Politics

By IAN DONNIS

Providence, RI – A new Brown University poll finds mixed support for Governor Lincoln Chafee's tax plan.

Close to 60 percent of respondents say they support extending the sales tax to include dry cleaning, and movie and concert tickets. But 88 percent oppose adding a one percent tax for heating fuel. A slim majority of respondents is against taxing clothing or shoes.

Fifty-eight percent of respondents back Chafee's plan to lower the state sales tax from seven to six percent. The governor's approval rating came in at 32 percent.

By IAN DONNIS

Providence, RI – The push for same-sex marriage legislation has gained two new supporters, including one of the state's most prominent unions.

The Rhode Island AFL-CIO announced its support of the same-sex marriage bill after a recent vote of its executive committee. The union's president, George Nee, calls same-sex marriage a fundamental civil rights issue.

By FLO JONIC

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Governor Lincoln Chafee was on the road yesterday promoting the budget he presented to the General Assembly the day before. In the Tuesday night speech he invoked the name of his barber, Ernie, to support his proposal to impose a six percent sales tax on some goods and services that have never been taxed.

By IAN DONNIS

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Senator Jack Reed says the international community should take the lead in trying to oust Libya's government.

Reed says the U.S. should be cautious about using military force in Libya, because doing so would raise expectations of a deeper American involvement. Instead, he says, the US should work with its United Nations colleagues for change in Libya.