Lawmakers tackle unfinished business

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - House lawmakers returned to work Thursday afternoon, hoping to get through a number of pieces of legislation before adjourning for the year.

Following a chaotic session that lasted late into the night on Wednesday, lawmakers decided finishing properly was more important than finishing quickly. They decided to resume debate on Thursday.

Among the issues still unresolved Thursday afternoon:

• A proposed ballot question on expanding Twin River and Newport Grand into full-fledged casinos.
• Establishing a new school funding formula which supporters argue is more fair than the current model.
• Putting finishing touches on legislation retooling the proposed Deepwater Wind offshore turbine project.
• A crackdown on consistently bad drivers.
• Reinstating the power of the Ethics Commission to have oversight over state lawmakers.
• Changing state law to allow cities and towns to reduce pension and health care costs.
• A proposed ballot question asking voters on whether or not to consolidate services to save money.
• An effort to block the construction of an LNG terminal in Fall River.