RI lawmakers delay State House return, again

PROVIDENCE—House lawmakers in Rhode Island have delayed their return to the State House for the second time in two days.

A spokesman for House Speaker William Murphy said Friday that the chamber will meet for a special two-day session starting Oct. 14. It remains unclear what bills will be considered.

The General Assembly took an abrupt break in late June but promised to return to finish a pile of pending legislation, including banning indoor prostitution and the future of greyhound racing. That meeting has been repeatedly delayed.

It was first scheduled for July, then pushed to September, then the first week of October. Murphy spokesman Larry Berman blamed the delays on lawmaker vacations and scheduling conflicts.

Senate leaders have not yet decided when or if their chamber will meet.