This Just In: Providence votes on the pension bailout; a major gun-control development
Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. It's been a lovely couple of days but rain is moving in tonight and will stick around for a while, so get out and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.
The polls are open in Providence, with voters set to decide on borrowing $515 million to bail out the city pension system. The plan, developed by Mayor Jorge Elorza's administration, has already passed the Senate Finance Committee and the full House, and today it picked up another key endorsement. State Treasurer Seth Magaziner, a Providence resident, said he would be voting yes today despite a few stated reservations. But the state's Republican National Committeeman remains strongly opposed and has spent more than $6,000 on mailers urging voters to reject the plan. Amy Russo is covering the vote today and will be posting results as soon as they're known.
The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled votes on bills that would ban high-capacity magazines, raise the minimum age for purchasing a firearm to 21, and prohibit the open carrying of loaded shotguns or rifles. Katherine Gregg of our State House team reports that the postings indicate agreement between House and Senate leaders on a package with enough support to win passage in both chambers.
While the gun issue has taken center stage at the State House, lawmakers have a lot to get to in a short period of time before the session ends later this month. Here's a look at some of the big issues that remain unresolved.
The Rhode Island Department of Health reported one coronavirus-related death and 535 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 3,979 negative tests, for an 11.9% positive rate. There were 88 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, up from 79 reported yesterday, with five in intensive care. Rhode Island has reported an average of 451 new cases a day over the last seven days, down 9% from a week ago and down 38% from two weeks ago.
Health-care reporter G. Wayne Miller profiled Penny Cuddy of Rhode Island Hospital, who has worked as a nurse in the state for 50 years.
A woman who works as a secretary in the East Providence Police Department is suing the former chief over alleged sexual harassment.
A northbound section of Route 10 at the Route 6 interchange will close for most of next weekend, creating a possible traffic nightmare in Providence. Here's what you need to know.
And finally, it looked like the Coventry softball team had moved one step closer to a Division I championship with a 1-0 win over Pilgrim last night. But the Rhode Island Interscholastic League has ruled that the game must be replayed from the fourth inning on, after finding that a protest lodged by the Pilgrim coach was valid.
Have a great night. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, please encourage a friend to sign up.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence votes on pension bailout, and major gun-control development
