Tagrhode island

Stories about Rhode Island

Seth Magaziner (D) defeated Allan Fung (R) and Bill Gilbert (I) in the general election to represent Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District

By Roneka Matheny
In 2022 elections
November 21, 2022 at 12:48 PM

Seth Magaziner (D) defeated Allan Fung (R) and Bill Gilbert (I) in the general election to represent Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives on November 8, 2022. Incumbent Jim Langevin (D) announced on January 18, 2022, that he would not seek reelection after eleven consecutive terms in office, creating an open seat.

According to The Providence Journal, “The unusually competitive race has been a nail-biter for Democrats, who came close to losing a seat that they have held for over 30 years. In the lead-up to the election, national outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal highlighted Fung’s lead in the polls, suggesting that it was emblematic of the gains that Republicans stood to make in [the] year’s midterm elections…Fung, well known from his 11 years as mayor of Cranston and past campaigns for governor, focused almost exclusively on inflation, especially high energy prices. Magaziner, the two-term state treasurer, argued that electing Fung would help Republicans gain control of Congress. The main point of disagreement between the two candidates boiled down to whether Fung could accurately be called a ‘moderate’ and if he’d vote in lockstep with the rest of his party…”

The outcome of this race affected the partisan balance of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 118th Congress. All 435 House districts were up for election.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 56.1% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 42.4%.



All candidates for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 7 complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

By Ballotpedia staff
In 2022 elections
October 31, 2022 at 3:56 PM

Both of the candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 7 — incumbent David Morales (D) and Christopher Ireland (I) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. 

Eighty-eight of the country’s 99 state legislative chambers will hold regularly scheduled elections in 2022. The Democratic Party controls both chambers of Rhode Island’s state legislature. Rhode Island is one of 14 states with a Democratic trifecta.

Here are excerpts from candidates’ responses to the question: What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?            

Morales:       

  • “Universal Healthcare: For far too long, working people in Rhode Island have been denied the healthcare treatment they deserve as over 47,000 of people are uninsured and even more are ‘underinsured’.”
  • “I remain focused on repealing our state’s tax-cuts for the rich and using these funds to reinvest in our communities by expanding behavioral healthcare, making public transportation free, and further investing in our public schools by revising our state’s inequitable education funding formula.”
  • “Fair Taxation: We are in an affordable housing crisis as working people are being priced out of our community, first-generation homeownership is unattainable, and the state continues to invest in market-rate housing, as opposed to real affordable housing.”

Ireland:               

  • “When elected, I will focus on what’s right for the state and for the people”
  • “When elected, I will not be influenced by outside political factors that would not benefit the people of Rhode Island”
  • “I will represent all of Rhode Island decisions that will improve our state for all”

Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.

We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.

Additional reading:

Rhode Island House of Representatives elections, 2022



All candidates for Attorney General of Rhode Island complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

By Ballotpedia staff
In 2022 elections
October 24, 2022 at 4:04 PM

Both of the candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for Attorney General of Rhode Island— incumbent Peter Neronha (D) and Charles Calenda (R) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. 

This is one of 30 attorney general seats on the ballot in 2022. All 50 states have an attorney general who serves as the state’s chief legal officer. The attorney general enforces state law and advises the state government on legal matters. Rhode is one of 23 states with a Democratic attorney general, and one of 18 states with a Democratic triplex government.

Here are excerpts from candidates’ responses to the question: What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?    

Neronha:

  • “We have built a strong Office that is getting out on offense and delivering strong results for Rhode Islanders every day….”
  • “To protect public safety more effectively, we created an Urban Violent Crime Task Force, combining multiple police agencies under our umbrella and using proactive police intelligence, data analysis, and ballistics technology to identify and target violent criminals wielding illegal firearms.”
  • “Our Civil Division is doing unprecedented work protecting Rhode Island’s healthcare systems…”

Calenda:

  • “Law Above Politics”
  • “Independent Check and Balance on Government”
  • “Seeking justice for all Rhode Islanders”

Click here to read their full responses to this and other questions.

We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.

Additional reading:



Rhode Island voters to decide three bond measures totaling $400 million in November

By Victoria Antram
In 2022 elections
October 17, 2022 at 11:08 AM

On Nov. 8, voters in Rhode Island will be deciding on three bond measures totaling $400 million. 

Question 1 would issue $100 million in bonds for the University of Rhode Island Narragansett Bay Campus’ marine discipline education and research needs. The University of Rhode Island is leading the Vote Yes on 1 campaign in support of Question 1. Marc Parlange, president of the University of Rhode Island, said, “Rhode Islanders have a generational opportunity to position Rhode Island and New England as the global leader in a new Blue Economy with URI as the engine that fuels that activity.”

Voters last approved a bond issue for the University of Rhode Island Narragansett Bay Campus in 2018 with the passage of Question 2, which authorized the issuance of $45 million for the campus.

Question 2 would issue ​​$250 million in bonds for the construction and renovation of state public school buildings. In 2018, Rhode Island voters approved Question 1, which authorized $250 million in bonds over five years to fund school housing aid and the school building authority capital fund. It was approved with 76.7% of the vote.

Question 3 would issue $50 million in bonds for environmental and recreational purposes. The projects include the Small Business Energy Loan Program, Narragansett Bay and watershed restoration projects, forest restoration projects, and the Roger Williams Park and Zoo. Yes on 3 is leading the campaign in support of Question 3. It has received endorsements from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Clean Water Action, Climate Jobs Rhode Island, and Rhode Island Land Trust Council.

To put a legislatively referred bond question before voters, a simple majority vote is required in both the Rhode Island State Senate and the Rhode Island House of Representatives. In Rhode Island, the state General Assembly must ask voters to issue general obligation bonds over $50,000, except in the case of war, insurrection, or invasion.

The bond measure was introduced into the Rhode Island General Assembly as a provision of Article 5 of House Bill 7123 (HB 7123) on January 16, 2022. 

On June 16, 2022, Article 5 of HB 7123 passed in the state House by a vote of 69-1 with five members not voting. On June 23, 2022, the state Senate voted 33-0 with five not voting.

Governor Daniel McKee (D) signed HB 7123 on June 27, 2022, certifying the three bond measures for the ballot.

Between 2008 and 2021, voters in Rhode Island decided on 29 bond measures totaling $1.7 billion ($1,710,915,000) in principal value. Voters approved all of the bond measures, with support ranging from 55.23% (Question 2 of 2010) to 83.89% (Question 3 of 2016). As of 2021, voters had not rejected a bond measure since 2006, when 50.56% of electors rejected a $4.0 million bond for improvements in Fort Adams State Park.



Rhode Island sees first open U.S. House seat since 2010

By Juan Garcia de Paredes
In 2022 elections, Federal
September 9, 2022 at 9:28 AM

The filing deadline for candidates running for Congress in Rhode Island this year was July 15, 2022. Nine candidates are running for Rhode Island’s two U.S. House districts, including seven Democrats and two Republicans. That’s 4.5 candidates per district, more than the 2.5 candidates per district in 2020 and the three in 2018.

Here are some other highlights from this year’s filings:

  • This is the first election to take place under new district lines following the 2020 census. Rhode Island was apportioned two districts, the same number it was apportioned after the 2010 census.
  • The nine candidates running this year are four more than the five who ran in 2020 and three more than the six who ran in 2018. Seven candidates ran in 2016, six in 2014, and 12 in 2012.
  • There is an open seat for the first time since 2010. Rep. Jim Langevin (D), the incumbent in the 2nd district, is retiring.
  • Seven candidates—six Democrats and one Republican—are running to replace Langevin, the most candidates running for a seat this year. 
  • Rep. David Cicilline (R), the incumbent in the 1st district, is running for re-election and is not facing any primary challengers. 
  • The Democratic primary in the 2nd district is the only contested primary this year. That number is a decade low. There were two contested primaries in 2020, 2018, 2016, and 2014. There were four contested primaries in 2012.
  • Democratic and Republican candidates filed to run in both districts,  so no seats are guaranteed to either party this year.

Rhode Island and two other states—Delaware and New Hampshire—are holding their congressional primaries on September 13, 2022. In Rhode Island, the winner of a primary election is the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes, even if he or she does not win an outright majority of votes cast.



Rate of contested state legislative primaries increases in Rhode Island

By Douglas Kronaizl
In 2022 elections, State
September 6, 2022 at 8:08 PM

Rhode Island has 44 contested state legislative primaries this year, 19% of the total number of possible primaries, and a 29% increase from 2020.

The rate of contested primaries this year is at its highest point compared to the four preceding election cycles.

Of the 44 contested primaries, there are 39 for Democrats and five for Republicans. For Democrats, this is up from 33 in 2020, an 18% increase. For Republicans, the number is up 80% from one in 2020.

Thirty-two incumbents face primary challenges, representing 32% of all incumbents running for re-election. This is similarly the highest rate compared to the four preceding election cycles.

Of the 32 incumbents in contested primaries, 30 are Democrats and two are Republicans.

Overall, 236 major party candidates—159 Democrats and 77 Republicans—filed to run. All 75 House and 38 Senate seats are up for election.

Fourteen of those seats are open, meaning no incumbents filed. This guarantees that at least 12% of the legislature will be represented by newcomers next year, the second-largest such percentage compared to the four preceding election cycles behind 2018 when 13% of seats were guaranteed to newcomers.

Rhode Island has had a Democratic trifecta since the party won control of the governorship in 2012. Democrats currently have a 65-10 majority in the House and a 33-5 majority in the Senate.

Rhode Island’s state legislative primaries are scheduled for Sept. 13, the 17th and final statewide primary date of the 2022 state legislative election cycle.

Additional reading:



Rhode Island auditor general reports $550 million in unemployment insurance fraud during pandemic

By James McAllister
In State
July 19, 2022 at 11:16 AM

Rhode Island Auditor General Dennis Hoyle released a report on July 12, 2022, estimating the state paid $550 million of fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021. The figure was up over the previous fiscal year in which the state estimated $171 million of fraudulent unemployment benefits were paid from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020.

Unemployment insurance refers to a joint federal and state program that provides temporary monetary benefits to eligible laid-off workers who are actively seeking new employment. Qualifying individuals receive unemployment compensation as a percentage of their lost wages in the form of weekly cash benefits while they search for new employment.

The federal government oversees the general administration of state unemployment insurance programs. The states control the specific features of their unemployment insurance programs, such as eligibility requirements and length of benefits.

For more information on unemployment insurance fraud in Rhode Island, click here. For information about unemployment insurance fraud across the country, click here.

Additional reading:

Unemployment insurance

Unemployment insurance in Rhode Island

History of unemployment insurance fraud in Rhode Island



Rhode Island enacts new legislative districts

By Ethan Rice
In State
February 24, 2022 at 12:34 PM

Rhode Island enacted new legislative district boundaries on Feb. 16, 2022, when Gov. Dan McKee (D) signed redistricting legislation approved by the General Assembly. The maps will take effect for Rhode Island’s 2022 state legislative elections.

The state House of Representatives passed the new maps 57-6, and the state Senate approved them 29-9 on Feb. 15. State Representative Robert Phillips (D), co-chair of the state’s legislative Reapportionment Commission, said, “It was an honor and pleasure to work with such a dedicated group of individuals on this commission. I’m particularly proud of the fact that we obtained so much input from citizens around the state, holding our meetings in several cities and towns to make it more accessible to everyone. Reapportionment can be daunting and complex, but I’m glad we took everyone’s concerns into account and came up with a fair and equitable system of reapportionment.” 

John M. Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island, criticized the process and final maps because he felt incumbents were expressly favored. “This is the culmination of a years long effort to maintain the status quo. They did not hide the fact that the goal was to let the incumbents draw the maps as they pleased,” Marion said. Common Cause Rhode Island is an organization that describes itself as promoting “representative democracy by ensuring open, ethical, accountable, effective government processes.”

As of Feb. 17, 35 states have adopted legislative district maps for both chambers, and one state has adopted maps that have not yet gone into effect. The state supreme courts in two states have overturned previously enacted maps, and 12 states have not yet adopted legislative redistricting plans after the 2020 census. As of Feb. 16, 2012, 38 states had enacted legislative redistricting plans after the 2010 census.

Nationwide, states have completed legislative redistricting for 1,492 of 1,972 state Senate seats (75.7%) and 3,465 of 5,411 state House seats (64.0%).

Additional reading:



Rhode Island enacts new congressional districts

By Ethan Rice
In State
February 23, 2022 at 2:05 PM

Rhode Island enacted new congressional districts on Feb. 16, 2022, when Gov. Dan McKee (D) signed redistricting legislation that the General Assembly had approved the day before. Rhode Island was apportioned two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, the same number it received after the 2010 census. This map will take effect for Rhode Island’s 2022 congressional elections.

The State House of Representatives passed the district boundaries 57-6, with 53 Democrats and four Republicans voting in favor and four Republicans and two Democrats voting against. The State Senate approved the new maps 29-9 with all ‘yes’ votes from Democrats and five Republicans and four Democrats voting ‘no.’

Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung (R) praised House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D), saying the plan made minimal changes to congressional district boundaries even though Democrats had majorities in both chambers of the legislature: “I think a lesser person might have played some games and the fact that the bills came through as is says a lot about your leadership in Rhode Island, where we are used to games happening.” Senator Jessica de la Cruz (R) criticized the process, saying, “There was not ample time for the community to comment on them.”

As of Feb. 17, 34 states have adopted congressional district maps, and one state has approved congressional district boundaries that have not yet taken effect. Federal or state courts have blocked previously adopted maps in two states, and seven states have not yet adopted congressional redistricting plans after the 2020 census. Six states were apportioned one U.S. House district, so no congressional redistricting is required. As of Feb. 16, 2012, 39 states had enacted congressional redistricting plans.

States have completed congressional redistricting for 330 of the 435 seats (75.9%) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Additional reading:



Rhode Island Reapportionment Commission approves new guidelines for counting of incarcerated individuals

By Ellen Morrissey
In State
January 12, 2022 at 11:58 AM

On Jan. 5, 2022, the Rhode Island Reapportionment Commission voted 15-1 to approve new guidelines concerning the counting of incarcerated individuals for the purpose of redistricting. Under the new rules, people incarcerated for less than two years will be counted as residents of their former residences in future General Assembly and Congressional map drafts. Previously, incarcerated individuals were considered residents of the districts where they were incarcerated.

The Commission is made up of 18 legislators and citizens nominated by the majority and minority leaders of the Rhode Island state Senate and House of Representatives. It can recommend congressional and state legislative redistricting plans to the state legislature, which may “adopt, modify, or ignore the commission’s proposals.” The legislature has not yet held votes on congressional or legislative maps for the 2020 redistricting cycle.

Twelve other states require redistricting authorities to count prison inmates who are state residents at their pre-incarceration address, rather than in the community where their detention facility is located. Five of those states counted incarcerated persons at their pre-incarceration addresses for legislative maps only, and seven counted them at their pre-incarceration residences for both legislative and congressional maps.

Additional reading: