Housing Success from 2023 Session

The General Assembly continued its efforts to address Rhode Island’s housing crisis and ensure everyone in our state has a safe, affordable place to call home. We approved a sweeping package of bills aimed at removing barriers to new housing, and invested millions to support housing development and assist those experiencing homelessness. We also banned rental application fees, which can present a real financial hurdle for many renters. I was especially proud of legislation that I sponsored in partnership with RI Housing and Representative Leonela Felix to protect, and make permanent, the foreclosure mediation program - which provides important protections for homeowners who may have fallen behind on their payments.

The photo was taken at the community celebration where Festival Field was renamed Sunset Hill. When I was first elected, Festival Field was in abhorrent condition. One of the first calls I made after my first election was to RI Housing to get help in protecting the affordable housing and improving the conditions. RI Housing worked with the new owners, Fairstead, and now the entire property has been renovated and modernized. And, the affordable housing status of the property has been preserved for another generation. Being able to participate in the renaming community celebration was an incredibly rewarding experience.

Click here to learn more: https://fairstead.com/fairstead-hosts-community-day-and-renaming-celebration-at-sunset-hill-apartments/

Public Health Update

This past year brought a number of important victories that will improve public health and expand access to health care for Rhode Islanders. I’m especially proud that we ended long-standing barriers to essential care for Medicaid recipients and state workers with passage of the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act. We also codified the consumer protections of the federal Affordable Care Act into state law to ensure that preexisting condition coverage, the ability of those under 26 to stay on parents’ coverage, and other important provisions remain in effect locally regardless of what happens in Washington.

Additionally, ending the threat of lead poisoning - a reality far too many Rhode Island families live with, especially in older communities like Newport and Jamestown - was a major focus during the past session. Working with the Attorney General’s office, we approved an important package of legislation to protect children and families from the risks of lead exposure by enhancing the rights of tenants and holding landlords accountable. Thanks to a separate new law, we have also put Rhode Island on track to replace all lead pipes in our state’s water systems within a decade.

2023 Education Legislative Work

A strong, thriving education system is essential to ensure our children are prepared for the future - and have the best chance for success in life. This year in the legislative session, we reformed the education funding formula to ensure all students, including multilingual learners, are receiving the support they need. We also allocated millions to support early childhood education and care programs. To support higher education and enhance workforce development efforts, we created the Hope Scholarship program to provide two years of free tuition for students at Rhode Island College. Additionally, we expanded the Wavemaker Fellowship program to include teachers, and provided funding for the creation of a new cybersecurity institute at RIC.

Shoreline Access & Environmental Protection

After a lengthy and thoughtful process involving a wide range of stakeholders, the RI Legislature adopted new guidelines that ensure all Rhode Islanders can enjoy access to our state’s shoreline. The right to the shore is deeply embedded in our history and culture, and I am grateful to the many advocates, leaders, and community members who worked so hard to reach a solution to this issue.

We also advanced a modest reform of the troubled Coastal Management Resource Council (CRMC) with the enactment of legislation to establish the Executive Director as a position that is appointed by the Governor as opposed to being beholden to the Council AND we finally were able to give advice and consent to a hearing officer for CRMC after a yearlong delay by the Governor’s Office to fill the position.

We took an important step toward a more equitable and sustainable future with the Senate’s passage of the Environmental Justice Act, and this bill will be a top priority for me again in the 2024 session.

Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence

I was honored to work this year with House Majority Whip Katherine Kazarian and advocates on successful legislation that would protect domestic violence victims from abusers using the courts as an extension of their abuse through a practice referred to as abusive litigation. Unfortunately, in some cases, once a domestic violence survivor ends an abusive relationship and tries to move on, abusers will file frivolous lawsuits just to get in the same room as, or further harass, the victim. Abusive litigation also has a financial impact on victims, who may have to take time out of work to appear in court with their abuser, pay for child care during court and pay legal fees. This bill will give courts the tools they need to dismiss suits that lack merit and protect victims from having their lives further disrupted.

Thank you, Newport & Jamestown!

Thank you to the voters of Newport and Jamestown for trusting me to represent you for the next two years in the Rhode Island Senate.

I am proud of what we have accomplished so far and am excited to continue my work at the State House. I will be tackling key issues that affect each of my constituents – such as housing, the environment, utility reform, and creating the future for Rhode Island that we all deserve.

If you are interested in supporting my campaign, please click here to join my campaign email list. If you are interested in following my legislative efforts, please click here to join my constituent newsletter list.

You can also track my current legislation at any time on the Rhode Island General Assembly’s website. Click here to access, then enter my name under “Sponsor.”

I look forward to the next two years of representing my constituents!

Signing Sexual Assault Legislation

From the office of the governor:

Governor McKee Signs Legislation Protecting Confidentiality of Survivors of Domestic Violence

Published on Tuesday, October 25, 2022

WARWICK, RI – To mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Governor Dan McKee today ceremonially signed legislation which helps protect survivors of domestic violence by keeping their addresses confidential.

The bill signing took place at the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Governor McKee was joined by Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, bill sponsors Senator Dawn Euer and Representative Gregg Amore, and numerous advocates, groups, and organizations from across Rhode Island.

The legislation (2022-H 8015A, 2022-S 2659A) establishes the Address Confidentiality Program, which enables survivors of domestic violence to apply to the Secretary of State to have an address designated by as the person’s substitute address.

“Ensuring the privacy and protection of domestic violence survivors is of the utmost importance. This legislation, which I am proud to sign, provides Rhode Islanders the opportunity to safely live their lives, free of worry or concern that their abusers will be able to harm them or their loved ones,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I sincerely thank the legislators, advocates, and organizations who saw to it that this legislation passed the House and Senate and made it to my desk.”

“Helping survivors find safe, stable housing where they can't be reached by their abuser is the first step in breaking the cycle of domestic violence,” said Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “This law will ensure that no victim will have to live in fear of being contact by their abuser because their address may be listed in public records. Thanks to the work of the Coalition Against Domestic Violence and our partners across government, survivors now have an additional layer of protection, and we are one step closer to ending the scourge of domestic violence.”

“The effects of domestic violence impacts every aspect of a victim’s life and tears at the very fabric of our communities. And sadly, even though a victim may physically escape their abuser, it does not always mean that the abuse will end for themselves or their children. This bill will keep victims of domestic violence and their families safe from their abusers while also allowing them to build back and live their lives as normally and safely as possible. Everyone should feel safe and secure in their homes and this bill will provide victims of domestic abuse another layer of protection from their abusers. I also have to thank the many victims of domestic violence who bravely told their stories while advocating for passage of the bill. It is my hope that this bill can give them, and others like them, the security and safety for themselves and their families that they deserve,” said Representative Gregg Amore (D-Dist. 65, East Providence).

“Far too often, survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or other abuse face continued harassment and intimidation from their abuser. This prevents survivors from healing and puts their safety at continued risk. The Address Confidentiality Program will create a pathway for survivors and their families to safely participate in the many public aspects of life, which is something everyone deserves. I want to thank the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence for its assistance and advocacy, and the Secretary of State’s office for its collaboration,” said Senator Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown).

Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Lucy Rios said: “When victims of domestic abuse relocate after fleeing violence, we must do all we can to keep them safe and protect their wellbeing. This life-saving program provides an extra layer of safety and security for survivors and their children, and gives them peace of mind that their abuser will not find them. Not only will this bill support survivors and their families who have been able to relocate, just knowing this program exists can also make all the difference for a victim navigating how to leave an abusive situation. We are filled with gratitude for everyone who made this legislation a reality – including several survivors who shared their experiences – and we celebrate this victory for survivor safety in Rhode Island with Governor McKee and the legislative champions who sponsored and supported this bill.”

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Far too often, survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or other abuse face continued harassment and intimidation from their abuser. This prevents survivors from healing and puts their safety at continued risk. In June this year, a new law I sponsored went into effect, protecting survivors of domestic violence by keeping their address anonymous.

The Address Confidentiality Program will create a pathway for survivors and their families to safely participate in the many public aspects of life, which is something everyone deserves. I want to thank the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence for its assistance and advocacy, and the Secretary of State’s office for its collaboration.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know if a victim of domestic violence, call the 24 hour hotline at 1-800-494-8100.

Updating Jamestown Housing Authority Heating System

I have been working with the Jamestown Housing Authority for months to try to pull together emergency funding to replace their heating system. Amazing news that the funding came through! Grateful to Senator Jack Reed Senator Sheldon Whitehouse & Congressman David Cicilline for their help w/ U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

We still have work to do to get the funds needed to complete this project and I am committed to helping them close the funding gap. This project has been extremely illustrative of the program & funding gaps to ensure that our elderly population has housing that is safe, warm and dry.

This project is not only going to update the dangerous and archaic electrical systems throughout the property, but it's going to transition the entire system from a delivered fuel heating system to an electrified heating system with support from solar panels.

I would love to see this project expanded to become the hub for a Jamestown mini-grid that could serve the vulnerable population AND critical island services, including the fire station, school, town hall, & police station. Lots of opportunity here for resiliency & climate adaptation.