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A new 3,500-square-foot pavilion in Providence's 195 District Park, featuring a restaurant and public restrooms, is opening this month with a final price tag of $6.4 million plus $500,000 for utilities—a 72.5% increase over the original $4 million estimate made in 2019. Local restaurant owners have criticized the state-funded project as unfair competition with private businesses.
The Flynn, a six-story, 178-unit affordable housing project in Providence's Hospital District, has opened and is seeking tenants. All units are income-restricted between 30% and 80% of area median income; a family of four earning $89,700 would qualify. The project cost approximately $76 million, including $5.5 million in federal stimulus funds, and was approved by the city in April 2024.
FanDuel and DraftKings representatives testified at the State House in favor of allowing four to six sports betting platforms to operate in Rhode Island, arguing the state's current single-platform structure (SportsBook RI operated by IGT) leaves millions in revenue on the table. The companies want the state to take a smaller revenue share. State regulators oppose the plan.
Governor Dan McKee signed legislation on June 11 allowing victims of sexual abuse to file previously expired civil claims against institutions such as the Roman Catholic Church. The bills open a revival window from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. Survivors who testified for years praised the outcome, noting the Diocese's powerful influence was overcome by their determination.
Senate Majority Whip David Tikoian agreed to pull legislation June 9 that would have reversed Rhode Island's 30-year-old law separating utility ownership from power generation. The bill would have allowed Rhode Island Energy to build or purchase power plants. Environmental groups including Acadia Center, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, and Conservation Law Foundation mounted a weekend lobbying effort after the bill narrowly advanced from committee June 2.
Raytheon is investing $100 million to expand its Portsmouth facility, with the expansion expected to create approximately 150 high-technology jobs in Rhode Island. The project will increase capacity to test the new LTAMDS radar system and produce subcomponents for the Patriot GEM-T missile defense system. Gov. Dan McKee, U.S. Sens. Reed and Whitehouse, and U.S. Reps. Amo and Magaziner attended the ceremonial groundbreaking on June 6.
House and Senate finance committees passed companion resolutions on June 10 to create a 15-member study commission examining the Rhode Island Foundation's Blue Ribbon Commission proposal to overhaul K-12 education funding. The resolutions are scheduled for final floor votes on June 11, the expected last day of session. Joint resolutions do not require the governor's signature.
The Rhode Island House Education Committee passed legislation June 8 to impose a three-year moratorium on new charter school approvals and reduce the statewide cap from 35 to 28 schools. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mary Messier, now heads to the full House for a floor vote alongside its Senate companion, which passed the Senate 31-6 on June 4. The session is expected to end Friday.
The Rhode Island General Assembly will not bring the Rhode Island Voting Rights Act to the floor for a vote this session, despite sponsorship by Senate President Valarie Lawson and House Majority Leader Katherine Kazarian. In a joint statement with Secretary of State Gregg Amore, legislative leaders said the complex legislation requires more work and will be considered in 2027. Advocates say they were blindsided by the decision.
The Rhode Island Senate will not confirm Gov. Dan McKee's March nomination of Donna Sams to the Public Utilities Commission during the 2026 session due to concerns about her energy expertise. Senate spokesperson Greg Paré confirmed June 10 that Sams will have to wait until the legislature reconvenes in January 2027 for a potential appointment. Commissioner Abigail Anthony, whose term expired in 2023, can remain in her seat under state law.
Raytheon is investing $100 million to expand its Portsmouth facility with a new radar test range and recommissioned manufacturing building, creating 150 new jobs. The expansion will boost production capacity for the Patriot missile defense system and accelerate testing for the U.S. Army's Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) radar program, addressing growing global demand for air and missile defense systems.
