Rhode Island

Rhode Island lawmakers on Tuesday voted for a 10-cent toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge until April while a state agency considers an alternative funding plan.

Moody's removed Rhode Island's GO debt from review for downgrade after the state passed an $8.2 billion budget that included a $2.5 million 38 Studios bond payment.

Rhode Island's $8.2 billion budget, including a $2.5 million bond payment for 38 Studios debt, is headed for Gov. Lincoln Chafee's office after Senate approval.

Rhode Island's House approved an $8.2 billion state budget, including an initial $2.5 million bond payment related to failed video-game company 38 Studios.

After a session that ended past midnight, Rhode Island's House resumed debate over an $8.2 billion state budget that includes $2.5 million for 38 Studios debt.

Rhode Island's top House Republican Brian Newberry argued in a letter to colleagues that the state should not pay back the 38 Studios bonds, despite Moody's threat of a GO downgrade.

One day after Moody's threatened to downgrade Rhode Island, a House finance panel approved an $8.2 billion budget that includes $2.5 million for 38 Studios bonds.

A threat of a GO downgrade from Moody's shadowed Rhode Island's debate over the payment of moral obligation debt related to the failed 38 Studios.

Moody's late Monday lowered 38 Studios bonds to Baa1 from A2 and placed Rhode Island's Aa2 general obligation rating under review for downgrade.

Moody's Investors Service, which downgraded Woonsocket's general obligation unlimited tax rating to B3 from B2, said it could downgrade the city even further.

Providence, R.I. Mayor Angel Taveras desires $39 million in federal TIGER grant money to help fund a streetcar project he called essential to the city's comeback.

Rhode Island's retirement system has moved to hire its first independent disability pension investigator, General Treasurer Gina Raimondo announced.

A federal judge in Rhode Island has agreed to let the state continue to implement electronic tolling equipment on the new Sakonnet River Bridge connecting Portsmouth and Tiverton.

Rhode Island could hurt itself "for decades" by not paying the $110 million moral obligation debt related to 38 Studios, municipal bond expert Matt Fabian told lawmakers.

Whether Rhode Island should pay $100 million of moral obligation debt related to the 38 Studios debacle triggered spirited discussion Thursday at the state capitol.

Muni finance expert Matt Fabian of Municipal Market Advisors will speak before a Rhode Island House panel about the pros and cons of paying moral obligation bonds for 38 Studios.

A bill to establish a municipal advisory council on statewide permitting to increase feedback from cities and towns won approval in the Rhode Island Senate with a 37-to-0 vote.

It's official: Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee is a Democrat. His second affiliation switch in six years could trigger an intriguing three-way primary in 2014.

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee will join the Democratic Party on Thursday, a spokesman confirmed.

A federal court in Rhode Island denied a request from three communities for a temporary restraining order against tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge.