State senator requests special session

PROVIDENCE—A Rhode Island state senator is asking Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed to call an emergency session to explore ways to reduce the impact of municipal aid cuts to cities and towns.

Sen. Leonidas Raptakis suggested in a letter that the Senate convene a summit to encourage municipal leaders to start taking serious steps to consolidate services and identify state-dictated mandates the General Assembly could freeze to provide communities with some immediate financial relief.

The Coventry Democrat said people in his district “are rightfully concerned” about deeper cuts.

There was no immediate response from Senate leaders, who have already called a two-day special session for Oct. 28 and 29 to tackle the legislature’s unfinished business.