Sue Sosnowski honored by RI Food Policy Council

Rep. McGaw, Sen. Sosnowski honored as ‘Changemakers’ by R.I. Food Policy Council

From left, Rep. Michelle McGaw, R.I. Food Policy Council
President Diane Lynch, Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski and
RIFPC Executive Director Nessa Richman

Sen. V Susan Sosnowski and Rep. Michelle McGaw were honored today by the Rhode Island Food Policy Council for their work to protect the local food system.

The organization presented the legislators with its Changemaker award at its annual policy retreat, held today at the Providence Public Library.

According to Rhode Island Food Policy Council Executive Director Nessa Richman, the organization selected Senator Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown) for the honor because of her longstanding support for Rhode Island’s farms, fisheries and local food system. 

She was an early leader in the creation of the state Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) Grant program. She is a farmer herself, and her support for the state’s farmers and fishers has never wavered.

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.

Compromises on assault weapons, casino smoking and CRMC reform mark end of 2025 session

You can't always get what you want, but if you try some time, you might not even get what you need

On some key issues, General Assembly opts for baby steps

By Nancy Lavin, Christopher Shea and Alexander Castro, Rhode Island Current

Rep. Teresa Tanzi, a South Kingstown Democrat, speaks in
the House chamber on Friday, June 20, 2025.
(Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

Explosive debate over assault-style weapons — what types of guns and owners to restrict, if any — carried through the final day of the 2025 legislative session Friday.

After a series of failed attempts to weaken and strengthen a proposed limit on assault-style weapons, a ban on sales and manufacturing — but not possession —  ultimately prevailed.

True to form, lawmakers found plenty more to debate and discuss over the marathon day that stretched late into the evening. 

As the sun went down, the temperature inside the airless second-floor chambers seemed to rise. On what was the first full day of summer, lawmakers quenched their thirst with Del’s frozen lemonade and an endless carousel of caffeinated beverages.

Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone donned shorts in an unusually casual fashion choice, displaying a rarely seen calf tattoo of his late dog, Gunther.

Senate softens state’s aim on assault weapons 

You can still own an assault-style weapon in Rhode Island, but can’t buy or sell it. That’s the gist of the legislation approved by both chambers in an eleventh-hour rework aimed at appeasing at least some of its critics.

The rewrite was led by the Senate, which kicked off its marathon session with an hour-long debate, culminating in a 25-11 vote, to approve the bill banning the manufacture and sale of semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and handguns with military-style features beginning July 1, 2026. It does not address inheritance of these weapons.

“The expectation over time is the proliferation of assault-style weapons, as specified in the bill, will go down,” Sen. Lou DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat and bill sponsor, said. “We need to get this done today.”

The Senate’s checkmate forced the House, which had already approved a more restrictive version that also banned possession, to reconsider. The lower chamber eventually caved to the Senate’s less stringent counterpart by a 43-28 vote just before 9:30 p.m.

The House’s vote came after a nearly two-hour break likely marked by behind-the-scenes negotiations, and an additional, five-minute recess for representatives to familiarize themselves with the Senate’s changes.

“This bill cuts off the supply of weapons of war for the long haul at the point of sale,” Rep. Jennifer Boylan, a Barrington Democrat and gun safety advocate, said. 

Rep. Jason Knight, a Barrington Democrat, also backed the Senate version, despite its significant changes from the more sweeping ban he had successfully advanced through the House chamber already.

“The two bills in their effect on the ground are closer to each other than you think,” Knight said, noting that the difficulty in procuring a new assault-style weapon even in other states prevents expansion of the “universe” of such weapons in Rhode Island.

Yet, the compromise was met with some dissatisfaction from both sides. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence had denounced the “watering down” of what had been a much more sweeping ban on assault-style weapons. 

Sen. Pamela Lauria, a Barrington Democrat, sought to amend DiPalma’s bill to mirror the House version, despite the Senate Committee on Judiciary opting to hold the stronger option for further study on Wednesday. 

“As we look to pass critical legislation regarding assault weapons, we should have taken the opportunity to pass the best version of this bill,” Lauria said.

But after Senate Republicans, along with Ciccone, raised objections, Senate President Valarie Lawson ruled that Lauria was out of order.

Republicans, along with some conservative Democrats, and gun rights groups maintained that no ban at all was the answer. All four Senate Republicans, plus some conservative Democrats, voted against the ban on the manufacture and sale of assault-style weapons.

Across the rotunda, Cranston Rep. Charlene Lima, a conservative Democrat, also denounced the compromise bill for going too far. Her critiques were met with raucous applause from yellow T-shirt-wearing Second Amendment supporters seated in the gallery. House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi issued a stern rebuke, noting the seriousness of the topic before them.

“We will not have interruptions,” Shekarchi told onlookers. “If there is another uproar, I will close the gallery and you can watch on TV.”

Despite the warning, gun rights advocates booed after the House passed the amended bill.

The final version drew support from Everytown for Gun Safety, which maintained the language still covers the majority of the assault-style weapons frequently used in mass shootings. The Rhode Island AFL-CIO, a strong supporter of Lawson, also backed the proposal in a statement Thursday pointing to the union’s February poll that found 64% of residents support “banning the sale and manufacture of military-style assault weapons” in the state. 

Gov. Dan McKee, who had posed the weapons ban as a budget issue earlier in the year, confirmed via social media he will sign the measure into law.

“I’m proud that Rhode Island took an important step forward in protecting our communities from gun violence,” he posted to X at 9:50 p.m.

Clearing the air in R.I.’s two casinos

Bally’s two Rhode Island casinos will be slightly less smoky starting in 2027 — 18 months later than its advocates wanted.

The delayed start combined with a second, late-in-the-session clawback prompted longtime advocate and sponsor Rep. Teresa Tanzi to withdraw her name from her own bill after the opposite chamber added a carveout for smoking bars within casinos. Tanzi was one of four Democratic representatives to vote against the bill she introduced, though it prevailed with 67 supporters in the House Friday.

Tanzi, a South Kingstown Democrat, railed against the revised proposal, declaring it was “nothing like” her original, which had called for the smoking ban to start July 1, 2025, with no exceptions.

Rather than banning smoking in Bally’s Corp.’s Lincoln and Tiverton casinos altogether, the amended legislation adds an exemption for smoking lounges with a new, hazy definition, Tanzi argued.

“This does not prevent Bally’s from expanding cigarette smoking or cigar smoking or vaping or, I don’t know, cannabis,” Tanzi said. “It’s really not clear to me what this new definition is because there’s all of a sudden a brand-new definition about smoking lounges.”

Existing state law defines “smoking bars” as businesses where tobacco sales are greater than 50% of its total revenue. The amended version offers new meaning for a – “pari mutual facility smoking lounge,” defined as any kind of smoking bar with a “proper ventilation system” that will “prevent the migration of smoke to nonsmoking areas.”

In Tanzi’s interpretation, that means any walled-off section of the casino floors could remain a smokers’ paradise.

The Senate already approved the modified smoking ban under a unanimous vote Wednesday. Though Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski sponsored her chamber’s version, Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone brokered the compromised legislation after initially seeking to reach an agreement between Bally’s and union leaders to expand existing nonsmoking areas at the Lincoln facility. 

Bally’s Corp. officials had opposed the proposed smoking ban, citing a potential annual revenue loss of $30 million to $60 million. Company spokesperson Patti Doyle thanked legislators for the compromise.

“Confining smoking to an existing smoking lounge at our Lincoln venue and allowing for a delayed transition away from smoking on the gaming floor will hopefully mitigate a portion of that anticipated revenue loss to the state,” Doyle said in a statement late Friday.

Union workers who for years have decried the health consequences of smoke-filled working conditions reluctantly agreed to the compromise version as “the best we could get,” Tanzi said Friday. However, the union wants to revisit the topic when lawmakers reconvene, either in a possible fall session in October or when it starts its next regular session in January, Tanzi said.

“I had a lot more faith in our legislators,” Vanessa Baker, an iGaming manager at Bally’s Twin River Casino in Lincoln, said in a phone interview Friday. “I thought they thought we were people.”

15th time’s a charm on payday lending reform

Cracking down on predatory payday lending practices drew strong support in the Rhode Island Senate Friday. The 27-6 vote came swiftly and with little debate — a stark contrast to the 15-year battle to move the legislation out of committee to the chamber for a vote.

Having already passed in the House with unanimous support Monday, the Senate’s endorsement sets the stage for the long-awaited end to triple digit interest rates on short-term, small-dollar loans — though not as soon as some advocates had hoped. A last-minute revision delayed the start date till January 2027 in an effort to give time to the “deferred deposit providers” like Advance America to wind down operations, and for their employees to find new jobs.

Under existing law, these storefront lenders had been able to take advantage of a loophole in state law to charge an annual percentage rate up to 360%. The legislation caps the annual interest and fees at no more than 36%, mirroring policies already adopted by 22 states and the federal government.

Kicking the can on a bottle bill

Rather than start prescribing specifics of a deposit-refund program for recyclable bottles, glasses and cans, both chambers approved a modified bottle bill Friday that advances only a small component of the original calling for yet another study of the policy. 

The 53-11 and 36-0 votes in the House and Senate, respectively, came with reluctant support from Democratic backers who blamed opposing retailers and beverage manufacturers for mounting a misinformation-laden opposition campaign.

“There is still a great deal of conflicting data as to the implementation of best practices to address the problems of improving and disposing of our recyclable products, as well as enhancing our anti-littering efforts,” Shekarchi said in a statement earlier this week.

Rep. Carol McEntee, a South Kingstown Democrat and bill sponsor, also expressed disappointment, stating outright that the watered-down version is not a bottle bill at all, calling just for a series of studies.

Instead, the legislation calls for a “statewide implementation analysis” to be conducted by a third-party consultant hired by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. The study would now be due no later than Dec. 1, 2026, with an interim status report due April 1, 2026. The state-hired consultant would consider the conclusions drawn by an 18-month legislative study commission, and the original bottle bills.

McEntee, who co-chaired the prior study commission, has already indicated she’s planning to introduce a full-fledged bottle bill again next session, even though the state analysis will not be finished yet.

CRMC membership changes on the horizon

Change is coming to the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, though not the sweeping reform advocates wanted. Rather than abolishing the politically appointed council and reshaping the agency as an administrative authority, lawmakers in both chambers narrowly agreed to a more modest update.

The bills, approved by 49-19 and 25-10 votes in the House and Senate, respectively, Friday, reduce the size of the council from 10 to seven members, simultaneously shrinking the quorum requirement in a nod to the vacancy issues that have plagued the existing panel. And it adds new professional qualifications for the powerful coastal regulatory body, specifically requiring an engineer, a coastal biologist and an environmental organization representative to sit on the new council. 

The existing council does not have any expertise requirements, though members must represent a variety of municipalities based on size and coastal proximity.

How fast the refresh occurs depends largely on how fast new candidates can be found; the legislation calls for Gov. Dan McKee to name six appointees (the seventh is designated as a DEM representative) no later than March 1, 2026. But the bill also says existing members can continue to serve until their replacements are named.

Progressive Democrats and Republicans joined in opposition, with the former insisting the membership changes fell too far short of more comprehensive reforms needed.

Legislators reprimand McKee with anti-bid rigging bill

McKee just can’t seem to escape the stain left by a 2021 state education contract scandal, with an anti bid-rigging bill included on the legislature’s final calendar of the session.

The Rhode Island Senate’s unanimous approval Friday, following passage in the House two days prior, aims to close a loophole in state procurement law by expressly forbidding public officials and administrators from intentionally interfering with the process by which the state awards competitive contracts to outside vendors. 

The need for specificity was laid bare by an investigation by Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office and Rhode Island State Police into a state education contract awarded to the ILO Group. State investigators ultimately found insufficient evidence to charge McKee for steering the $5.2 million school reopening contract to one of his former adviser’s friends — in part because there was nothing in state law saying that he could not.

The newly approved legislation, however, imposes strict penalties on state officials and vendors who participate in future collusion or bid-rigging activities: a felony charge punishable by up to three years in prison and a $1 million fine (or three times the value of the contract, whichever is greater). Vendors found to have participated in bid-rigging or steering activities are also no longer able to perform work for the state for up to five years.

McKee still needs to sign the legislation for it to become law — uncertain given documented attempts by his aides to dismantle the bill earlier in the session. McKee’s office did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment later Friday.

Opposition couldn’t break levy bill

The General Assembly OK’d Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s request to exceed the state’s annual 4% tax levy cap, clearing the way for a 7.5% increase in the amount of property taxes the city can collect in fiscal year 2026.

Providence Democrats Rep. Rebecca Kislak and Sen. Sam Zurier introduced the bound-to-be unpopular bill in their respective chambers. 

The House was the first to grant the city’s wish, passing Kislak’s bill in a 56-17 vote on May 27. The Senate passed Zurier’s version 30-7 on Wednesday. On Friday night, each chamber voted to concur with the other’s version of the bill, finalizing its passage out of the State House and toward McKee’s desk.

In the House, Zurier’s bill passed 57-14, with opposition from all 10 Republicans plus four Democrats, including Providence Reps. Enrique Sanchez and David Morales. In the Senate, Kislak’s bill passed 27-7, with Providence Democratic Sens. Sam Bell, Tiara Mack and Ana Quezada expressing disapproval similar to their House colleagues.

The extra revenue from the tweaked levy cap is meant to help resolve a budget shortfall introduced last November by a $15 million settlement between the city and the state’s education department over Providence’s public schools. The mayor, with the Providence City Council’s somewhat reluctant approval, has been counting on the levy measure as the critical piece in the city’s fiscal 2026 budget. While the mayor’s budget technically lowers property tax rates, new property valuations mean many homeowners will still see higher tax bills.   

WPRI-12 reported Wednesday that Smiley has asked McKee to sign the legislation as soon as it arrives on his desk. But even with the General Assembly’s blessing, it’s not clear if the added tax revenue will arrive in time to shore up the city’s fiscal 2026 budget, Smiley told the news station. 

Kratom clears Senate

For the second year in a row, a bill to regulate the psychoactive drug known as kratom arrived at the final night of the legislative session. Unlike last year, when the bill provoked a fierce debate in the Senate, it sailed through the chamber with a 22-9 vote.

The House version encountered more vigorous resistance when it went up for a floor vote on May 29. It passed 40-24, with a mix of Republicans, Democrats and one independent lawmaker decrying easier access to the plant-derived drug, which can be used as an opioid substitute or a stimulant.  

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy, a Westerly Democrat, and Sen. Hanna Gallo, a Cranston Democrat, with the intent of bringing kratom — a product already available in gray markets like gas stations or head shops — into the sphere of regulation and taxation. This year’s bill is 25 pages, compared to last year’s six, and it would mandate strict labeling, testing, and age restrictions around kratom commerce, as well as limitations on what products could be sold mixed with kratom.

Last year, McKee vetoed the legislation — an outcome sponsors tried to avoid this year by working with the governor and the state health department to craft a more agreeable bill.

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Rhode Island Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Rhode Island Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janine L. Weisman for questions: info@rhodeislandcurrent.com.

Bad bottle bill news

Bottle bill shelved in favor of another study while CRMC reform effort is set adrift

By Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current

Upon first mention of the phrase “bottle bill” at the State House Tuesday night, Rep. Carol McEntee’s face dropped.

“I am not happy,” the South Kingstown Democrat said.

That’s because 24 hours earlier, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson unveiled amended legislation gutting McEntee’s 57-page bill. Gone is the proposed 10-cent fee on recyclable bottles redeemed upon return to designated redemption sites. 

In its place, another study, this time, by a third-party consultant hired by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM). The compromise aims to find middle ground for environmental advocates and beverage makers and retailers, who failed to reach consensus on a deposit-refund program.

Meanwhile, a separate environmental priority to overhaul the troubled Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) also appears dead in the water amid hesitation at the corresponding price tag, with a less extreme alternative in its place.

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.

Bevy of bills by area legislators advance

As the end of this year's General Assembly nears, local legislators push to get bills passed

Senate OKs Gu bill protecting parking at shore access points

The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Victoria Gu to protect the public’s access to the shore by establishing requirements that must be followed before parking can be reduced or restricted near any Coastal Resources Management Council designated right of way.

The bill is part of a package of bills sponsored in the Senate by Senator Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and in the House by Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown) to protect public shoreline access.

The bill (2025-S 0716aa) would set requirements that municipalities, private agencies and other organizations would have to follow before they could reduce or restrict parking near designated CRMC rights of way. These requirements would include submitting a comprehensive parking plan, analyzing the impact on accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act and conducting a public comment period of at least 30 days. It would also allow the CRMC and DEM to enforce these requirements and impose fines and penalties if they are violated. Any fines and penalties would go into a newly created Rhode Island Shoreline Access Improvement Fund, a restricted receipt account that will be used to support projects enhancing public access to the shoreline.

The bill now goes to the House, where Representative Cortvriend is sponsoring its companion (2025-H 6093).

“Sometimes, local governments — often pressured by nearby property owners — will remove or reduce public parking near beach access points. This makes it harder for the public to visit, since fewer people will come if they can’t park nearby. This legislation provides guardrails and a public, transparent process if there is any effort to reduce or restrict the parking available near a CRMC-designated right of way to the shore,” said Senator Gu.

In recent years changes to parking near public rights of way have drawn complaints from members of the public who say that they serve to restrict public access to only those who already live on the waterfront.

House approves Fogarty bill that would allow driver education in an instructor-led virtual format

The House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by Rep. Kathleen A. Fogarty (D-Dist. 35, South Kingstown) that would allow virtual driver education classes.

The bill (2025-H 5731A) would permit instructor-led virtual instruction for driver education until July 1, 2027, and calls for an evaluation of the program.

“Not everyone has access to driver’s education classrooms, and many students prefer virtual learning, particularly those with physical or learning challenges,” said Representative Fogarty. “It also provides an alternative for families whose parents may not be able to take the time off to bring their children to driving instruction in traditional classrooms.”

Mary Maguire, vice president of public and government affairs for AAA Northeast, testified in favor of the bill, telling the House Committee on State Government and Elections, “During the pandemic, students could only take driver education virtually, and the format proved to be very effective. During the pandemic, we taught almost 100 virtual classes to more than 2,300 Rhode Island students. We found that our virtually trained students’ average test scores were almost identical to what they were before COVID.”

Under the terms of the legislation, the Board of Education would be required to provide a report comparing test scores of virtual versus in-person instruction to the speaker of the House and president of the Senate no later than Sept. 1, 2027.

The measure now moves to the Senate where similar legislation (2025-S 0832) has been introduced by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Little Compton).      

Senate approves Sosnowski legislation creating license to harvest invasive green crabs

Schoodic Institute/Suzannah Buzzell

The Senate approved legislation introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown) that would create a license for the harvesting of green crabs.

The European green crab is an invasive species in Rhode Island’s coastal waters. Like many invasive species, the green crab poses a threat to the ecosystem and is particularly harmful for shellfish and eelgrass habitats, which serve as nurseries for native marine species.

The bill (2025-S 0938A) would authorize the Department of Environmental Management to offer commercial licenses for the taking of green crabs subject to a fee of $10.

“Not only are green crabs an invasive species, they are also a high-protein food source,” said Senator Sosnowski, who chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture. “Under current state law, they can only be caught with a $200 non-lobster crustacean endorsement add-on to the DEM marine license. A $10 license exclusively for green crabs would greatly increase access to the harvesting of a species that is endangering native sea life, including quahogs and blue crabs.”

The measure now moves to the House of Representatives where similar legislation (2025-H 6157) has been introduced by Rep. Kathleen A. Fogarty (D-Dist. 35, South Kingstown).           

Senate approves Sosnowski bid to make clean air, soil and climate a state constitutional right

The Senate approved a resolution introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown) that seeks to add a Green Amendment to the state constitution.

The resolution (2025-S 0327) would ask the state’s voters to amend Article I of the state constitution to provide all people in the state with an inherent, inalienable, indefeasible and self-executing right to clean air, health and uncontaminated soil, a life supporting climate and the preservation of the environment’s natural, scenic and recreational values.

“When it comes to protecting the environment, Rhode Island has always been a leader, and I’m proud that the General Assembly has prioritized protecting the vast natural resources of our small state,” said Senator Sosnowski, who chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture. “This would ask Rhode Island voters to forever enshrine in our constitution the protection of these resources for present and future generations.”

If enacted, Rhode Island would join Montana, Pennsylvania and New York in preserving environmental rights in its constitution.

The measure, which would be placed on the ballot at the next statewide general election, now moves to the House of Representatives where similar legislation (2025-H 5732) has been introduced by Rep. David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston), who chairs the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

Senate passes DiMario’s textile recycling bill

UpriseRI

The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) that would create a public outreach campaign about textile recycling.

“This legislation is needed because most of the public does not realize that textiles can be recycled and that recycled textiles are a valuable commodity.  And by increasing the practice of textile recycling, we will also be able to extend the life of the state’s landfill, which is rapidly approaching its capacity.  At a time when we are striving to create a more sustainable way of life, this bill will move us closer to that goal,” said Senator DiMario.

According to the most recent data, an estimated 28,860 tons of textiles from residential, industrial and commercial institutions were delivered to the landfill per year, and the state’s only landfill will reach its capacity by 2046.

The legislation (2025-S 0324) would create a public education outreach program to educate residential households and commercial businesses on the value of, and proper methods to, recycle textiles in the state.  The bill also contains a reporting and accountability requirement to measure if the outreach and education program is effective in helping individuals, businesses, and municipalities increase their textile recycling rates and divert textiles from the landfill.

It was developed with input from the Department of Environmental Management, the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, the League of Cities and Towns, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island (BBBSRI).  Organizations like BBBSRI recycle non-usable textiles and utilize the profits to fund essential programs.  In addition, cities and towns will benefit from reduced tipping fees if textiles are recycled properly as opposed to being thrown away.

The bill now heads to the House for consideration, where Rep. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence) has introduced the legislation (2025-H 5293).  Representative Hull’s bill was approved by the House on March 20 and was passed by the Senate Environment and Agricultural Committee on May 28.

Rep. McEntee, Sen. Sosnowski introduce bill to help Matunuck Oyster Bar ‘Take It Outside’

Sounds like a great idea!

After the devastating fire that ripped through Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown, Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski have introduced legislation that would enable the restaurant to reopen on a limited basis.

The legislation would allow the restaurant to serve customers across the street in a parking lot that is owned by Perry Raso, who owns Matunuck Oyster Bar, and keep 50 employees of the restaurant working during the busy summer months.

The House bill (2025-H 6392) is expected to be heard by the House Committee on Small Business on Tuesday.  Representative McEntee chairs the committee. The Senate bill (2025-S 1139) is also expected to be heard by the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government on Tuesday.

“The award-winning Matunuck Oyster Bar is a beloved part of the South Kingstown and Rhode Island community and everyone was devastated when the fire broke out a few weeks ago.  Its success elevates the town and both locals and tourists alike have made this restaurant a true destination in Rhode Island.  This legislation is the least we could do to help weather the difficulties resulting from the fire, including keeping some of the restaurant’s workers employed during the busy summer season.  Perry has been a tremendous partner with the town and state and I am proud to help him and his employees out during this trying time,” said Representative McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett).

“Our community was heartbroken by the fire at Matunuck Oyster Bar, and so many people have rallied behind Perry Raso and his employees during this difficult time. The fact that this happened on the cusp of the busy summer season is particularly devastating for Perry, the restaurant’s workers, and our entire community. As this cherished establishment works to rebuild, it’s important we do everything we can to support that process and the many people who rely on the restaurant for their livelihood. Utilizing the successful approach of the ‘Take It Outside’ law is a common-sense step that will help immediately. I am grateful to Perry for his commitment to our community, and to the many people who have stepped forward to lend a hand following the fire,” said Sen. Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown). 

The General Assembly’s leadership has expressed its strong support for this legislation, and for Matunuck Oyster Bar as it plans to rebuild.

“I met with Perry Raso yesterday and he is deeply committed to keeping his thriving restaurant open and retaining at least some of his dedicated workers during his busiest time of the year.  He is understandably devastated by the fire and I give him tremendous credit from developing this creative approach.  I pledged my strongest support to expedite this process with the House members and I will be working with our partners in the Senate and with the Town of South Kingstown to make this happen quickly,” Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), who is the second co-sponsor of the legislation.

“Matunuck Oyster Bar is nationally recognized for its culinary excellence, and Perry Raso is an outstanding member of Rhode Island’s business community. While the news of the fire was truly devastating, the way Rhode Islanders have responded to support Perry and his employees has been extraordinary. I want to thank Sen. Sosnowski and Rep. McEntee for introducing this important legislation. Along with our partners at the State House and in South Kingstown, we will continue working to support everyone impacted as the restaurant rebuilds,” said Senate President Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence).

The legislation amends the “Take It Outside” law by allowing a food service establishment to provide temporary outdoor dining services any time a building or other structure used as a food service establishment is rendered uninhabitable by virtue of a casualty including, but not limited, to fire or flood for 18 months or the building is fit for occupancy. The act would sunset and expire on June 30, 2027.

The bill requires municipal approval and the South Kingstown Town Council is scheduled to consider a resolution of support at a meeting to be held on Monday. 

The legislation, if approved by the General Assembly, would allow the restaurant to establish a mobile kitchen on the site and serve patrons at outdoor tables.  Other aspects of the business remain open, such as catering and oyster farm tours.

For more information about business operations, please visit https://rhodyoysters.com/.

Two prominent local doctors blast one-sided coverage of South County Hospital struggle

Hospital CEO Aaron Robinson Misleads, Breaks Trust with Readers, Public In Newspaper Interview

Save South County Hospital

Broken Trust with South County Hospital CEO Aaron Robinson Described Below

By Roger W. Ashley, MD and Chris Van Hemelrijck, MD

(The two local esteemed physicians are responding to a recent Robinson-only focused story in the South County weekly newspapers The Independent and The Narragansett Times.)

It is with great interest that we read the article in The Independent (5-15-2025) and The Narragansett Times (5-16-2025) regarding comments made by South County Hospital Chief Executive Officer Aaron Robinson. How wonderfully ironic that such a statement could be made by someone whose leadership style is partly responsible for our local health care crisis. There follow statements reaffirming what we already know, that access to primary care providers is at a crisis point in RI. Robinson goes on to ask Rhode Islanders to lobby their elected representatives to step up their support to the beleaguered health care system.

He mentions that facing illness when your access to care is limited can be a scary place to be. The irony is that Aaron Robinson is, himself, primarily responsible for the loss of five Primary Care Providers from the South County Health Care System in the past five years. In addition to specialists in Cardiology - five physicians; in Oncology - three physicians and an NP; in Urology - two physicians; in Obstetric - one physician. And low reimbursement rates were hardly the reason for their departure since only one of these providers had left the state and two had decided to retire early.

He further cites the difficulties with finding a PCP [primary care provider] stating that he is on his fourth in five years. Actually as it happens, I (Dr. Ashley), is also on his fourth in five years, although I doubt that we are in the same situation since the first two of my four left because of Robinson’s style and demeanor.

The article also cites legislative efforts to correct deficiencies including in the uniquely low reimbursement rates compared to those in our neighboring states of MA and CT.---particularly Health Insurance Fairness (S.0681/H5832), Sponsored by Senator Susan V. Sosnowski and Representative Theresa Tanzi.

Interestingly, rather than lobbying for their support, Robinson has managed in some manner or other to offend at least two legislators, once by shouting and demeaning one in a meeting and another by refusing admission to a meeting to which they were led to believe they had been invited , leaving them (us) in the lobby because we were not on the “official list of invitees.”

In addition, his comments about “data based” care is perhaps an excuse for dismissing several practitioners from South County Health who were not seeing as many patients per hour as his ‘national standards’ suggested that they should. Lack of resources (secretaries and nursing assistance) as well as patient mix (elderly, first time visits) were apparently not considered.

He then goes on to extol the “introduction of new technologies” and the extraordinary pace of change in health care that frustrates members in the community, including the advocacy group Save South County Hospital. This group, made up of physicians and former Board of Trustees, are not only profoundly aware of these challenges, they understand that Aaron Robinson is not equipped to forge the partnership needed to effectuate those changes. Save South County Hospital now enjoys the support of all five of our local legislators in bringing about the change in leadership that is necessary to meet those challenges.

South Kingstown residents are going to get a Homestead Tax Credit

Will Charlestown be next? First steps this Monday

The General Assembly has approved legislation (2025-H 5030, 2025-S 0044) introduced by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski that grants the South Kingstown Town Council with the authority to enact a homestead exemption ordinance, similar to those that have already been adopted in several other communities in the state.

“South Kingstown’s housing market is pricing out our current and future homeowners.  Out-of-state buyers and corporations are driving up the cost of home ownership by buying up properties and turning them into rentals, and our residents are then being squeezed with rising home evaluations.  The year-round residents of South Kingstown have been asking for a homestead exemption for quite some time and this legislation will finally grant our hard-working year-round residents the tax relief that they deserve and that will help keep them in their homes,” said Representative McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett).

South County legislators host session with RI Energy on March 24

Charlestown's Senator Gu and Representative Spears among co-hosts

State lawmakers representing South and North Kingstown, Charlestown, Westerly, Block Island and Narragansett will hold a public forum with representatives from Rhode Island Energy regarding electrical and natural gas prices on Monday, March 24, at 6 p.m. at the South Kingstown High School Auditorium at 215 Columbia St. in Wakefield. 

They will discuss programs to assist ratepayers who are having trouble paying their bills and address questions and concerns from members of the public.

The hosts, all Democratic women representing South County communities are: 

State lawmakers take on Rhode Island Energy as utility bills and frustrations soar

Cotter and Gu lead fight to curb electricity bills

By Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current

 Rep. Megan Cotter, an Exeter Democrat, greets constituent
Chris Callaci while canvassing on the day of the Nov. 5 election
outside Exeter Chapel. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current)

Fueled by constituent concerns over rapidly rising — and more unpredictable — gas and electric bills, Rhode Island lawmakers are cranking the heat up on the state’s primary utility operator.

Leading the charge is Rep. Megan Cotter, whose district abuts Charlestown, who introduced a pair of bills in January that, if approved, would cut Rhode Island Energy’s profit margins by more than half while potentially introducing a rival, publicly owned utility company. 

“When I was door-knocking, all people were talking about is that they can’t afford to pay for food, utilities, insulin,” Cotter said in an interview on Thursday, referring to her 2024 reelection campaign. “Something’s gotta give.”

The cyclical rise and fall of utility bills has trended higher in recent years, with supply-side electricity costs reaching record levels in 2022 and 2023. 

PPL Corp., Rhode Island Energy’s parent company, on Thursday reported $888 million in profits for 2024, including utility operations in Rhode Island, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. The earnings mark a 20% increase over the prior year, with a corresponding increase in earnings per share.

Its Rhode Island segment increased annual earnings per share from 13 to 15 cents per year over year, according to the earnings report. 

Rhode Island law authorizes the state’s utility regulators to cap the percentage of revenue its utility provider can earn off gas and electric operations. Since 2018, under a settlement with prior owner National Grid, revenue has been capped at 9.275% per year, with any excess on either gas or electric operations returned to ratepayers.

But Cotter thinks that’s too high. One of her bills would cap annual revenue at 4% of gas and electric operations, beginning on July 1, 2025. A companion bill was introduced in the Rhode Island Senate by Victoria Gu, a Westerly Democrat.

Already, Rhode Island Energy has come out in opposition, even though its annual return on equity margin has come in far below the 9.275% cap in both gas and electric operations in 2022 and 2023, the most recent data available from the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers.

Looming Budget Deficit Bad News for Environmental Advocates Seeking Beefed-Up State Programs

Not enough money for environment progress

By Rob Smith / ecoRI News staff

Lawmakers return to Smith Hill to two very different chambers, and one big problem.

In the Senate, the leadership drama that had been simmering since the last session came to a head during the annual leadership vote, when 12 senators, all Democrats, voted “present” instead of voting to re-elect Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, D-North Providence, for a new term of leadership for the chamber.

It also resulted in a changing of the guards. Sen. Alana DiMario, D-North Kingstown, was demoted from chair of the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee. In her place, Ruggerio appointed Sen. V. Susan Sosonowski, D-South Kingstown. It’s Sosnowski’s second time as chair of the committee; she led the eight-member body for much of the past decade, before assuming leadership of the Senate Commerce Committee in 2021.

Over on the other side of the building, the House of Representatives was a very different story. No drama, no leadership fight, just a near unanimous vote for Speaker Joe Shekarchi, D-Warwick, to lead the chamber again.

But outside of any opening-day drama is a bigger problem: the state’s looming budget deficit, estimated to total more than $300 million. The final numbers won’t be known until the state budget office makes its final estimate in May.

That’s bad news for state environmental groups seeking funding for new programs or money to beef up existing environmental enforcement. In its biannual Green Report Card released last fall, the Environment Council of Rhode Island, a coalition of the state’s environmental advocacy groups, wrote that the state’s efforts “to mitigate climate change remain insufficient to meet the goals of the Act on Climate.”

Sen. Sosnowski reappointed chairwoman of Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture

South Kingstown Dem holds powerful committee positions 

Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) has appointed Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham) to serve as chairwoman of the Committee on Environment and Agriculture.

The committee considers issues relating to the conservation of air, land, water, plants, animals, minerals and other natural resources of the state. This is Senator Sosnowski’s second time as chairwoman, having served in that capacity from 2003 until 2021, when she was named chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Commerce.

Close to $500K in Grants Available to Support the Growth Development and Marketing of Local Food Seafood in RI

State aid for local farming

Sue and Teresa. 2012 photo by Will Collette

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM), and members of the Rhode Island General Assembly announce that close to $500,000 in Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) grant funding is available for projects that help support the growth, development, and marketing of local food and seafood in Rhode Island. 

The LASA Grant Program provides grants that directly benefit and strengthen the local food system in Rhode Island. Since its enactment 12 years ago, LASA has provided close to $3M through individual program grants up to $20,000. The grant application period opened on Oct. 1 and will close Nov. 30.

“LASA is a pillar of our food strategy through which Rhode Island prioritizes investments in local food to provide better access to safe, healthy, and affordable food for all of our residents,” said Governor Dan McKee. “LASA grants support Rhode Island’s farmers, fishers, and aquaculturists while fostering community resilience, promoting sustainability, and increasing food security across our state.”

“The Local Agriculture and Seafood Act grant program taps into our state’s incredible potential by building on our existing strengths,” said Senator V. Susan Sosnowski, who authored the law in 2012. “These grants enhance food security, boost small businesses, and make Rhode Island more sustainable and resilient. They are an investment in our people and our future, and in the agriculture and seafood industries that mean so much to our state. I am grateful to the many supporters and stakeholders who continue to make this program possible.”

“For over a decade the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act has helped grow the local businesses that provide our communities with safe and nutritious food,” said Representative Teresa Tanzi. “I’ve seen firsthand how LASA grants help essential local businesses — including the farms, shellfishing, aquaculture, commercial fishing, and other food businesses in my district — grow their operations while enriching our communities. I am excited to see the continuing success stories of grant recipients.”

General Assembly passes Tanzi-Sosnowski bill to give SK firefighters tax credit

If Charlestown starts now, we can get this done next year

The General Assembly approved legislation sponsored by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski and Rep. Teresa A. Tanzi to allow South Kingstown’s all-volunteer firefighting force to use a break on their district fire taxes to recruit and retain members.

“The Union Fire District has worked tirelessly on recruitment and retention efforts in recent years,” said Senator Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown). “And this bill will really help to support that goal, by implementing a policy that is not only a necessity, but one that shows the firefighting community how much we appreciate the time they give and the sacrifices they make to keep the district safe.”

The legislation (2024-S 2633, 2024-H 7838) which will allow the Union Fire District of South Kingstown to grant district fire tax exemptions or abatements to current and retired firefighters and their spouses.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Charlestown has the same recruitment and retention problems as South Kingstown. To get credits for our brave firefighters, the town must first enact it and then get the General Assembly’s approval, as South Kingstown just did. This is a tax reform that’s long overdue.  – Will Collette

“We are very fortunate in South Kingstown to have an all-volunteer force of firefighters who provide excellent service to our residents,” said Representative Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, South Kingstown, Narragansett). “However, in recent years it has become more difficult for them to recruit volunteers. Allowing the district to grant tax exemptions will give them another important recruitment tool and show our community’s appreciation for the work that they do protecting us.”

House OKs Rep. Tanzi’s bill to grant SK firefighters tax exemptions

Now Charlestown needs to take care of ITS firefighters

The House approved legislation from Rep. Teresa A. Tanzi to allow South Kingstown’s all-volunteer firefighting force to use a break on their district fire taxes to recruit and retain members.

“We are very fortunate in South Kingstown to have an all-volunteer force of firefighters who provide excellent service to our residents,” said Representative Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, South Kingstown, Narragansett). 

“However, in recent years it has become more difficult for them to recruit volunteers. Allowing the district to grant tax exemptions will give them another important recruitment tool and show our community’s appreciation for the work that they do protecting us.”

Representative Tanzi’s bill (2024-H 7838) would allow the Union Fire District of South Kingstown to grant district fire tax exemptions or abatements to current and retired firefighters and their spouses.

The bill now heads to the Senate, which has already passed companion legislation (2024-S 2633) sponsored by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown).

Senate OKs Sosnowski legislation to create Rhode Island Lake Management Program

Fighting off invaders 

Chapman Pond, Westerly (DEM)

The Senate passed legislation introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown) that would create the Rhode Island Lake Management Program.

The bill (2024-S 2153A) would create a restricted receipt account to aid with lake and pond management issues relating to the control of invasive aquatic plants.

“Local wetlands are being threatened by invasive aquatic weeds,” said Senator Sosnowski. “This bill would be a first step to start a program at the Department of Environmental Management. The situation is becoming worse with warming temperatures, and it’s creating biological imbalance in these freshwater bodies. We have to be proactive to protect our lakes, which provide us with recreation, flood mitigation and an important habitat to plants and animals.”

Conditions in many Rhode Island lakes, ponds and tributaries are threatened or degraded by the growth of aquatic invasive plants, harmful algal blooms, nutrient enrichment and other water pollution problems. Restoring conditions in the state’s freshwater resources is essential to sustaining the valuable ecosystem services they provide.

The measure now moves to the House, where similar legislation (2024-H 8093) has been introduced by House Minority Leader Michael W. Chippendale (R-Dist. 40, Foster, Glocester, Coventry).

Invasion of the (Water)Body Snatchers 

By Rob Smith / ecoRI News staff

Indian Lake doesn’t look like the site of an alien invasion.