Government
Public services and government action
Governor McKee is preventing the release of paroled men convicted as juveniles because "it's an election year"
It is within Governor Daniel McKee's power to instruct the DOC to interpret the law in line with legislative intent. The reason he has chosen not to, according to several sources who have chosen to remain anonymous, is that it's an election year and the Governor does not want to look soft on crime.
Advocates push for expungement of criminal records as General Assembly moves towards legalized marijuana
“In order to begin to repair the harm of this failed war on cannabis,” said Cherie Cruz, co-founder of the Formerly Incarcerated Union of RI, "we need to ensure that a state-initiated record clearance process is put in place to expunge the records of thousands of Rhode Islanders who have been criminalized for the same activity that is now legal."
Mushrooms sprouting from the ceiling: Providence Living Tenants Union protests their unhealthy apartments
"When I had first come to see the apartment it seemed nice," said John Vatkevich. "I reported water damage in April and mushrooms grew out. Literal mushrooms growing out of the ceiling. Not mold, but mushrooms…"
Speaker Shekarchi and Rep Speakman introduce a series of housing bills
The bills, said the Speaker in his press release, "aim to streamline development, provide more complete and timely information about housing and help municipalities meet their affordable housing goals."
Rep Felix introduces bill to end cash bail to eliminate racist, anti-poor judiciary policy
"...ending cash bail is not what causes risk to the public," said DARE's Anusha Alles. "What is hazardous to the public is the relentless war on poor people, the relentless financial hardship that people are going through."
ACLU Director Steve Brown details history of prostitution laws in Rhode Island
"...the RI ACLU believes the General Assembly made a terrible mistake in 2009 in passing this harsh law. All it has done is once again make criminals out of people engaging in consensual sexual activity and put sex workers in more, not less danger."
After student assaulted by Student Resource Officer, youth-led community groups call for an end to police in schools
"Countless other students have also been brutalized by SROs. We know that police in schools only bring violence and will never bring safety to Rhode Island’s youth. We demand that all SROs are removed from all schools immediately."
Providence Mayor announces new framework for racial reparations
"Here in Providence, we are leading the way on undertaking this difficult - but critical - work to acknowledge and address racial injustice that impacts our community," said Mayor Elorza.
Advocates gear up for battle to provide all Rhode Islanders with a form of Medicare
On Wednesday, March 9, at 7pm, Providence DSA and PNHP RI will partner with the Olneyville Neighborhood Association to hold a bilingual Community Discussion about Medicare for All (Discusión Comunitario sobre Medicare para Todos) at the Olneyville Library, 1 Olneyville Square, in Providence. More information on this upcoming community discussion can be found here.
Criminal defense association: Comments by mayor and police commissioner a direct attack on the Constitution
"Executive leaders, especially those with a background in the law like Mayor Elorza, should refrain from attacking the Constitution, especially when they are acting on emotion and not fact," writes the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.