Rhode Island

These are the 10 General Assembly races to watch on election night

Published

3 weeks ago

October 31, 2024

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These are the 10 General Assembly races to watch on election night

To find the most compelling Rhode Island General Assembly elections this year, follow Interstate 295.

The House and Senate races in large chunks of the state may be barely contested, but there’s a swath of competitive campaigns in Providence’s western suburbs that roughly trace the path of the highway. Start in Warwick (including some West Warwick) and head north to Cranston (cut through on Route 37 to save some time) up into Johnston and finally Smithfield.

These communities feature moderate to right-of-center electorates and a number of incumbent-free seats opened up by retirements plus one primary upset.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris will probably claim all four of Rhode Island’s Electoral College votes, but whether voter enthusiasm favors her or Republican Donald Trump will have a knock-on effect for down-ballot races often decided by a few hundred, or as little as a few dozen, votes.

Of the 113 seats in the General Assembly, 43 are contested on Nov. 5.

Could Republicans gain a foothold in the General Assembly?

The results of those will not shift the House or Senate out of Democratic control, due to the party’s overwhelming majorities.

Republicans are hoping turnout for Trump will help to grow their nine-member House caucus and five-member Senate caucus.

But three GOP House incumbents are not running for reelection, making it likely that Republicans will have to flip a seat or two just to maintain the current head count.

Of course, not all of the close races this year touch I-295.

The House District 39 rematch between Democrat Megan Cotter and Republican Justin Price is taking place in the western woodlands of Exeter, Richmond and Hopkinton.

In Pawtucket, Lori Urso is the favorite and Democratic nominee to replace Sen. Sandra Cano, but being placed on the ballot by allies of Mayor Donald Grebien rubbed some the wrong way. She faces independent Cathyann Palocsik in Senate District 8.

Here are 10 races to watch on Tuesday.

Johnston

Kelsey Coletta (D) vs. Richard Fascia (R) in House District 42

Coletta was the only candidate to oust a General Assembly incumbent in the September primary but she faces a tough battle against Fascia in this fairly conservative district, which narrowly favored Trump in the 2020 presidential race. (It includes a slice of northern Cranston.)

Fascia is a former Providence police sergeant who has served on the Johnston Zoning Board and says his opposition to a 55,000-panel solar farm was “perhaps my proudest moment.”

The top issue on his website is “repealing legislation that has taken all oversight away from local zoning boards.”

Coletta is the daughter of Tiverton Rep. John Edwards and is backed by the progressive Working Families Party and several labor unions, including the Service Employees International Union.

She has not received much help from the town Democratic machine led by Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr., who leans further right.

Policing issues have been central in the race, particularly after Coletta received an early endorsement from the International Brotherhood of Police Officers.

When it was pulled back Fascia argued in a door hanger it was because of her support for safe injection sites.

Coletta noted that the union, now neutral, is still not endorsing Fascia despite him being a former police officer.

Deborah Fellela (D) vs. Nick Grasso (R) in House 43

This neighboring district just to the north is even more Republican-leaning, which could put it in play if there is a big night for Trump.

Fellela, who has been in the House since 2007, is on the conservative side of the Democratic caucus and pro-life.

She beat Grasso by 180 votes two years ago.

Andrew Dimitri (D) vs. Karin Gorman (R) in Senate District 25

The death of former Sen. Frank Lombardo opened this seat, and Dimitri, a lawyer, won a hard-fought three-way primary to get the Democratic nomination.

Gorman is vice president of Rhode Islanders for Immigration Law Enforcement (RIILE), “an organization that helps raise the awareness of the general public and public officials about the financial and social impact of illegal aliens on our state.”

Cranston

Jennifer Caputi (R) vs. Todd Patalano (D) in Senate District 26

Criminal justice policy was a flashpoint in the legislature last session, particularly around the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, and several candidates in key 2024 races come from policing backgrounds.

Patalano is second in command of the Cranston Police Department, a position he has held since 2014, when the department, riven by factional infighting and a ticketing scandal, was briefly taken over by the Rhode Island State Police and the previous leadership regime forced out.

Patalano, who spent nearly two years on paid leave on accusations from the old chief that he’d doctored civilian complaints statistics, later sued the city for mistreatment and won a $300,000 settlement, plus the promotion.

The Senate 26 seat is open due to the retirement of Sen. Frank Lombardi, who contributed to Patalano’s campaign along with Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. Patalano attended a gathering in Ruggerio’s office the week before the election held to show support for his leadership.

Caputi is a lawyer and newcomer to politics.

“I will be a strong conservative voice against progressive policies and one-party control. I proudly support small businesses, law enforcement, the pro-life movement, and the Second Amendment, reflecting the majority of voters in my district,” Caputi wrote in an email.

Maria Bucci (D) vs. Christopher Paplauskas (R) in House District 15

For many State House watchers, this district in Oaklawn and western Cranston will long be connected to former Democratic speaker Nicholas Mattiello and his travails holding a seat in GOP territory.

Of course, the dam broke in 2020 when Mattiello fell to Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung in a year when 46% of the House 15 electorate voted for Biden.

After Fenton-Fung ran unsuccessfully for Cranston mayor, the seat is back up for grabs.

Republican Paplauskas is the Ward 5 city councilman and hoping that turnout for fellow Republican Ken Hopkins, whom he backed in the primary against Fenton-Fung in the mayoral primary, will spill over into the House race.

Bucci ran for mayor herself four years ago and lost to Hopkins by eight points. In 2021 she was elected chair of the Cranston Democratic City Committee and earlier this year was involved in the controversial replacement of a Democratic council member.

West Warwick and Coventry

Jeffrey Fisher (R) vs. Vincent Marzullo (I) vs. Earl Read III (D) in House District 26

Longtime Republican Rep. Patricia Morgan’s bid for the U.S. Senate against Sheldon Whitehouse has created an opening in this boomerang-shaped district split between West Warwick, Coventry and a small chunk of western Warwick.

Despite being held by the GOP for years, the district was narrowly carried by Biden in 2020, making this a potential Democratic opportunity. Former House speaker and now uber lobbyist William Murphy represented the district for years.

Democrat Read is a former Warwick police officer who lives in Coventry.

But independent Marzullo, who has run for the seat twice before and is perhaps best known for volunteer work at Hasbro Children’s Hospital entertaining children as the “Monopoly Man,” is the only candidate endorsed by a gubernatorial candidate.

Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes, who is expected to run again for governor in 2026, was shown smiling beside the mustachioed Marzullo “encouraging you to consider my good friend, Vin Marzullo, as your next RI State Rep,” in a post from Marzullo’s social media. “For more than 50 years, Vin has worked tirelessly in federal/state government with integrity.”

Republican Fisher is from West Warwick, the largest part of the district, and running for office for the first time. He admitted to reckless driving in a 2012 crash on Interstate 495 in Massachusetts while driving a dump truck for National Grid.

Warwick

James McElroy (D) vs. Marie Hopkins (R) in House 21

Republican Hopkins is taking a second crack at winning this House seat in the shadow of Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, and the Airport Road Trump Store location that was a popular site for rallies four years ago.

In 2022, Hopkins looked like one of the GOP’s best prospects for flipping a non-open House seat, but incumbent Democratic Rep. Camille Vella-Wilkinson pulled out a 38-vote squeaker.

Vella-Wilkinson decided not to run again, and Hopkins, a nurse whose yard signs feature a stethoscope shaped into a heart, hopes this year she’ll break through.

Democrat McElroy is leaving the City Council to run for state representative.

Among his eight donors this year are House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, the Warwick fire and police unions and former Hasbro CEO Alan Hassenfeld.

Anthony DeLuca II (R) vs. Peter Appollonio Jr. (D) Senate 29

The glass-half-full side of being a small legislative minority for Republicans is they don’t have many seats for Democrats to target.

One that could be in play is this seat the GOP flipped in 2022 after former Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey retired.

That year, Senate Democrats’ hand-picked candidate lost in the primary after questions emerged about whether he lived in the district.

But party leadership didn’t lift a finger to help progressive Democrat Jennifer Rourke, and DeLuca won by 5 points.

The Democratic establishment is fully behind Appollonio, a retired West Warwick police officer.

Smithfield

Bernie Hawkins (D) vs. Paul Santucci (R) in House District 53

Hawkins lost this House seat by 89 votes to GOP Rep. Brian Rea in 2022, but Rea decided not to go for a second term.

Santucci, the GOP nominee to replace Rea, ran for state Senate in 2022 and lost a fairly close race to Sen. David Tikoian.

Warren

June Speakman (D) vs. John Hanley (I) in House District 68

This race appears to be all about housing policy.

Speakman chairs the House Affordable Housing study commission from which a number of Shekarchi’s pro-homebuilding bills have emerged.

Hanley is the Warren Town Council president and Pawtucket building inspector who says he wants to roll back at least some of the state’s affordable-housing laws.

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Rhode Island

The future of charter schools in Rhode Island – The Boston Globe

Published

4 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

The future of charter schools in Rhode Island – The Boston Globe

PROVIDENCE — The application period for Rhode Island’s charter schools opened this week, giving families a shot at roughly 3,000 seats projected to be available at charter schools next year.

A blind lottery for available seats will be held on April 1. Charter schools are in high demand in Rhode Island, with roughly 11,000 families submitting 30,000 applications for 2,500 seats lasts year. (Families can apply for more than one school.)

There are about 13,000 Rhode Island public school students currently enrolled in 25 charters, some of which are larger networks with multiple schools.

Despite the demand, teachers unions and other public school advocates have sought to block the expansion of charter schools, concerned they are financially hurting the traditional public school system. School funding follows each child from their home school district to the charter school.

In this week’s episode of the Rhode Island Report, Chiara Deltito-Sharrott from the Rhode Island League of Charter Schools talks about the future of charter schools in Rhode Island, and provides a rebuttal to comments made by Maribeth Calabro, the head of Rhode Island’s largest teachers union, in an episode earlier this month.

Steph Machado can be reached at steph.machado@globe.com. Follow her @StephMachado.

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Rhode Island

United RI announced opening of Good Neighbor Energy Fund | ABC6

Published

11 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

United RI announced opening of Good Neighbor Energy Fund | ABC6

United Way of Rhode Island accepts initial donations from the Fund’s sponsoring energy companies. (courtesy: United Way of Rhode Island)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — United Way of Rhode Island announced the Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund has begun for the 2024 through 2025 season.

The fund helps families that need assistance paying their home heating bills but are not eligible for federal or state assistance.

Since it was founded, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund has aided over 48,250 Rhode Island homes.

United RI says any local households in the state that are in need of funding assistance for energy are encouraged to contact a local Community Action Program agency, or to call the 211 helpline for help locating a CAP agency.

GNEF eligibility is determined on total income not exceeding 300% of the federal poverty level, and provides up to $825 per household each heating season depending on eligibility, fuel type, and need.

United RI said in addition to sponsors, the fund relies on Rhode Islanders who donate through the “Warm Thy Neighbor” campaign.

Donations can be made through the yellow donation envelope enclosed with monthly energy bills, or by scanning the QR code on the envelope.

Additionally, donations can be given through phone by texting “WARM” to 91999.

For more information, visit United Way of Rhode Island’s website here.

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Rhode Island

RISavers program gives private sector workers a hand in building their nest eggs • Rhode Island Current

Published

19 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

RISavers program gives private sector workers a hand in building their nest eggs • Rhode Island Current

Former U.S. Naval officer Darryl Lindie learned early in his career that taking care of his team was key to accomplishing a mission.

Since buying AASign & Awning in Warwick in 2023, Lindie has applied that philosophy to his business, giving his 30-person team paid days off and other benefits. But one offering remained a little too complicated and expensive: retirement savings.

Not for long.

Legislation approved in the 2024 General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee in September sets up a public retirement savings program for private-sector workers whose employers don’t already offer the investment option. Ahead of its formal launch, state officials unveiled details of the RISavers program at an event outside Lindie’s sign shop on Wednesday.

Modeled after similar programs in other states, including Connecticut, RISavers automatically opens Roth Individual Retirement Accounts for eligible private-sector workers, set up through the Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer with help from a third-party account administrator.

“It is absolutely true that anyone can open a Roth IRA or another retirement account whenever they want,” Treasurer James Diossa said. “But it’s also equally true that not everyone has the ability to navigate the financial sector. These things can be daunting and RISavers makes it quick and easy and helps ensure more Rhode Islanders are on a path to stable retirement.”

An estimated 170,000 Rhode Island workers, equal to 40% of the state’s private-sector workforce, don’t get retirement benefits through their jobs, according to information from Diossa’s office.

Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon (left) and Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa announced a partnership between Connecticut and Rhode Island, sharing costs for administering their respective state public retirement programs. (Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)

The program also alleviates the burden on small businesses, which have no obligation to match contributions. Their only cost is from processing payroll deductions from participating employees.

Businesses with at least five employees are mandated to make the new retirement program available to their workers, with phased-in deadlines based upon business size. Employers with at least 100 workers must enroll within the first year of the program, while those with 50 to 100 workers have to sign up within two years. All 400,000 businesses that meet the minimum employment requirement must join within three years. Businesses with fewer than five employees can also sign up anytime they want.

“This represents a win for families, for the state economy, and for the overall well-being of our state,” McKee said.

And, it doesn’t come with any extra costs to taxpayers or extra staffing needs, as touted by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi.

A fiscal note included with the legislation in March 2024 estimated a $311,000 startup cost, split between fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026, based on comparable startup costs in other states like Delaware and Maine. However, no additional money was used in the nearly $14 billion fiscal 2025 budget to pay for the program, which instead relied on existing funds within the treasurer’s office, according to Rob Craven, Diossa’s legislative affairs director.

Rhode Island will pay a $100,000 fee for Vestwell State Savings, split between this fiscal year and the next, to administer the program. Rhode Island is also partnering with Connecticut, which launched its public retirement savings program for public-sector employees two years ago, to share in administration costs and investment fees from Vestwell.

Which, in turn, drives down the fees for participating workers.

The program will use Bank of New York Mellon for its accounts, the same financial services company Vestwell uses for its version of a public retirement account.

Since Connecticut launched the MyCTSavings program in April 2022, it has opened retirement accounts for nearly 30,000 state residents, who have invested $33 million, said Comptroller Sean Scanlon, who attended the event in Warwick.

As of June 30, 2024, 20 states had launched, or passed legislation to launch, retirement savings programs for private sector workers, 17 of which (including Rhode Island) automatically enroll eligible workers, according to the Center for Retirement Initiatives at Georgetown University’ McCourt School of Public Policy.

Diossa plans to launch a pilot program with a small number of participants in the spring of 2025, opening up the program to full capacity “shortly after.”

Lindie is eager to sign up, noting the interest among his workers already. He hopes the perk will attract new workers to the growing, design-to-build sign shop.

“We are looking for a younger generation of talent, and we need these kinds of benefits,” Lindie said.

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