Monday, May 6, 2013
Same sex marriage was approved by the House and signed by Gov. Lincoln Chafee, and the House Judiciary heard testimony on gun safety measures last week.
For more news from the Rhode Island General Assembly, visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/ Same-sex marriage legislation becomes law On a final House vote of 56 to 15, the General Assembly enacted legislation making Rhode Island the 10th state in the nation to allow same-sex marriage, to cheers of advocates and citizens who have pursued passage of the legislation since it was first introduced in 1997. Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the bill into law about an hour later before hundreds gathered to watch the ceremony on the steps of the State House. The legislation (2013-H 5015B, 2013-S 38 A) was sponsored by Rep. Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18, Cranston) and Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, North Providence). Click here to see …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
A bill legalizing same-sex marriage passed 56-15 on May 2.
Sixteen years after legislation was initially introduced in Rhode Island, same-sex marriage is now legal in the Ocean State. On Thursday afternoon, May 2, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed the legislation with a vote of 56-15. "This is a great day in Rhode Island, not just for the many Rhode Island families who will now get the recognition and equality that they so richly deserve, and not only for the thousands who have been fighting for decades for the dignity and rights of all citizens," said House Speaker Gordon Fox, the first openly gay House Speaker in the nation who has cosponsored the legislation every year. "It is also a wonderful day for the generations of future Rhode Islanders who may never know a time when …
Monday, April 29, 2013
Rhode Island legislators approved same-sex marriage and heard bills on stopping Sakonnet Bridge tolls last week.
For more information on any of these reports, visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/ Senate approves same-sex marriage bill In a 26-12 vote, the Senate approved legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry in Rhode Island, effective Aug. 1. The bills (2013-S 0038A, 2013-H 5015B), sponsored by Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, North Providence) and Rep. Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18, Cranston), still have to clear an additional House vote before they can be sent to the governor. That vote is tentatively expected Thursday, following a Judiciary Committee vote on Tuesday. Both Republican Senators representing Bristol voted in favor of the measure, while Democratic Sen. Walter Felag voted "no." Click here to see news release. …
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Miss anything big this week? Take a look at the top headlines from around the state.
Saturday, April 20: The family of Katherine Russell, wife of one of the suspected Boston Marathon bombers, issued a statement Friday evening outside their North Kingstown home. The statement was printed on a piece of paper and handed to a reporter outside the home on Coriander Lane. Sunday, April 21: The Central Coventry Fire District announced the passing of Captain William Hall after a lengthy battle with occupational cancer. Monday, April 22: On Thursday, April 18, a local high school student called the FBI. Ben Fazio was calling about a picture that was taken and posted on the FBI website. The grainy, pixilated image showed Fazio and his girlfriend, Hannah Tighe, at the Boston Marathon the prior Monday. Tuesday, April 23: Laywers …
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
With the Senate's approval, the bill now goes back to the House for approval, then to Gov. Lincoln Chafee for his signature.
In a 26-12 vote, the Rhode Island Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would allow same-sex marriage in the state, the last in New England to approve such a measure. The House of Representatives voted 51-19 on Jan. 25 to approve that chamber's version of the bill. Should the House pass the Senate version, the legislation would go to Gov. Lincoln Chafee, who has pledged his support. Bristol's delegation split 2-1, with Sen. Walter Felag Jr. (D-Bristol, Tiverton, Warren) opposing the bill and Sens. Christopher Ottiano (R-Bristol, Portsmouth, Tiverton) and David Bates (R-Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) voting in favor. [In two ceremonial measures, the Senate also approved the House bill, 26-12, and sent its bill to the House for …
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
The Rhode Island GOP Caucus, including Sen. Christopher Ottiano, becomes the first state group in the nation to stand united for marriage equality.
All five Republicans in the 38-member Rhode Island Senate, including Sen. Christopher Ottiano of Bristol, Portsmouth, and Tiverton, have committed to support the same-sex marriage bill being voted on today by the State Senate Judiciary Committee. On Tuesday morning, the Rhode Island Senate Republican Caucus announced its support for a bill that would grant marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples, becoming the first unanimous decision by a legislative caucus of either party in the nation to back marriage equality legislation. The State Senate Judiciary Committee approved the legislation by a 7-4 vote today. “This is a game changer,” said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). “Never before has an entire …
The RI Senate Judiciary Committee votes 7-4 to move marriage-equality legislation to the full Senate on Wednesday.
The full RI Senate will vote on the same-sex marriage bill tomorrow afternoon after it was sent to the floor by the Senate Judiciary Committee today, April 23. The vote was 7-4, according to the Providence Journal. The committee rejected, by a 6-5 vote, a bill that would have put the marriage-equality legislation before Rhode Island voters in a referendum next year. The victory on Tuesday gives gay marriage supporters much hope in a debate that has been fierce at times. Dozens of same-sex marriage supporters packed the third floor State House hearing room and the hallway outside, according to the newspaper. Voting for the bill were Sens. William Conley D-East Providence; Stephen Archambault, D-Smithfield; Dawson T. Hodgson, R-North …
Monday, March 25, 2013
Two local legislators joined Gov. Chafee in announcing a set of new bills aimed at helping veterans.
For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/ Felag, Gallison join Chafee in announcing veteran support bills Gov. Lincoln Chafee joined members of the Senate and House announcing introduction of nine pieces of legislation (submitted in both chambers) designed to improve benefits and services for Rhode Island veterans and their families. The bills provide increased access to benefits, state purchasing preferences for veteran-owned businesses, increased access to educational opportunities and streamlined availability of essential medical and human service benefits. At a news conference held to announce the bills were Senate Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Walter S. Felag …
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2 Capitol Hl, Providence, RI
RI State House
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Friday, January 25, 2013
The Bristol and Warren delegation voted 2-1 in favor of the marriage equality bill, which now goes to the Senate.
Rhode Island moved one step closer to marriage equality Thursday as the state House of Representatives voted 51-19 to allow same-sex couples to marry in the state, the Legislature announced in a release. Among the Bristol and Warren delegation, Rep. Jan Malik (D-Dist. 67) voted against the measure, while Reps. Kenneth Marshall (D-Dist. 68) and Raymond Gallison (D-Dist. 69) cast 'yes' votes. Rep. Arthur Handy of Cranston, who has introduced the bill for each of the last 11 years, said the proposal is about justice and equity for same-sex couples. “Obviously, this issue is about fairness and allowing all Rhode Islanders to have equal access to the rights and responsibilities that come with marriage, but marriage is about so much more than …
41.82924
-71.415529
2 Capitol Hl, Providence, RI
RI State House
/articles/house-approves-same-sex-marriage-b9990f4a
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Monday, January 7, 2013
A Cranston legislator has submitted a bill in the state General Assembly to approve marriage for same-sex couples — and we're looking for your feedback.
Rhode Island now remains the only state in New England that forbids same-sex marriage — but that soon could change if the General Assembly votes to approve new legislation. On Jan. 3, legislation to allow same-gender couples to marry in Rhode Island was introduced in both the Rhode Island House and Senate, with a pledge from House Speaker Gordon Fox for a floor vote early in the session. Fox, the first co-sponsor of the House bill, is openly gay. The legislation has broad support, with 42 members of the House signing on as sponsors and 11 members of the Senate. Among the Bristol and Warren delegations to the Assembly, Rep. Kenneth A. Marshall (D-Dist. 68, Bristol, Warren) and Sen. Christopher Scott Ottiano (R-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, …
41.82924
-71.415529
2 Capitol Hl, Providence, RI
/articles/same-sex-marriage-proposed-will-it-pass-this-time
/locations/8525149
bustopher1
10:27 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
I guess there is something to be said for consistancy, but sorry Jan Malik - Your neanderthal ways and beliefs did NOT win the day. You have been a knuckle dragging opponent of this bill since day one regardless of the wishes of those you claim to represent. Time, I think, for you to see the handwriting on the wall and go back to running the dump and the liquor store. You no longer represent the … more ›