Woonsocket Radio News Room

Rep. Vella-Wilkinson introduces legislation to create a nine-member Veterans Oversight Commission

 

STATE HOUSE — Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson (D-Dist. 21, Warwick) has introduced legislation that would create a nine-member permanent joint military and veterans’ affairs oversight commission.

The bill (2020-H 7175) would establish the commission for the purpose of overseeing operations of Rhode Island Office of Veterans’ Affairs and fiscal oversight of military affairs and defense.

“The issues facing veterans are many,” said Representative Vella-Wilkinson, a retired naval officer. “Homelessness, medical issues, poverty and unemployment continue to plague those who served their country gallantly and honorably. We have a duty and obligation to ensure that veterans receive proper medical care, prompt and courteous service at the Veterans Home and that veterans have an opportunity to thrive in Rhode Island. This commission, which would include veterans among its membership, would go a long way toward doing just that.”

The panel would include four members from the House of Representatives, three from the Senate and two veterans to be appointed by the governor. The commission would oversee all operations of the Rhode Island Office of Veterans’ Affairs, exercise fiscal oversight of the air and army national guard, and oversee matters related to veteran services to include operation of  the veterans’ cemetery and Rhode Island veterans’ home.

The panel would coordinate and consult with the United States Veterans Administration.

 

 

 

-30-

 

The second day of testimony in former President Trump's criminal hush money trial has wrapped. Trump once again blasted the validity of the trial, saying it's being conducted at the behest of President Biden to keep him off the campaign trail. The trial will resume Thursday after an off day tomorrow.       The funding for anti-Israel protests at New York City univsities is being looked into by the NYPD. The NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations says he suspects "professional agitators" are behind the protests centered on the Israel-Hamas war. He notes the student encampments at Columbia and NYU are all using the same color tents.        The Senate is likely to approve a 95-billion dollar aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific as early as tonight. The package, which passed the House Saturday, includes 60-billion in military assistance for Ukraine, 26-billion in aid for Israel and humanitarian relief in Gaza, and eight-billion for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the time has come to finish the job and help U.S. allies abroad.        The Federal Trade Commission is banning noncompete agreements. According to the FTC, about 18-percent of the workforce in the U.S. is covered by such agreements, which stop them from working for competitors or starting a new competing business when leaving a job. Pro-business groups are expected to try to use legal action to block the rule from going into effect.       Amazon is canceling drone delivery in California. The e-commerce giant says it is closing Prime Air delivery in the state to expand the service in other areas of the country. Prime Air uses drones to deliver packages to a customer's backyard within an hour of ordering.       Rapper Megan Thee Stallion is being sued by a former cameraman for harassment and creating a hostile work environment. NBC News reports that Emilio Garcia alleges he was trapped in a moving vehicle and was forced to watch Megan have sex with another woman. He also says he was fat shamed, treated differently by the rapper, and told to not speak about what he witnessed.       

Old News Archives