Releases
General Assembly votes to repeal bill allowing subminimum wages for disabled workers
The General Assembly today voted to repeal a law that allows employers to pay workers with disabilities below the minimum wage. The legislation to repeal the law, sponsored in the House by Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (2022-H 7511) and in the Senate by Sen. John P. Burke (2002-S 2242), eliminates a practice that resulted in…
Read MoreSpeaker Shekarchi announces $320,000 in funding for Apponaug Recreational Complex improvements
Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has announced that the city of Warwick has been awarded a development grant for $320,000 to fund improvements to the Apponaug Recreational Complex. “Our recreation facilities are one of the reasons Warwick is such a fantastic community,” said Speaker Shekarchi. “Having great recreational opportunities is beneficial for Warwick families, but these…
Read MoreSpeaker Shekarchi, state, local leaders announce historic rehabilitation of Providence’s Industrial Trust Building
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi joined Governor Dan McKee and state, local and federal leaders, the Rhode Island Foundation, and the High Rock Development team today to announce a historic rehabilitation of Providence’s Industrial Trust Building, commonly referred to as the “Superman Building.” The $220 million project announced today will convert the long-vacant, yet iconic,…
Read MoreSpeaker Shekarchi honored as Clean Water Legislator of the Year
The Rhode Island Clean Water Association has honored House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, Rep. Lauren H. Carson and Sen. Dawn Euer as its 2022 Legislators of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding legislative contributions to ensuring clean water for Rhode Island. Speaker Shekarchi, President Ruggerio, Representative Carson and Senator Euer…
Read MoreSpeaker Shekarchi Joins RI Airport Corporation to Announce New Breeze Airways Nonstop Service from PVD to LAX and Other New Routes
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey and Governor Dan McKee, joined by Rhode Island elected officials, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and Breeze Airways, the new low-fare airline from JetBlue founder David Neeleman, announced the addition of five new routes from Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) this summer, including…
Read MoreSpeaker Shekarchi statement on the denial of the Care New England and Lifespan merger
Below is a statement from Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi on the denial today by Attorney General Peter Neronha of the application for Care New England and Lifespan to merge: “I thank the presidents, members of the boards of directors, and the teams at both Lifespan and Care New England for their hard work on this proposed…
Read MoreSpeaker Shekarchi, advocates and parents launch 2022 RIght Start agenda of early childhood education, family health and budget priorities
Today via Zoom conference, elected leaders including Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, House Majority Leader Chris Blazejewski, Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey and Governor Dan McKee, advocates and families came together to launch the 2022 RIght Start Agenda, a package of legislation and state budget investments (see below) designed to ensure…
Read MoreSpeaker Shekarchi joins Attorney General Neronha to announce settlement with opioid distributors, bringing Rhode Island’s opioid litigation recoveries to over $114 million
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, joined by Governor Daniel J. McKee, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, announced today that Rhode Island will join the national opioid settlement with three major opioid distributors that will provide over $90 million in funding for state and local efforts to address Rhode Island’s…
Read MoreSpeaker Shekarchi rules out potential congressional run
Speaker K. Joseph Skekarchi has issued the following statement on speculation regarding him potentially running for Congress: “Although I am humbled that Congressman Langevin and many others have mentioned me as a potential Congressional candidate, I love serving as Speaker and representing my Warwick constituents at the State House. I have no intention of seeking…
Read MoreSpeaker Shekarchi’s statement on Congressman Jim Langevin’s decision to not seek reelection
Speaker K. Joseph Skekarchi issued the following statement on the announcement that Congressman Jim Langevin will not be seeking reelection: “I met Jim Langevin nearly 40 years ago while working on former Warwick Mayor Frank Flaherty’s campaign. I’ve been proud to be Jim’s friend throughout his decades of public service, during which he has been…
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