RI State Report: Gay Marriage, Gun Registration and Calamari

Saturday, March 02, 2013

Anthony Faccenda, GoLocalProv News Contributor

 

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This week’s State Report centers around a new report showing that most Rhode Islanders support same-sex marriage.

This week’s State Report centers on a new poll conducted by Brown University, which offers key insight into how Rhode Island voters feel about same-sex marriage, the economy, and their state leaders.

Otherwise, the General Assembly introduced three noteworthy pieces of legislation this week. Not only did lawmakers propose amendments to gun control and early voting laws, there was also a new bill introduced looking to better promote the state's coastline. And lastly, Rhode Island may have a new official state appetizer. Keep reading to find out the details.

Poll: Rhode Islanders support same-sex marriage, cynical about economy

A new statewide survey conducted by Brown University has found that the majority of Rhode Islanders support same-sex marriage. Aside from the 60 percent of voters that approve of same-sex marriage, the poll also found that the majority of Rhode Islander’s have little confidence in the state’s government.

Of the 60.4 percent of respondents favoring same-sex marriage, the majority cited “equality” as the main driving force behind their decision. Twenty-six percent of Rhode Islanders oppose same-sex marriage, according to the survey. When asked why they oppose the issue, 40.8 percent cited religious reasons, while 10.5 percent stated that civil unions are more than sufficient.

Aside from same-sex marriage, the study also looked at confidence in government, or more accurately, lack thereof. Just 16.7 percent of those surveyed said they have a good or great amount of confidence in government leaders to make the right decisions for the state’s future. As for specific political parties, 23.1 percent Rhode Islanders expressed a good or great level of confidence in Democrats, while just 13.7 percent of those surveyed expressed that same level of confidence in Republicans.

Although Rhode Islanders did not convey great confidence in government, certain state leaders fared better than others. The state official with the highest approval rating was Providence Mayor Angel Taveras with 63.7 percent, while Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed received the lowest support with 20.9 percent. House Speaker Gordon Fox and Governor Lincoln Chafee garnered poor approval rating as well, with 23.3 percent and 25.5 percent respectively.

Researchers at the A. Alfred Taubman Center Public Policy and the John Hazen White Public Opinion Laboratory conducted the survey. The study looked at a random sample of 593 Rhode Island voters. The overall margin of error is plus or minus four percent.

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Finn introduces new gun registration bill

In an effort to help law enforcement keep better track of weapons in their communities, Rep. Linda Finn (D-Dist. 72, Middletown, Portsmouth) has introduced legislation that would require gun owners to register their guns with their local police department.

“It’s surprising that Rhode Island doesn’t already do this. Our current law requires background checks, a seven-day waiting period and applications for anyone who wants to buy a gun, but actually requires police to destroy the record of the application afterward,” Finn said. “Why would we want to prevent police from knowing who in their town has guns? Wouldn’t it be safer for them to know if they’re being called to a home that has a gun in it, or if they’re pulling over a person who has a gun? Registration doesn’t prevent anyone from exercising his or her right to own a gun; it just provides a record that could help protect the safety of police and the public.”

Under the bill (2013-H 5573), failure to register a firearm with local law enforcement would result in up to three years in prison and fines up to $3,000. Rep. Finn’s legislation would also allow police to keep copies of gun purchase applications sent to them for background checks.

The proposal also stipulates that all guns sold in Rhode Island must be equipped with a safety device. Safety devices can either be aftermarket or as part of the gun’s design, according to the bill.

Rhode Island does not currently require registration or licensing for firearm ownership. Comparatively, Massachusetts requires gun licenses for all handguns, as well as a firearm ID card for rifle or shotgun possession.

Ruggerio proposes port-marketing bill

On Thursday, Rep. Deborah Ruggerio introduced legislation that looks to put the spotlight on one of Rhode Island’s greatest assets: its coastline. The bill, titled The Rhode Island Port Marketing Collaborative Act, would create a collective body whose primary goal is to promote the state’s ports, facilities and maritime trade. Aside from drawing attention to Rhode Island’s coastline, the group’s main goal will be job creation.

“We are the Ocean State, and our ports are all working waterfronts that have some successful businesses operating from them, but they have the potential for much more,” Ruggiero said. “By working together, we can pool experience, knowledge and resources to get our message out to the world that Rhode Island’s ports are open for business and have a lot to offer. More business means more jobs, so we should be making the best of one of our greatest natural advantages and inviting businesses to use our ports.”

The proposed RIPMC board will include representatives from state agencies like the Economic Development Corporation, Department of Environmental Management and Coastal Resources Management Council, as well as representatives of port-related businesses in Providence, Davisville, Newport and Galilee.

Consisting of over 400 miles, Rhode Island’s coastline boasts numerous hotels, historic sites, and over 100 beaches. Furthermore, thanks to a recent dredging project, the state’s Port of Davisville is now the seventh largest auto-port in the nation.

Blazejewski calls for early voting in Rhode Island

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Do Rhode Islanders need more time to vote? At least one State Rep thinks so.

In an attempt to avoid the long lines experienced at the polls last November, Rep. Christopher R. Blazejewski has proposed legislation that would allow Rhode Islanders to vote before Election Day. In fact, Rep. Blazejewski’s proposal would let registered voters begin voting at designated polling locations 21 days prior to a general election.

“It’s really important that all citizens have ample opportunity to vote. A majority of states now recognize that one day isn’t enough time to provide that opportunity,” Blazejewski said.. “Especially when there are problems that slow things down like there were at some polling places during the last election, doing it all in a single day can sometimes mean very, very long lines. Spreading out the crowds through early voting is a way we can fix that problem.”

According to the bill, early voting locations would be open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Thursdays and Fridays, when hours would be 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Thirty-two states and Washington, D.C. currently have early voting laws in place.

Fried calamari may become official state appetizer

Rhode Island has a number of “official” state items. Whether it’s coffee milk as the official state drink or the quahog as the official state shell, some things are just synonymous with the Ocean State. With that in mind, Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced legislation that would make “Rhode Island style” calamari the state’s official appetizer.

“Some much of what we hear or read about Rhode Island is negative,” McNamara said. “We need to start promoting the good and wonderful things about our state. And while squid may make some people squeamish, we should be boasting about the fact that Rhode Island is the east coast capital of squid, and that our style of preparing it is being used by chefs across the country. Even Guy Fieri has recipe for it.”

Although his fellow House members introduced wide-ranging legislation this past week relating to gun control, the economy, and early voting rights, Rep. McNamara insists that his proposal is not without merit.

“For those who might say this is frivolous,” said Rep. McNamara, “I can only say that it’s important for our state to boast about its strengths, to market its many positives. In fact, a study done by Cornell University a few years ago found that 72 percent of Rhode Island commercial fishermen would welcome a state seafood marketing campaign.

Rhode Island style calamari is classified as crispy fried squid rings served with pickled yellow peppers. Rhode Island possesses the largest squid-fishing fleet on the East Coast, taking in approximately 7 million pounds per year.
 

 

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