MEDIA COVERAGE - archives

DECEMBER​

December 21, 2018 
WPRI 
RI leaders talk legislative session's priorities
  • ​Rep. Blake Filippi, who'll be the House minority leader, has said that Republicans will push for policies that promote more free markets and free enterprise.

December 12, 2018 
GoLocalProv 
Representative-Elect Lyle Calls for Independent Commission on 38 Studios
  • “It is readily apparent that the current Attorney General avoided addressing this pressing matter as a result of his former position as a member of the leadership team of a previous Speaker of the House," said Lyle. 

December 11, 2018 
ABC 6 WLNE
State rep.-elect calls on AG-elect to reinvestigate 38 Studios
  • "I think the time is now, with a new attorney general, to move forward with this investigation," explained Jack Lyle​

NOVEMBER

November 30, 2018 
NPR RI
Bonus Q&A: Filippi On RI Republicans, Trump, Abortion & More

November 20, 2018 
The Block Island Times 
Filippi tapped for new role
November 20, 2018 
The Providence Journal 
Criticism of R.I. secretary of state continues to build
  • “Full dates of birth are an important piece of information for the public to be able to access and judge how well Rhode Island protected against voter fraud in our most recent election,″ said House Minority Whip Mike Chippendale

November 15, 2018 
The Independent 
Filippi chosen to lead Republicans as minority leader

November 8, 2018 
GoLocalProv 
NEW: Rep. Filippi Elected House Minority Leader, Chippendale Minority Whip

OCTOBER

October 3, 2018 
GoLocalProv 
RI ACLU Criticizes Kilmartin’s Handling of Morgan’s Request for Google Documents

SEPTEMBER 
September 19, 2018 
The Providence Journal 
Patricia Morgan accuses Kilmartin’s office of Google money coverup

​JULY 

July 11, 2018 
Cranston Herald
​Veterans to benefit from two Lancia-sponsored bills
  • Two bills that will benefit local military veterans were passed by the General Assembly and officially signed by Governor Gina Raimondo this legislative session – one to revive a federal program that aims to funnel veterans into schools as teachers and another to lessen the burden for veterans to gain access to property tax abatements.​

JUNE 
​
June 20, 2018 
GoLocalProv 
“This is What the Average Rhode Islander Doesn’t Like,” Says Giarrusso of PawSox Deal on LIVE
  • “It’s Groundhog Day,” said Giarrusso of the state considering legislation, once again, to provide public support for the private ownership of the AAA team. “It's the same thing over and over again with minor tweaks.

June 15, 2018 
WJAR NBC 10 
NBC 10 I-Team: FCC Commissioner objects to renaming of E-911 fee
  • O’Rielly wrote that “While this may alleviate the deception imposed on your citizens, it does nothing to address the funding needs of your 911 call system… The citizens of your state deserve more than just a name change.”

June 14, 2018 
WLNE ABC 6
"Kristen's Law" passes RI House 55-14
  • "Can we make the bill better for a 17-year-old who is not a vicious drug dealer," said Rep. Bob Lancia of Cranston. 
  • "When the person next to them goes into an overdose, they're going to leave because they don't want to go to jail for life. My fear is we're going to kill more people with this bill," said Rep. Michael Chippendale of Foster. 

June 14, 2018 
GoLocaProv 
Morgan to Propose Budget Amendments to Eliminate Truck Tolls—and Prevailing Wage
  • Rhode Island House Minority Leader and GOP gubernatorial candidate Patricia Morgan joined GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle on GoLocal LIVE ahead of the consideration of the Fiscal Year 2019 budget on Friday.

June 13, 2018 
WLNE ABC 6 
RI House members briefed on budget, will vote on plan Friday
  • ​"To look into the future and know what we're going to be faced with," said Morgan. Morgan is not the only Republican also concerned with the budget's total price tag. "We've doubled our budget in 10 years. That's a concern," said Rep. Bob Lancia. "We need to do something about reining in the growth of government, because our citizens are having a hard time paying for it," said Morgan. 

June 9, 2018 
NPR 
After 40-Minute Hearing, RI House Finance Committee Approves $9.55B Budget
  • The 15-to-3 vote shortly before midnight came on a mostly party-line vote, with three of the four Republicans on the Finance Committee -- Patricia Morgan of West Warwick, Anthony Giarrusso of East Greenwich, and Robert Quattrocchi of Scituate voting in opposition. The other Republican, Ken Mendonca of Portsmouth, voted in favor of the budget.

June 9, 2018 
WLNE 6 
Gov. Raimondo, Republicans react to RI House budget
  • House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan says that's unfair.  "I think the nursing homes had a valid case, and what this budget does is negate the fact that they had a valid case," said Morgan. 

June 8, 2018 
Rhode Island Central 
Social media can easily spread false information
  • ​I am glad we as a State are taking measures to keep firearms away from truly dangerous individuals, but I wish we had not rushed the legislation, which was clearly a hasty political response to the Parkland shootings.  Grandstanding and haste do not good laws make.

​June 6, 2018 
WLNE 6 
"Kristen's Law" passes House Judiciary Committee
  • "The law is crafted with a wide enough net where it will go after the traffickers but I think it has such a wide net that it's going to go after the addicts," says Representative Blake Filippi.

June 6, 2018 
​AP
Republicans call for marine life study commission
  • Republican representatives Sherry Roberts, Justin Price and Robert Nardolillo are urging colleagues to support the initiative in light of the Deepwater Wind’s recent announcement of plans to expand the offshore wind farm off the Rhode Island coast.

June 6, 2018
Newport Buzz 
RHODE ISLAND HOUSE REPUBLICANS CALL FOR MARINE LIFE STUDY COMMISSION TO STUDY EFFECTS OF WIND TURBINES
  • “Everyone should benefit from large energy projects like Revolution Wind. The proposed study commission will offer experts and state lawmakers an opportunity to discuss the broader, long-term implications of offshore wind farms in Rhode Island. I am confident that there are solutions to both protect our environment and build sustainable energy infrastructure,” continued Rep. Roberts.​

June 6, 2018 
Patch 
RI Republicans: Do Offshore Wind Farms Threaten Marine Life?
  • House Republicans are calling for a study about the impact the turbines will have on marine mammals and fish. ​

June 5, 2018 
Patch 
Rep. Nardolillo Demands More Affordable Childcare in Rhode Island
  • Working class families need help with these costs, the state rep says.

June 3, 2018 
WPRI 12 
RI misses deadline to appeal court decision; tens of millions at risk
  • State Rep. Brian Newberry, a North Smithfield Republican and a lawyer, tweeted: "Mistakes happen and people are human but certain mistakes should never happen because redundancy and back up systems should be in place. Presumably the Superior Court decision was on more than one person's radar, no?"

June 1, 2018 
Patch 
Nardolillo Demands Immediate 911 Access For Deaf Rhode Islanders
  • Delays with the 911 text system are excluding almost 200,000 people.

June 1, 2018 
GoLocalProv 
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - June 1, 2018
  • House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan makes GoLocalProv "Who's Hot and Who's Not?" list after challenging Attorney General’s Peter Kilmartin’s refusal to turn over documents relating to the expenditure of monies from the Google settlement​

MAY

May 31, 2018 
The Valley Breeze 
Fitness on the Hill 
  • Makenzie Storme, a 4th-grader at Halliwell Memorial School, and her mother, Pam Storm, spoke at the Rhode Island Statehouse on May 10 as a guest of the Rhode Island Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance as part of the annual Fitness on the Hill Day. Representative Brian C. Newberry,  was present to meet Makenzie and invite her to the general session to experience the process. The Fitness of the Hill event is an annual celebration and advocacy event for health and physical education in Rhode Island Schools.

May 31, 2018 
GoLocalProv 
Roberts on Wanting to Make RI Pay for Late Tax Returns on LIVE​
  • “So I introduced this bill and what it does it that anybody who files taxes -- who doesn't get them within 90 days of filing — would be able to hold government bureaucracies accountable in a way that they would have to pay by that day, or each day would be compounded by 12% daily for each day after that 90 days that they haven't received their tax refund,” said Roberts. 

May 31, 2018 
GoLocalProv 
“Hope is Not an Economic Strategy,” Says House Minority Leader Morgan on PawSox on LIVE​
  • “I just question the basic premise that government should be investing in a baseball stadium - and that’s the only way we can get economic development — or economic expansion in Rhode Island —  is to have a stadium? It’s ludicrous, the foundation of the thought that Pawtucket is going to be roaring in just a few years if only we spend $83 million on a stadium,” said Morgan.

May 31, 2018 
Patch 
Rep. Morgan Goes To Court Over Google Funds
  • On March 1, 2018, Leader Morgan submitted an Access to Public Records ("APRA") request for details of how the funds were spent. Release of what is believed to be a remaining $23 million in Google settlement money for school security upgrades would give each of the 306 schools in Rhode Island $75,000 to upgrade security.

May 30, 2018 
​WPRI 12 
RI's E-911 system restored after outage
  • "We're tremendously concerned about the safety of Rhode Islanders." stated State Representative Robert B. Lancia and Bobby Nardolillo

May 30, 2018 
WLNE 6
R.I. State Police: 911 services functioning properly​
  • Rep. Robert B. Lancia, R-Cranston, also says that the service interruption indicates a need for allocating more funds to the 911 service

May 29, 2018 
Providence Journal 
Mattiello throws support behind revamped PawSox stadium plan
  • ​House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan, who like fellow Republicans was not briefed on Mattiello’s PawSox plan, said removing the state backstop would not soften her opposition to subsidizing a ballpark.

May 29, 2018 
Patch 
Bill Proposed To Help Seniors Pay For Home Repairs
  • ​"Rhode Island has some of the oldest housing stock in America. Unfortunately, many seniors have trouble laboring to do the maintenance required to upkeep their homes, and they often have to hire contractors to do the work they may not be able to safely do themselves," stated Filippi.

May 18, 2018 
GoLocalProv 
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - May 18, 2018
  • HOT: Patricia Morgan
    The watchdog of the RI Convention Center followed up on a GoLocal expose unveiling that the Dunkin’ Donuts Center will be functionally dark all summer while peer New England facilities are packed with top-level concerns.

May 18, 2018 
Providence Journal 
R.I. GOP House members fear bill says ‘come hack us’
  • “It think this has the potential to be a grave mistake,” said Rep. Blake Filippi, R-Block Island, on the House floor. “The reason I think it could be a grave mistake is the risk we all take with identity theft and what really goes on on the dark web... This is a virtual treasure trove of personal data on each of us.”
  • Republican Rep. Brian Newberry said: “What we are saying is, come hack us.”

May 17, 2018 
Patch 
Conservative Union Gives Nardolillo High Marks
  • "I am honored to receive this award from the American Conservative Union. I have strived to enact commonsense legislation that benefits the citizens and businesses of Rhode Island. This award is proof of those efforts and gives them meaning. It is wonderful to be recognized along with my fellow representatives for our past work and we will continue to try to make our home state a better place for everyone," said Rep. Nardolillo.

May 17, 2018 
GoLocalProv 
Minority Leader Morgan Requests Info on Dunk’s Performance Following GoLocal’s Review
  • ​House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan submitted a letter to RI Convention Center Chairman Bernard Buonnano Jr. requesting information about the Dunkin's Donuts Center's business performance. Her request was sparked by a GoLocalProv review that found that the building would be nearly completely dark for three months.

May 14, 2018 
WJAR 10 
NBC 10 I-Team Exclusive: What could 911 fees pay for?
  • “There's something radically wrong,” said State Rep. Bob Lancia, a Republican who represents Cranston, said.

May 11, 2018 
RI Central
Bill strengthens laws around explosives
  • After hearing of the investigation, Giarrusso thought it was time to crack down on outdated explosive laws in Rhode Island.

May 10, 2018 
Rhode Island Catholic 
Advocates push for Tax Credit expansion to benefit private schools
  • ​Lancia notes the program helps religious schools at a time when church attendance is on the decline. He says those schools are a place where students are taught moral values. “They offer that element that’s needed,” Lancia said.

May 9, 2018 
Rhode Island Public Radio
RI Lawmaker Wants To Require Legislative Approval On Commerce Corp. Grants Above $5 Million
  • State Rep. Anthony Giarrusso (R-East Greenwich) said his bill is a way to enhance checks and balances within state government -- even if champions of the Commerce Corporation say it's incentives are bringing new jobs to Rhode Island.

May 8, 2018 
WPRI 12 
RI bill would increase penalties for DUI with child
  • "Drinking and driving is illegal, but now there's child endangerment we're talking about at this time. This puts them in check and that's really what we have to do," Nardolillo said. 

May 7, 2018 
Providence Journal 
Rep. Morgan goes to court in pursuit of Google money for security improvements at R.I. schools
  • “We must do all we can to ensure that our children and their teachers are protected. Luckily, the Google funds give us the welcome ability to immediately begin addressing lapses in our schools’ security,” she said.

May 4, 2018 
Patch
Smith Hill Week In Review: April 30-May 3​
  • The legislation (2018-H 8156), cosponsored by Anthony Giarrusso (R-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich), addresses loopholes that have hindered the filing of charges following incidents involving explosive devices, such as one last month when a pressure cooker bomb was discovered off Hopkins Hill Road in West Greenwich.

May 4, 2018
RI Central 
Filippi explains opposition to Red Flag Bill
  • “Conceptually, ‘red flag’ bills are good policy because they take firearms away from dangerous persons,” Filippi said.

May 3, 2018
Providence Journal
Ratepayer protection key in sale of system
  • ​State Rep. Robert Quattrocchi, R-Scituate, said he was against the bill as written, calling for clearer protections for Scituate.

May 3,2018 
​WPRI 12
Mattiello introduces bill to strengthen laws on explosive devices
  • Giarrusso said three people from East Greenwich were questioned in connection with the discovery of the suspicious device, but they could not be charged because the statute says it's not illegal to possess the homemade devices.

May 2,2018
Patch
Nardolillo: Pets Should Not Be Returned To Abusers
  • Rep. Robert Nardolillo III (R-Dist. 28 Coventry) has introduced a bill which would prevent the courts from returning pets to convicted animal abusers. 

May 2,2018
Patch
East Greenwich State Rep. Giarrusso Calls for Stricter Bomb Laws​
  • ​"This is all about preventing a tragedy here in Rhode Island," said Giarrusso, a Republican.

May 2,2018 
Providence Journal 
Ratepayer protection key in sale of system
  • State Rep. Robert Quattrocchi, R-Scituate, said he was against the bill as written, calling for clearer protections for Scituate. “If it can be sold once,” he said of the PWSB, “it can be sold again.”

May 1, 2018 
WJAR 10 
NBC 10 I-Team: RI Lawmakers Debate 911 Bills
  • Lancia has introduced a bill to restrict the 911 fees to 911 services for the past three years, but it wasn’t until 2018 that the issue got traction, he said. NBC 10’s investigation resulted in FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly visiting Rhode Island out of concern over the state’s 911 fee diversion earlier this year.
  • Minority Leader Rep. Patricia Morgan, R-West Warwick introduced a bill that would require an audit of how 911 money is used each year going forward.​

APRIL

April 23, 2018 
Associated Press 
Lawmaker alarmed over plans to relocate psychiatric patients
  • Robert Lancia, a Cranston Republican, said Monday the facility was designed for young men awaiting trial, not mental health patients at risk of harming themselves or others.

April 23, 2018 
WJAR 10 
​Plan to move psychiatric patients, including killers, faces criticism
  • “My concern is that they’re moving them closer to Chapel View and to Garden City,” Lancia told NBC 10 News. “It’s just the state doing something and no notification to the general public, the people that are living there.”

April 23, 2018 
WPRI 12 
Lawmaker claims proposed move of 'worst of the worst' prisoners is not transparent
  • Robert Lancia, a Republican from the district that includes the Adult Correctional Institutions complex, said the first he heard about the move - from the state's dilapidated psychiatric hospital, Eleanor Slater - was in a Target 12 report earlier this month.

April 23, 2018 
WLNE 6
State rep. raising concerns about relocation of Eleanor Slater patients
  • Lancia says he wants to know how the state plans to keep his constituents safe, especially considering Roosevelt Benton was the center of melees last spring and summer, when it used to be a training school. He feels there should have been a public forum on this move.

April 21, 2018 
The North Kingstown Standard-Times 
RI Rep. takes consulting group to task over UHIP
  • “Please be assured that our Oversight Committee will continue to stay on top of UHIP until it is fixed and those responsible are held accountable,” he said.  ​

April 20, 2018 
Coventry Courier  
Auditor General to conduct review of Coventry sewer program
  • In January the town’s local delegation, including Senator Lou Raptakis, Patricia Morgan, Michael Chippendale, Robert Nardolillo, Jared Nunes, Sherry Roberts, Patricia Serpa, requested that Auditor General Dennis E. Hoyle conduct an investigation into the operation of the town’s sewer program and enterprise fund, which is running an annual deficit, according to town officials. Councilors Debra Bacon and Karen Carlson also sent their own letter in support of the delegation’s request.

April 19, 2018 
WGBH News 
For Sale In Rhode Island: Dirt Cheap Farms
  • Of course, land alone doesn’t guarantee a farmer will be successful. And critics, including Rhode Island State Representative Sherry Roberts, say by owning the development rights the state will deprive farm families of something they may need to stay financially afloat

April 12, 2018
WPRI 12 
Coventry lawmaker calling for seat belts on all school buses
  • "It is a fact that seat belts save countless lives every year yet we do not require them on school buses despite evidence that shows they can prevent serious injury or even death in the event of an accident," Nardolillo said Wednesday in a statement.

April 3, 2018 
Cranston Herald 
Political labels indifferent to 'Gang of 5'
  • Joining across the political aisle, Representatives Camille Vella-Wilkinson, Kenneth Mendonça, Evan Shanley and Robert Lancia are working together on legislation they favor. Also a member of the “gang” is Moira Walsh

April 2, 2018 
WJAR 10 
RI lawmakers working to keep certain DACA policies alive

MARCH

March 30, 2018 
Providence Journal 
Cranston lawmaker’s bill would ban ‘lunch shaming’ in R.I. schools
  • Rep. Robert Lancia, a Cranston Republican, will introduce legislation to ban “lunch shaming” in Rhode Island public schools.

March 30, 2018 
​WJAR 10 
RI restaurant owner raising funds to prevent ‘lunch shaming’
  • Rep. Robert Lancia, a Republican who represents Cranston, announced Thursday he will introduce legislation to prevent schools from denying students a meal because they can’t afford it. The bill would also require that “schools send a letter to the parent or guardian of a student about the outstanding balance rather than forcing them to wear a wristband or stamp,” according to Lancia’s news release.

March 29, 2018 
Bill would eliminate mandatory HPV vaccine for school children
  • "Since HPV is not an airborne contagion, not everyone is at risk," Roberts said. "Therefore, many parents believe that the Department of Health is overstepping its boundaries by mandating the HPV vaccine for their children."

March 23, 2018 
WJAR 10 
NBC 10 I-Team: Support grows for 911 fee reform
  • Millions in 911 fees you pay on your cell phone and landline bills each month never make it to Rhode Island’s 911 system.​

March 21, 2018
The Brown Daily Herald 
New cameras catch speeding violations
  • “I stand by my statement that this is more about revenue than school safety,” Giarrusso wrote in an email to The Herald.

March 20, 2018 
Capital TV 
Capital Spotlight: Rep. Giarrusso 
March 20, 2018 
WLNE 6
​Funding, staffing among issues with R.I. emergency 911 system
  • “When they are understaffed, the calls were being on hold for up to 2 minutes and 47 seconds. That is not right and that cannot stand because lives are at stake,” said Rep. Bob Lancia of Cranston. 

March 20, 2018 
WJAR  10
NBC 10 I-Team: Federal government responds to 911 fee concerns
  • An FCC commissioner on Monday night heard from police officers, firefighters and emergency room physicians about how $10 million in 911 fees currently being diverted to Rhode Island’s General Fund could be better spent.

March 20, 2018 
Associated Press / US News
FCC Commissioner Criticizes Diversion of 911 Fees
  • Federal Communications Commission member criticized Rhode Island for diverting 911 fees, calling it an "enormous deception".

March 19, 2018 
WPRI 12
RI Rep. hosts summit to discuss fixing 911 system
  • “These men and women are out there every day keeping us safe, but without a properly funded 911 system, their job becomes much more difficult. I want to give them a chance to share their insights,″ Lancia said.

March 18, 2018 
WLNE 6
​In The Arena: Ray Rickman, Ian Donnis, and House Minority Whip Blake Filippi join Joe Paolino 
​March 16, 2018 
WJAR 10 
NBC 10 I-Team: RI blocked from federal grants in 911 fee diversion fallout
  • “In Rhode Island, 60 percent of the funding is going to other purposes, into your general fund,” FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly said.

March 15, 2018 
Providence Journal 
FCC hits R.I.‘s ‘unconscionable’ diversion of $8.3M in 911 funds
  • “These men and women are out there every day keeping us safe, but without a properly funded 911 system, their job becomes much more difficult. I want to give them a chance to share their insights,″ Lancia said.

March 11, 2018
The Call 
Push on by officials to speed up necessary repairs to Route 146 

March 9,  2018 
Newport Buzz 
THIS WEEK AT THE RHODE ISLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  • Rep. Anthony Giarrusso (R-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) has introduced legislation (2018-H 7760) to end the use of traffic cameras in Rhode Island. The bill would repeal the Automated Traffic Violation Monitoring Act of 2005 in its entirety, eliminating all traffic camera systems including red light and speed cameras. If passed, Rhode Island would join 10 other states prohibiting communities from using red light or speed cameras.​​

March 9, 2018
Associated Press
​Lawmakers ask the state to expedite resurfacing of Route 146
March 9, 2018
GoLocalProv
Providence Abuse of Speed Cameras Has State Legislators Pushing for Repeal
  • The rapid rollout of speed cameras and thousands of $95 tickets issued in just weeks in Providence has drawn strong opposition, and now Rhode Island elected officials are pushing for legislation that addresses how traffic cameras are marked, where the revenue goes, or calls for their repeal altogether.
  • House Minority Whip Blake Filippi appeared on GoLocal LIVE at well at the State House, where he talked about legislation he is introducing pertaining to the sufficient identification of lower school zone driving speeds, as well as calling for camera revenue to go solely to a fund for school safety.

​March 9, 2018 
AP
Rhode Island Lawmakers Suggest Changes to Speed Camera Bill
  • Republican Rep. Anthony Giarrusso has introduced legislation to ban the cameras altogether, calling it a "money grab."

March 9, 2018 
RI NPR
TGIF: 20 Things To Know About Rhode Island Politics & Media​
  • 12. Republican House Whip Blake Filippi to progressive Democrats like Regunberg -- would like to see the state adopt a form of instant runoff voting.

March 9, 2018 
WPRO
Representative Anthony Giarrusso featured on The Tara Granahan Show

March 8, 2018 
East Greenwich Pendulum
Representative Anthony Giarrusso calls for an end to traffic cameras in RI

March 6, 2018 
WPRI 12
Lawmaker wants to put brakes on traffic cameras in RI
  • “You can call it school safety, but it’s a money grab,” Giarrusso said.

March 6, 2018 
​WJAR 10
More speed cameras activated in Providence amid controversy
  • “Some of these people live paycheck to paycheck and some of them are paying a $95 fee whether they did it or not because it's so hard to contest it,” Giarusso said.​

March 6, 2018 
The Newport Buzz
REP. GIARRUSSO PUSHES BILL TO BAN TRAFFIC CAMERAS IN WAKE OF PROVIDENCE ISSUING 12,000 TICKETS IN ONE MONTH!
  • “These camera systems are nothing more than a government cash grab. They penalize the registered owner of a vehicle rather than the person actually driving which is unfair,” stated Rep. Giarrusso. ​

March 5, 2018 
​The Providence Journal
Giarusso proposes bill to ban use of traffic cameras in R.I.
  • Rep. Anthony Giarusso introduced a bill to end the use of traffic cameras in Rhode Island, calling the systems “nothing more than a government cash grab.”

March 5, 2018 
US News
Lawmakers Urge Creation of Inspector General's Office
  • Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Rhode Island are pressing for the creation of an Office of Inspector General to root out government abuse, fraud and waste.​

March 5, 2018 
​East Greenwich Patch
​James H. Eldredge Students Tour Statehouse
  • Senior Deputy Minority Leader Anthony Giarrusso (R District 30 – East Greenwich, West Greenwich) welcomed 4th-grade students from James H. Eldredge Elementary School to the Rhode Island State House for a tour and mock session.

March 2, 2018
Cranston Hereld 
Lancia: $15M collected for 911 not going to agency
  • Lancia refers to a “whistle-blower” who has been informing him about how the center is run. This person, he said, told him that employees are trained for four to six months and paid “$16 and change,” which Lancia believes to be far less than these “understaffed and over-stressed” employees should make. He also said they need more employees to adequately run the center.

March 2, 2018
​The Providence Journal
R.I. lawmakers push for new inspector general office
  • Lawmakers on both sides of the partisan divide stood side by side at a State House press conference on Thursday to draw attention to the renewed bid to create an Office of Inspector General in Rhode Island.

FEBRUARY 

February 28, 2018 
Newport Buzz
LEGISLATION FILED TO CREATE RI INSPECTOR GENERAL TO COMBAT CORRUPTION AND WASTEFUL SPENDING
  • “We have been fighting for an Inspector General for years. Now, with our state facing one of the worst budget shortfalls in recent history, we need to take action,” said Rep. Lancia.
  • Rep. Mendonça said: “an [office of inspector general] is analogous to having a large dog in your front yard as a deterrent to crime. In the case of the state, an [office of inspector general] is a watchdog for the taxpayer.”

​February 25, 2018 
WJAR 10 
NBC 10 I-Team: Rhode Island 911 fees don't fund 911 services
  • State Rep. Bob Lancia, a retired Navy chaplain from Cranston who's new to the State House, started asking questions about how 911 was funded last year. He learned money that was once restricted to 911 is now diverted to the General Fund.

​February 21, 2018 
WJAR 10 
NBC 10 I-Team: Representative takes 911 concerns to governor’s staff
  • “It’s not a matter of the money being well spent,” Lancia told NBC 10 following the meeting. “It’s a matter of you telling people the money is going for one thing, when it’s going for something else.”

February 26, 2018 
​Communications Daily
Resistance to 911 Fee Diversion Regroups in 2 States, as FCC Ups Pressure
  • Movements to end 911 fee diversion in New Jersey and Rhode Island continue as FCC commissioners amplify rhetoric on the issue and after another commission report showed several states still using 911 fees charged on phone bills for things not directly related to 911. But governors in violating states haven't pledged changes and the state-level efforts -- spearheaded by industry and county officials in New Jersey and a state representative in Rhode Island -- are not new. Continued misuse of the fees is “incredibly disappointing” and “jeopardizes the future of the 911 system,” warned National Emergency Number Association Director-Government Affairs Trey Forgety. Funding is a key challenge to implementing NG-911, GAO said in a report released Friday.

February 23, 2018 
​Newport Buzz
THIS WEEK AT THE RHODE ISLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  • House Minority Whip Blake A. Filippi (R-Dist. 36, New Shoreham, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly) has introduced a bill (2018-H 7465) that would require all electronic public records including emails to be kept readily available and easily searchable for government officials responding to public record requests.​​

February 23, 2018  
GoLocalProv
Rep. Morgan Receives Friend of Government Accountability Award
  • “I am proud to receive this award because of what it represents. I have fought hard to root out corruption and waste in Rhode Island no matter where it tries to hide,” said Morgan.

February 18, 2018 
Cranston Patch
911 Callers Put On Hold? Everyone Should Be Alarmed: Rep Lancia
  • ​"This is a potential disaster in the making," Lancia said. "If a natural disaster or terrorist attack were to strike Rhode Island the 911 system would be overwhelmed."

​February 16, 2018
​Newport Buzz
THIS WEEK AT THE RI GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  • Rep. Robert Lancia (R-Dist. 16, Cranston) and Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere (R-Dist. 38, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly) have introduced legislation (2018-H 7289,2018-S 2197) that would create a restricted receipt account for 911 funds collected by telephone service providers on land lines and cell phones. Representative Lancia also introduced a resolution (2018-H 7313) that would create a legislative commission to make a comprehensive study of the 911 Emergency Telephone System.

February 16, 2018 
WJAR 10 
NBC 10 I-Team: Text to 911 system 1 year behind schedule
  • "They actually bought equipment, but they didn't have the people to use the equipment,” said Rep. Bob Lancia.

February 15, 2018
WJAR 10 
NBC 10 I-Team Exclusive: 911 employees say staffing levels dangerously low
  • State Rep. Bob Lancia, a Republican who represents Cranston, visited the E-911 center in Scituate last month at the request of employees there who told him they’re at the end of their rope.​

​February 14, 2018 
WJAR 10 
NBC 10 I-Team: Lawmaker raises alarm about RI’s 911 system
  • Rep. Bob Lancia, a Republican who represents Cranston, said the staffing problems have reached a critical level, forcing telecommunicators to put thousands of 911 calls on hold. He visited the E-911 center in January at the request of employees, who told him they are at the end of their rope.

February 13, 2018 
​Landline Magizine
Rhode Island begins installing first two truck-only toll gantries
  • Last year, House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan, R-Coventry/Warwick/West Warwick, tried to repeal the truck-only tolls and called Raimondo’s plan a “con job.” Morgan claimed that the actual toll revenue will be closer to $7.4 million once overhead costs are considered.
​February 7, 2018
WPRI 12
Lawmaker proposes law to protect victims of data breaches

​February 5, 2018
​WPRI 12
Coventry mother calls for change following son’s tragic death

​February 3, 2018 
​GoLocalProv
Line Item Veto & Secondhand Smoke Laws: This Week at the State House
  • Rep. Blake Filippi (R-Dist. 36, New Shoreham, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly) has introduced two bills to make state and local governments more accessible. The first would require municipal governments to make audio and video recordings of open meetings. The second requires audio and video recording of any open meeting held by state and quasi-public agencies.

February 1, 2018 
Warwick Beacon 
Promoting school choice
  • In observance of National School Choice Week, students, parents and administrators from across the state joined Thursday at the State House at an event planned by Rhode Island Families for School Choice and Ed Choice Rhode Island. Students, parents, and teachers from Catholic, Christian, Jewish and independent schools wore signature yellow scarves that made them easily identifiable from legislators, lobbyists and others arriving at the State House.​

JANUARY 
​
January 31, 2018 
​The 74
In America’s Smallest State, a Proposal for a Colossal Surge in Public Dollars for Private Schools
  • Rhode Island state Rep. Robert Lancia, R-Cranston, introduced a bill last week to raise the scholarship tax credit to $5 million from its current $1.5 million. 

January 19, 2018
​RI NPR
Political Roundtable: Filippi On Raimondo's State Of The State, Gov Race & PawSox
  • Rhode Island House Republican Whip Blake Filippi of Block Island joins Political Roundtable to discuss Gov. Gina Raimondo's State of the State speech; the emerging race for governor; and the PawSox stadium proposal.

January 16, 2018 
GoLocalProv
“Corruption, Hostile Business Climate, Poor Education” - RI House GOP Leader Morgan’s State of State
  • Rhode Island House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan -- who is also a GOP gubernatorial candidate -- released her "State of the State" on Tuesday ahead of Governor Gina Raimondo's State of the State address. ​

​January 12, 2018
Coventry Courier
Reps ask auditor general to review sewer fund
January 12, 2018
GoLocalProv
​Morgan Questions Effectiveness of RIDOT Spending for Providence Viaduct Bridge
  • ​House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan is questioning ten years of contract extensions on the I-95 South Viaduct Bridge Project.​

January 9, 2018 
​WPRI 12
Rep. Nardolillo to propose making DUI with children in car a felony
  • State Representative Robert Nardolillo announced Tuesday that he is introducing legislation to make driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a child under the age of 13 in the vehicle a felony offense.​​​

2017

December

​December 23,2017
Nesi’s Notes: Dec. 23
​
December 22,2017 
TGIF: 20 Things To Know About Rhode Island Politics & Media (RI NPR)

December 20, 2017
Minority Leader Patricia Morgan (District 26 - West Warwick, Warwick, Coventry) joins the Tara Granahan Show to discuss Pawtucket Mayor Donald R Grebien's Plan B for Pawtucket Red Sox
​
December 15, 2017 
Minority Whip Blake A Filippi (District 36 - Charlestown, South Kingstown, New Shoreham, Westerly) talks about Unreasonable Search and Seizure, Stingray Technology, and the Rise of Toll Gantries on RT America

November

october

september

august

​​August 4. 2017 
Providence Journal 
My Turn: Sherry Roberts: Rate hike signals serious problems

August 2. 2017
Cranston Herald 
Bombers ready to compete in Virginia

july

July 20, 2017
Providence Journal 
Opinion 
Letter: Bob Lancia: PUC should reject rate hike sought by National Grid

July 19, 2017 
Cranston Herald 
Lancia heads south for special dedication

July 13, 2017 
WJAR 10 
State, local officials to focus on ways to improve rails

june

June 27, 2017 
Providence Journal 
Patricia Morgan: R.I. budget filled with crony deals and backdoor tax increases

June 27, 2017 
The Westerly Sun 
Funding for DEM’s Browning Pond project pulled from state budget amid opposition

June 24, 2017 
The Westerly Sun 
Budget passed by House restores Chariho transportation aid

June 22, 2017 
Providence Journal 
R.I. GOP will fight for budget changes at State House

June 21, 2017 
Cranston Herald 
Bill limiting sex offenders at shelters expected to get hearing

June 21, 2017
NewportRI.com
Area legislators analyze facets of state budget plan

June 14, 2017 
The Coventry Courier 
House Republican Caucus proposes budget reform options

​June 14, 2017 
Providence Journal 
Opinion 
Patricia Morgan: Use R.I. budget to solve problems

June 14, 2017 
GoLocalProv 
Repairing, Reforming, and Eliminating Bad State Policies: Morgan on GOP Budget Priorities

June 13, 2017 
NPR RI 
GOP Lawmakers Outline Four Budget Priorities

June 13, 2017
Providence Journal 
GOP lawmakers call for inspector general, other measures

​June 12, 2017 
GoLocalProv
Morgan: Power Grab in Coventry is Same Aggression that Led to Gaspee Burning

June 9, 2017 
WPRI
Newsmakers 6/9/2017: State Sen. Louis DiPalma, state Rep. Kenneth Mendonca

June 7, 2017
WPRO
PODCAST: Rhode Island Republican Caucus renews call to repeal RhodeWorks toll plan

June 8, 2017
GoLocalProv
Rep. Morgan, Republican Caucus Renews Call to Repeal Tolls

June 1, 2017 
GoLocalProv 
Guest MINDSETTER™ Morgan: More Bad News for Taxpayers

may

May 31, 2017 
NBC 10 WJAR​
RI lawmaker pushes to nix tax on beer, malted beverages

​May 23, 2017 
WPRI 12 
GOP, truckers renew calls for lawmakers to repeal RI truck tolls

May 23, 2017 
AP
Truck Tolls Plan Questioned by Rhode Island GOP
​
May 23, 2017
NPR RI
GOP Lawmakers, Trucking Industry Renew Criticism Of Raimondo's Toll Program

May 22, 2017
Patch 
​House Minority Leader Sends Governor A Formal Public Records Request
​​
May 13, 2017 
​NBC 10 WJAR
Bill would eliminate parking fees at RI state beaches
​
May 11, 2017
Patch
Bow Ties Against Bullying Campaign:Statehouse

May 8, 2017 
The Providence Journal 
Veterans Journal: Trump signs bill extending VA Choice health-care flexibility

May 3, 2018 
WPRI 12 
Lawmaker appeals to governor to fight gypsy moth defoliation

april

April 26, 2017 
Cranston Herald
Ready to run

April 24, 2017 
Newportri.com 
Guest View: Let’s not put R.I. taxpayers on hook again

April 13, 2017 
The Providence Journal
R.I. Republicans wary of state subsidies for PawSox stadium

April 13, 2017
​WPRI 12 
Lawmaker wants to cap minimum wage for Rhode Islanders under 20
​
April 13, 2017 
WPRO
PODCAST: State legislation proposed to end taxpayer-funded stadiums

April 13, 2017 
NBC 10 WJAR 
Bill would prevent RI taxpayers from funding new PawSox stadium

April 12, 2017
Cranston Herald 
Mattiello, Lancia seek to amend sex offender bill

April 11, 2017 
GoLocalProv 
House Minority Leader Morgan to Submit Bill Repealing Truck Tolls

April 11, 2017 
NBC 10 WJAR 
House Minority Leader hopes to repeal law that created RI truck tolls

April 11, 2017
The Block Island Times
Filippi introduces Constitutional amendments

April 11, 2017 
WPRI 12 
Residents voice concerns over sex offenders at Cranston homeless shelter

April 10, 2017 
WPRO 
Rep. Lancia proposes limit on sex offenders in shelters

April 10, 2017 
The Providence Journal 
Limit sought on sex offenders at homeless shelters

April 10, 2017 
WJAR NBC 10
​RI lawmakers discuss capping the number of sex offenders allowed in housing facilities

April 9, 2017 
The Providence Journal 
Limit sought on numbers of sex offenders at R.I. homeless shelters
April 6, 2017 
Patch - Cranston 
Sex Offender Forum in Cranston: State Rep. Lancia Wants Parents in on Discussion​
  • State Rep. Robert B. Lancia (R-District 16 Cranston) believes those 185 are too many for Cranston. He will host a series of constituent forums at elementary schools in District 16 "to discuss the growing and potentially dangerous sex offender population" here, according to the press release from the House Minority Office.
April 5, 2017 
AP
We the pupils: More states found teaching US Documents 
  • Representative Brian C Newberry's civics education bill (H-5665) has received national attention. Mrs. O'Brien's honors freshman government class at North Smithfield High School, has also received recognition.
April 5 , 2017 
The Cranston Herald 
Forums set for sex offender legislation
  • State Rep. Robert Lancia has set dates for constituent forums to discuss legislation regarding sex offender registration and limits at three elementary schools in District 16 next week.
April 4, 2017 
The Providence Journal 
PawSox ballpark proposal ignites foes of public spending +poll
  • House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan: “Taxpayers resoundingly said NO to building a new stadium for the millionaire Pawsox owners. It’s their $, not the insiders.”
April 3, 2017 
GoLocalProv 
Moore: Magaziner Must Embrace Filippi’s Pension Proposal
April 2, 2017 
The Coventry Courier
Morgan bill aims to make voter-backed charter changes
  • House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan (R-District 26 Coventry, Warwick, West Warwick) has introduced legislation amending the Central Coventry Fire District’s Charter with changes approved by an overwhelming majority of the district’s voters in September 2016. Included in the bill are changes such as increasing the voting quorum requirement to 100 people, a 4 percent annual spending cap, the hiring of a full-time business manager and a 15 percent debt limit.
April 1, 2017 
The Providence Journal 
R.I. Rep. Nardolillo introduces tax-relief bills
  • State Rep. Robert Nardolillo III, a Coventry Republican mulling a run for the U.S. Senate, has introduced the first two bills in a tax-relief package that seeks to reduce the 7-percent sales tax to 3 percent and eliminate Rhode Island’s estate and tangible personal property taxes.

march 

March 30, 2017
T​he Rhode Island Catholic
General Assembly to hear legislation to expand corporate tax credit scholarship program​
March 29, 2017 
Providence Journal 
Editorial: The cost of R.I.’s 911 fees
March 26, 2017 
The Coventry Courier 
Morgan pitches car tax repeal proposal​
March 22, 2017 
Cranston Herald 
Defenders of Animals backs animal protection bills
March 20, 2017 
Providence Journal 
Frank Kernan: State representative right to oppose diversion of 911 money
March 17, 2017 
Patch 
Coventry Fire District Controversy to be Renewed on Smith Hill
March 17, 2017 
The Coventry Courier 
Morgan makes car tax repeal proposal
March 15, 2017 
Charlestown Citizens Alliance
​Update and Discussion of Federal Railroad Administration Plan at Kettle Pond
March 15, 2017 
The Coventry Courier 
Local lawmakers take aim at HUD-backed mandates for development
March 12, 2017 
Providence Journal 
Fix was in on 195 land
March 11, 2017 
Providence Journal 
Robert B. Lancia: R.I. wrong to siphon off 911 money