Friday, March 13th

Another Friday the 13th, with news to fit. The U.S./Israeli war enters its 14th day as the offensive continues in Iran and Lebanon. Earlier this week, state Representatives and Senators signed onto a letter urging the Rhode Island federal delegation to reject the Republican’s war.

You can take action as well by calling the Congressional Switchboard at
(202) 224-3121.

Hope for better news come Monday. We'll be back then.

Headlines

Newly-appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vows to carry fight in first statement as supreme leader

Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei called for national unity and pledged to continue the war in his first statement since his appointment. That pledge contradicted those of the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, who said on Wednesday that Iran would consider ending the war if certain conditions were met. To that end, Khamenei said that US bases would continue to be targets until closed, this as the Iranian government has said that companies with close ties to the US government, like Microsoft, are also subject to targeting.

Khamenei’s statement was read on state television, giving further rise to speculation about the new Leader’s health.

Ongoing Israeli offensive in Lebanon has killed at least 687 people; Israel strikes Beirut – Al-Jazeera

Over 800,000 people have been displaced and over 1,500 injured since the Israeli offensive began on March 2nd according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

12 people were killed in an Israeli double-tap strike on Thursday in the seafront area of Ramlet al-Baida. In another attack, an Israeli drone targeted a university and killed two academics.

Providence Diocese rejects relevance of A.G. report detailing systemic rape and molestation

On March 4th, the Attorney General’s Office released a report detailing credible reports that clergy members in the Providence Diocese systemically sodomized and molested children. At least 75 clergy members were found credibly accused in the report. Read the report here.

The Providence Diocese rejected what it considered to be the implication of the AG's report, claiming that reforms have been made and that the release of the report is a political maneuver intended to aid the passage of legislation that would suspend the statute of limitations for some cases. Read that response here.

This comes as area colleges report significant upticks in religious enrollment, causing some to speculate about the implications for religious attendance more broadly. Read more in the Globe.

Quick Hits

• The Pentagon told lawmakers on Wednesday that the first 6 days of the Iran war has cost the US at least $11.3 billion.
• Brent Crude has oil prices hovering at $100 per barrel at Thursday’s close. That’s a 45-50% increase on crude since this time in February. US gasoline prices closed at ~$3.00/gallon on Thursday, up over 50% since last month.
• Senate Republicans plan to hold debate next week on the SAVE America Act, as Trump and Musk call for action to include ride along funding for DHS. The bill restricts mail-in voting and requires identification for voting.
• On Thursday the U.S. Senate voted in favor of a housing bill introduced by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) by a vote of 89-11.
  The proposal includes reducing regulations, regulating corporate investors and expanding how housing dollars can be used to build affordable homes and rentals. It is unclear if the House will move the legislation forward.
• A gunman is dead after firing at people on Old Dominion University’s campus. Two people were injured in the attack.
• Another would-be gunman is dead after ramming a vehicle into a synagogue in Michigan. Police said security at the temple shot into the vehicle several times.
• Trump’s endorsement of a challenger (Ed Gallrein) to Republican-thwart Thomas Massie (R-KY) has reportedly improved Massie’s odds of surviving reelection (per Kalshi/Polymarket).
• 85 year-old lawmaker, Jim Clyburn (D-SC), has announced his bid for reelection. Clyburn is a close ally of former President Biden; this term would be his 18th in Congress.
• Trump said it would not be appropriate for Iran to participate in the World Cup, intimating that they would face some threat to their safety.

R.I. Stories

RIDOT’s Interim Director Robert Rocchio told the House Committee on Finance’s Subcommittee on Environment and Transportation that the truck toll system would likely need to wait until 2027 for infrastructure to be restored. The truck toll gantries sat unused for years as the government fended off charges of violating the Commerce Clause. More at RI Current.

Pawtucket City Council denied the permit of a proposed scrapyard by Allied Recycling that was proposed on the Pawtucket/Providence border. The proposal was publicly opposed by Providence Councilman Justin Roias, who cited pollution and impact to the local environment in his statement.

Fall River School Superintendent Tracy Curley has resigned after the city’s school committee voted to consider her removal. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is now reviewing the school board for what it suspects is a dysfunctional dynamic between that board and the Superintendent’s Office. More at WPRI.

Governor McKee has blown past a March 1st deadline to name members to the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), to-date naming zero people to the 7 person council. Meanwhile, traction is building on a proposal to disband the CRMC altogether. The proposal, with backing from Save the Bay, would fold the CRMC’s responsibilities into the Department of Environmental Management, and instead allow for an advisory committee appointed at the direction of the governor. More at RI Current.

Governor McKee is throwing a hail mary for the redevelopment of the Industrial Trust Building in downtown Providence. The governor said he is hoping to discuss with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy an Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Financing loan through the USDOT. Providence Journal has more.

R.I. Politics

Affordable RI released their affordability-focused policy agenda on Wednesday. The group, headed by SEIU 1199’s Jesse Martin, detailed plans to tax the rich, increase wages, and improve access to healthcare. They plan to do so by supporting candidates who align with their affordability platform and promoting education of affordability solutions. Steve Ahlquist has more.

The RI Senate is to consider establishing $5 million in funding for a URI medical school, $15 million short of what a commission studying the project said it would need. Proposed by Senator V. Susan Sosnowski (D-S.Kingstown), the bill would direct the funding from the general revenue to begin the process of founding the school. The proposal also includes increased funding through 2029, though that, too, is far short of what was estimated to be necessary by the commission. Globe has more, including details on permanent funding for the suicide hotline, 988, proposed by Senator Melissa Murray (D-Woonsocket).

The House will now deliberate on the Senate-approved proposed ballot referendum by Sen. Jonathan Acosta’s (D-Pawtucket/CF) that would amend the State’s constitution to guarantee the right to equitable, adequate and meaningful education. The State’s constitution currently classifies the State’s responsibility as promoting education. Proponents of the bill say that the guarantees afforded by right would improve education by allowing residents to sue for negation of that right. That bill here.

Senator Melissa Murray framed her support for establishing a state-funded rental subsidy as a matter of fiscal responsibility. Sen. Murray’s bill would subsidize the rents of very low income or disabled renters that are, or at risk of becoming, homeless. If qualified, the bill ensures that no more than 30% of a renter’s income be spent on their rents. In addition to Sen. Murray, this bill was introduced by Sen. Bissaillon (D-Providence), and Reps Slater (D-Providence) and Bennett (D-Warwick/Cranston). Senate bill here.

Support for a bill that allows the Town of Jamestown to reduce property tax burdens for seniors is a step closer to becoming law after the Senate passed Senator Dawn Euer’s (D-Jamestown/Newport) enabling legislation. That bill here.

State Republicans continue to push for lowering the state income tax. Rep. Serpa (R-W.Warwick/Warwick/Coventry) and Sen. De la Cruz (R-N.Smithfield/ Burrillville/Glocester) have introduced legislation to lower all three tax bracket classifications by 10% over five years. The plan has backing from the Providence Chamber of Commerce. Proposed amendments here.

R.I. Elections

Secretary of State Gregg Amore announced his bid for reelection Wednesday. Amore made his announcement with the support of Pat Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson. Amore has over $180,000 in his campaign account, making him a strong favorite to win reelection.

Sports

Providence College Men’s Basketball lost to St. John’s in the second round of the Big East Tournament on Thursday, ending the team’s season. Final score: 85-72

Reports are this signals the end of Kim English's tenure as head coach for the Friars.

Boston Celtics lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 104-102, Thursday night. Next game Saturday at home against the Washington Wizards (16-48), tip-off 6:00. Celtics remain in second position in the East. Brown led the team with 34 points, Tatum did not play.

Boston Bruins lost to the San Jose Sharks, 4-2, Thursday night. Next game Saturday away at the Washington Capitals (32-27-7), puck drop 3:00. Bruins remain in the middle of the pack in the Atlantic.