From the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee

 

C-Town Dems News

September 2025

Health care is rapidly becoming a major issue in Rhode Island, and the forum will address the challenges associated with health care availability, funding, insurance, and potential solutions to those challenges. We'll have a panel with Dr. Michael Fine, Ms. Alison Croke, and Dr. Betty Rambur, introduced by Representative Megan Cotter. The event is free, non-partisan, and open to all.

Capital Improvements to Chariho Elementary Schools September 16 | 7 PM   The Chariho school district must submit a plan to the state for capital improvements on the elementary schools. Three proposals for these improvements will be presented to the public at the next school committee meeting on September 16th at 7 pm, at the Chariho High School Library.   Voters are encouraged to attend and submit feedback. You can send comments to schoolcommittee@chariho.k12.ri.us.   To make your feedback public, cc angela.brasil@chariho.k12.ri.us and request to be added to the FYI packet for the next school committee meeting. If you can't make this meeting, there will be another held at Richmond Elementary on Sept. 29 at 5:30 PM. The school committee will vote on which option to recommend to the state during their October 21 meeting.

Call for Volunteers! Your Charlestown Democratic Town Committee needs you. We are looking for active participants who want to help support Democratic candidates and causes. If interested, send a note to info@charlestowndemocrats.org. Please consider joining us!

**In America, we don’t do kings.**   For those looking to get involved locally and/or state-wide, we recommend South County Resistance and Indivisible RI to find out what’s going on and to join some like-minded neighbors.​

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The Charlestown Democratic Town Committee manages the affairs of the Democratic Party in the town of Charlestown, RI subject to RI Election Law, State Party rules and its own bylaws. We meet the first Wednesday of every month at 6:00 PM at the Charlestown Police Station. Any Charlestown registered Democrat is welcome to attend.

P.O. Box 1088, Charlestown RI 02813 Visit our social accounts charlestowndemocrats.org

Democratic South County women win passage of lots of good legislation

General Assembly powerhouses

By Will Collette

Thank you Tina and Victoria

In case you haven’t noticed it, most of South County’s General Assembly members are Democratic women. Among the few exceptions are Charlestown-connected Rep. Bob Craven of No. Kingstown, one of the body’s most powerful members, and two Westerly DINOcrats, Sen. Sam Azzinaro and Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy.

Then there’s MAGA outlier Sen. Elaine Morgan (R) whose contribution this session has consisted of embarrassing MAGA stunts including one where she impersonated a DOGE agent to try to get into a homelessness program in Providence.

The dominance of South County’s Democratic women shows in their remarkable output of significant legislation and, this year in particular, their ability to get these bills passed.

Now that this year’s General Assembly has closed, my inbox is filled with notices of bills passed. Sponsors of these bills include Charlestown’s Senator Victoria Gu and Tina Spears, South Kingstown’s Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, Sen. Sue Sosnowski, Reps. Teresa Tanzi and Kathy Fogarty, and Sen. Alana DiMario.

Today’s roundup only includes bills passed at the end of the session, not the bills passed earlier. I’ve usually posted notices about those bills as they happened.

Rep. Megan Cotter (Richmond, Hopkinton, Exeter) scored her impressive achievements on bills to protect lives, land and homes in the past few weeks.

The greatest achievements are in the areas of affordable housing, land use and health care.

I congratulate them all. Trying to get anything done in the General Assembly is hard and often disappointing work but they can all take pride in their ability to get things done to benefit South County and the rest of Rhode Island.

Below, I’ve pasted in the reports on the bills that passed at the session’s close.

Forestry Bills Pass Through Both General Assembly Chambers

Legislation provides tax breaks to Rhode Island logging operations

By Rob Smith / ecoRI News staff

Will a small tax break for forestry vehicles lead to greater clear-cutting of Rhode Island’s forestland, or will it boost a flagging industry?

It’s been a minor, but lasting debate in the General Assembly this year. Legislation (H5098/S0679) introduced by Rep. Megan Cotter, D-Exeter, in the House and Sen. Jacob Bissaillon, D-Providence, in the Senate would provide foresters and logging companies with a tax break on their vehicle registration, similar to an existing break already given to the state’s agricultural sector.

Forestry businesses reporting gross revenue less than $2.5 million would be eligible, receiving a special license plate to affix to company vehicles used actively in forestry operations. Both pieces of legislation were approved by both chambers on Wednesday.

The tax break given to forestry businesses is far narrower than what was originally proposed, at least in one chamber. A previous draft of the Senate bill, for example, expanded the tax break to forestry product operations equipment, parts, and other related industrial goods used by forestry businesses.

Supporters say the legislation would provide relief to a small industry of micro-businesses and large landowners, such as the Department of Environmental Management, who contract out logging work to help manage woodlands.

“If we want our forests to survive the next hundred years, we need to support the people who are willing to do that work now,” Cotter said during a House floor debate Wednesday. “We do not protect our forests by ignoring it, we protect our forests by actively managing it and that means protecting the people who do the work.”

Some environmental groups expressed concerns about any tax breaks to boost the state’s logging industry. In a letter submitted to lawmakers about both parity bills, some groups protested equating logging to agriculture, and warned lawmakers it could mean destroying Rhode Island’s biodiversity, expand invasive species populations, and damage soil health.

“Our native forests are not crops on a farm,” the letter read. “They are not tree plantations. Forests are shaped by nature, self-perpetuating, and able to survive without human interference. Logging natural forests is not farming.

“We are not opposed to logging taking place in areas that are not old growth forests, natural heritage areas, or other rare forest habitats,” the letter continued. “Nor are we opposed to logging planted tree farms. However, taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay more taxes so the timber industry pays less in taxes.”

The letter was signed by the Old Growth Tree Society of Rhode Island, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association, and the North Smithfield and Cumberland Land trusts, among others.

Despite its Ocean State moniker, Rhode Island contains vast tracts of forest. The latest Forest Action Plan completed by DEM estimated Rhode Island has some 366,958 acres of forest, about 53% of the total land area of the state. Most of it is considered second-growth forest, and almost all of it, 96% is classified as timberland, meaning it exceeds the minimum level for productivity and can be harvested.

Much of the forestland in Rhode Island, about 70%, is held in private hands. DEM only owns and manages some 57,000 acres of state-owned forests. Nearly 60% of all woodlands in the state is classified as core forest, unbroken, unfragmented areas greater than 250 acres in size.

While the numbers sound, and are big and impressive, compared to other New England states, Rhode Island’s forests, and by extension, the logging industry, remains a dwarf among giants. The state only has about 90 jobs in the forestry and logging sector, and as of 2019 gross annual sales were only $11.6 million.

That’s not to say Rhode Island forests aren’t under threat. A key point of controversy over the past decade in many municipalities across the state has been the clear-cutting of forestland for ground-mounted solar installations. A 2024 study by the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program estimated the state had lost nearly 4,000 acres of undeveloped forestland to solar development.

There is some protection for state forests, at least from solar development. In 2023 lawmakers passed protections that prohibited core forest areas, which typically carry stronger local protections as well, from being axed to build solar projects.

Meanwhile, supporters of the parity legislation, which includes members from both parties, characterized opposition to the bills as misinformation, and maintained on the floors Wednesday it would boost the state’s smallest businesses.

Rep. Michael Chippendale, R-Foster, said the bill was hardly going to attract new logging companies to start chopping down Rhode Island’s forests.

“It would cost more to set the corporation up than you would save under the tax break,” he said. “These are small businesses that are using the byproduct of other businesses.”

Lawmakers approve outdoor dining change to help Matunuck Oyster Bar after devastating fire

Saves some jobs, gives some breathing room to recover

By Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current

Appreciation for South County’s acclaimed Matunuck Oyster Bar transcends political party, evidenced by the Rhode Island General Assembly’s universal support to change state outdoor dining regulations on the restaurant’s behalf.

Companion bills sponsored by South Kingstown Democrats, Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski were each approved by their respective chambers in separate, unanimous votes Thursday. 

Each chamber must still give the rubber stamp to the other’s bill — a process known as concurrence — before the legislation heads to Gov. Dan McKee’s desk. McKee has already indicated his support.

The eleventh hour proposal, introduced in the Rhode Island State House one week earlier, offers a temporary solution after a fire permanently closed Matunuck Oyster Bar on May 20.

Perry Raso, restaurant owner and oyster farmer, has cooked up a plan to host diners in a neighboring marina parking lot this summer, which requires a few tweaks to existing state regulations governing al fresco eateries.

Rep. Cotter honored as Legislative Champion by Clean Water Action R.I.

Megan Cotter is a clean water champion

Clean Water Action Rhode Island honored Rep. Megan L. Cotter as a “Legislative Champion” for her accomplishments in preserving and protecting open space and forests in Rhode Island.

The award was presented at the organization’s annual Breakfast of Champions event at the Edgewood Yacht Club in Cranston.

“Clean Water Action thanks Rep. Cotter for her strong advocacy, especially with including $12 million in the most recent green bond. Rep. Cotter has always been an environmental champion and working to prevent forest fires. We appreciate her hard work and steadfastness,” said Emily M. Howe, state director of Clean Water Action Rhode Island.

Rep. Megan Cotter calls for boosted state wildfire prevention funding

Growing risks justify the costs

Rep. Megan L. Cotter and Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa have introduced legislation to address the growing wildfire risk in Rhode Island and strengthen forest management resources.

The proposed legislation (2025-H 5781, 2025-S 0108) calls for 10 new full-time equivalent positions within the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) to focus on woodlands, forests and forestry projects.

The legislation, which the sponsors also introduced in 2024, was based on recommendations made last year by a special commission Representative Cotter led that studied ways to improve forest management and prevent forest fires. Although last year’s bill was not enacted, the push did result in the funding of two additional forest ranger positions in the 2025 state budget. The sponsors renewed their call, saying more rangers are necessary.

Representative Cotter (D-Dist. 39, Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton) emphasized the importance of increased resources for wildfire prevention and management.

Legislators unite across party lines to protect 340B discount prescription program

Under-the-radar drug discount program helps make medicine more affordable 

Rep. Jon D. Brien, Rep. Megan L. Cotter and Rep. Marie Hopkins —an independent, a Democrat and Republican from three very different areas of the state — are joining forces to call for the passage of legislation to prevent practices that subvert a critical prescription drug discount program.

The legislation (2025-H 5634), sponsored by Representative Brien and cosponsored by Representatives Cotter and Hopkins, prohibits insurers, pharmacy benefits managers and other payors from engaging in discriminatory practices against community hospitals, clinic and other health care provider agencies that purchase prescriptions through the federal 340B discount program.

The 340B program is a lifeline for community health centers, safety-net hospitals and rural clinics. It allows them to purchase medications at reduced prices and reinvest those savings into direct patient care — providing things like primary care, behavioral health, dental services, and addiction treatment to tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders, regardless of income or insurance status. 

Under 340B, prescription drug manufacturers must enter a pharmaceutical pricing agreement that discounts the drug for qualified entities that serve vulnerable populations, in order to have the drug qualify for coverage by Medicaid and Medicare Part B.

The 340B discount doesn’t rely on taxpayer dollars. It’s a self-sustaining program that makes health care more accessible and more affordable.

But over the past few years, some pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have undermined the intent of the program. They’ve limited which pharmacies providers can work with, imposed unfair restrictions, and reimbursed 340B providers less—sometimes solely because they’re using a discount program designed to help patients.

May 4 in Richmond: Stand up for democracy!

Bad air in South County

American Lung Association gives South County an "F" for high ozone levels during warm months

By Will Collette

During the summer, we have the worst air in the state due to ground-level ozone levels due to heat and vehicle emissions.

High ozone levels are unhealthy for everyone but are especially dangerous to senior, the very young and anyone with lung disease.

According to Lung Association data, more than 23,000 South County residents suffer from lung disease that puts them at high risk.

Here's how the American Lung Association describes the effects:

Ozone gas is a powerful lung irritant. When it is inhaled into the lungs, it reacts with the delicate lining of the small airways, causing inflammation and other damage that can impact multiple body systems. Ozone exposure can also shorten lives. Ozone has a serious effect on the respiratory system, both in the short term and over the course of years of exposure. When ozone levels are high, many people experience breathing problems such as chest tightness, coughing and shortness of breath, often within hours of exposure. Even healthy young adults may experience respiratory symptoms and decreased lung function.

Wildfire smoke adds to the problem and South County has seen a major uptick in such fires in recent years, so much so that state Rep. Megan Cotter has become a leading advocate on fire prevention.

For the past two days, we have been under caution for elevated fire risk due to dry conditions, low humidity and brisk winds. These alerts seem to be occurring more frequently.

It doesn't help that the Trump regime not only denies there is a climate crisis but wants to make the problem worse by lessening efficiency standards and increasing the use of fossil fuels. Musk and Trump are also cancelling funding for research and environmental remediation. 

Rhode Island offers you an on-line tool that allows you to easily see the quality of air. Despite today's fire risk, our air quality today is rated as "good."

May 4, take a stand in Richmond