Opinion/Levesque: Help those who know how to build business
J. Michael Levesque
J. Michael Levesque is a former mayor of West Warwick and United States Commissioner for Employment Policy
Joe Paolino, as published in a recent commentary in this newspaper, thinks that we should use the nearly $2 billion in pandemic related funds coming our way to create, among other things, a modern-day version of the “Greenhouse Compact,” which was a highly publicized economic investment strategy in 1982 that provided a blueprint for Rhode Island’s economic future.
Though the initiative failed, as most think because of the heavy reliance on taxpayer funding, the blue-ribbon commission nonetheless produced some 70 recommendations that were enormously helpful to state and local planners.
Reps. Blake A. Filippi, Michael W. Chippendale and Brian C. Newberry
Guest columnists
Rep. Blake A. Filippi, R-Block Island, is the Rhode Island House minority leader. Michael W. Chippendale, R-Foster, is the House minority whip. Rep. Brian C. Newberry, R-North Smithfield, represents House District 48.
The IGT/Twin River legislation just passed by the House is a stacked deck against Rhode Island taxpayers. This “deal” overpays these multi-national corporations by $800 million!
Although the legislation authorizes Governor McKee to bypass public bidding laws and enter into this 20-year insider deal, he is neither required to, nor should. To protect taxpayers Governor McKee should do the responsible thing and negotiate a better deal.
May 21, 2021 1:36 pm
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – After more than 15 months of COVID-19 restrictions in Southern New England, most business and industry in Rhode Island is fully reopened as of Friday.
Beginning Friday, most industries returned to full operations, with no restrictions. Businesses have been given discretion to decide their own restrictions, if necessary.
Healthcare facilities, nursing homes and other care facilities will continue to operate with certain restrictions remaining in place. Businesses or organizations with the following: Indoor dining, bar areas, catered events, houses of worship, retail, gyms, personal services, venues of assembly, funeral homes, offices, and social gatherings; will be able to lift all restrictions. However, health officials say this applies only to those who are fully vaccinated. Those who are not fully vaccinated are required to continue practicing masking and social distancing.
CollisionWeek
Rhode Island $15 Minimum Wage Bill Signed into Law
May 20, 2021 By
Legislation will gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 over four years.
Legislation sponsored by Rep. David A. Bennett and Sen. Ana B. Quezada to raise the minimum wage in Rhode Island from $11.50 to $15 over the next four years was signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee on May 20, two days after passage by the General Assembly.
Flanked by the sponsors, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos and many legislators, Governor McKee signed the bill (2021-H 5130A, 2021-S 0001aa) in a ceremony outside the State House this morning.