June Speakman - Providence Business News

R.I. is ‘stuck in local… mini-battles’

Government 07/21/2023

Cranston Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins got what he wanted after voicing his anger this month over the proposed name of a massive golfing complex...

OPEN SPACE:  Meliza Urquhart, community manager at Paragon Mill in Providence, shows one of the new units offered at “workforce” rates for people who earn between 80% and 120% of the area’s median income. Demand in that slice of the housing market is far beyond the supply.  PBN PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

MAKING ROOM In the MIDDLE: R.I. struggles to create workforce housing,...

Cover Story 04/28/2023

For nursing assistant Johnbray Brown, moving into a workforce-rate unit in the renovated Paragon Mill in Providence’s Olneyville neighborhood was a hard-won victory spanning...

Can Pryor achieve housing goals?

Government 02/17/2023

The recent appointment of Stefan Pryor as the state’s housing secretary has some observers feeling confident that he can take the R.I. Office of...

2 newcomers running well-funded gubernatorial campaigns

Elections 08/19/2022

Two businesswomen running for governor who are also mounting their first political campaigns have so far led the way in digging into their personal...

End of National Grid incentive for parking lot solar canopies sparks...

Economic Activity 03/30/2022

PROVIDENCE – After a two-year test run, National Grid has nixed a program that gives developers extra money to build solar canopies on parking...

Five Questions With: June Speakman

Government 07/14/2021

State Rep. June Speakman, D-Bristol, will lead a special legislative commission to study low- and moderate-income housing in Rhode Island. A professor at Roger...

Speakman to lead legislative commission on housing

Government 06/16/2021

PROVIDENCE – Rep. June Speakman, D-Bristol, will lead a special legislative commission to study low- and moderate-income housing in Rhode Island, according to a...

JACKS OF ALL TRADES: Because Rhode Island’s General Assembly serves part time, the 75 representatives and 38 senators make their living in a variety of other ways, including as lawyers, teachers, bankers, public employees and health care workers. Fifteen are retirees. The “other” category includes two stay-at-home parents, two farmers, a carpenter, a landscaper, a law student and a Ph.D. student. Four citizen legislators are featured on Pages 14 and 15. / SOURCE: R.I. GENERAL ASSEMBLY OFFICIALS / ILLUSTRATION: PBN/ANNE EWING

DOUBLE DUTY: Should R.I.’s citizen legislature become a full-time body?

Cover Story 05/28/2021

Every year, Rhode Island’s 113-member citizen legislature has plenty to pack into a six-month session. This year has been no different. Major issues debated include...