By Randal Edgar
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The House voted 65 to 2 Friday to pass a bill that calls for the state to "divest" its money from companies that are doing business in the "energy and financial sectors of Iran."
House Finance Committee Chairman Helio Melo said the bill, submitted at the request of the state attorney general's office, simply stops the state from doing business with companies that "do business in Iran."
Rep. Spencer Dickinson, D-South Kingstown, opposed the bill, saying the issue is one for federal authorities, but Rep. Joseph Almeida, D-Providence, disagreed.
He compared the move with a similar one 10 years ago with the Sudan, adding: It's "better to put our people agenda ahead of money."