"PROVIDENCE — Kristine Bouthillier of West Warwick does not want to be in the spotlight. She just wants her son’s life to return to the way it used to be.

She knows that is impossible. So instead, Bouthillier was standing at a podium in Senate Judiciary room 313 at the Rhode Island State House on May 25. She told her listeners about the night in the winter of 2022 when her then 17-year-old son, Kevin MacDonald, and his best friend Matt Dennison, also 17, were hit by an alleged drunken driver on Route 102 in Exeter while returning from a hockey game and going to another one...

...One Bill, sponsored by Sen. Leonidas Raptakis, a Coventry Democrat, would extend the limit on prior offenses that police take into consideration when charging an impaired driver with a more serious repeat offense from five to 10 years. Companion legislation is sponsored in the House by Rep. Patricia Serpa, a West Warwick Democrat." Read the full story by Christopher Shea at Rhode Island Current

“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 to keep getting behind the wheel and causing mayhem on our roads will continue.” To read the complete article click/tap here. The original press release was by Andrew Caruolo, Publicist

Getting Out the Vote for Election 2020

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.

THE COVENTRY COURIER — "The Rhode Island Auditor General has agreed to look further into issues with the town of Coventry’s sewer fund.

In January the town’s local delegation, including Senator Lou Raptakis, Patricia Morgan, Michael Chippendale, Robert Nardolillo, Jared Nunes, Sherry Roberts, Patricia Serpa, requested that Auditor General Dennis E. Hoyle conduct an investigation into the operation of the town’s sewer program and enterprise fund, which is running an annual deficit, according to town officials. Councilors Debra Bacon and Karen Carlson also sent their own letter in support of the delegation’s request." Find out more - Click/Tap on this link.

GoLocal LIVE: "Senator Leo Raptakis appeared on GoLocal LIVE where he talked to the upcoming Senate vote on the PawSox legislation, along with his re-introduction of a bill to put the question of a line item veto on the ballot on Friday. 

“I have introduced this bill several times, only to see the measure fail, but I will continue to press the issue and advocate for the need of this executive power for our current and future governors,” said Senator Raptakis. 'The voters should decide whether or not they want their governor to be able to go through the budget with a fine-toothed comb or have the option of only either rubberstamping or completely vetoing the entire budget. This legislation is about having proper checks and balances within our state government, and I believe it is necessary to move our state forward.' "

STATE HOUSE – The anniversary of Greek Independence Day will be celebrated at the State House on Tuesday, March 25.

This will be the 22nd consecutive year that festivities honoring Greek Independence Day, March 25, have been held at the State House under the sponsorship of Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich).

The State House event recognizing the 193rd anniversary of Greek Independence Day will begin with a presentation in the Senate chamber at 4 p.m. that will include an invocation by the Rev. Dr. Philip Zymaris of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Pawtucket.