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Illinois, Rhode Island could make moves on gay marriage this week

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 22:16:00 +0000

On Thursday, both Illinois and Rhode Island are expected to make moves on bills to legalize same-sex marriages in each state.

In Rhode Island, the Providence Journal reports, state Rep. Arthur Handy says he will introduce a bill in the General Assembly on Thursday, the first day of the 2013 session.

From the Journal:

Handy has said that the legislation will include, as it has in past versions, language granting religious groups protections, if they object to same sex unions as a matter of their religious beliefs.

Citing the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment, a 2011 version of Handy's gay marriage bill stated that every religious institution has "exclusive control over its own religious doctrine, policy, and teachings regarding who may marry within their faith, and on what terms."

$1.4 trillion in pension fights foreshadowed in Rhode Island

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 14:15:00 +0000

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Retired social worker Jim Gillis was told his $36,000 Rhode Island state pension would increase by $1,100 next year to keep up with inflation. But lawmakers suspended annual increases, leaving Gillis wondering how he'll pay medical bills and whether he'd been betrayed by his former employer.

"When you're working, you're told you'll get certain things, and you retire believing that to be the case," Gillis said. He and other retirees are challenging the pension changes in a court battle that's likely to have national implications as other states follow Rhode Island's lead.

Cities and states around the country are shoring up battered retirement plans by reducing promised benefits to public workers and retirees. All told, states need $1.4 trillion to fulfill their pension obligations. It's a yawning chasm that threatens to wreck government budgets and prompt tax hikes or deep cuts to education and other programs.

The political and legal fights challenge the clout of public-sector unions and test the venerable idea that while state jobs pay less than private-sector employment, they come with the guarantee of early retirement and generous benefits.

Ending jury discrimination: For once, both parties agree

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 23:30:00 +0000

A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would bar discrimination on federal juries on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

That bill follows an investigation by The American Independent in May that detailed instances where LGBT people may have been discriminated against during jury selection in both state and federal cases.

The bill was introduced on Sept. 21 by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, and is co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.

“Discriminating against a potential juror because of sexual orientation or gender identity is unacceptable, and it should not be tolerated,” Shaheen said in a statement announcing the bill. “Our country is founded on principles of inclusion and acceptance and the jury selection process should be no different.”

Weird news: Owner of cursing cockatoo appeals noise complaint fine

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 22:04:00 +0000

WARWICK, R.I. (AP) — The owner of a foul-mouthed cockatoo in Rhode Island who was slapped with a $15 fine for violating a noise ordinance is appealing.

The Providence Journal reports that Warwick resident Lynne Taylor is appealing to a state court a fine imposed by a municipal judge. The judge said Taylor had broken a local law that prohibits residents from letting their pets habitually howl, bark or make other noise.

Taylor's lawyer says the ordinance is unconstitutional because it gives no parameters for what noise constitutes a violation. He notes the statute says that if someone is annoyed, it's a public nuisance.

A neighbor accused Taylor's bird of parroting vulgar phrases, cursing and loudly speaking expletives. The neighbor lives with Taylor's ex-husband.