PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A Senate committee on Wednesday heard testimony on Sen. Paul Fogarty's annual proposal requiring lawmakers to pay 20 percent of their health insurance premiums.
Currently, all but one of Rhode Island's 113 part-time legislators voluntarily pays some portion of their healthcare.
Most contribute between 10 to 25 percent of their premium. State Rep. Grace Diaz, D-Providence, is the only lawmaker accepting the free insurance.
The Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs also heard testimony on a range of other bills, including Sen. Edward O'Neil's proposal imposing a 12-year term limit on representatives and senators, and Sen. Lou Raptakis' proposal to address how the state would pick a new lieutenant governor in the event the office is vacated mid-term.
All bills were held for further study.
The only exception was a resolution asking Governor Chafee ew chairman of the Coalition of Northeastern Governors to explore establishment of a "New England Regional Economic and Cultural Office" in Taiwan focused on trade and tourism.