House approves Chairman Azzinaro’s veterans information bill

 

            STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today passed legislation sponsored by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Samuel A. Azzinaro which would require employers to post basic information on veterans' benefits and services within their businesses for their employees.

            “While our veterans have sacrificed so much for us all, it is no secret that acclimating back to civilian life at home can be difficult and this is why there are so many benefits and services to help our veterans after their time in the service.  But our veterans cannot access these benefits and services if they are not aware of them and that is why this legislation is needed.  By offering this simple piece of information, we can provide the support to our veterans that they need and deserve,” said Chairman Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly).

            The legislation (2023-H 5933) would require employers in the state with more than 50 employees to display a poster containing basic information on veterans’ benefits and services which would be created and distributed by the Department of Labor and Training in consultation with the Office of Veterans Services.

            The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration where Sen. Walter S. Felag (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) has introduced the legislation (2023-S 0662).

 

The third day of testimony in former President Trump's criminal hush money trial in New York is done. Jurors again heard testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker who has explained this week how he protected Trump from negative stories leading up to the 2016 presidential election. Trump faces felony is accused of covering up payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged affair.       The University of California is canceling its main commencement ceremony. This comes after on-campus protests have taken place following the school informing the valedictorian she would not be giving her speech. The student had been opposed by pro-Israel groups and the school cited unspecified security concerns when canceling her speech.       Wall Street is closing with stocks lower. This comes after the release of the first quarter GDP report caused stocks to slide early on in today's session. Gross domestic product rose by one-point-six-percent in the first quarter, against expectations of two-point-four-percent.        A member of Vice President Harris's security detail is being removed over a behavioral issue. The Secret Service says the agent began "displaying behavior their colleagues found distressing" earlier this week, but did not clarify what the behavior entailed. The Washington Examiner first reported the incident, claiming the agent got into a physical altercation with other agents.       The conviction of former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein for sex crimes is being overturned in New York. The state's Court of Appeals ruled Weinstein did not receive a fair trial. The court found the judge in his trial made an error allowing women to testify about alleged sexual assaults committed by Weinstein that were not part of the charges against him.        The NFL Draft is just hours away from kicking off in Detroit. The Chicago Bears have the first pick and are widely expected to select University of Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams. Rounds two and three will be held Friday and rounds four through seven will be held Saturday.