By Alexander Castro | Reporter
Happy Wednesday.
Wait, Wednesday already? At this time last week, I was in Minneapolis for Health Journalism 2026, where – gasp! — I learned a few things. I returned to Rhody to find this brief spell of self-growth and good feeling chased by the news that the state’s legislative session is expected to wrap up at the end of next week — the most torrential time of year for us at Rhode Island Current.
On Monday night, officially back from my pleasant sojourn, I stared up at the wall of information I needed to digest: a big budget, menus of hearings and floor votes, bills of all sorts and the soon-to-conclude legislative storylines I needed to cover. And on the TV, the Dodgers’ losing performance did not prove a good omen.
But as I write this wee missive on Tuesday night, I see they’re up 2-0. Oops, make that 4-0. A lucky sign, methinks, for a busy two weeks.
* * *
High tide in East Greenwich is at 10:44 a.m. and 10:56 p.m. Low tide is at 3:56 p.m. Sunset is at 8:15 p.m.
Sen. Melissa Murray, a Woonsocket Democrat from Woonsocket, seen during Senate Committee on Education meeting on June 2, 2026. (Screencap/CapitolTV)
By Alexander Castro
A Rhode Island Senate panel advanced on Tuesday a bill for a three-year moratorium on new and expanded charter schools, despite a $72,000 opposition campaign. The bill may see a Senate floor vote on Thursday, but the legislation has not yet moved in the House of Representatives.
The Rhode Island Ethics Commission meets in closed session on June 2, 2026, where commissioners voted 6-1 to investigate a complaint against former House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Christopher Shea
The Rhode Island Ethics Commission will investigate whether former House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s bid for an open seat on the state Supreme Court violates state law barring sitting lawmakers from taking on another state job.
The Rhode Island State House on Friday, May 29, 2026. (Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)
Revised FY27 budget takes up ‘compromise’ millionaire’s tax, frustrating businesses and progressives
By Nancy Lavin
The long-debated state millionaire’s tax finally survived the legislative gauntlet, securing a place in the revised fiscal 2027 budget given initial passage by a panel of House lawmakers Friday night. But the hotly contested tax on top earners remains a point of contention among business groups and progressive lawmakers, and neither camp appears satisfied with the legislative “compromise.”
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, speaks at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., in December. CMS this week released guidance on how states should implement new Medicaid work requirements. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
By Anna Claire Vollers | Stateline
The federal government released new guidance this week on how states should roll out the Medicaid work requirements that will affect healthcare coverage for millions of Americans.
Bob Cormier has been nominated as president and CEO of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub. (Courtesy of Rhode Island Commerce Corporation)
By Nancy Lavin
Bob Cormier, a leading medical technology and healthcare executive with Rhode Island roots, has been tapped to take over as president and CEO for the Rhode Island Life Science Hub, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation announced Tuesday.
ICYMI
Senate reaches deal on clergy abuse lawsuit revival bill | Christopher Shea
HUD reports year-over-year homelessness declines to Congress | Robbie Sequeira, Stateline
Dems spotlight anti-weaponization fund as US Senate GOP struggles to pass immigration bill | Ashley Murray, D.C. Bureau
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