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February 2008 Archives
2:44 PM Fri, Feb 29, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney  Email
Warwick's Democratic City Committee announced today that it has endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton for president, trumpeting in a news release "her ability to bring real solutions to the problems facing America’s middle class families and to provide universal healthcare." Nancy......
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2:43 PM Fri, Feb 29, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman Before a campaign rally at University of Rhode Island campus in Providence today, U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy speaks in favor of Democratic presidential contender Sen. Barack Obama. His son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode......
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3:07 PM Wed, Feb 27, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jack Perry Email
William F. Buckley Jr., the syndicated columnist and intellectual whose studied mannerisms, verbal flourishes and polemics energized the American conservative movement for a half-century, has died. He was 82. And while most closely associated with Connecticut, Buckley did indeed have......
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1:29 PM Wed, Feb 27, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
PROVIDENCE -- Actor Kal Penn, who appears on FOX's drama "House," will lead up a "Students for Barack Obama College Tour" -- a tour coming to Rhode Island colleges and universities tomorrow. The goal, according to a campaign news release,......
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7:40 PM Tue, Feb 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
Dueling Democratic debate watches are on tonight in Providence. The Cleveland, Ohio, debate between Democratic presidential contenders Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton begins at 9. You can go to Local 121 at 121 Washington St., Providence, to join Obama supporters.......
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4:35 PM Tue, Feb 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
CRANSTON -- Several of the city’s most prominent politicians, including Mayor Michael T. Napolitano and state Sen. Beatrice A. Lanzi, are rallying around Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in advance of next week’s high-stakes presidential primary. “She has the experience and......
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1:07 PM Tue, Feb 26, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
Former President Bill Clinton is coming to the Ocean State this week, less than one week before Rhode Island's March 4 presidential primary election. Clinton has been traveling the country, campaigning on behalf of his wife and Democratic presidential hopeful,......
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2:43 PM Mon, Feb 25, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
PROVIDENCE -- Republican Mike Huckabee says he's hoping for a win in Rhode Island, although he acknowledges he's not as well known here as his rival, Sen. John McCain. The former Arkansas governor spoke on WPRO-AM Monday afternoon before heading......
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9:11 AM Mon, Feb 25, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams says it’s time to start filling the growing number of state judicial vacancies. In a one-page letter to Governor Carcieri on Feb. 15, Williams noted that District Judge Walter Gorman notified......
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9:09 AM Mon, Feb 25, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
House Republicans — and a sympathetic Democrat — are pressing Speaker William Murphy to broadcast the first public hearing on proposed House rules changes on Capitol TV. Dedicated Political Scene readers already know the Republicans are boycotting the taping by......
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9:08 AM Mon, Feb 25, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
With eight days to go until Rhode Island’s presidential primary, the Clinton and Obama campaigns are scrambling for Rhode Island’s 32 Democratic delegates. And that means a host of staff have been added to the candidates’ Rhode Island teams in......
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9:07 AM Mon, Feb 25, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
Brown University professor and former congressional candidate Jennifer Lawless has announced that she is starting a political action committee to encourage political participation and get woman involved in politics. The PAC — dubbed “Real Equality and Progress for Rhode Island”......
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9:05 AM Mon, Feb 25, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
And on the local election beat: a month after the death of longtime Democratic Sen. Roger Badeau, the campaign to fill his District 20 (Cumberland and Woonsocket) seat has moved into action. Rep. Roger A. Picard, of 764 Mendon Rd.,......
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7:32 PM Fri, Feb 22, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
Presidential candidate Barack Obama wants to become the nominee of the Democratic Party, but in little Rhode Island his campaign is talking about a house party. Make that house parties -- 21 in all around the state -- leading up......
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4:07 PM Thu, Feb 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
PROVIDENCE -- Over at Local 121, you can catch tonight's Barack Obama versus Hillary Clinton debate from a decidedly pro-Obama perspective. Obama's Rhode Island campaign announced that friends and supporters will gather at the retaurant/bar, at 121 Washington St., to......
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2:26 PM Thu, Feb 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
Despite a mixup on the Clinton campaign front on just when this was happening -- a press release last night initially said it would be today -- it was right in today's Journal: Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to......
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2:08 PM Thu, Feb 21, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign said it will start airing televising and radio advertisements in Spanish in Rhode Island today. A 30-second television ad title “Como Padre,” or “Like My Father,” talks about "Obama's plans to help families with......
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3:37 PM Wed, Feb 20, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
PROVIDENCE -- Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, gave a strong defense today of her husband's campaign before about 150 cheering women -- and some men -- at the Providence Biltmore hotel. "This has been an amazing......
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2:40 PM Tue, Feb 19, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign today announced five women who will head up Rhode Island Women for Obama, one of similar groups nationally the campaign says are organizing on Obama's behalf. They are Johnnie Chace, Stephanie Chafee, former U.S.......
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12:51 PM Tue, Feb 19, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
PROVIDENCE-- The Hillary Clinton campaign will officially open its headquarters here this afternoon. Supporters of the Democratic presidential contender are expected to be joined by some of the state's top Democratic politicians, including U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Rep. James......
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12:05 PM Tue, Feb 19, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
Michelle Obama is coming to Rhode Island tomorrow to talk about her husband, Sen. Barack Obama, and his run for the presidency. First, she’ll be meeting at a private get-together for a “Women for Obama” launch event at 1:30 p.m.......
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1:12 PM Mon, Feb 18, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign today announced its top Rhode Island campaign staff as the March 4 primary battle with fellow Sen. Barack Obama takes on greater importance in the Ocean State. * Communications director is Christine Heenan, founder......
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1:07 PM Mon, Feb 18, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
Cumberland Mayor Daniel McKee, a Democrat, has endorsed Barack Obama for president, the Obama campaign announced today. “Here in Rhode Island, we know this election isn’t about returning to the past, it’s about moving our country towards the future,” McKee......
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12:59 PM Mon, Feb 18, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
HOUSTON -- Former President George H.W. Bush endorsed John McCain today, a nod of approval from the Republican political dynasty’s patriarch that sends a strong signal to a GOP establishment wary of the Arizona senator. “No one is better prepared......
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10:57 AM Mon, Feb 18, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jack Perry Email
Michelle Obama, Senator Barack Obama’s, wife is coming to Rhode Island. A statement from the presidential hopeful’s campaign says she’ll be here on Wednesday. Michelle Obama has ties to Rhode Island that go beyond the March 4 primary. Her brother,......
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9:43 AM Mon, Feb 18, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
After toiling away in the basement of the State House for 10 years as chief legal adviser to the House Finance Committee, lawyer and Pawtucket City Councilman Robert E. Carr is getting a promotion. House spokesman Larry Berman confirmed last......
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9:42 AM Mon, Feb 18, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
Did you ever run into a guy named Bill at T.F. Green who seemed to be keeping a low profile and carrying legal briefs? Well, it might have been the late United States Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. On Tuesday,......
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9:37 AM Mon, Feb 18, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
On that same trip to Rhode Island last week, Chief Justice John Roberts was talking about Abraham Lincoln. So where was Rhode Island’s top jurist, a Lincoln expert and collector? As is turns out, Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J.......
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9:35 AM Mon, Feb 18, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
House Speaker William J. Murphy and Senate President Joseph Montalbano’s joint appearance on talk radio Friday was, by most accounts, a sedate affair. Chatting with Providence’s former mayor on WPRO’s Buddy Cianci Show, the legislative leaders offered few clues about......
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6:53 PM Fri, Feb 15, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
Your television will never be the same. At least until March 5. The political advertising barrage for Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on Ocean State TV sets begins today. The two frontrunners for their party's presidential candidate nomination......
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6:47 PM Fri, Feb 15, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, will hit the radiowaves tomorrow with the Democrats' response to President Bush’s weekly radio address. Whitehouse's office announced that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, tapped him to respond. According to a press release......
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1:17 PM Fri, Feb 15, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will visit Rhode Island on Sunday, Feb. 24, her campaign announced today. Republican candidate John McCain visited the state yesterday -- the same day that Lincoln Chafee, former Republican Rhode Island senator, said he was......
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5:58 PM Thu, Feb 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
AP photo Romney, right, applauds as Sen. John McCain reaches out to shakes hands during a news conference in Boston today where the former GOP presidential candidate gave his backing to McCain. BOSTON -- Republican campaign dropout Mitt Romney......
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4:11 PM Thu, Feb 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
Journal photo / Mary Murphy GOP presidential candidate Sen. John McCain speaks to a crowd of about 1,000 supporters at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick today. Among them were Governor Carcieri, at left. WARWICK -- U.S. Sen. John......
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11:05 AM Thu, Feb 14, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
Former Republican U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee today endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president, citing the Illinois senator’s longstanding opposition to the war in Iraq. Chafee, who lost a run for reelection in 2006, was the only Republican in the Senate......
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12:50 PM Wed, Feb 13, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Jack Perry Email
Providence Journal/Mary Murphy A local headquarters for the Barack Obama campaign for president has opened on the corner of Union and Westminster streets in Providence in the space used by Craftland during the holidays and the farmers market.......
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7:42 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
Republican presidential candidate John McCain will come to Rhode Island Thursday afternoon for a rally in Warwick. He's the first presidential candidate to do so in the lead-up to the state's March 4 primary. McCain is slated to appear at......
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7:13 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted overwhelmingly tonight to expand the government’s spying powers and – in a long-sought victory for President Bush – to grant legal immunity to the telephone companies that helped him launch a new warrantless wiretapping program......
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6:48 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
NEW YORK -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will meet tomorrow with U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter to discuss the Spygate case involving the New England Patriots. NFL officials say the afternoon meeting will take place in Specter's office. The Pennsylvania Republican......
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7:23 PM Mon, Feb 11, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
Rhode Island is headed on the wrong course, according to a strong majority of those sampled in a Brown University poll out today. And so are the poll numbers for key politicians at the controls. Even more wrong than poll......
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3:50 PM Fri, Feb 08, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
Diplomats from countries across the United States and South America are coming together in Providence next week. The “Changes in the Andes” conference, will take place at Brown University Feb. 12-13. Policymakers, academics, diplomats and other stakeholders from Bolivia, Ecuador......
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7:04 PM Thu, Feb 07, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
WASHINGTON -- The Senate passed an economic rescue plan today that would speed $600 to $1,200 in rebates to most taxpayers and $300 checks to low-income people, including disabled veterans and the elderly. The 81-16 vote capped more than a......
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1:00 PM Thu, Feb 07, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
WASHINGTON (AP) -- John McCain effectively sealed the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday as chief rival Mitt Romney suspended his faltering presidential campaign. "I must now stand aside, for our party and our country," the former Massachusetts governor prepared to......
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11:03 AM Wed, Feb 06, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
BOSTON -- U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy and Gov. Deval Patrick couldn't deliver their home state for Barack Obama as Massachusetts women voters helped propel Hillary Rodham Clinton to victory, while former Gov. Mitt Romney easily turned back Republican rival John......
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8:58 AM Wed, Feb 06, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
As Hillary Clinton pulls ahead of Barack Obama in the count for Democratic presidential convention delegates, it's worth noting that today has another special significance for her. It's the 8th anniversary of the former First Lady's official announcement that she......
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7:19 PM Tue, Feb 05, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
WASHINGTON -- The results are beginning to emerge in today's Super Tuesday primaries. According to Associated Press exit polls, Barack Obama won the Georgia primary, the leading edge of a coast-to-coast struggle with Hillary Rodham Clinton for delegates in the......
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6:26 PM Tue, Feb 05, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Andrea Panciera Email
Journal photo / Frieda Squires Voters at Seekonk Town Hall check in with Dorothy Jackson, Jean Stallard and Alice Santos for the Massachusetts primary election. BOSTON -- Former Gov. Mitt Romney looked to the loyalty of Massachusetts Republicans to......
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11:58 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Mike McKinney Email
PROVIDENCE -- Responding to the state firefighters union's no-confidence vote in Providence Fire Chief George S. Farrell, Mayor David N. Cicilline issued a statement late yesterday calling him a "man of enormous integrity" and saying the chief has his full......
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9:34 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
A ban on cell phone use behind the wheel, it appears, might not be the cure-all for Rhode Island’s fiscal troubles. State budget officials, who initially estimated that such a law could generate $6.2 million in fines between this year......
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9:33 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
In a recent call to Political Scene, House Speaker William J. Murphy went out of his way to dispel recurring rumors that he plans to leave the State House after this session to spend more time with his young family,......
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9:29 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
And speaking of the speaker… House Speaker William Murphy has made no secret of his love for the film and television industry’s presence in Rhode Island. Now he’s getting his first starring role. A new half-hour weekly show, Straight from......
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9:28 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
Governor Carcieri said goodbye to the number two official in the state budget office last week, announcing that George Welly, deputy budget officer, plans to retire this year. Welly, known for his thick-rimmed glasses and his mischievous smile, told Political......
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9:27 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
Nellie M. Gorbea, once deputy secretary of state under Matt Brown, has been appointed executive director of HousingWorksRI, the coalition of foundations, banks, colleges and community groups seeking a solution to the state’s lack of affordable housing. Gorbea, of North......
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9:26 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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By Pamela Reinsel Cotter Email
The Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association has established a service award in the name of the late Rep. Paul W. Crowley, in honor of the Newport Democrat’s longstanding commitment to education. The Paul Crowley Award will be presented annually to......
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9:24 AM Mon, Feb 04, 2008 | Permalink |
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