Government
Public services and government action
Legislators reiterate call for social and racially just marijuana legislation
“If we choose to legalize cannabis in RI without full restorative justice for the thousands of black and brown RIers who were targeted and imprisoned because of a racist war on drugs, we have failed," said Representative Leonela Felix.
Governor McKee's Overdose Taskforce walks out over budget cuts
Beginning in late July agencies such as Project Weber/Renew and programs like R.E.S.T. have been warned of large budget cuts totaling in the millions. Meanwhile, faith based initiatives like the IMANI Breakthrough Recovery Program are being funded by the state to the tune of $800k...
ConvergenceRI: State cuts more than $2 million in funding for recovery programs
"...in the last month, agencies that are working to deliver recovery services on the ground in Rhode Island have been hit with severe funding cuts by Rhode Island BHDDH. The agency has wielded a blunt hatchet, eviscerating and eliminating funding to numerous ongoing recovery programs..."
33 members of the RI House want Governor McKee to repeal or extend the vaccine mandate for health care workers
Science does not determine policy, politicians do. Uneducated and foolish politicians, more beholden to ideology than reality, can do enormous harm.
Rep Felix and community housing advocates champion 'Eviction Moratorium Clinics' for BIPOC communities
"We know that there are barriers when it comes to language, we know that there's digital divides," said Representative Felix. "We hope that by putting this clinic together we can really bridge those divides and get community members the help that they need."
Advocates rally, stage 'die-in' for dedicated narcan funding stream
"We're not asking for much right now - for a sustainable funding source for narcan," said Sarah Edwards, who manages a statewide outreach team that specializes in overdose prevention. "That's really the bare minimum the state can do right now…"
You can submit your written comments on police body-worn cameras now...
Written comments from the public will be received by the Attorney General and the State police until September 24, 2021. The final decisions about the use of police worn body cameras in Rhode Island will be made entirely by law enforcement - the Attorney General, the Rhode Island State Police and Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association - with the public only being allowed to comment.
Teach the Truth rally in North Kingstown
"This is really connected to electoral politics. There's this massive wave of voter suppression, and an educated electorate is an equipped electorate. And you can't create an educated electorate if you're barred from talking about the truths of history."
House Commission on shoreline access holds first meeting
Shoreline access is a hotly contested issue in many communities, where wealthy beachfront landowners post deceiving signs restricting access or erect barriers to rights of way in an attempt to maintain private access to beaches.
BLM RI PAC rallies against LEOBoR in the wake of police videos showing violent arrests
"A lot of folks will say that repealing LEOBoR is radical," said State Senator Tiara Mack. "There is nothing radical about centering the needs and demands and requests from Black and brown communities. There is nothing radical about holding government officials and government agencies accountable."