economy
Government shutdown nears: U.S. House GOP fails to pass one-month spending plan
WASHINGTON — A sweeping government shutdown appeared inevitable on Friday, with the U.S. Senate stuck in a procedural holding pattern on its bipartisan stopgap bill and divided U.S. House Republicans unable to pass their short-term spending bill. Both chambers of Congress must approve and President Joe Biden must sign government funding legislation before midnight on […]
Women workers could bear economic brunt as federal child care funding ends
A huge chunk of pandemic relief funding that kept child care programs afloat for the past few years is set to run out Saturday, and policy advocates say the economic impact will be profound, with the ripple effect hurting labor force participation and consumer spending at a time when the country is still trying to […]
As of noon, 25,000 UAW members will be striking against the Detroit Three automakers
Two more plants, employing 7,000 workers, are joining the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike at noon Friday, UAW President Shawn Fain announced Friday morning on Facebook Live. This brings the total number of workers who will have walked off the job to 25,000. The strike against Detroit Three auto manufacturers Ford, General Motors and Stellantis […]
Trump to UAW: Endorse me or you won’t have a union
Former President Donald Trump told United Auto Workers (UAW) leaders Wednesday that they would not have a union if they fail to endorse him in the 2024 presidential election. “They have to endorse Trump, because if they don’t, all they’re doing is committing suicide,” Trump said. UAW President Shawn Fain criticized Trump’s Wednesday night visit […]
Treasurer: State relationship with Washington Trust ‘under evaluation’
PROVIDENCE — The Washington Trust Company could potentially lose a significant customer after Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa announced Thursday his office is re-evaluating the state’s nearly $190 million relationship with the Westerly-based financial institution. Diossa’s announcement comes one day after Washington Trust agreed to a $9 million settlement with the federal government over […]
PUC approves scaled-down ‘smart meter’ plan from RI Energy
Smart meters that allow people to monitor their energy usage in real time – and help the utility company track and fix outages faster – are coming to Rhode Island under a plan approved by utility regulators on Wednesday. The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission’s 3–0 vote authorizes Rhode Island Energy to move ahead with […]
McKee vetoes roadway repair bill over objections from utility companies
A seemingly noncontroversial bill requiring utility companies to coordinate projects with the state transportation agency has been shot down by Gov. Dan McKee. McKee exercised his veto power Wednesday to prevent the bills approved by the Rhode Island General Assembly earlier this year from taking effect. In identical letters to House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi […]
How a looming government shutdown could hit national parks
National parks and nearby communities could forego millions of dollars per day during a partial government shutdown that could start this weekend. Would-be visitors will likely see restrictions on park access, though the extent of those restrictions was still unclear just days before a potential lapse in federal appropriations set to begin Sunday. Parks would […]
Amid rising evictions and rents, states grapple with protections in tenant-landlord laws
At 90 years old, Hilda Chavera has found a new purpose in life: tenant organizing. A Minneapolis resident for 50 years, Chavera said she has seen her city change, with many of her neighbors struggling to stay in their homes. “People can’t afford their rent. They are getting kicked out of their homes. They feel […]
FTC and 17 states sue Amazon over claims of monopolistic conduct with online retail
The Federal Trade Commission and 17 state attorneys general are suing Amazon, claiming that the Seattle-headquartered tech and retail giant is engaging in monopolistic and uncompetitive practices. States signing on to the suit filed Tuedsay in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington include Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, […]
PUC approves 25% hike in winter electric rates despite protests
Despite warnings that a nearly 25% hike in winter electric rates would hurt financially struggling residents, state regulators approved Rhode Island Energy’s seasonal supply prices within minutes on Tuesday. The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) 3-0 vote authorizes the state’s primary electricity supplier to increase rates for a six-month period starting Oct. 1. New […]
Food benefits for low income families at risk in a government shutdown, White House says
WASHINGTON — As Congress barrels toward a partial government shutdown, the White House Monday warned that a program that helps millions of low income families afford healthy food could see substantial cuts. The White House released a state-by-state breakdown, estimating that nearly 7 million people who rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, […]