The Struggle Over Continuing Unemployment Benefits…
Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:01:25 +0000
This post was researched and written by RICLAPP Intern Kayleigh Rogers-Torres, a student at Brown University. Look out for more posts written by Kayleigh coming at you soon! Struggling to develop a sustainable solution to the current unemployment crisis is very much a national issue, but one that hits home hard for Rhode Island’s nearly [...]

Possible Reform for Gay Rights
Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:35:33 +0000
Three of the major gubernatorial will announce their support for gay marriage at a rally today, March 3rd, at the Statehouse. Independent Lincoln Chafee, Attorney General Patrick Lynch, and General Treasurer Frank Caprio will all make the pledge. Moderate Party candidate Ken Block is sending a representative to show his support for gay marriage because [...]

RICLAPP Featured in Providence Business News
Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:56:45 +0000
Below is the full story that ran in the Providence Business News describing RICLAPP’s Small Business Development Program. Nonprofit Trimming Legal Expenses for Businesses By Richard Asinof Contributing Writer Geoff Schoos, an attorney who serves as president of the Rhode Island Center for Law and Public Policy, is trying to build a better mousetrap when it comes [...]

RICLAPP is continuously working to better the lives of individuals and families though its legal representation and counsel, as well as through more endemic long-range policy changes that will benefit all Rhode Islanders. From time to time, working independently or in collaboration with other entities, the Center conducts research, publishes results to educate the public and legislature. At all times, the Center conducts these efforts in an unbiased, non-partisan manner, keeping its focus at all times on the issue at hand.

Our Latest Policy Initiative:

Economic Recovery Research Initiative 2010

On February 1, 2010, RICLAPP began working with six students at Brown University to research and create practical solutions to aid the state's most distressed areas. Focusing on enterprise zones in Cranston, Providence, Woonsocket, and West Warwick, as well as low-income areas in Warwick. Please check back for progress updates as we work on this project during the students' spring semester.

Researchers:

Kayleigh Rogers-Torres          Lise Rahdert

Todd Zubatkin                     Shinjini Chatterjee

Michelle Un                          Mathew Eapen

Progress Update:

For the last month, beginning on February 1st, we broke the students up into two groups. Group one investigated the characteristics of the workforce in our focus communities in order to identify the abilities and limitations of the available workers. Group two investigated the overall landscape of the enterprise zones by researching the history of business creation, which included what businesses exist there, how does a business owner acquire proper licensing, certifications, etc., and agencies that assist new businesses specifically in those areas.

In the coming weeks, the two groups will combine as we move the project foward. Check back for more updates and reports!

Previous Initiatives:

***Over the summer in 2009 we had our interns research the following issues:

- Prisoner Re-entry Reform

- Economic Recovery/New Small Business Creation

- Addiction Recovery

- Election Reform

***Fall 2008 - Legislative Candidates Survey- Addiction Recovery/Re-entry Programs

During September 2008, RICLAPP sought to discover where our General Assembly candidates stand on the issues surrounding addiction recovery and re-entry programs. We were happy to receive valuable feedback and insight from these candidates. Below you will be able to view the results.

Click Here to View the Survey and Letter Sent out to the Legislative Candidates:

RICLAPP Legislative Survey

Survey Letter

Results:

Click here to view an analysis of the survey written by Geoffrey Schoos, President of RICLAPP.

RICLAPP Survey Analysis

Click Here to View the Total Response Breakdown

Total Response

Click Here to View the Response from Incumbent Senators

Incumbent Senator Response

Click Here to View the Response from Non-Incumbent Senators

Non-Incumbent Senator Response

Click Here to View the Response from Incumbent House Representatives

Incumbent House Response

Click Here to View the Response from Non-Incumbent House Representatives

Non-Incumbent House Response