PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The State Planning Council unanimously approved a state-mandated economic development plan over the objections of a raucous crowd and lawmakers, and incoming Gov. Gina Raimondo has a plan to help families save for college. Here are things to know in Rhode Island this week.
CONTROVERSIAL PLAN
More than 200 people filled a meeting room as the State Planning Council considered the economic development plan. Critics worry the plan would lead to the seizure of land for affordable housing and say that because its development was federally funded, the government could insert itself into state and local decisions. Council members stressed that neither would happen, and that the plan is misunderstood. They say Raimondo and the General Assembly are not bound to anything, it is merely a guide. Members of the raucous crowd accused them of being traitors and socialists as they passed it. House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello says he’s disappointed the plan was approved.
COLLEGE-BOUND BABIES
Raimondo is expanding a program that has provided a $100 contribution to a college savings account to any child born in the state since 2010. Only about 400 children are enrolled. Families will no longer have to fill out several pages of forms and open a special account to get the grant, they can simply check a box when they fill out a standard form at the hospital. Raimondo says that to turn Rhode Island’s economy around and rebuild the middle class, the state needs to ensure people have the skills to get good jobs. Only Maine and Nevada have similar programs. Raimondo’s inauguration is Jan. 6.
GIFT DISPUTE IN COURT
The Rhode Island Supreme Court is considering whether the niece of a wealthy widow who gave more than $60 million to the now-disgraced Roman Catholic religious order the Legion of Christ can sue over the bequest. The justices who heard arguments in the case raised questions about the order’s conduct but also expressed doubts that lawsuits against the order will be able to move forward. Mary Lou Dauray says her late aunt, Gabrielle Mee, was manipulated into donating, and would not have given the money if she knew its founder secretly fathered three children and molested seminarians. The Legion has argued Dauray does not have standing to sue.
AARON HERNANDEZ
A Massachusetts judge has ruled that prosecutors in a murder case against former New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez won’t be allowed to tell a jury about the two other killings he is charged with or the final text messages the victim sent to his sister. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to murder in the June 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd in North Attleborough, Massachusetts. Jury selection is scheduled to start Jan. 9.
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