Government
Public services and government action
Senate telemedicine bill protects insurers over patients
We urge readers to call their Senators and ask them to support amendments that correct these four problems with the S0004A. A vote against such amendments, is a vote for protecting health insurance company profits over patients’ access to telemedicine.
ACLU of RI: Portsmouth political sign ban violates First Amendment
“I have been the victim of selective enforcement and harassment by many Town of Portsmouth officials," said town resident Michael DiPaola. "All I’ve wanted from Day One is to be treated the same as everyone else, nothing more. The rules apply to everyone equally, or none at all. I was left no other option!”
Highway signs reading "Prison is Genocide" and "Gina You're Killing Us" placed over night
Both signs display paintings of a person behind bars, looking out directly at us. The words are decorated with paintings of the COVID-19 virus.
Derailed by the pandemic, a bill to improve the Open Meetings Act is re-introduced
House bill H5032 "would require that all meetings closed to the public be recorded by audio tape or other audio recording device."
Title VI civil rights complaint filed against RIDOT/RIPTA plan to break up Kennedy Plaza
The complaint calls upon RIPTA and RIDOT "to take action halting this deeply flawed RIDOT Multi-Hub plan and to commit to an open public process with all community stakeholders to develop alternative plans for improving the public space in Kennedy Plaza for all to enjoy, while also improving the transit experience for thousands of passengers traveling through downtown Providence."
ACLU: Stronger action needed to address persistent failure of Providence Police to activate body cameras
“The police department’s decision to have its officers wear body cameras four years ago was designed to promote transparency and accountability. Yet these three recent incidents … tell a different story. The … transparency these cameras are supposed to provide the public is undermined.”
Rhode Island State House Monday, January 11, 2021 – Thursday, January 14, 2021
All the video from the Rhode Island State House for Monday, January 11, 2021 - Thursday January 14, 2021
Activists march on PVD Public Safety Complex demanding Justice for Jhamal
"I'm not happy about the decisions that were made," said Mark Gonsalves, the father of Jhamal, speaking briefly to reporters ahead of the march. "It's a disgrace… We all have to be held accountable for our decisions."
Discussing the House Rules with Representative Rebecca Kislak
"I think the rules of the road are really important for setting a baseline and a common understanding for how we are going to do things," said Representative Kislak. "These resolutions to change the rules of the House are aimed at making the process a little bit more democratic, make it easier to vote on bills, and make sure that we all know what we're voting on before we vote on it."
As Covid rages, Decarcerate NOW continues protests outside ACI
“Every day we hear from incarcerated people and their loved ones how poorly this outbreak is being handled and how terrified they are,” writes Decarcerate NOW.