Coastal Access Bills

This year, there were three coastal access bills introduced. I was happy to co-sponsor these bills introduced by my colleague from Charlestown, Sen. Victoria Gu. The bills include educating buyers of oceanfront property about public access laws to prevent disputes, preserving and enhancing access on abandoned roads, and preserving historic rights-of-way. You can read more about the bills here from Jamestown Press.

Jamestown Residents Who Turn 18 by Election Day Eligible to Vote

I am excited that for the first time, Jamestown residents who turn eighteen years old by November 5 will be able to vote in this year’s election! This is due to the legislation that I cosponsored and was signed into law last year. They can vote along with the rest of RI’s eligible voters in the April 2 presidential primary, followed by the local and state primaries on September 10, and the general election on November 5. Click to learn more.

An Eye on Housing

I wanted to share this article that talks about the housing crisis in Martha's Vineyard. For locals, you will know that this article could have been written about Newport or Jamestown. It has been heart wrenching over the years as friends and community leaders have had to move away because they could not afford to stay. I am co-sponsoring conveyance tax legislation that is similar to what is being proposed in Martha's Vineyard. I am also sponsoring legislation that is an anti-speculation tax bill that would disincentivize short-term property speculators. Read the article here.

Gun Safety Bill for Safe Weapons Storage

This week the Senate Judiciary Committee, which I chair, voted to advance an important gun safety bill to be voted on in the Senate next week. The bill would require all firearms to be stored in a locked container when not in use. It also would make unsafe gun storage a civil offensive with fines, followed by jail time for subsequent violations. This law would safeguard against children accessing the guns and inflicting harm on themselves or others. Click to learn more.

Protection for Transgender Residents

I introduced a bill this year called the “Healthcare Provider Shield Act.” This bill would set up a series of protections for healthcare providers who provide life affirming and reproductive healthcare services in Rhode Island. It would improve healthcare access and equity in Rhode Island, while providing much needed protection for vulnerable communities. Click here to read the Economic Progress Institute’s testimony in support of the legislation.

EPA Appointment

I was recently appointed to sit on the EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee. The committee provides independent policy advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of issues affecting local governments. This year, the Committee will provide input on the proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, the draft Strategy for Reducing Plastic Pollution, developing a cumulative impact framework, and improving community-level communication and engagement on climate change issues. For the first time in the Agency's history an advisory committee's membership will be majority female, including all members of the committee's leadership.

Rhode Island’s local communities know firsthand the impacts of environmental issues and climate change. I am ready to bring our voice to national conversations about climate change and environmental policy. 

Click here to read more about my EPA appointment: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/four-new-englanders-appointed-epas-national-local-government-advisory-committee

 

2023 Reflection

As your Rhode Island State Senator, I am incredibly fortunate to work alongside so many talented, dedicated people across our state. We face many big challenges, but working together, we have made progress toward a future that is brighter, more sustainable, and filled with opportunities for every Rhode Islander in every one of our state’s communities.

The holidays are nearly upon us, and soon after, the next legislative session will begin at the General Assembly. Before these especially busy times arrive, I’m writing to report that on a wide range of issues, from education and the environment to health care and housing and consumer protection, we have much to celebrate. 

To learn more about what the General Assembly accomplished in 2023, visit www.rilegislature.gov. I greatly value feedback from my constituents, and I urge you to reach out if I can provide any assistance. I hope you have a happy and safe holiday season!

Relief for Families & Businesses

It’s no secret that across the board, costs have risen for Rhode Island families and businesses. From the grocery store to the gas pump and beyond, added expenses are straining budgets and bank accounts.

We are working in the Senate to find ways to provide relief. To provide relief to year-round Newport residents, in coordination with Representative Lauren Carson, I was proud to sponsor a law that allows the city to set a lower tax rate on owner-occupied properties. Working with Representative Alex Finkelman, I sponsored legislation to enable Jamestown to establish a program  would provide members of the Jamestown Volunteer Fire Department with up to $2,000 of property tax relief.

This year, we suspended the gross receipts tax on electricity and natural gas bills for this coming winter - providing $35 million in relief for residents and businesses from high energy costs - and increased the state Earned Income Tax Credit to provide needed additional support for Rhode Island’s working families. I continue to work on expanding opportunities for renewable energy to help provide a more diverse energy supply into the region in an effort to stabilize and drive down costs in the long term.