Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Senate passes Sosnowski bill changing how CRMC administrator is appointed

 

STATE HOUSE — The Senate today passed legislation introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, New Shoreham, South Kingstown) that would change the manner in which the administrator of the Coastal Resources Management Council is appointed.

Under the legislation (2021-S 2217), the governor, rather than the council, would appoint an executive director of the agency. The bill also adds the requirement that the gubernatorial appointment be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. The executive director would coordinate with the director of the Department of Environmental Management. The bill also defines the purpose of the director to continue planning and management of coastal resources.

“This legislation would make the CRMC a cabinet-level agency led by a governor-appointed executive director,” said Senator Sosnowski. “This is a positive step needed to modernize, update and reform the agency to achieve more accountability and transparency for an agency that performs vitally important functions that are critical to the future of Rhode Island’s environment and economy.”

The Coastal Resources Management Council is primarily responsible for the preservation, protection, development and restoration of the coastal areas of the state through the implementation of its integrated and comprehensive coastal management plans and the issuance of permits for work with the coastal zone of the state.

The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

 

Former President Trump is back in court today with all 12 jurors now seated in his criminal hush money trial in New York City. The jury that will decide the fate of the first ex-president in American history to stand trial on criminal charges consists of seven men and five women. Now six alternates must be selected, with the possibility of opening statements starting as soon as Monday.       U.S. officials confirm Israeli missiles have struck a number of locations inside Iran as part of a retaliatory strike. Several explosions were reported near an airbase in the Iranian city of Isfahan, home to a number of sites linked to Iran's nuclear program. This all comes after Israel vowed to respond to Iran's missile and drone attack earlier this week.       The average cost of a gallon of gas in the U.S. remains at about three-dollars-and-67-cents today. Triple-A reports that's four cents higher than last week and about the same as it was a year ago. The most expensive average was in California at five-dollars-and-45 cents while the cheapest was in Mississippi at three-11.       A new consumer report says some fruits and vegetables have an unhealthy amount of pesticides in high doses. It is recommended you eat watermelon, green beans, bell peppers, blueberries, imported celery, imported collard greens, and potatoes in moderation. Regardless though, it is still recommended that you eat fruits and vegetables regularly.       A surprise second half of Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" album is out now. Shortly after 2am Eastern, Swift announced that it was actually a "secret double album," and released 15 more songs that she called "the second installment." Swift says the double album is "an anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time."       The NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs begin this weekend. On Saturday, the New York Islanders will begin their series against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh and the Toronto Maple Leafs will travel to Boston for game one against the Bruins. On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Lightning will start their series against the Florida Panthers and the Washington Capitols will travel to New York to face the Rangers in game one.       

Old News Archives