Shekarchi, Ruggerio file legislation to make R.I. Promise program permanent
Updated 4:25 p.m.
THE RHODE ISLAND PROMISE program offered to Rhode Island students at the Community College of Rhode Island is set to expire in September, however, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio filed legislation Friday to make the program permanent. / COURTESY COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island’s top members in the General Assembly have introduced legislation Friday to make the Rhode Island Promise program at the Community College of Rhode Island permanent. The program, introduced by Gov. Gina M. Raimondo in 2017 and provides up to two years of free tuition for eligible Rhode Islanders attending the state…
PROVIDENCE What next?
Rhode Island pols have started to queue up for potential appointment by Lieutenant Gov. Dan McKee of his own replacement, when Governor Gina Raimondo s anticipated mid- after resignation elevates him to the top spot.
On Thursday, President-elect Joseph Biden announced his choice of Raimondo for his commerce secretary, subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
By Friday morning, Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, former state Sen. Donna Nesselbush and Lisa Ranglin, the head of the R.I. Black Business Association, had added their names to a mix of candidates for lieutenant governor that already included Sen. Louis DiPalma and former Central Falls Mayor James Diossa.
Newport Daily News
MIDDLETOWN Speculations have swirled for weeks about Gov. Gina Raimondo leaving Rhode Island to join the cabinet of President-elect Joe Biden.
That became a reality Thursday, when the Biden team announced the governor will be the next U.S. commerce secretary.
Raimondo s departure would elevate Lt. Gov. Dan McKee to fulfill the remainder of her term, which stretches to 2022. That’d leave the position of lieutenant governor open, and a Middletown state senator is interested in the seat.
“I’ve expressed my interest to Lt. Gov. McKee,” Sen. Louis DiPalma, who represents District 12, said in a phone call with The Daily News on Wednesday.