<![CDATA[RI STATE SENATOR RAPTAKIS - DISTRICT #33 - Newsroom]]>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:16:31 -0400EditMySite<![CDATA[Raptakis and Pappas Call for the U.S. Congress to Reject The Sell Of F-35 Aircraft to Turkey]]>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.leoraptakis.com/news/raptakis-and-pappas-call-for-the-us-congress-to-reject-the-sell-of-f-35-aircraft-to-turkey
TNH: Raptakis, regarding F35s
Photo/Story Credit: The National Herald
The National Herald: "Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis and Minnesota State Senator Sandy Pappas are calling on the Rhode Island and Minnesota Congressional delegations to oppose any effort by President Trump to reward the Erdogan regime with the new jets. He noted that while Erdogan appealed to President Trump by arranging a welcome in Turkey that involved Ottoman warriors in suits of armor and fighter jets, his regime has not been a reliable ally."

“The Erdogan regime has been happy to play the role of chaos agent in the Eastern Mediterranean, threatening Greece, Cyprus and Israel and provoking conflict, all while running multiple threats in the Eastern Mediterranean undermining U.S. security interests,” said Raptakis and Pappas. “In the last few weeks, the Erdogan regime has ramped up its rhetoric in challenging Israel, issuing periodic threats and further fanning the flames of chaos and confusion.” Read more at: The National Herald.

]]><![CDATA[Bill Nixing Mortgage License Loophole Headed to House]]>Wed, 06 May 2026 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.leoraptakis.com/news/bill-nixing-mortgage-license-loophole-headed-to-houseRaptakis - RI Mortgage License ExemptionWarwickPost.com
STATE HOUSE – Senators cleared legislation (2026-S 2015) by Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis removing mortgage license exemption for mortgage lenders originating less than six loans in 12 months, a sixth attempt at the change.
Senator Raptakis has introduced the legislation for the past five years. Refer to this link: Warwick Post.
]]><![CDATA[Press Conference DUI and Highway Traffic Legislation]]>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.leoraptakis.com/news/press-conference-dui-and-highway-traffic-legislation
Lou Raptakis on Capitol TV
RI State Senator Lou Raptakis - Press Conference DUI and Highway Traffic Legislation. Click/tap on the image. Source Capitol TV.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — "Lawmakers are considering legislation that would strengthen the penalties for drunk, impaired and reckless driving offenses. The Senate Judiciary Committee took up nearly two dozen different proposals Thursday aimed at making roadways safer statewide." Read the full article HERE.

Articles & Media to Reference (Source RI State Senator Lou Raptakis):

 'When is enough, enough?': Lawmakers renew push to strengthen DUI penalties | Events In Providence, RI

‘When is enough, enough?’: Lawmakers renew push to strengthen DUI penalties

Rhode Island Lawmakers Push to Strengthen DUI Penalties - Providence Today

Rhode Island lawmakers to discuss legislation on drunk, reckless driving

‘When is enough, enough?’: Lawmakers renew push to strengthen DUI penalties | WPRI.com
]]><![CDATA[Sen. Raptakis proposal prohibits property tax increases if rent control is adopted]]>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.leoraptakis.com/news/sen-raptakis-proposal-prohibits-property-tax-increases-if-rent-control-is-adopted
Property Tax
STATE HOUSE – Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis has introduced legislation that would prohibit municipalities from increasing property taxes on any affected properties if a rent control ordinance is established.
           
“Rent control as a government policy has been proven time and time again to be a failure.  We should learn from history because it was a disaster in the 1970’s when President Nixon attempted it and the same result is currently happening across the country in cities that were foolish enough to institute it,” said Senator Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich).  “With the Providence City Council on the verge of making the same costly mistake, this bill is necessary to protect the rights of property owners, as well as the fragile housing market, that will be negatively affected by this foolhardy proposal." Read the full article - click/tap here.
]]><![CDATA[Appeals Court Sides with State: Johnson's Pond Update From State Senator Lou Raptakis]]>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 01:59:44 GMThttps://www.leoraptakis.com/news/appeals-court-sides-with-state-johnsons-pond-update-from-state-senator-lou-raptakis
Johnson's Pond, RI, USA
Article by Brian Crandall, and Photographic Image Credited to NBC 10 NEWS
"The state of Rhode Island wins another round in court over its actions related to Johnson’s Pond in Coventry.
A federal appeals court Friday affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit brought against the state by the now-former owners of the reservoir, who still have another lawsuit pending against the town of Coventry.

Soscia Holdings, a local family company, sued the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management in 2022, challenging the state law signed by Gov. Dan McKee that summer requiring the pond owners get DEM permission to raise and lower water levels. DEM subsequently found Soscia in violation of the law." Read the full article: Click/Tap here. 
]]><![CDATA[Sens. Thompson, Raptakis and Burke to propose CPI amendment to minimum wage law]]>Fri, 09 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.leoraptakis.com/news/sens-thompson-raptakis-and-burke-to-propose-cpi-amendment-to-minimum-wage-law
Picture
Raptakis has introduced the measure for several years
 
"STATE HOUSE – Sens. Brian J. Thompson, Leonidas P. Raptakis and John P. Burke will be introducing legislation to increase the state’s minimum wage by having Rhode Island join with twenty-one other states that tie increases to the minimum wage with the Consumer Price Index (CPI)." Read the full article - click/tap here.
]]><![CDATA[Sens. Raptakis, Patalano and 7 cosponsors to introduce legislative package to ban blocking highways and ‘street takeovers’]]>Wed, 03 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.leoraptakis.com/news/sens-raptakis-patalano-and-7-cosponsors-to-introduce-legislative-package-to-ban-blocking-highways-and-street-takeovers
Picture
"Public safety needs to be protected and upheld,’ says Raptakis
 
STATE HOUSE – Sens. Leonidas P. Raptakis and Todd M. Patalano will be introducing two bills in January that aim to keep roadways clear and safe for motorists and pedestrians.  They highlight the need for the legislation due to protesters blocking highways and the recent phenomena of “street takeovers.”  Senate Majority Whip David P. Tikoian, and Sens. Peter A. Appollonio Jr., Brian J. Thompson, Andrew R. Dimitri, Robert Britto, John P. Burke and Stefano V. Famiglietti will cosponsor the legislative package." Read the full article - click/tap here.
]]><![CDATA[Senator Raptakis and RI become first state in the United States to issue Hellenic Heritage and  Ahepa motor vehicle license plate]]>Mon, 24 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.leoraptakis.com/news/senator-raptakis-and-ri-become-first-state-in-the-united-states-to-issue-hellenic-heritage-and-ahepa-motor-vehicle-license-plateRaptakis - RI Mayor & State Representatives


Greek RI Plate
Photo & Article Credit: Greek News - Consulate General of Greece in Boston
CRANSTON, RI (Greek News USA): "This past week, Rhode Island’s AHEPA chapters joined State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis, State Representative Joseph M. McNamara, Governor Dan McKee, and Consul General of Greece in Boston Symeon Tegos to unveil newly approved legislation establishing a Rhode Island Greek Heritage motor vehicle license plate. The initiative was created in partnership with the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA). Introduced earlier this year by Senator Raptakis and Representative McNamara, the legislation makes Rhode Island the first state in the nation to issue a license plate specifically honoring Greece, Hellenism, and AHEPA." Click/tap here to read more.
]]><![CDATA[RI STATE SEN. RAPTAKIS & ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH HONORS PARISHIONER VETERANS FOR THEIR SERVICE]]>Thu, 20 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.leoraptakis.com/news/ri-state-sen-raptakis-assumption-of-the-virgin-mary-greek-orthodox-church-honors-parishioner-veterans-for-their-service
Raptakis
From Left to Right, organizer Sharon Turk, Rhode Island State Senator Lou Raptakis, Father Philip Zymaris, Veterans who were present, Theodore Soukatos, Charles Lehourites, Samuel Matook, Matthew Joanidis, Dr. Thomas Walsh, and Alexandria McNamara
Father Zymaris
From Left to right: Father Philip Zymaris, Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Veterans, their families and Rhode Island State Senator Lou Raptakis,
Veterans
Rembering past veterans and members Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church
The Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church Community Pawtucket, RI, Father Philip Zymaris, RI State Sen. Leonidas Raptakis, Ahepa Chapter 121 President Ioannis Apostolakis and Parish Council President George Karalis attend church service and luncheon to commemorate the deceased and current veterans. “Most important this was an opportunity to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Assumption’s deceased and current veterans, honoring them for their service and bravery,” said Raptakis. Click/tap here for the full story.
Credit: From the Office of State Senator Leonidas "Lou" Raptakis - Press Release (11/21/25)
]]><![CDATA[CCRI Ribbon Cutting]]>Mon, 22 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.leoraptakis.com/news/ccri-ribbon-cutting
From the Chief of Staff at CCRI: As the school welcomed back thousands of students, he extended an invitation to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Student Services space on our Warwick Campus. The Student Services spaces were completely gutted and renovated thanks to a $12 million GO bond in 2021, transforming the space from a dark, non-accessible rabbit hole into a bright, spacious, and centralized new area, ready to welcome our students, including an elevator – something that was sorely lacking in the old space. State Senator Lou Raptakis was honored to be there and participated in the ribbon-cutting festivities. 
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