Free Republic

RI Lawmakers Back Funeral Rights for Gays THE ASSOCIATED PRESS January 5, 2010 PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Rhode Island lawmakers voted Tuesday to allow same-sex and unmarried couples the right to plan the funerals of their late partners, overriding a veto by the governor, who warned it eroded traditional marriage. The bill passed 67-3 in the House and 31-3 in the Senate, and enjoyed support from several Republican lawmakers in the same party as Gov. Don Carcieri, an adamant opponent of same-sex marriage in a state that does not recognize gay unions. The new funeral planning rights also apply to...

(CNN) - Lincoln Chafee Monday will formally announce his bid for Rhode Island governor Monday. The former Republican senator-turned-independent will officially jump into the race at an event in Warwick, where he once served as mayor. The 56 year old Chafee lost his U.S. senate seat in 2006 to Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse after a bitter Republican primary battle against Stephen Laffey. Chafee eventually left the GOP and is now an independent.

headed to Davol Square on Tuesday to hear state Rep. Elizabeth M. “Betsy” Dennigan, D-East Providence, announce that she will be challenging U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin in a Democratic primary next year. And as I was picking my way through the crowd, past the banners, balloons and a three-piece band, I bumped into a congressional candidate shaking hands. Only it wasn’t Dennigan. Or even a Democrat. It was state Rep. John J. Loughlin II, R-Tiverton, the House minority whip who plans to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy next year. Was he there to launch a Republicans-for-Betsy organization?...

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Former Sen. Lincoln Chafee created a committee on Monday to explore a run for governor next year as an independent candidate after leaving the Republican Party, his first formal move to enter the race.