Stateline Headlines

Marijuana Bills Tempt Cash-Starved States

A history of marijuana laws This has been a bumper year for marijuana legislation, according to state policy observers. Crushing state budget deficits gave advocates in California, Washington, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York and elsewhere an opening to pitch marijuana as a new source of tax revenue. At the same time, the Obama administration gave users and distributors some breathing room by signaling in October that it would scale back on prosecuting them as long as they comply with state law.

Education's Less-Than-Certain Windfall

There's $10 billion for schools in the state aid bill Congress passed last month. But some school systems have reason to wonder whether they are going to see the money.

Chafee, Taveras, Raimondo backers hosting end of quarter fundraisers

R.I. litter tax being used for general government, not recycling

R.I. health director revokes pharmacy license of former Coventry senator Blais

Twin River casino is expected to draw new crowd of gamblers now that it has table games

Rhode Island’s credit may drop on Schilling debt coverage

R.I. General Assembly scorecard so far: 2,239 bills introduced, 94 passed

On six month anniversary of Newtown massacre, R.I. gun control bills in limbo

Despite 2012 open-records law, less information is made public in R.I.

As legislative session nears close, R.I. lawmakers have plenty left on their plates

Network of surveillance cameras monitors activity up and down Narragansett Bay

House posts $8.2 billion budget bill for consideration Tuesday

R.I. tightens policing of disability pensions after possible overpayments discovered

Casino crime-and-enforcement bill moves quickly to R.I. House floor

Budget impasse nothing new for R.I. Assembly

Justice Dept. reaches landmark settlement with state, city over sheltered workshops

East Bay residents in R.I., lawmakers seek higher vehicle fees in bid to avoid tolls

R.I. Senate unanimously approves 11th hour casino-crime bill

New scientific research grants announced, amid RI efforts to create more high-paying jobs

Labor Dept.: North Providence company that employed disabled misled wage investigators

R.I. General Assembly panels back bills proposing direct election of president

Assembly approves bills that allow municipalities to set two residential tax rates

R.I. Senate approves bill to recast Economic Development Corporation

Department of Justice finds Providence put disabled students at risk

In R.I., popular vote compact gaining momentum

Former challenger Binder calls on Speaker Fox to block 38 Studios payments

Costly graffiti could become felony in R.I.

RI bill: No welfare for families of truant kids

Center for Freedom and Prosperity takes dim view of R.I. lawmakers

Sequino to head R.I. Clean Water Finance Agency

PolitiFact R.I. rules claim on crowded RIPTA buses Mostly True

Problem for negotiators: How much of a raise does Chafee want to give state workers?

RI legislators offer plan to avoid additional bridge tolls

R.I. Board of Education votes 7 to 3 to renew Gist's contract for 2 more years

Pros and cons of R.I. default on 38 Studios debt debated

2 sides of 'payday lending' debate in R.I. meet privately on bill

RI Treasurer Raimondo responds to union hiring of her Forbes critic

RI ACLU says black, Hispanic students suspended at much higher rates

For a better parole system

Council 94, R.I.'s largest state employee union, hires Raimondo critic as pension fund consultant

U.S. Education Secretary Duncan voices support for RI Commissioner Gist

R.I. House approves 'secretary of commerce' bill and other parts of Speaker Fox's economic development agenda

Rhode Island Legalizes Gay Marriage

The Rhode Island legislature gave final approval to a gay marriage bill Thursday, and Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the measure immediately after the vote.

Rhode Island Set to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Rhode Island’s move is another victory for pro-same-sex marriage efforts. Where do other states stand?

Rhode Island State of the State Address 2013

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island -- Jan. 28 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Lincoln Chafee's (I) 2013 State of the State Address

Activists Aim to Bolster Rhode Island’s Homeless Bill of Rights

After passing the nation’s first Homeless Bill of Rights this year, Rhode Island activists are looking to defend its provisions and expand their campaign to other parts of the country.

Gay Marriage Backers Lose Key Race in R.I.

Gay marriage advocates in Rhode Island suffered a tough setback on Tuesday in a Democratic primary race expected to impact the legislature’s looming debate over whether to allow same-sex couples to marry in the state.

Rhode Island Faces an Investment Gone Awry

After an investment many questioned from the beginning, Curt Schilling’s 38 Studios bankruptcy has left Rhode Island with a significant debt to pay, and facing questions over the future of economic development efforts.

Rhode Island State of the State Address 2011

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - March 8 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Lincoln Chafee's (I) 2011 budget address: Mr. Speaker, Madam President, members of the General Assembly, fellow General Officers, members of the Judiciary, distinguished guests, and my fellow Rhode Islanders. It is a privilege to speak to you

Rhode Island State of the State Address 2009

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Feb. 10 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Don Carcieri's (R) 2009 state of the state address: Mr. Speaker, Madam President, members of the General Assembly, my fellow General Officers, members of the Judiciary, First Lady, Sue Carcieri, my family, distinguished guests, and my fellow Rhod

Rhode Island State of the State Address 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Jan. 22 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Don Carcieri's (R) 2008 state of the state address: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, members of the General Assembly, my fellow General Officers, members of the Judiciary, First Lady, Sue Carcieri, distinguished guests, and my fellow Rhode Islanders. I

Rhode Island State of the State Address 2007

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Jan. 30 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Donald L. Carcieri's (R) 2007 state of the state address: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, members of the General Assembly, my fellow General Officers, members of the Judiciary, First Lady, Sue Carcieri, distinguished guests, and my fellow Rhode Islander

Rhode Island State of the State Address 2006

Thank you Speaker Murphy. President Montalbano; My fellow general officers; Members of the judiciary; My cabinet directors; Distinguished guests; Members of the diplomatic corps; And fellow Rhode Islanders; A special thank you to members of my family here tonight, my daughters Sarah and Jill; a

Rhode Island State of the State Address 2005

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - Jan. 18 - Following is the text of Gov. Donald Carcieri's 2005 state of the state address: Thank you Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, members of the General Assembly, my fellow general officers, members of the judiciary, my cabinet directors, distinguished guests and friends. And a special th

Rhode Island State of the State Address 2004

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - Feb. 2 - Following is the text of Gov. Don Carcieri's 2004 state of the state address: Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Speaker, members of the General Assembly, my fellow General Officers, members of the Judiciary, distinguished guests...my wife, Sue (our Rhode Island First Lady)...my mothe

Rhode Island State of the State Address 2003

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - Feb. 4 - Following is the full text of Rhode Island Gov. Donald L. Carcieri's State of the State Address: Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, my fellow General Officers, members of the General Assembly, members of the Judiciary, distinguished guests, my wife (Sue), my mother

Rhode Island State of the State Address 2001

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - Feb. 7 - Following is the text of Gov. Lincoln Almond's 2001 State of the State Address: Mr. Speaker, Lieutenant Governor Fogarty; Majority Leader Irons; Majority Leader Martineau; Members of the General Assembly; My fellow General Officers; Members of the Judiciary; Distinguished Guests;

Rhode Island State of the State Address 2000

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - Feb. 3 - Following is the full text of Gov. Lincoln Almond's 2000 State of the State Address: Mr. Speaker; Lieutenant Governor Fogarty; Majority Leader Kelly; Members of the General Assembly; General Officers; Members of the Judiciary; Distinguished Guests; My fellow Rhode Islanders.

Rhode Island, Delaware And New Hampshire Legislatures Adjourn

Lawmakers in Rhode Island, Delaware and New Hampshire gaveled their legislative sessions to a close this week, leaving just 10 state legislatures still in regular session. For more information, click on

Rhode Island Lawmakers Rush To Adjourn; Two States In Overtime

While the legislatures in Maine and Louisiana closed their sessions as expected on June 19 and June 21 respectively and Rhode Island was poised to adjourn, lawmakers in Oregon and New Hampshire are pushing beyond scheduled closing dates to address unresolved issues. For more information, click on

States Compete for Innovation Awards

State programs in Iowa, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington are among 18 finalists competing for an award for the most innovative initiatives in American government. States are being singled out for budget solutions, red-tape reduction, conservation efforts and a school without tests, grades or classes.

Locals Take Losses in State Budget Cuts

TODAY'S TAKE: The trickle-down effect of state budget problems is on display this week in New York and Rhode Island, where governors announced plans to cut aid to localities.

States Scrutinize For-Profit Colleges

Rhode Island is considering whether to approve a for-profit osteopathic medical school, as Kentucky leads 22 other states in investigating the for-profit education industry.

Rhode Island State of the State Address 2012

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - Jan. 31 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Lincoln Chafee's (I) 2012 budget address: Mr. Speaker, Madam President, members of the General Assembly, fellow General Officers, members of the Judiciary, distinguished guests, and my fellow Rhode Islanders. This eve

Rhode Island Governor Takes on Talk Radio

TODAY'S TAKE: Lincoln Chafee, Rhode Island's new governor, is going a step further than most politicians in denouncing the nation's political rhetoric after last weekend's shootings in Arizona. He is banning state employees from appearing on talk radio during work hours and urging advertisers to cut funding for divisive programming.

In Rhode Island, Chafee Follows Through on Taxes

TODAY'S TAKE: The nation's only politically independent governor, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, won election on the uncommon platform of increasing taxes. On Tuesday (March 8), Chafee followed through on that promise when he delivered his first budget to state lawmakers.

Rhode Island Embraces Voter ID

TODAY'S TAKE: Over fierce objections from Democrats, new Republican majorities in many states have passed bills requiring voters to show identification at the polls. In Rhode Island, however, a Democratic legislature pushed the measure through.

Rhode Island Begins Debate Over Ballooning Pension Obligations

TODAY'S TAKE: Hundreds of demonstrators are expected in Providence today (October 26) as state lawmakers hold their first public hearing on a major overhaul of the state pension system, one that asks more of current retirees as well as future pensioners.

Far-Reaching Pension Overhaul Set to Become Law in Rhode Island

TODAY'S TAKE: Legislators in Rhode Island have passed a contentious measure to rein in the state's exploding public pension costs. Opponents have threatened a lawsuit, saying the lawmakers "are trying to solve a 40-year-old problem in one day."

Detention Center Fails to Help Impoverished Rhode Island Town

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: A struggling Rhode Island community hoped a facility for federal prisoners would be a boost to local finances. After 18 years, things have only gotten worse.

A Few Candidates Buck Conventional Wisdom on Taxes

Taxes are a hot subject in this year's gubernatorial campaigns, with many calling for tax cuts. But candidates willing to talk about higher taxes are a rare breed. Still, there are a few of them.

Pension Vote in Rhode Island Shows Changing Political Times

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - How did an overwhelmingly Democratic state legislature and a union-backed governor come to approve the toughest public pension cuts in the nation?

Angering Their Own Party, Rhode Island Democrats Approve Voter ID

One of the biggest partisan debates in politics across the country - over the need for voters to show photo identification at the polls - has been turned upside down by the nation's smallest state.

States Push to Convert Interstate Highways into Toll Roads

Interstates need money for repairs, and charging toll fees can bring in a lot of it. But the federal government is cool to the idea.

Rhode Island Considers New Tolls

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Governor Lincoln Chafee looks at raising tolls to reduce a backlog of road repairs … The speaker of the Arkansas House wants to raise the diesel tax and sales tax to pay for better highways… A push for uniform rules for teen drivers, and other transportation news

Former Senator Runs on Tax Reform in R.I.

TODAY'S TAKE: Lincoln Chafee, a former Republican U.S. senator from Rhode Island, is running for governor - a job his father held- as an independent. He's also running on a plan to raise taxes.

Summary of the Rhode Island State of the State Address

Gov. Donald Carcieri said Jan. 26 he would use his final year in office to revive Rhode Island's economy through tax credits instead of tax increases and by continuing to cut government spending.

Rhode Island's Medicaid Gamble

A small state has launched a big experiment to cap Medicaid spending by keeping seniors at home and out of more costly nursing facilities. And the effort is getting high marks - so far.

Will Rhode Island Go Independent?

Most people think of Rhode Island as the bluest of the blue states, but it may decide to bypass both major parties when it votes for governor in 2010.

State Commemorative Quarters Boost Coin Collecting

Two years into the U.S. Mint's State Commemorative Quarter program, the mint estimates that millions of Americans are collecting the coins. Many of the twenty-five cent pieces put into circulation so far have been subjects of public debates, so states that are still designing their coins are trying to submit proposals that are unique and non-controversial.

Gubernatorial Candidates, Ohio - Wyoming

For a comprehensive list of gubernatorial candidates in Ohio through Wyoming.

WORTH NOTING: R.I. Sweeps Out Cleaning Staff

The Rhode Island attorney general's office is duped by a janitor. A South Carolina lawmaker gets defensive over an incriminating photo. And Ohio cracks down on very tiny, but unwanted overnight guests. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Cities, Counties Hurt By Budget Cuts

Starved for cash due to slumping sales tax revenues and rising Medicaid costs, North Carolinas Mecklenburg County needs another revenue hit like a fish needs a bicycle. But thats exactly what it got in February. Through April of this year, 10 states Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont and Washington have cut local revenue sharing dollars to balance fiscal year 2002 budgets.

Govs Start to Back 2008 Candidates

Eleven governors have made endorsements in the 2008 presidential race so far, and the leading beneficiaries of early skirmishing for support from state leaders are Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton and Republican hopeful John McCain.

Work Shared, Jobs Spared

A program called work sharing is helping thousands of companies avoid layoffs by cutting workers' hours and making up some of the lost wages with state unemployment benefits. At no additional cost to states, work sharing helps businesses retain skilled employees, allows workers to stay on the job and keep their benefits and boosts the local economy. So far, only 17 states offer the job-saving program, but at least seven more states legislatures are considering bills to provide the widely praised unemployment insurance option. Congress may give states another reason to try the program -- federal incentive funds.

Cuomo Declines to Back Longtime House Speaker

TRANSITION WATCH: New York's governor-elect sends mixed signals on Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Alabama legislators promise to focus on ethics and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

New Jersey Learns From Other States On Electric Deregulation

On Aug. 1, New Jersey became one of a handful of states to begin implementing electric utility deregulation. Before opening their borders to competition, officials in the Garden State studied how California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island implemented deregulation, then sought to replicate successful policies and avoid those that bombed.

State Choking Laws Signal New Attention to Domestic Violence

Advocates against domestic violence have long warned that the act of choking - a common method of domestic assault - can be among the most reliable predictors that a deadly attack will occur in the future. Hoping to crack down on batterers and prevent murders, New Hampshire and Delaware recently joined other states by increasing penalties for choking. The laws are part of a broader effort in the states to reduce domestic violence.

Recession Ushers in More Tobacco Taxes

In a double-whammy for smokers, the federal government and seven states raised taxes on cigarettes this year. But the new taxes plus President Obama's vow to sign a bill imposing sweeping regulation of the tobacco industry threaten to shrink cigarette sales - and revenues for state coffers.

Snyder's Detroit Outreach Could Include New Office

TRANSITION WATCH: Michigan's Republican governor looks to strengthen a troubled Democratic city, revolving door rules could trip up a Rhode Island appointment, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

States Take The Lead On Minimum Wage

The movement toward a higher minimum wage accelerated this year as four states voted to set wages above the federal floor of $5.15 an hour. Ten states and the District of Columbia now require employers to pay more than the federal minimum. As more states raise wage levels, they pressure Congress to act. While a federal increase is unlikely this year, analysts predict a minimum wage hike in 2000.

States Wax Fluorescent

What's the latest bright idea to save energy? Lawmakers in at least seven states want to ban ordinary light bulbs in favor of longer-lasting, energy-efficient compact fluorescents.

Deval Patrick Asks His Cabinet for Resignation Letters

TRANSITION WATCH: The request of Massachusetts' governor that cabinet members reapply for their jobs, West Virginia's shy new chief executive, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Northeastern States To Drastically Cut Emissions Cap

Nine Northeastern states will drastically cut the region’s carbon cap under proposed changes to the region’s cap-and- trade program, they announced Thursday.

Maine, R.I. Diverge on Income Taxes

TODAY'S TAKE: New Englanders have been talking taxes this week, and coming to different conclusions. In Rhode Island, Governor Don Carcieri on Wednesday (June 9) signed into law an overhaul that reduces income taxes for most residents, but changes deductions and tax breaks to keep revenues stable. Contrast that with Maine, where a legislatively approved plan that also would have reduced income taxes fell flat at the polls on Tuesday (June 8).

White House Objects to Indiana Planned Parenthood Law

HEALTH BEAT: Obama administration concerned about new Indiana Medicaid law… Texas cost-cutting proposal attracts federal scrutiny… Oregon raises hospital taxes, and other health care news.

AAA Criticizes Higher Fees for Out-of-State E-ZPass Drivers

The national drivers’ group wants tolling agencies to treat E-ZPass users the same, regardless of where they bought their transponders.

Lawmakers Chew on Weighty Issues: ‘Whose shad fry is the best?’

Photo Slideshow: Lawmakers call time out to weigh delicious legislation.

Report: 9 states May Lose Under Bush Plan

Nine states would receive less money from Washington, D.C., if Congress adopts President Bush's 2007 budget proposal, while most others would see modest increases, suggests a new analysis by Federal Funds Information for States, a subscription service for state officials.