I was devastated to learn of this tragedy in Louisiana - eight young lives cruelly cut short before reaching their potential. My heart breaks for their families and loved ones.
We can’t accept this horrific cycle of gun violence as normal, and we need to finally take action to stop it.
Born in the shadows
ECRI is a coalition of over 60 organizations advocating for policies to protect and enhance the environment for all Rhode Islanders.
With Environment Council of Rhode Island to learn about their legislative priorities:
💨protect clean energy programs
🟢Make the Green Bond greener
🏢Building Decarbonization
🚌Save RIPTA Package
Panel discussion on climate change-driven insurance crisis with @whitehouse.senate.gov and RI insurance leaders.
RI is a high wind risk in addition to flood risk. Premiums are skyrocketing. Non-renewals are more and more common.
Fireside chat with @whitehouse.senate.gov and @peterneronha.bsky.social, former RI AG and current RI AG.
"The more clean energy we bring online, the more stable and reliable our grid will be."
Attending the 16th annual Rhode Island Energy, Environment & Oceans Leaders Day with @whitehouse.senate.gov to learn about topics including:
- climate obstructionism
- our home owners insurance crisis
- our blue economy
- wind energy
And more.
Looking to save money and reduce energy use?
Green Energy Consumers Alliance will be at the Barrington Library on Monday, April 6, to talk about incentive programs available for clean energy upgrades such as heat pumps, solar panels, or electric vehicles. Free and open to the public.
Happening now: as we close out Women’s History Month, I am attending presser for Protecting Women’s Reproductive Health. We are learning how to provide legislative safeguards with Governor McKee, who has proposed $600k for Planned Parenthood Of Southern New England.
From @ecorinews.bsky.social : "As electric bills escalate, the pay of utility executives steadily climbs. It’s not a coincidence."
What a waste of taxpayer dollars.
The report I released with @SenGaryPeters found that the National Guard’s deployment in DC does little to combat violent crime and costs over $1 million per day.
That’s because this is just another power play by Donald Trump.
Thank you, @roselund.bsky.social !
@terricortvriend.bsky.social introducing her bill for networked geothermal. I don’t know much about this one but I like the idea.
Cortvriend is also a sponsor of the #offshorewind study commission bill. /5
Rep. Speakman now introducing her bill to allow plug-in and balcony #solar (H 7269). Very forward-thinking bill. /3
@jenniferboylanri.bsky.social now presenting her bill which will create a statewide, automated #solar permitting system. Would allow the state to use SolarAPP+. Automated plan review, remote inspections, instant approvals.
Another smart bill. /4
Rep Alzate sums it up and dscribes other bills that include:
- Protect our Courts Act
- Virtual Hearings Accessability Act
- RI Works Program Wait Period
RI joins 35 other states in introducing similar immigrant protections.
This is Rep Furtado talking about her bill to prohibit 287(g) agreements.
Rep Felix is the House sponsor of 2 of the 7 bills:
✔️the 364 bill (uses 364 days as the definition of a year for certain minor offenses)
✔️the Rhode Island Community Protection Act (no masks and requires clear ID for law enforcement).
Senator @meghankallman.bsky.social, Senator Lori Urso and Representative @jenniferboylanri.bsky.social have introduced a pair of bills to ensure state and municipal buildings and major hospitals meet clean energy standards.
Learn more: rilegislature.gov/pressrelease...
Happening now: The Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian-American and Pacific Islander (RIBLIA) Caucus press conference to outline its legislative priorities to protect immigrant communities. Co-chairs are Rep. Karen Alzate and Sen. Tiara Mack. There are 7 critical immigration bills.
Rep Cruz is a former recipient of the RI Works Program decades ago: $50 each month as she struggled to care for her family. Year after year, legislation is introduced to raise this amount to reduce deep poverty here in Rhode Island.
Happening now: joining Reps. Art Handy, Cherie Cruz and Josh Giraldo, as well as Sen. Melissa Murray at the Raising Rhode Island Coalition kickoff event. Raising RI is a coalition focused on improving the RI Works Program. Coalition members include Economic Progress Institute and RI Kids Count.
Happening now: attending the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island’s “Voices of Advocacy – Anchors of Hope” at Rhode Island College to learn about key policy priorities affecting our state’s aging population.
Only Congress can declare war. I joined many of my colleagues in the RI General Assembly in asking our Federal delegation to reject funding Trump's war in the absence of Congressional approval.
Happening now: presser for the RI Clean Slate Act, that would automatically expunge eligible conviction records. The program is organized by a coalition of organizations, including the RI AFL-CIO, Open Doors and Direct Action for Rights and Equality.
Sen Lauria and Rep Speakman are sponsors of the RI Individual Market Affordability Act.
With Protect Our Healthcare RI to hear about two pieces of legislation to help RIers who are at risk of loosing their health insurance. That is House HHS Committee Chair Susan Donovan, sponsor of H8137.
Rep Giraldo is introducing his bills H7434 to keep ICE 200ft from any polling place and H7436 to prohibit state/muni government from entering into/renewing agreements to detain individuals for Federal/civil immigration violations & prohibit leasing of public buildings for immigration detention.
Rep Giraldo is introducing his bills H7434 to keep ICE 200ft from any polling place and H7436 to prohibit state/muni government from entering into/renewing agreements to detain individuals for Federal/civil immigration violations & prohibit leasing of public buildings for immigration detention.
Rep Batista introducing his bill H7360 the Protect Our Courts Act which requires a judicial warrant for civil arrests, ensures court access, sets enforcement rules, and provides remedies for violations