Rhode Island

Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri today announced that Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Executive Director Robert Warren’s state employment has been terminated, effective immediately. The decision was made jointly by Governor Carcieri and Major General Robert Bray, to whom the EMA Executive Director reports.

Major General Bray, the Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island and the commanding general of the Rhode Island National Guard, will assume the responsibilities of EMA Executive Director until an interim replacement is named.    » read more »

Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch and The Honorable Kurt L. Schmoke, a member of the Board of the Children’s Health Forum, Washington, DC, today announced that a total of $1.2 million is being awarded to six local agencies to conduct statewide community-based outreach, education, and training related to lead poisoning prevention in Rhode Island.

The announcement was made at an 11 AM press conference at Saint Joseph Hospital for Special Care, Peace Street, Providence. Saint Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island is one of the organizations sharing in the funding.    » read more »

PROVIDENCE— Rhode Island Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts issued the following statement today regarding last week’s announcement by U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente of his agreement with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and the ensuing $20 million fine.    » read more »

Governor Meets Today with Two Rhode Island National Guard Units

Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri arrived in Iraq on Tuesday, December 11th, as part of a bipartisan delegation. While in Iraq, the Governor has visited members of the Rhode Island National Guard and has received briefings from United States military officials, including General David Petreaus.    » read more »

Subprime Crisis Starts To Hit Investment Funds In Other States; Treasurer moved $1 billion fund of asset backed securities to safe Treasury bonds last March, avoiding significant subprime losses hitting Florida, Montana, other states

PROVIDENCE, 12/4/07 -- Months before the subprime mortgage crisis began to take a toll on banks, financial services companies and even public pension funds, Rhode Island General Treasurer Frank Caprio began taking steps to reduce risk in Rhode Island’s pension portfolio by minimizing exposure to asset backed securities.    » read more »

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – December is a crucial month for presidential candidates and Rhode Island voters, according to Rhode Island Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis.

Secretary Mollis has created a calendar that spells out the deadlines and steps presidential candidates and Rhode Islanders who want to be a delegate at one of the national political conventions must take leading up to the state’s March 4 presidential primary.    » read more »

536 Staff Reductions Expected to Save $41.6 Million per Year; Notices Delivered to 483 State Employees Yesterday

Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri has released a list of 483 positions which are being eliminated or are targeted for elimination as part of his plan to cut state spending by reducing the size of the state workforce. The list includes the position titles for the 483 notices that were actually delivered yesterday.    » read more »

Roberts Will Join Campaign’s Health Care Task Force

11/15/2007 -- The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts, and named her to the Campaign’s Health Care Policy Task Force.

“Hillary Clinton’s 35-year record fighting for children and families makes her uniquely qualified to lead this country from her first day in the White House,” Roberts said. “She has the strength and experience and vision to provide quality, affordable health insurance to every American.”    » read more »

PROVIDENCE— Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts issued the following statement today regarding Environment Rhode Island's release of a report analyzing state clean energy policies. The report gives Rhode Island one of seven gold stars for its leadership promoting renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and requiring more clean and efficient cars be sold. The Environment America report, "America's Clean Energy Stars: State Actions Leading America to a New Energy Future" praised Rhode Island for adopting bold policies to promote clean energy that can provide a model for the entire nation.    » read more »

Lawsuit To Force EPA To Take Action On California's Request For Waiver To Reduce Vehicles' Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Approval would pave the way for similar controls in Rhode Island and 13 other states.

2007-11-08 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch today joined two legal actions filed this morning by the State of California to force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take action on California's request for approval to regulate greenhouse gas in pollution from automobiles sold in the state.    » read more »

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Nov. 6, 2007) -- Rhode Island Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis will spend today promoting voter registration. The goal is to improve turnout among 18-to-24-year-olds leading up to the 2008 elections.

At 9 a.m., Mollis will be at Pawtucket's Shea High School to cast the first vote in a mock election that more than 3,600 Pawtucket high school and middle school students are expected to take part in.    » read more »

Nov 05, 2007 -- Boston, MA – Today, Rhode Island State Representative Joseph A. Trillo announced his endorsement of Governor Mitt Romney for President. State Representative Trillo represents the 24th District in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He joins previously-announced Rhode Island Governor Don Carcieri in endorsing Governor Romney.    » read more »

32 Already Eliminated; 136 More to Leave by June 2008; Reduction Will Save $7.7 Million per Year Beginning FY 2009

The Rhode Island Department of Administration today sent notices to several temporary employment companies to inform them that the state will be eliminating 136 contract staff by the end of the current fiscal year. In addition, the department announced that a total of 32 contract employees have already left state service since July, and have not been replaced.    » read more »

November 02, 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two airmen and a Department of the Air Force civilian who were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They died Nov. 1 near Balad Air Base, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. All were assigned as special agents to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

Killed were:

Master Sgt. Thomas A. Crowell, 36, of Neosho, Missouri.

Staff Sgt. David A. Wieger, 28, of North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.    » read more »

11/2/2007 - ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (AFPN) -- Special Agents Thomas Crowell, David Wieger and Nathan Schuldheiss from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations were killed Nov. 1 in the line of duty in Balad, Iraq.

Defense officials announced the death of two Airmen and a Department of the Air Force civilian who were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died near Balad Air Base, Iraq, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device. All were assigned as Special Agents to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.    » read more »