Rhode Island House speaker promises no all-night sessions

By: The Associated Press

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – The leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives is promising “no late-night sessions” as the legislature is just weeks away from adjourning for the year.               

Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello says he can assure the public there won’t be a repeat of what happened last June, when lawmakers adjourned after an all-nighter meeting that lasted into dawn.               

Mattiello says he hopes to pass a budget by mid-June. There’s a lot still to be decided. Legislators will have to cut nearly $134 million from the spending plan presented earlier this year by Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo.

Updated forecasts show less revenue to work with and higher-than-expected spending by state agencies.              

House Democrats held a closed-door meeting last week. Mattiello says their priorities include protecting hospitals and nursing homes from cuts.

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