Tuesday, May 7, 2013
State Sen. James Sheehan explains why he voted in favor of the historic bill legalizing same-sex marriage.
To the editor, After long and admittedly difficult deliberation, I decided to support extending civil legal rights, benefits and privileges of marriage to same gender couples. Please allow me to explain how I arrived at this decision. I concur with the Catholic Church that our nation and state suffer from a growing "moral relativism," a social deterioration propelled by an unrestrained pursuit of selfish desires over "love for thy neighbor." I also firmly believe that holy matrimony should and ought to remain a sacred union between a man and a woman that has been blessed by God's representatives on earth. Further, while the state may recognize same gender marriages, the state is constitutionally-bound to respect the religious convictions …
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
The RI Senate Judiciary Committee votes 7-4 today to move marriage-equality legislation to the full Senate on Wednesday; NK Sen. Dawson Hodgson among those in favor.
- GOVERNMENT
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Tuesday, April 23
The full RI Senate will vote on the same-sex marriage bill tomorrow afternoon after it was sent to the floor by the Senate Judiciary Committee today, April 23. The vote was 7-4. Among those voting in support of the bill was Republican Sen. Dawson Hodgson of North Kingstown, according to the Providence Journal. The committee rejected by a 6-5 vote a bill that would have put the marriage-equality legislation before Rhode Island voters in a referendum next year. The victory on Tuesday gives gay marriage supporters much hope in a debate that has been fierce at times. Dozens of same-sex marriage supporters packed the third floor State House hearing room and the hallway outside, according to the newspaper. Voting for the bill besides Hodgson …
Monday, February 4, 2013
He decries the Senate's "lack of urgency"; Rep. Giarrusso says these early days are for getting bills written and, in general, tackling smaller issues.
One month into the General Assembly's 2013 session, things haven't changed very much from this point two years ago, according to Sen. Dawson Hodgson (R-Dist. 35). "We’re about a month in, we’ve only had one or two calendars since inauguration day," Hodgson said, referring to days in which there's formal action on a bill. "This is the time of year when we show up and there’s no bill pending, there’s no votes ... on state business." Hodgson said inaction on same-sex marriage is one reason for the Senate's seeming "lack of urgency." "Whether you support same sex marriage or oppose it … these are deeply held motiviations and they are profound on both sides. For my colleagues who are deeply engaged on this issue on both sides, they deserve to…
Friday, January 25, 2013
Rep. Craven supported the measure while Rep. Costa voted against a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Rhode Island.
Thursday evening, the Rhode Island House of Representatives made history by passing a bill that would make same-sex marriage legal in Rhode Island. The measure passed 51-19. North Kingstown's two state representatives voted on opposite sides of the issue, with Rep. Doreen Costa (R – North Kingstown, Exeter) against it and Rep. Robert Craven, Sr. (D – North Kingstown) supporting it. Costa said she voted against the bill because of correspondence from her constituents that heavily opposed the redefinition of marriage and the passage of a law allowing same-sex marriage. "The mass amount of phone calls in opposition from my district were more than I expected," said Costa. "It was about 3-1 against it." Despite her vote, Costa said she …
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
The bill is headed to the full House of Representatives on Thursday.
- GOVERNMENT
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Tuesday, January 22
STATE HOUSE – The House Judiciary Committee today voted unanimously to recommend passage of legislation to allow same-sex marriage in Rhode Island, sending the bill to the full House of Representatives. A vote is expected Thursday in the House, where 42 of the 75 members signed on as sponsors of the bill, including House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, who pledged to make its passage a priority this year. Today’s vote marks the first time the bill has been voted out of a committee in either of Rhode Island’s legislative chambers, paving the way for what will also be the first floor vote by either of the chambers. The legislation has been introduced annually in some form since 1997. Rep. Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18, Cranston), who has been the bill’s …
The state House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a vote on the controversial measure for 3 pm on Jan. 22.
- GOVERNMENT
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Tuesday, January 22
A vote by the State House Judiciary committee on a bill allowing same-sex marriage in Rhode Island is scheduled for a vote this afternoon at 3 p.m., the General Assembly Press Bureau announced. The "Equal Access to Marriage" bill — submitted in the House by Cranston Rep. Arthur Handy and co-sponsored by Rep. Kenneth A. Marshall (D - Dist. 68, Bristol and Warren) — would make Rhode Island the last state in New England to allow same-sex marriages, and would recognize any civil unions as marriages. According to a release from the General Assembly Press Bureau, "no further testimony will be taken at this hearing." The agenda for today's hearing is attached to this article. If the proposal passes the committee, it could land on the floor of …
Alicarn
9:33 am on Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Natural Right - are you kidding me? Take your bigoted, neanderthal ideas and go away. Equality for all! more ›