Gordon Fox

Valois Faces Approval of Full State Senate

Ian Donnis — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:16:20 +0000

Governor Lincoln Chafee’s choice to lead the state Economic Development Corporation faces approval by the full state Senate committee Tuesday. The votes comes amid debate over the EDC’s future.

Chafee’s choice, Marcel Valois, was unanimously approved by a Senate committee last week. Valois led the EDC in the 1990s during Lincoln Almond’s tenure as governor. He says Rhode Island needs to do a better job of helping business when it can and getting out of the way when it can’t.

TGIF: 14 Things to Know About Rhode Island Politics + Media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:22:45 +0000

May rolls in with history being made in Rhode Island. Welcome back to my weekly column. As always, your thoughts and tips are welcome at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org. Let's head in:

After 16-Year Fight, Rhode Island Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Ian Donnis — Thu, 02 May 2013 23:49:49 +0000

To the delight of a crowd of hundreds of people in front of the Statehouse, Governor Lincoln Chafee on Thursday evening signed into law legislation making Rhode Island the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Two companion bills forming the basis for the law sped through the General Assembly in recent weeks, in sharp contrast to how the issue of same-sex marriage languished for the preceding 16 years.

Fox Foe Mark Binder Announces New Challenge to the Speaker

Ian Donnis — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:24:02 +0000

We're 18 months out from the November 2014 election, but that's not stopping Mark Binder from announcing on Thursday another legislative challenge to House Speaker Gordon Fox.

Via news release:

Are Rhode Island's Openly Gay Lawmakers Hearing Wedding Bells?

Ian Donnis — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:17:06 +0000

After helping to shepherd same-sex marriage legislation on what once seemed an improbable path to victory, House Speaker Gordon Fox was a bit surprised Tuesday to be asked about his own wedding plans.

"I'm just trying to plan to get through this session," Fox said, laughing, when asked if he has plans to marry later this year. "That's a curve ball. I hadn't though about that one. Maybe you should ask my partner that."

Gay marriage gaining momentum

Scott MacKay — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:26:45 +0000

As the hours dwindle to tomorrow’s Senate Judiciary Committee consideration of same-sex marriage, it appears advocates of gay unions have an advantage, say State House sources. What is still unknown is what will happen when the issue hits the Senate floor, which could come as early as Wednesday, or more likely, Thursday.

What is clear this time around is that the marriage equality campaign has done a better job this time around than two years ago, when the General Assembly approved civil unions in a compromise that pleased neither side.

Intended Grandfathering Language Left out of RI Assault Weapon Bill; Drafting Error Cited

Ian Donnis — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:13:02 +0000

Legislative language that would allow Rhode Islanders who own guns defined as assault weapons to keep them after the July 1 effective date is missing from the relevant bill.

TGIF: 12 Things to Know About Rhode Island Politics + Media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:40:22 +0000

Happy Friday and welcome back. Your tips and thoughts are always appreciated in my inbox at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org. Let's dive in.

Fox, Paiva Weed Call Broad Gun-Safety Proposal a Starting Point for Talks

Ian Donnis — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:41:48 +0000

A nine-point plan intended to reduce gun-related violence and reduce the threat of a school shooting in Rhode Island was unveiled by leading elected and public-safety officials at the Statehouse Tuesday afternoon. Legislative leaders repeatedly called the proposal a starting point for discussion, raising questions about what exactly will meet with General Assembly muster before the legislature ends it session in June.

Political Roundtable: Cicilline on DC Gridlock, Immigration Reform, Gordon Fox + More

Ian Donnis — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Congressman David Cicilline joins the Roundtable this week to discuss hyper-partisanship in Congress, the outlook for an immigration overhaul, his encouraging of House Speaker Gordon Fox to run for mayor of Providence, and other topics.