Rep. Scott Slater offered remarks today at the grand opening celebration of the Conservation Learning Center at @RWPZoo. He was joined by @Val_Lawson and other members of the Senate for a dedication of a plaque to honor the late @MaryellnGoodwin.

Speaker @CBlazejewski was presented the Government Service Award today at the Direct Support Professionals Celebration held by the @CPNRI. He was honored on behalf of the legislature for the passage of a state budget that included full funding of rate increases for human services this year, helping Rhode Islanders with developmental disabilities and the professionals who support them. He was joined by @TinaSpearsRI and @Justine4RI and @AlanaDimario and @bridget4Valverde.

Happy birthday to @MarieForRI!

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $99 million renovated Fine Arts Center at @URI featured remarks by @Kathy35SK and @repmcentee33. A choral room was dedicated to the late Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, who left a lasting legacy of support for URI and the state. @tanzister also attended.

Happy birthday to Rep. David Morales!

@RIHouseofReps @repkazarian & @RISenate @Val_Lawson shared their memories of where they were and what they witnessed at today's 25th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony for 9/11 in East Providence. To watch entire event: capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/sho…

Happy birthday to Rep. Stephen Casey!

A new legislative commission will begin meeting next week to study ways to evaluate, plan for and limit the impacts of new housing developments on public water supplies and watersheds in rural areas. The Special Legislative Commission to Study and Provide Recommendations on the Water Supply Planning for New Housing Developments in Rural Communities is scheduled to hold an organizational meeting Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 3 p.m. in Room 101 on the first floor of the State House. No public testimony will be taken at this meeting. The legislation (2026-H 8032Aaa) establishing the commission was sponsored by @CotterforRI More details: rilegislature.gov/.../Forms/…..

South County Star: Rep. Sam Azzinaro is one step closer to realizing his goal of building a Vietnam War memorial in downtown Providence. Azzinaro, who represents District 37 in Westerly and chairs the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, announced the future memorial will be located at 200 Dyer Street in Providence along the Providence River. “I think they’re finally going to get some recognition,” Azzinaro said. “These boys that were basically 18, 19, 20 years old were being sent there because they were expendable … They were fighting because they were being told this is what you have to do.” Full story: southcountystar.org/azzinaro…

Rep. Lauren Carson is urging residents of the Point neighborhood in Newport to come to the Point Association’s fall meeting next week to discuss the area’s flooding problems and the results of a recent survey on residents’ flooding concerns. “Flooding has long been a problem in the Point. It’s obviously a tremendous challenge for residents, who suffer property damage and mold issues, struggle with homeowners’ insurance and sometimes can’t even drive down their road. Considering the Point is home to the greatest concentration of colonial American homes in the country, there’s a lot of concern about the lasting damage this flooding is doing, what can be done to prevent it and address its impacts and the costs to property owners,” said Representative Carson, who is a former resident of the Point. More details: rilegislature.gov/pressrelea…

States Look for Ways to Ease Childcare Crunch Rhode Island Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith and Louisiana Sen. Beth Mizell discuss affordability, access and what states can do next. ncsl.org/state-legislatures-…

Net position of the Rhode Island State Employees’ and Electing Teachers OPEB System increased by $88.6 million during fiscal 2025 to $752.4 million at June 30, 2025. The increase was largely due to positive investment returns experienced during the fiscal year. More information: rilegislature.gov/pressrelea…

Happy birthday to @RIDemChair!

Happy Labor Day!!

Yesterday, House Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Kennedy and @JonDBrien1 joined dignitaries from @TecoBoston for an event to reaffirm the educational partnership between Rhode Island and Taiwan. The event marked the signing of a memorandum of understanding on international education cooperation between Rhode Island and Taiwan to enhance and expand educational exchange.

Happy birthday to Rep. Joe Solomon!

@RIHouseofReps Sam Azzinaro announced the site of the Vietnam Memorial monument to be behind 200 Dyer Street in downtown Providence, along the Providence River. The Comm is working with govt and private officials to secure this site for a fitting memorial to RIs Vietnam War Vets

House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Sam Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly) held a press conference yesterday, Sept. 1, to announce the future site of the Vietnam Memorial monument. The monument will be located along the Providence River behind 200 Dyer Street in downtown Providence. “Rhode Island’s Vietnam War veterans have for too long gone without a fitting tribute to their bravery, honor and sacrifices. This site will serve our Vietnam veterans well by keeping their service and memories alive for the public. I thank all who had a hand in today’s announcement, and I look forward to being back here to officially open the new Vietnam Memorial once construction is complete,” said Chairman Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly). Chairman Azzinaro has chaired the Vietnam Memorial Commission and has been working with government and private officials to secure this site for a fitting memorial to Rhode Island’s Vietnam War Veterans. Vietnam Veterans of America Rhode Island State Council, in partnership with Sisti Group Marketing, will be launching a website to collect donations for the memorial.

Rep. Lauren Carson is encouraging all voters to participate in an online survey being conducted by the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island to provide a snapshot of how many Rhode Islanders might be affected if the federal SAVE Act were enacted. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (also called the SAVE Act or SAVE America Act) is a federal bill that would impose new restrictions on voting and voter registration. It has passed the U.S. House of Representatives multiple times since 2024, including most recently in February 2026. Among other provisions, it would require that voters present proof of citizenship – for most, a passport or birth certificate – to register and to present specific state-issued photo IDs to cast a ballot. While the bill has been stalled in the Senate, it is not dead and could be brought for a vote when the Senate returns from recess in September. The Newport County League of Women Voters and its state and national parent organizations have issued action alerts about the SAVE Act. The NCLWV is seeking respondents for a statewide survey to collect data about how many voters might be affected if the legislation were enacted. Rep. Carson is urging all voters and potential voters to take the survey, available at this link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F… “There are millions of Americans who don’t have a passport, and likely many millions who would have trouble tracking down their birth certificate. The League of Women Voters has been a strong advocate for voters in fighting the passage of this voter-suppression legislation. Participating in their brief survey will help them demonstrate the wide potential this act has to deprive Americans of their constitutional right to vote,” said Rep. Carson.