Bally's Corporation a tentative five-year contract to operate the state's second online sportsbook, ending a single-operator structure in place since 2019. The deal cannot finalize before November 26, 2026, when IGT's exclusivity provision expires. Contract terms remain under negotiation.

hellorookie.comJUN 4, 2026
GovernanceFree press

General Assembly sends Crook Point Bridge Authority legislation to McKee's desk

The Rhode Island House and Senate approved legislation creating the Crook Point Bridge Authority, a quasi-public body to oversee the defunct railroad bridge connecting Providence and East Providence. The new agency would manage maintenance, preservation, and potential redevelopment of the bridge, which has been locked in an upright position since 1976. Governor McKee is expected to sign the bill.

rhodeislandcurrent.comJUN 4, 2026
CommerceGovernancePaywall

FanDuel lobbies for expanded RI sports betting, lower tax rate ahead of Bally's launch

FanDuel is urging Rhode Island lawmakers to expand online sportsbook vendors from two to four-to-six and lower the state's 51 percent effective tax rate—the nation's highest—to 12 percent. A bill backed by FanDuel would revamp the tax structure before Bally's opens the state's second sportsbook later this year. FanDuel argues more competition would generate more revenue despite lower per-operator tax rates.

bostonglobe.comJUN 3, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryFree press

Ethics Commission votes 6-1 to investigate Shekarchi Supreme Court application

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted to investigate whether former House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi violated the state's one-year 'revolving door' rule by applying for a state Supreme Court seat while still serving as a legislator. The complaint was filed by Roger Williams University law professor Michael Yelnosky. The commission found the complaint sufficient to authorize a full investigation into potential ethics code violations.

rhodeislandcurrent.comJUN 3, 2026
GovernanceFree press

Senate approves DiPalma bill creating commission to study statewide teacher healthcare plan

The Rhode Island Senate approved legislation by Senate Finance Chairman Louis DiPalma establishing an 11-member commission to study creating a statewide healthcare plan for public school teachers. The commission would analyze current costs and structures, examine best practices from other states, and assess potential cost savings, recruitment impacts, and collective bargaining implications. Teacher health coverage is currently negotiated district-by-district, resulting in coverage and cost disparities statewide.

whatsupnewp.comJUN 3, 2026
CommerceGovernancePaywall

RI House Finance approves $15.2B budget with phased millionaires tax, inspector general

Rhode Island House Finance Committee approved a $15.2 billion fiscal 2027 budget—$300 million larger than Gov. McKee's original proposal. The plan phases in a millionaires tax over three years (1% annually reaching 8.99% by 2029), generating $22 million in year one. It also allocates $1.3 million to create an inspector general's office with 12 positions to monitor state agencies for fraud and waste.

bostonglobe.comJUN 2, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryFree press

Senate committee to vote Wednesday on clergy sex abuse legislation reviving claims

The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote Wednesday on legislation extending the window for childhood sexual abuse victims to sue institutions. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mark McKenney, allows retroactive claims up to 35 years with a two-year revival window beginning July 1, 2026. The amended version addresses constitutionality concerns and preserves prior court judgments. The House already passed similar legislation following Attorney General Neronha's report identifying 72 credibly accused priests in Rhode Island since 1950.

wpri.comJUN 2, 2026
GovernanceCommerceFree press

McKee signs World Cup bar hours bill allowing extended service until 4 a.m.

Gov. Dan McKee signed legislation Friday allowing bars and restaurants to stay open until 4 a.m. during 2026 World Cup matches, with liquor service until 3 a.m. The measure permits municipal licensing authorities to grant temporary extended hours between June 11 and July 3, applying to FIFA match days only. Businesses must seek local board approval 14 days in advance. Gillette Stadium in Foxboro will host seven World Cup matches, projected to generate over $330 million economic impact for Rhode Island.

rhodeislandcurrent.comJUN 2, 2026
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