New Statewide Rental Registry

Deadline for landlords to submit required information is October 1, 2024

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has launched a new statewide Rhode Island Rental Registry for all landlords in Rhode Island. Landlords must submit the required information in the registry at rentalregistry.ri.gov no later than October 1, 2024. Landlords who rent a residential property that was built before 1978 and that is not exempt from the Lead Hazard Mitigation Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-128.1-1) must provide a valid Certificate of Lead Conformance or other lead certificate.

RIDOH is reminding landlords that they have a responsibility and legal obligation to provide safe housing for their tenants, including housing that is lead-safe. Lead certificates, like the Certificate of Lead Conformance, are issued by a licensed lead inspector and document that a rental property is in a lead safe condition. Landlords can learn more about lead certificates and how to get one at www.lead1978.com.
 

Here is the link to the press release: RIDOH Launches New Statewide Rental Registry
Here is the link for landlords to register: Rhode Island Statewide Rental Registry (ri.gov)

Constitutional Convention Preparatory Commission Summary

Constitutional Convention Preparatory Commission

According to the Rhode Island Constitution, every ten years, Rhode Islanders get to decide if there will be a constitutional convention by voting yes or no on the question: "Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Constitution." Over this Summer, I co-chaired the bipartisan preparatory commission in advance of that ballot question. This commission came about from legislation I introduced during the most recent legislative session. The commission was made up of four representatives, four senators and four members of the public. We were charged with gathering information and issuing a public report on what may be discussed during a constitutional convention. The commission met throughout the Summer and developed a final report that will help inform voters in making a decision on how they want to vote on the Constitutional Convention ballot question. The final report can be found here on the RI General Assembly’s website. If you want to view previous agendas and review other commission documents, click here.

General Election Information

Now that the September 10 primary is over, I wanted to make sure you have these important upcoming voting dates in your calendar:

  • October 6 - Voter registration deadline

  • October 15 - Mail ballot request deadline

  • October 16 - Early voting begins

  • November 5 - General Election

If you voted by mail for the primary and want to vote by mail for the general election, you must submit a separate mail ballot application, which you can do now through October 15. Click here to request a mail ballot.

This is a big election for our nation, state, and locally. You can double check your voter registration on the Secretary of State’s website, as well as can view a sample ballot, find your current elected officials, and find your voting location. Encourage your friends and family to check their voter registration as well.

Here is the contact information for the canvassing offices in Newport and Jamestown. They can also answer any of your elections related questions. 
 

Newport
Hugh Moren - City of Newport, Elections Administrator
hmoren@cityofnewport.com - (401) 845-5384

Jamestown
Keith Ford - Clerk to the Board of Canvassers
kford@jamestownri.net - (401) 423-9801

What's Up Newp: "Sponsored bills from Aquidneck Island legislators will help accelerate housing production and increase Rhode Island’s housing stock"

Click here to read full story on What’s Up Newp.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed a package of 14 housing bills into law Thursday, aiming to accelerate housing production and increase the state’s housing stock.

The ceremonial signing took place at the Warwick Housing Authority, where McKee was joined by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, who championed the legislative package, along with other state and local officials.

“Housing is a pathway to better health outcomes, good-paying jobs, generational wealth and a stronger economy for our state,” McKee said. “I’m proud to sign these bills which will streamline production and cut through the red tape to spur more development across Rhode Island.”

The new laws address various aspects of housing development, from allowing accessory dwelling units to reforming the State Building Code Office.

One bill, sponsored by Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Middletown, Portsmouth) and Sen. Mark P. McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), simplifies wetlands zoning regulations to spur housing development. It amends provisions related to zoning ordinances for wetland buffers in development projects, clarifying that local regulations cannot exceed state agency requirements for coastal and freshwater wetlands.

Another measure, sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown), along with Rep. Leonela Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket), requires municipalities to allow at least three types of financial security for developers on projects involving public improvements. This change aims to encourage development by providing more flexibility in financing options.

…

Rhode Island Current: "Constitutional convention commission is firming up opinions and cost estimate"

Click here to read the full article on the Rhode Island Current

by Christopher Shea

A constitutional convention is either a path to reform or a one-way ticket back to an era before civil liberties were enshrined into everyday life.

The debate over the question of whether the state should have one basically boils down to these two views, which have been aired before a bipartisan commission gathering input for a voter information guide ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

Commissioners have two more meetings to go, including one Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the State House, but its two leaders already seem to know how they’ll vote come November.

Rep. Robert Craven, a North Kingstown Democrat who co-chairs the panel, told Rhode Island Current Tuesday that he thinks many positive outcomes are possible if voters approve the ballot question to hold a convention. Craven, an attorney, said he is still considering how he’ll vote on the measure come November, but acknowledged he disagreed with many of the arguments against holding a convention.

“Lawyers have a lot of interest in these kinds of things,” he said. “A constitutional convention really is a study in the constitution, which is the essence of American law.”

But Sen. Dawn Euer, a Newport Democrat who also co-chairs the commission, said in an interview Tuesday she is against holding a convention because well-funded special interest groups could seize the opportunity to try to influence what amendments are considered.

“When you have money flooding into the campaign, it really does have the potential of setting up confusion,” Euer said.

The cost of holding the last constitutional convention in 1986 was $891,000 — or roughly $2.6 million today when adjusted for inflation. At the time the cost of the convention included an allocation of more $250,000 from the General Assembly toward educating the public about proposed amendments on the November ballot.

The Public's Radio: "Sen. Dawn Euer on climate change, her political future, Democrats’ hopes for November & more "

I recently sat down for an interview with Ian Donnis of The Public's Radio. Thank you to Ian for having me on Political Roundtable. You can read/listen to the full interview here: Sen. Dawn Euer on climate change, her political future, Democrats’ hopes for November & more 

The Public's Radio, August 16, 2024

Primary Election Mail Ballot Deadline!

If you would like to vote by mail for the September 10 statewide primary, the deadline to submit an online application for a mail ballot is tomorrow, August 20. For this primary you can vote on primary day, early in person, or by mail ballot.

There are some important primary races for our US Senator (there are primaries on both the Democratic & Republican ballots) and Newport’s First Ward for City Council***. ***An important note for the Newport City Council race - this is an nonpartisan seat BUT because there are three candidates, there is still a primary! You can vote in that race either as a Democrat, Republican, or unaffiliated voter.***

To apply for a mail ballot, you will need to provide:
•    Your Rhode Island driver’s license number or State ID
•    Your name, as it appears on the voter rolls
•    Your date of birth

The Secretary of State’s website is a great resource for all things voting. You can view a sample ballot, find your current elected officials, find your voting location, and request a mail ballot. 

Here is the contact information for the canvassing offices in Newport and Jamestown. They can also answer any of your elections related questions. 
 

Newport
Hugh Moren - City of Newport, Elections Administrator - hmoren@cityofnewport.com - (401) 845-5384

Jamestown
Keith Ford - Clerk to the Board of Canvassers - kford@jamestownri.net - 401-423-9801

Important Election Dates: 
Statewide Primary
August 20 - Primary mail ballot application deadline
August 21 - Primary early voting begins
September 10 - Statewide primary election
 
General Election
October 6 - Voter registration deadline
October 15 - Mail ballot application deadline
October 16 - Early voting begins
November 5 - General election

Constitutional Convention Preparatory Commission

With Constitutional Convention Preparatory Commission Co-Chair Robert E. Craven, Sr.

According to the Rhode Island Constitution, every ten years, Rhode Islanders get to decide if there will be a constitutional convention by voting yes or no on the question: "Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the Constitution." For the past few weeks, I have been co-chairing the bipartisan preparatory commission in advance of that ballot question. We are charged with gathering information and issuing a public report by September 1 on what may be discussed during a constitutional convention. This commission came about from legislation I introduced during this previous legislative session.

The final commission meetings will be at the State House on Wednesday, Aug. 21, and Wednesday, Aug. 28 where we will take testimony on the potential cost to hold a convention and the election laws that will apply for any ballot measures.

Click here to read the official press release and click here for an update from The Rhode Island Current.  If you want to view previous agendas and review other commission documents, CLICK HERE.

The commission will accept written testimony through 4 p.m Friday, Aug. 23, via its email address: constitutionalconventioncommission@rilegislature.gov 

Presentation at the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL)

I recently attended and presented at the NCSL Legislative Summit in Louisville, KY. I spoke on a panel with about how to build voter confidence in elections as well as strategies to reach voters with accurate information. You can watch a livestream of that panel HERE. The NCSL provides a forum for state legislators and policy makers to exchange ideas on state concerns. Here are some articles that cover this summit:

"States Confront Threats Of AI Ahead Of Elections"

  • The Pinnacle Gazzette, August 13, 2024