News Minute: Here is the latest Rhode Island news from The Associated Press - ABC6 - Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather

News Minute: Here is the latest Rhode Island news from The Associated Press

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - An $8.2 billion state budget proposal is facing its first major test in the Rhode Island General Assembly, and school funding, business tax cuts and a proposal to default on debt relating to 38 Studios could be riding on the outcome. The House Finance Committee is scheduled to debate and vote on the budget proposal today.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Governor Lincoln Chafee is calling on the state to "honor our obligations" and pay back the 38 Studios bonds after a rating agency downgraded the bonds, noting uncertainty over whether the legislature will honor the debt. Chafee made the comments yesterday in response to a downgrading of the bonds by Moody's Investor Service.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is throwing his support behind Rhode Island Treasurer Gina Raimondo by hosting a fundraiser for her as next year's governor's race nears. WPRI-TV reports Bloomberg will hold the event Thursday at his Manhattan townhouse. Raimondo, a Democrat, plans to travel to New York to attend.

BRISTOL, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island is set to announce its plans to build a network of electric vehicle charging stations around the state. Governor Lincoln Chafee (CHAY-fee) will be joined by officials from National Grid and charging station company ChargePoint in a news conference today to announce details of the network, which will include 50 charging stations.

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