This Week at the General Assembly

"Governor’s sales tax plan receives hearings, legislative leaders seek alternatives
At hearings held by the House and Senate Finance Committees this week, business owners and taxpayers argued against the governor’s budget proposal (Article 26) involving a multi-tiered sales tax proposal that would tax many new items and services. Both House Speaker Gordon Fox and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed said they will consider alternative means of closing the budget deficit.

Hospital costs commission submits legislative package
The Special Senate Commission to Study Cost Containment, Efficiency and Transparency in the Delivery of Quality Patient Care and Access by Hospitals, which recently concluded its study, introduced a package of legislation aimed at steering health care insurers, providers and the public toward health care provision models that are less costly and more effective at improving health. The commission is led by Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Warwick).

House approves measures to rearrange District Courts
The House approved a bill (2011-H 5131aa) sponsored by Majority Whip J. Patrick O’Neill (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket) to ease overcrowding at the J. Joseph Garrahy Judicial Complex in Providence by moving District Court cases from Foster, Glocester, Johnston, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield, Scituate and Smithfield  to Kent County’s new, less-cramped Gov. Philip W. Noel Judicial Complex Courthouse in Warwick. The bill also moves North Kingstown District Court cases from Washington County to the Kent County courthouse. The bill (2011-S 0117), which was requested by Chief District Court Judge Jeanne E. LaFazia, is sponsored in the Senate by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick).

Senate votes to establish permanent council on homelessness
The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Frank A. DeVall Jr. (D-Dist. 18, East Providence) establishing a permanent Interagency Council on Homelessness. The bill (2011-S 0539Aaa) was introduced as a result of a series of hearings conducted by the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government, of which Senator DeVall is vice chairman, dedicated to exploring the homelessness problem in Rhode Island. The bill places the reactivation of the council into statute so that it is not dependent on action by the governor.

House Judiciary Committee hears elections bills
The House Judiciary Committee held hearings on a number of bills relating to elections, including bills (2011-H 5661, 2011-H 5511) by House Majority Whip J. Patrick O’Neill (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket) and House Deputy Majority Whip Donald J. Lally Jr. (D-Dist. 33, Narragansett, North Kingstown) to create a uniform closing time of 8 p.m. for polling places across the state.

Testimony heard on bill affecting I-195 land development
Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee and Providence Mayor Angel Tavares were among those who testified before the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government this week when it heard legislation affecting the development of land resulting from the relocation of I-195. Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, Providence, North Providence), the bill (2011-S 0114) seeks to ensure that the reclaimed land is used primarily to support the growth of a knowledge-based economy, due to its proximity to universities, hospitals and medical schools.

House Judiciary Committee hears bill on out-of-state youth placements
The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on legislation (2011-H 5746) sponsored by Rep. Roberto DaSilva (D-Dist. 63, East Providence, Pawtucket) that would ban Rhode Island Family Court from placing children in state care at out-of-state residences, facilities or treatment centers.

Bill creating renewable energy coordinating board OK’d in committee
The Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture voted to recommend Senate passage of legislation (2011-S 0722) to create a renewable energy coordinating board. Sponsored by President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown), the bill makes the board responsible for developing a strategic renewable energy implementation plan for the state and advising the governor and General Assembly on its findings and recommendations."