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March 27, 2008

High court to hear advisory request on privatization law

PROVIDENCE -- The state's highest court has agreed to hear Governor Carcieri's request for an advisory opinion on the constitutionality of a law passed in June that blocks the governor from using private companies to conduct state business.

The state Supreme Court has decided that the governor, the House speaker, the Senate president, the attorney general, and other interested parties may file briefs on the governor's question on or before May 9.

Responsive briefs will be filed on or before June 20. A date for arguments will be set after briefs are filed.

The court's order denied a request from the governor for a conference with Supreme Court's chief justice.

The governor's office on March 18 delivered a request for an advisory opinion regarding whether the law, which opponents call an anti-privatization measure, is constitutional. The governor has expressed opposition to the law as something that will hurt the ability of state government to work. His 2008-09 state budget plan calls for replacing certain positions with nonunion contractor, which could produce savings through lesser salaries and benefits.

The order reiterates that an advisory opinion means the justices "speak in our individual capacities, as legal experts rather than as Supreme Court justices. The members, then, "do not exercise the judicial power" and the opinion is "not binding and it carries no mandate."

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with Journal archival reports

Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:05 PM | Comment

Smoke-shop case: Chief sachem describes the raid

Journal photo / Mary Murphy
Narragansett Indian Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas testifies today at his trial and that of six other Narragansetts in Superior Court about what happened on the day of the raid on July 14, 2003.

PROVIDENCE -- Closing arguments are set for Monday in the trial of seven Narragansett tribal members accused of resisting and scuffling with state police, who were carrying out a raid at the tribal smoke shop in Charlestown.

The defense rested its case this afternoon after the tribe's chief sachem, Matthew Thomas, took the stand in Superior Court to describe July 14, 2003, raid.

Thomas told jurors today that he wore a suit and tie the day of the raid on the tribal smoke shop because he expected the state to take the tribe to court.

"We felt we had the regulatory authority to do what we were doing," Thomas said of the tribe's decision to open the open the tax-free smoke shop on tribal land in Charlestown over Governor Carcieri's objections.

Instead, he said, state police came onto tribal land, without presenting a warrant despite being asked repeatedly for paperwork.

The July 2003 raid on the smoke shop, which had just opened for the sale of tax-free cigarettes, turned into a scuffle. Almost five years later, Thomas and six other Narragansett Indians are on trial for several misdemeanor charges including resisting arrest and assault.

"(State Police) looked like they meant business and they weren't talking to nobody," he said of their arrival.

He said he moved toward the shop after being pushed back by troopers, one of whom had a dog.

Thomas said he grabbed a trooper after he observed a tribal member being thrown from the shop stairs and saw an officer confronting Tribal Councilman Hiawatha Brown outside the shop door, he said.

"I didn't think anyone had the right to go into the smoke shop who wasn't authorized," he said.

-- Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Thomas said somebody there must have known he was chief sachem through his dealings with the state.

He described a conversation with state Police Major Steven G. O'Donnell: "I asked 'where's the paperwork? This is ridiculous.' He said, 'We're gonna show it to you.' "

Thomas said went to consult with Tribal Councilman John Brown, understudy to the medicine man, as Brown was being led away by a trooper. He said he asked why Brown was being arrested when Lt. Robert Mackisey pushed him in the chest.

"The next thing I know,” Thomas said, “I have a lot of hands on me.”

Thomas was handcuffed and placed under arrest after being taken to the ground by several troopers.

No tribal member was ever charged with the illegal sale of untaxed cigarettes, he said.

Under cross examination by prosecution late today, Thomas agreed that a 1978 settlement that gave the tribe its land specified that state laws applied on the 1,800 acres.

Read earlier testimony from Thomas and defendant Bella Noka this morning.

Extra: See photos and video of the 2003 raid on projo.com

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 6:54 PM | Comment

Off-shore LNG berth proposed for Mount Hope Bay

Weaver’s Cove Energy said today it is preparing a proposal to build an off-shore LNG berth in Mount Hope Bay that would allow tankers to offload liquefied natural gas about a mile from the nearest shore.

The company said it will soon file the plan with federal energy regulators in the hopes that it will be better received than its widely opposed plan to build an LNG terminal in Fall River.

The berthing structures would secure an LNG ship in place during unloading operations, the company said, and support the beginning of a 4-mile long pipeline that would be buried in a trench between portions of Mount Hope Bay and the Taunton River.

The LNG would be piped to a storage tank and regasification facility in Fall River, where the company had originally planned to build an LNG terminal.

The berthing platform would be located in waters within the town of Somerset, Mass., about one mile from the nearest shoreline and two miles south of the Braga Bridge, Weaver’s Cove said.

James Grasso, a company spokesman, said this new proposal does not replace the original proposal to build an LNG terminal in Fall River.

“We are not giving up on our original proposal,” he said in a phone interview. “What we are doing is proposing a possible alternative to perceived issues with tankers.”

The Weaver’s Cove proposal to build the Fall River LNG terminal was conditionally approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2005, despite widespread opposition from elected officials in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as well as citizens groups and residents near the proposed facility. But the proposal met a major setback when the U.S. Coast Guard found that it was too risky to allow LNG tankers to traverse parts of the Taunton River because of two bridges that are close together.

This new proposal would not require LNG ship traffic within the congested areas of the Taunton River, the company said, and would address concerns expressed by the community and the U.S. Coast Guard.

It would also greatly decrease dredging within the Taunton River, the company said.

“We have listened closely to the community’s concerns on how best to provide a safe and secure supply of natural gas for the community and the region,” said Gordon Shearer, chief executive officer of Weaver’s Cove Energy, in a statement.

-- Journal staff writer Timothy C. Barmann

“If moving LNG tanker unloading operations offshore proves technically and economically feasible, it would address many of the community’s concerns while providing the benefits of jobs, taxes, and lower energy prices,” Shearer said.

“It is widely recognized that New England has a pressing need for additional energy, particularly natural gas… Whether we provide that through our earlier proposal, which we believe meets or exceeds all applicable safety standards for LNG projects, or this new option offshore, our goal is to find a solution that works best for the community and for New England.”

Grasso said that the company began speaking with elected officials in Fall River and Somerset last week about this new alternative. “They are, I believe, digesting the information we gave them, and don’t have really a response yet.”

“I’m in the process of making phone calls to several of the key stakeholders so everyone knows what’s going on.”

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:45 PM | Comment

House OKs bill that would let inmates out earlier

PROVIDENCE -- House lawmakers struggling with a financial crisis have voted to save money by letting prisoners leave state prison sooner if they behave and work.

The bill passed this evening 56-9. The proposal must still be approved by the state Senate before it could become law.

Rhode Island is facing a massive budget deficit estimated at around $560 million. Governor Carcieri, a Republican, and Democratic lawmakers had proposed cutting prison costs by allowing prisoners more time off their sentences for good behavior, working and getting treatment.

Under the House proposal, inmates could cut short their sentences by 12 days for every month they follow prison rules and work. Most prisoners are now eligible for lesser reductions.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:36 PM | Comment

Update: Man killed on Rte. 95; child passenger survives

A man was killed today when he lost control of -- and was thrown from -- the Rhode Island-registered car he was driving on Route 95 north in Attleboro.

A child passenger, who was wearing a seatbelt, has been taken to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence with minor injuries, the Massachusetts State Police said in a news release. The statement did not elaborate on how or if the man and child are related.

The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed by the police, was traveling in a 1996 Ford Contour sedan in the left lane of Route 95 north -- just south of Exit 3 -- when the car went off the road and into a guardrail on the highway's right side, according to a preliminary state police investigation.

State troopers from the Foxboro, Mass., barracks responded to the crash at about 2:45 p.m. The right lane of Route 95 north and the Exit 3 ramp were closed for about two hours.

The police said they are looking for information about an unknown red vehicle that may have been involved in the crash. The police ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who may have information to call the Massachusetts State Police Foxboro barracks at (508) 543-8550.

The state police, including collision analysis and accident reconstruction experts, are investigating the crash.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:00 PM | Comment

Update: Carcieri order aims to enforce immigration law

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri this afternoon signed an executive order he says will strengthen efforts to respond to illegal immigration problems, in part by expanding the authority of the State Police to help with identifying and arresting illegal immigrants.

According to Carcieri's office, the order requires state agencies and vendors to verify the legal status of all employees and allows the state to inform people whose identity was stolen.

It also directs the State Police and the Department of Corrections to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to ensure federal immigration law is enforced.

“Today I am issuing an Executive Order which will enable a vast array of state government agencies to better address the issue of illegal immigration in Rhode Island,” Carcieri said in a press release.

“I want to make one thing very clear: I support increasing the quotas to have more legal immigrants in the United States. I also support granting more work permits. This is not about taking a hard line against immigrants," said the governor, who described himself as the grandson of immigrants from Italy and Sweden. "It’s about making sure that those who come here can realize their goals of economic security and a better quality of life.”

The executive order sets up its provisions by saying "Rhode Island continues to welcome new immigrants who legally seek the opportunities that the state, its economy, and its resources offer."

But Congress and the president have "been unable to resolve the problem of illegal immigration, leaving the states to deal with the consequences of 11 to 20 million illegal immigrants residing in the United States," adding that 20,000 to 40,000 live in Rhode Island.

Having "significant numbers" of people living in the state illegally puts "a burden on the resources of state and local human services, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions and other governmental institutions and diminishes opportunities for citizens and legal immigrants in Rhode Island," the order adds.

Extra: Read the full text of the Governor's Executive Order 08-01, Illegal Immigration Control Order.

Click below to read more about the order:

-- projo.com staff reports

* The state Department of Administration will require all companies, contractors and vendors doing business with the state to use the federal E-Verify program to ensure their employees are working in the country legally. Carcieri's office said states that have recently enacted similar measures include Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.

“By ensuring that there are no illegal immigrants employed in the executive branch and that those who do business with the state do not employ illegal immigrants, we are setting an example for others to follow,” Carcieri said in a statement. “This will encourage the private sector to comply.”

* The State Police will reach an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), known as a memorandum of understanding, to get training to help immigration enforcement personnel in arresting illegal immigrants. At this time, if the State Police arrest illegal immigrants, they must call ICE tp find out if deportation will be pursued. With the new agreement, the State Police who have been trained by ICE will be able to access federal databases, process immigration prisoners and transport them to the Wyatt Detention Center.

* The state Department of Corrections will also have an agreement with ICE to give state correctional officers authority and training to "address illegal immigration issues" at the Adult Correctional Institutions, in Cranston. It will allow certain prison personnel to do some duties of ICE agents such as "investigating immigration status and preparing the necessary documentation for those who have been found to be in this country illegally. This will streamline the process and make it more efficient," the governor's office said.

* The Parole Board and the state Department of Corrections will work with ICE personnel to "provide for the parole and deportation of criminal aliens." The governor's office stated that will enable ICE to get involved in the process early on and provide the Parole Board with information on inmates before their parole eligibility date.

“This will speed up deportation by getting these inmates back to their respective countries in a more timely fashion,” Carcieri said in the statement. “It will also be more cost effective. We will no longer bear the financial burden of providing housing or rehab treatment to these non-violent inmates.”

* State agencies will have authority to notify those "whose identity was stolen or used improperly to receive benefits such as child care, health care or a driver’s license."

According to the order, a section added to federal immigration law -- "performance of immigration officer functions by state officers and employees" -- authorizes the U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary to make agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies, "permitting designated officers to perform immigration law enforcement functions pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement."

Federal immigration law, as amended in 1996, allows government entities or officials to send to or get from the Immigration and Naturalization Service information on someone's immigration status, the gvoernor's order states. The federal government set up a program called E-Verify to "help employers electronically verify the employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers."

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:40 PM | Comment

Update: State reviews pending sale of rehab hospital

NORTH SMITHFIELD -- Landmark Medical Center is seeking state permission to sell control of its rehabilitation hospital here to a for-profit St. Louis-based company.

Currently, the 82-bed rehabilitation center on Eddie Dowling highway near the Woonsocket line is owned by Landmark Medical Center and its corporate parent, Landmark Health Systems. Landmark wants to sell 80 percent of the operation to a new corporate entity that will be 80 percent owned by RehabCare Hospital Holdings LLC of St. Louis. Mo.

According to documents filed with the state Department of Health, the new owners will reduce the number of beds at the hospital from 82 to 41. Landmark spokesman bill Fischer said that the average patient population at the rehabilitation hospital averages 25 to 30 patients, so the loss of beds is not seen as requiring a reduction of staff or services offered to northern Rhode island area.

Fischer said RehabCare specializes in the type of rehabilitation medicine practiced at the center. Those services were a side business for Landmark, he said. The sale of the hospital would enable Landmark get an infusion of cash and put the operation in the hands of someone who knows that business better than landmark does,.

“We believe this is going to give us the opportunity to augment and grow that business,” he said.

RehabCare officials could not be reached for comment.

The company specializes in providing rehabilitation management services in hospitals, nursing homes and other out-patient facilities. In its 2006 annual report, the company claimed 16,500 employees working in facilities in 87 markets throughout the United States. The company cited operating earnings of $21 million on revenues of $615 million.

The final price has not yet been set, Fischer said.

-- Journal staff writer John Hill

Under state law, the sale must be reviewed and approved by the Attorney General’s office and the state Health Department. The Health Department must examine the proposed sale to make sure it protects the public health and welfare, while the attorney general is charged with guarding the new entity’s charitable assets and gains from money that has been donated to the institution in the past and to make sure there are no conflicts of interest amongst the new owners.

The review process is complex and can take up to six months. Now that documents have been filed, the health department and attorney general’s office must determine if they application is complete. If it is found lacking, the applicants will get 30 days to complete it. Once it has been certified as complete, the state has p to six months to review it. Part of that review process will be a public meeting.

“Public input will be very important given that the sale involves an out-of-state for-profit entity buying an in-state hospital,” the Health Department and the attorney general said in a joint statement.

Originally known as the Fogarty Unit, Landmark has owned the 116 Eddie Dowling Highway facility since a merger in 1988. Landmark uses it as the site of its occupational health department and open-design Magnetic Resonance Imaging nit.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:24 PM | Comment

Smoke-shop case: Defense rests, closings Monday

PROVIDENCE -- Closing arguments are set for Monday in the trial of seven Narragansett tribal members accused of resisting and scuffling with state police, who were carrying out a raid at the tribal smoke shop in Charlestown.

The defense rested its case this afternoon after the tribe's chief sachem, Matthew Thomas, took the stand in Superior Court to describe July 14, 2003, raid.

Under cross examination by prosecution late today, Thomas agreed that a 1978 settlement that gave the tribe its land specified that state laws applied on the 1,800 acres.

The Narragansetts opened a tax-free smoke shop on tribal land off Route 2 over Governor Carcieri’s opposition on July 12, 2003.

Two days later, dozens of state troopers later used a search-and-seizure warrant granted by state court to stop the tribe from selling tobacco without charging state taxes. The raid turned violent, and seven Narragansetts, including Thomas, face charges that include resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and assault.

Read more about Thomas's testimony today in court.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with reports from Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 4:21 PM | Comment

Update: Carcieri order aims to enforce immigration law

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri this afternoon signed an executive order he says will strengthen the state's efforts to respond to the problem of illegal immigration.

According to Carcieri's office, the order requires state agencies and vendors to verify the legal status of all employees and allows the state to inform people whose identity was stolen.

It also directs the Rhode Island State Police and the Department of Corrections to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to ensure federal immigration law is enforced.

“Today I am issuing an Executive Order which will enable a vast array of state government agencies to better address the issue of illegal immigration in Rhode Island,” Carcieri said in a press release.

“I want to make one thing very clear: I support increasing the quotas to have more legal immigrants in the United States. I also support granting more work permits. This is not about taking a hard line against immigrants," said the governor, who described himself as the grandson of immigrants from Italy and Sweden. "It’s about making sure that those who come here can realize their goals of economic security and a better quality of life.”

Extra: Read the full text of the Governor's Executive Order 08-01, Illegal Immigration Control Order.

More to come ...

Posted by Jack Perry at 3:39 PM | Comment

Traffic Alert: Afternoon accident snarls 195

An afternoon accident has traffic slowed to a crawl on Route 195.

The two-car accident is on the eastbound side of the roadway on the Washington Bridge.

For up-to-date views of traffic on the state's highways, check out the Transportation Management's Web cameras.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 2:08 PM | Comment

Lawmakers to consider gambling, town merger bills

PROVIDENCE -- From 24-hour gambling to creating a supertown coined "Westconnaug," the State House agenda promises another interesting day.

The House Finance Committee is scheduled to hear, and potentially vote on, a bill, sponsored by Rep. William San Bento Jr., D-Pawtucket, North Providence, to allow 24-hour video lottery games at Twin River and Newport Grand. The meeting is slated to begin at the rise of the House of the Represenatives later this afternoon and will be held in State House room 35 -- the Trainor hearing room, according to the agenda.

Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee approved legislation to allow 24-hour gambling on weekends and during overnight hours before state and federal holidays that come on Mondays at Twin River and Newport Grand.

The proposal by Rep. Nicholas Gorham, R-Coventry, to merge several towns into one called Westconnaug is scheduled to come before the House Municipal Government Committee at the rise of the House later this afternoon. The new community would be made up of what are now Exeter, West Greenwich, Scituate, Foster, Glocester, and the part of Coventry known as the Western Coventry Fire District. The meeting has several bills on tap for hearing and/or consideration and is scheduled to be in State House room 205.

Read more about the proposed Westconnaug.
-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with Journal archival reports

Posted by Mike McKinney at 2:03 PM | Comment

No bombs found at Burrillville High School

Burrillville Police Lt. Kevin San Antonio said a search this morning of students’ bags at Burrillville High School did not reveal anything suspicious.

The search came one day after a note found in a bathroom at the high school threatened “there will be a bomb” during today’s scheduled parent-teacher conferences.

The School Department yesterday said that there were "significant criminal and school penalties" tied to making threats and that authorities would prosecute anyone involved with the note “to the fullest extent possible.”

--projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Mark Reynolds

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 12:15 PM | Comment

Smoke-shop case: Chief Sachem Thomas takes stand

PROVIDENCE -- Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas has taken the stand this morning in the case of seven Narragansett Indians faced with assault and other misdemeanor charges after a 2003 state police raid on a tribal, tax-free smoke shop.

Thomas is expected to be the last witness in the trial, which began Feb. 29.

Thomas, 46, has served on the tribal council since 1990 and is the youngest elected chief sachem since Colonial times.

So far he is answering questions about the day-to-day administrative duties that he has as chief, as well as general questions about the Narragansett Tribe.

Thomas is charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and simple assault for the scuffle during the raid of the smoke shop on tribal land in Charlestown.

Earlier today, defendant Bella Noka took the stand. She was also a member of the tribal council at the time of the raid and faces charges for disorderly conduct, obstructing a police officer and assault charges.

In court today, Noka said a state trooper threw her to the ground, putting his knee into her groin. She said she had to curl into a fetal position to protect herself.

Extra: See photos and videos from the raid, as well as more trial coverage.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:47 AM | Comment

Broken bottle prompts hardware store evacuation

NORTH PROVIDENCE -- The Fire Department went to an ACE Harware store on Waterman Avenue today, and the building was evacuated as a precaution after a 16-ounce bottle of insecticide fell and broke in the store, according to fire dispatch.

No one was injured.

Personnel are still on scene.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 11:46 AM | Comment

Seniors can ask the experts about tax rebates

If you're a senior citizen who doesn't normally file taxes -- but wants to receive a federal rebate check -- you'll have to do things differently this year.

You can get information from the experts in Cranston tomorrow afternoon at the Rebates for Seniors information session.

Representatives from the IRS are joining Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse at tomorrow's meeting to answer questions and clarify what senior citizens need to do to ensure they receive checks.

Among other things, seniors can ask questions about filing taxes, which they'll need to do to secure a check from the federal government.

Tomorrow's meeting is the third in a series that also went to Pawtucket and Westerly.

The Cranston session is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Cranston Senior Center, 1070 Cranston Street.

Extra: Find out now when you'll receive your rebate check.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 11:04 AM | Comment

Jury to decide case of alleged con man Kluth

PROVIDENCE -- A Superior court jury will decide the fate of a 48-year-old Newport man alleged to have conned 31 people out of thousands of dollars.

John Kluth Jr. is alleged to have used stories of a broken-down truck full of lobsters to swindle lawyers, the state jury commissioner, a well-known philanthropist, a retired Superior Court judge, officials in the attorney general’s office, a retired Marine Corps colonel, an accountant, businessmen, retirees and others.

The jury was to begin deliberating this morning.

Kluth faces 31 counts of obtaining money under false pretenses.

He's been on trial for two weeks. The state presented more than 40 witnesses, including 31 who said they were conned by Kluth.

The defense presented no witnesses. Kluth did not testify.

Read full coverage of yesterday's developments in the trial.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits

Posted by Jack Perry at 10:38 AM | Comment

Sheriff: Security blunders helped suspect flee hospital

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- The Bristol County sheriff says "breakdowns in security" helped lead to the escape of an accused rapist from a New Bedford hospital.

Anthony Flye remains on the loose after slipping out of a bathroom at the hospital on Tuesday.

Hodgson says a court officer who was guarding the 38-year-old suspect did not immediately report the escape and the sheriff's office did not learn of it until two corrections officers arrived at the hospital at least one hour later.

Hodgson says a New Bedford police officer spotted a man believed to be Flye - wearing hospital slippers and a gown - about 45 minutes after the escape. But the officer did not know at the time that the man was wanted and did not arrest him.

Flye faces charges of child rape, indecent assault and battery on a disabled person and incest.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry at 9:56 AM | Comment

2 injured in Warwick rollover

One person was seriously injured early this morning in a rollover accident that police say illustrates the importance of wearing safety belts.

Three juveniles were in the vehicle just after 1 a.m., entering Route 95 northbound from Exit 10/Route 117 in Warwick.

The driver lost control on the entrance ramp, according to State Police Lt. Eric LaRiviere, and the vehicle flipped as it entered the highway.

The passenger was thrown through the driver’s side window, and landed in the far left travel lane of the highway. She was taken to Hasbro Children's Hospital with what appeared to be serious, but not life-threatening injuries, LaRiviere said.

“It appears she was not wearing a seatbelt,” he said.

A back seat passenger had minor injuries, LaRiviere said.

The driver, who police believe was the only person wearing a safety belt, was not injured.

The disparity between injuries is not always so stark, LaRiviere said.

"This just emphasizes the need for seatbelts. We have a young girl with serious injuries versus the driver with no injuries.”

At this point, LaRiviere said, police believe excessive speed was a factor in the rollover. The driver was cited for lane and roadway violations – for not staying within his lane – and for having passengers who were not wearing safety belts.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 8:14 AM | Comment

Lawmakers: Carcieri to target illegal immigrants

PROVIDENCE -- Gov. Carcieri plans to sign an executive order today forcing prison officials and state police to identify illegal immigrants in state custody and requiring that state agencies take other steps to penalize immigration violators, a lawmaker said yesterday.

Carcieri's office did not immediately release details of the order, but the governor's spokeswoman, Barbara Trainor, said it would cover "several bases."

A written statement from Carcieri's office said there is a growing number of illegal immigrants, and the federal government is not taking action. It said the Republican governor will also endorse legislation that has been introduced in the Democratic-dominated General Assembly that will accomplish the same goal.

Among other steps, Carcieri will require the state Department of Corrections and state police to identify and report illegal immigrants in their custody, said Rep. Joseph Trillo, who said he has discussed the proposal with Carcieri's staff. Once state law enforcement identifies illegal immigrants, they can alert federal immigration authorities to begin deportation proceedings.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections declined to comment on the plan. State Police Maj. Steven O'Donnell said he had not been briefed on the subject, although state police officials will attend a news conference that Carcieri has scheduled for this afternoon.

Carcieri has also been considering proposals that would affect employers.

A Carcieri staffer recently told Rep. Jon Brien that the governor planned to sign an executive order forcing state agencies and contractors to verify the legal status of their workers, Brien said. The Democratic lawmaker had asked Carcieri to support a bill requiring private employers to do the same.

"By cracking down on the employer, you're basically saying if you want to work in Rhode Island, that's fine," Brien said. "But you have to do it legally."

-- By Ray Henry, the Associated Press

Brien's proposal is one among many introduced by Rhode Island lawmakers this year that deal with illegal immigration. One would make it a crime for state workers to issue state ID cards to illegal immigrants; kick illegal immigrants off public assistance programs; make it illegal to transport or harbor illegal immigrants; and require law enforcement to notify federal authorities any time they arrest a suspected illegal immigrant.

Carcieri has already proposed cutting immigrant children, be they legal or illegal, from a state-subsidized health care plan. He has also drawn fire from some immigrants rights groups for cutting translators from the state payroll.

His office said a recent report showed anywhere from 20,000 to 40,000 illegal immigrants live in the Ocean State. Carcieri has said in the past that the state, in the midst of a $561 million budget crisis, can't afford and shouldn't have to pay for people who break the law.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:56 AM | Comment

Rain likely this afternoon, high of 48 degrees

Look for rain this afternoon, mostly after 3 p.m. The National Weather Service is forecasting a high temperature near 48 degrees and calm west winds.

More clouds and rain -- and maybe snow -- tonight, when the temperature drops to 34 degrees mild, south winds.

Look for a throwback to winter tomorrow, with rain, mixed with sleet in the morning and likely snow later in the afternoon. The high temperature is not likely to break past the 40-degree mark, and cold, north winds could gust up to 20 mph.

Check projo.com's weather page for updates and cross your fingers for a change in the forecast.

Posted by Brandie Jefferson at 7:01 AM | Comment

Today's front page

Today's front page features coverage of the state budget debate and the fifth in an eight-part series on the Navy's Officer Candidate School in Newport.

Download a copy of today's front page in .pdf format.

Posted by Jack Perry at 7:00 AM | Comment