RI State Senator Lou Raptakis (District 33, Coventry, E Greenwich, & W Greenwich) joined ABC's "In the Arena" Paolino Properties - Joe Paolino in discussing legislative efforts to raise awareness about:

• Impacts to small businesses regarding the raise of the minimum wage
  
• Lou's efforts to increase penalties for driving under the influence, and
• The national politics climate

“Drunk drivers, especially repeat offenders and especially those whose irresponsible actions cause harm to others, should not be on the road, period,” said Senator Raptakis. “I don’t care how remorseful they seem when they appear before a judge. The punishment for this type of reckless disregard for the welfare of others needs to be much tougher. Until it is, drunks are going keep getting behind the wheel and the mayhem on our roads will continue.”

Senator Raptakis points to the recent local story of a man who was arrested twice for driving under the influence in an 18-hour span.  He has introduced these bills several times in the past and he believes that Rhode Island can no longer afford to wait to pass these important public safety bills.

The first bill (2020-S 2259) sponsored by Senator Raptakis would increase the penalties for those convicted of driving under the influence resulting in death and driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury.

The second piece of legislation (2020-S 2282) would increase from 5 years to 10 years the period in which prior DUI convictions qualify a person for increased penalties for subsequent convictions.

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

By: Ballotpedia - The Encyclopedia of American Politics

 “What they’ve done is they’ve just opened up this whole issue to a third party and a third party took advantage of a loophole," said Sen. Lou Raptakis, a Democrat that represents District 33. Raptakis was forwarded the flyer from one of his constituents. He said he wouldn't campaign that way, and the whole idea of it is just plain wrong. “Politics has no place in public education," he said. Read more at: NBC 10 RI.