News Clips

Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Francis X. Flaherty said it never crossed his mind to mention he was president of the St. Thomas More Society of Rhode Island on his annual state financial disclosure form, even while he was on the bench for an appeal of a priest sexual abuse case.

State Sen. Frank Ciccone III — who has held various titles with the Laborers’ International Union of North America, most recently as consultant to Local 808 — is the new chairman of the Senate Labor Committee.

The rule changes, endorsed 14-3 by the House Rules Committee, would require House leaders to post new legislative language — with some exceptions — for public consumption at least 24 hours before it is voted on by lawmakers.

The Rhode Island House Rules Committee approved Thursday a minimum 24-hour waiting period to review significant changes to legislation in House committees. But critics said the Rules Committee failed to go far enough in making more changes to improve the legislative process.

House Democrats loyal to Speaker Nicholas Mattiello on Thursday approved a revised set of rules to govern the chamber over the next two years, including a provision requiring that amended bills are published at least 24 hours before a vote.