Rhode Island

McKee, Warwick officials at odds over local appointments to Airport Corporation board • Rhode Island Current

Published

2 years ago

April 15, 2024

McKee, Warwick officials at odds over local appointments to Airport Corporation board • Rhode Island Current

A plan by city officials in Warwick to get local representation on the board of the quasi government agency overseeing Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport has hit some turbulence with Gov. Dan McKee’s office.

Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi said when he last met with McKee in December, the governor was all in on a bill sponsored by Rep. Joseph McNamara, a Warwick Democrat, to let the mayor have one appointment to the Rhode Island Airport Corporation’s (RIAC) Board of Directors.

Proposal to resolve dispute between Warwick and T.F. Green officials is now grounded

But as the House Corporations Committee heard testimony on the bill March 26, the governor’s legal team submitted a letter of opposition to the legislation.

“I feel that the Governor’s argument DID kill the legislation and was meant to,” Picozzi said in an emailed statement Monday. “That is why they presented it to the House committee in the 11th hour without informing me, so that I didn’t have an opportunity to challenge it.”

Under McNamara’s bill, the Warwick designee would replace one of the current directors up for reappointment this year. Three board members have terms set to expire in June: Jonathan Roberts and Jeffrey Bogosian, both of whom were appointed in 2020, and Board Secretary Christopher Little, who was appointed in 2015.

The board does have one member from the City of Warwick, John Justo, who was appointed in 2023.

“But he wasn’t appointed by the mayor, he was appointed by the governor,” McNamara said in an interview Monday morning.

Companion legislation is sponsored in the Senate by Warwick Democrats Mark McKenney and Matthew LaMountain.

At issue for the governor’s office is the constitutionality of McNamara’s proposal. McKee’s executive counsel, Claire Richards, wrote to the House Corporations Committee March 26 that only the governor has the power to appoint members to any board, commission, or quasi-public entity of the state that exercises executive power.

McKee spokesperson Laura Hart said Monday the governor still supports the concept that Warwick should have a voice on the airport corporation’s Board of Directors. The office just doesn’t support McNamara’s legislation.

“As always, our office is willing to continue the discussion with the Legislature and the city to ensure a constitutional path forward for having municipal representation on the board,” Hart said in an email Monday afternoon.

The airport corporation also opposes McNamara’s legislation.

McNamara disagrees with the administration’s assessment. He argues the 2004 amendment was meant to prevent legislative appointments to boards with executive power.

Should his legislation pass, McNamara said appointment power would still lie with the executive branch — just with one pick at the local level.

Rep. Joseph McNamara, a Warwick Democrat, has sponsored legislation that would let the Warwick mayor have one appointment to the Rhode Island Airport Corporation’s Board of Directors. (Rhode Island House of Representatives)

“This is not a separation of powers issue — it’s not even close,“ McNamara said. “The fact of the matter is, when the Airport Corporation was formed, it did have a representative appointed by the mayor of Warwick.”

Indeed, Warwick’s mayor had the power to make appointments to the airport’s board of directors as recently as 2011. But the state that year passed legislation designating all board members were to be nominated by the governor.

And the airport board would not be alone in allowing local appointments. Along with six members chosen by the governor, the statute creating the Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) gives North Kingstown two board members, as well as one each from Jamestown and East Greenwich.

Legislation forming the Quonset Development Corporation board was passed in 2004, the same year as the constitutional change.

“It is a highly dubious argument that the General Assembly would pass a statute creating a QDC board that violates the current language — in the very same legislative session it was proposing that constitutional language to the voters,” Warwick City Solicitor Michael Ursillo wrote in a memo to Picozzi April 1.

Even with officials at odds, McNamara said he’s hopeful there’s room for compromise. One idea, he said, is to make the appointment a collaboration between the governor and Warwick mayor.

“I think that can be worked out,” McNamara said. “The fact that the airport has such a tremendous impact on this city, it is important you have a board that reflects that.”

McNamara’s bill is co-sponsored by all six of Warwick’s State House representatives, including Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. In an emailed statement Monday evening, Shekarchi said he plans to find middle ground with the governor.

“My goal is to pass House legislation that will satisfy the concerns of all parties because it is important that Warwick’s mayor has an appointment to the RIAC board,” Shekarchi said.

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Rhode Island

GoLocalProv | Politics | Providence On Sunday Is One of the Sites for a National Protest Against ICE

Published

10 hours ago

January 10, 2026

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GoLocalProv | Politics | Providence On Sunday Is One of the Sites for a National Protest Against ICE

Saturday, January 10, 2026

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Protest in Providence in June against ICE PHOTO: GoLocal

Organizers in Rhode Island and across the country are mobilizing against ICE after a pair of shootings in the past few days.

Organizers locally said, “Rhode Islanders will gather on Sunday to honor the life lost, make visible the human cost of ICE’s actions, and demand that state and federal leaders reject local contracts with ICE, take every action possible to stop ICE from operating in Rhode Island, and hold ICE agents accountable when they break the law.”

The RI event begins at 2 PM at the State House on Sunday.

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Nationally, it was a announced on Friday that, “A broad national coalition, including Indivisible, MoveOn Civic Action, the American Civil Liberties Union, Voto Latino, United We Dream, 50501, the Disappeared in America Campaign of the Not Above the Law coalition, and partner organizations across the country, is calling for a coordinated ICE Out For Good Weekend of Action.

“The mobilization comes in response to the escalation of ICE violence in our communities, the killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old wife and mother of three, and the months-long pattern of unchecked violence and abuse in marginalized communities across America. Across the country, communities will gather in nonviolent, lawful, and community-led actions to honor the life lost, demand accountability, and make visible the human cost of ICE’s actions,” said organizers.

Organizers added, “Good and the Portland victims are part of a broader and deeply alarming pattern of unchecked violence and abuse by federal immigration enforcement agencies. In September, ICE reportedly shot and killed Silverio Villegas González, a father and cook from Mexico living in Chicago. In 2025 alone, more than 30 people have reportedly died in ICE detention.”

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Rhode Island

Rhode Island General Assembly Begins 2026 Session With Focus on Affordability – Newport Buzz

Published

22 hours ago

January 9, 2026

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Rhode Island General Assembly Begins 2026 Session With Focus on Affordability – Newport Buzz

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island lawmakers opened the 2026 legislative session this week with a focus on health care affordability, housing costs and economic stability, as leaders in both chambers warned of uncertainty tied to federal budget changes.

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi outlined House priorities centered on expanding access to health care while lowering costs, calling it the chamber’s top agenda item for the year. He also said lawmakers will continue addressing housing shortages and rising home energy costs, emphasizing the need for community input as policy decisions move forward.

In the Senate, President Valarie J. Lawson convened the chamber by urging bipartisan cooperation and announcing plans to introduce legislation supporting education, small businesses and the state’s health care system. Stabilizing hospitals and strengthening the primary care workforce were identified as key goals.

Both chambers paused to honor victims of the Dec. 13 shooting at Brown University, passing resolutions recognizing the victims and commending first responders. Lawmakers also observed a moment of silence.

New legislation introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara would require the Department of Education to adopt a zero-tolerance hazing policy in partnership with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, mandating clear and consistent discipline statewide.

Meanwhile, Reps. David Morales and Jennifer Stewart called on Gov. Dan McKee to fully fund public libraries in the upcoming state budget.

Speaker Shekarchi also announced several committee leadership changes, appointing Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee as chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee and Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith as chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee.

The week also marked the first Senate session for Sen. Stefano V. Famiglietti, who received committee assignments following his election to fill a vacant seat.

Legislative leaders capped the week by joining faith leaders at the 18th annual Rhode Island Interfaith Poverty Vigil at the State House, calling attention to legislation aimed at reducing poverty statewide.

Temporary erosion protection systems installed at Second Beach in Middletown, Rhode Island

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Lucky For Life, Numbers Midday winning numbers for Jan. 8, 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

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The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

05-12-13-39-48, Lucky Ball: 13

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

Midday: 9-9-1-3

Evening: 0-9-6-6

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

01-07-12-30-35, Extra: 26

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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