The National Herald, by TNH Staff: "COVENTRY, RI – Greek-American Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis is calling on Congressmen Jim Langevin and Davic Cicilline, as well as Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, to support sanctions against the Turkish government for their recent incursion into northern Syria.

Raptakis said the Turkish invasion threatens to turn into a genocide against the Kurdish people who had established a stable area where some two million Kurdish citizens were able to reside in relative peace compared to the rest of the troubled country." Read the full article at The National Herald.

Rhode Island State Senator Lou Raptakis discusses, on live TV, the RI abortion bill that was transferred to the Health and Human Services Committee. Click/tap on graphic to play this impactful Dan Yorke show.

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI: Senator Lou Raptakis (representing Coventry, West Greenwich, East Greenwich) sat down with Dan Yorke to discuss his no vote on the abortion rights bill. Credit WNAC

“Pro-choice activists aren’t giving up hope to pass an abortion-rights bill this session after a Senate committee struck it down on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, leaving pro-lifers cheering.” (WJAR)

Raptakis said women who want to get an abortion in Rhode Island can still do so. He doesn't think there's any urgency to pass the bill. “If there's a fear with the Supreme Court happening, we've got time,” said Raptakis. “We're coming back in six months.” See the full coverage at: WJAR

"STATE HOUSE – Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) and Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) are highlighting the release of Auditor General Dennis Hoyle’s report on the long-troubled Coventry sewer program and the high costs being levied on Coventry’s taxpayers. The Auditor General completed the report at the request of Senator Raptakis, Representative Serpa, and other members of the Coventry delegation in the General Assembly.

The report lays out a detailed analysis of the operations and implementation of the controversial sewer project and offers several recommendations to rectify concerns about the program, as well as, recommendations to ensure the project’s short-term and long-term financial viability and success." Read full report... Click/tap here.

02/01/19 GoLocal Live: "Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas “Lou” Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich, East Greenwich) is reintroducing legislation that ties any future increase in the hourly minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index of the Northeast Region.

Raptakis, who introduced the same bill (2018-S 2246) last legislative session, joined GoLocalProv News Editor Kate Nagle at the Rhode Island State House on GoLocal LIVE.

“This proposal will provide wage raises that are needed by individuals earning minimum wage while ensuring that businesses are not overburdened with a dramatic increase that would cause financial hardship for our small businesses,” said Raptakis.

Raptakis also spoke to his support for legislation for a line item veto and an inspector general — and his opposition to Governor Gina Raimondo’s plan to legalize marijuana in Rhode Island in her Fiscal Year 2020 budget proposal."

01/28/2019 the Newport Buzz reports: Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich, East Greenwich) will be reintroducing legislation that ties any future increase in the hourly minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the Northeast Region. Senator Raptakis introduced the same bill (2018-S 2246) last session. Read and Link to: Details on tying minimum wage increases to CPI reintroduced by State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis.