Senate and House leaders disagree on education funding

Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and Ryan Pearson are at odds over the need for a significant rewrite of the state's education-funding formula. The state took over Providence's public schools in 2019. Pearson and Rugerio say the formula is outdated and the current funding formula has been improved. The House Speaker argued that it's not the right time to change the funding. House members say education is a priority for them. They say local districts have received an extra $40 to $50 million in aid during the COVID years. Pawtucket and Woonsocket have less money for education than Providence.

Neither House nor Senate leaders are satisfied with the effort from Gov. Dan McKee's administration to deploy the more than $250 million budgeted for housing earlier this year. The House and Senate prescription for accelerating housing production may differ. House passed a bill that would have made it easier for homeowners to add accessory apartments on their properties last year, but Senate scaled it back. Shekarchi called out local "not in my backyard" opposition to housing and the onerous rules and restrictions around development. He promised a new package of pro-housebuilding bills in the next session.

Rhode Island's beleaguered nursing homes are set to face penalties if they fall below minimum staffing thresholds lawmakers approved two years ago. The Senate president wants to talk to nursing home owners and unions to come to a solution.

Ruggerio does not want to raise taxes this year. Pearson believes Massachusetts' actions have made Rhode Island more competitive. The state is running a surplus. The savings from vacancies across state government are also a reason for the surpluses. Senate and House leaders disagree on education funding. They are discussing a compromise.

Ruggerio wants to make sure Rhode Island's sports betting offerings are competitive. He wants the state's bookmakers to take bets on Rhode island college sports teams when they compete in a tournament like the NCAA basketball championship. The current sports gambling system gives exclusive rights to International Game Technology to provide an online betting app.

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the General Assembly did not vote on bills to allow public health insurance to cover abortions. The issue has become a campaign season flashpoint.

Pearson supports education funding. Ruggerio would have voted against it 10 years ago.

The House approved expanding the area along the shoreline, but the Senate didn't take it up. Ruggerio is open to a beach access bill, though his lawyers told him the House plan could be challenged in court.

Senators will work on scaling back the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Anastasia Williams, was defeated in a primary.