Hi Neighbors,

Happy Women’s History Month! As we reach a full year of COVID lockdown, I hope you are taking the time to rest and are reflecting on how you’ve made it through this year. Luckily, the light is at the end of the tunnel for most COVID-19 hardships.

COVID-19 Updates As Rhode Island opens up, here is a helpful guide of what is an isn’t open. Still, remember to get tested regularly.

Vaccines ● Eligible populations ○ Healthcare workers, first responders, congregate groups ○ All adults age 60+ ○ People age 16+ with underlying health conditions ● Transportation ○ Adults 60+ and Medicaid members can request transportation at least 48 hours before their vaccine appointment online or by calling 1-855-330-9131 (TTY:711) ​ ​ ● In-Home vaccination for people who are homebound ○ Online sign-up in English ○ Online sign-up in Portuguese ○ Online sign-up in Spanish ○ Instructions in American Sign Language ○ For phone assistance, call The Point at 401-462-4444

Vaccination Locations Who is eligible at How do I make an appointment? Location this location?

State Run These sites are not ● Appointment website ● 1400 West Distribution available to people ● Appointment hotline Main Road, Sites who are eligible available in both English Middletown only because of and Spanish: RI, 02842 ​ their status as a 844-930-1779 ● 100 preK-12 worker. If ● New appointments are Sockanosset you are eligible for posted at 9am on Cross Road, the vaccine for Tuesdays and 5pm on Cranston RI, reasons other than Fridays 02920 ​ or in addition to ● Dunkin ​ your status as a Donuts preK-12 worker you Center, 1 La can be vaccinated Salle here. Square, Providence RI, 02903

Local Everyone eligible CVS: Pharmacies for the vaccine. ● Online appointments ● Phone appointments: 800-746-7287 Walgreens: ● Online appointments ● Phone appointments: Call your local Walgreens!

Municipal Currently focused ● Online form Distribution on administering ● 401-533-9812 second doses to people 75+, and vaccinating preK-12 workers

Lifespan Everyone eligible ● Online Clinics for the vaccine, and ● 401-475-7468 people on organ transplant waitlists.

Care New Adults 65+ Online England Clinic

Tax Season As you are filing your taxes, I wanted to make sure you’re aware of the Free File program, which allows you to self file your taxes for free online. Learn more here and file here. College students, ​ ​ ​ ​ young adults, first-time filers, seniors, retirees, people in the military, and young families are especially encouraged to look into the program.

Stimulus Checks If you need any assistance receiving federal direct payments, please fill out this form on Senator ​ ​ Whitehouse’s website. If you cannot access the form, please send me your contact information and I will pass it along to Senator Whitehouse’s office!

A New Governor

Little Rhody has a new governor! I am happy to welcome Governor McKee into the seat and I look forward to collaborating with him to serve Rhode Island.

In the Media I have done a couple interviews that I am eager to share. I was recently a guest on Bill Bartholomew’s podcast, The BartholomewTown Podcast. It’s a great update on Rhode Island ​ ​ politics and one of my favorite interviews! Last month, I also joined Ian Donnis’ political roundtable on NPR’s The Public’s Radio. Give it a listen here! ​

From Platform to Policy Over 1,100 bills have been introduced in the . I’m proud to sponsor 96 of them. Here are the bills I introduced and am the lead sponsor on this session.

Rescue Rhode Island Act: I sponsor three pieces of legislation that together will bring Rhode ​ Island closer to meeting the climate crisis while creating good paying, union jobs and a more livable state. I introduced a for that creates good paying construction ​ ​ jobs building affordable and low income housing and renewable energy, and providing low income Rhode Islanders with affordable, renewable utilities. Privatization of Medicaid Audit: As a strong supporter of universal healthcare, I introduced a ​ resolution calling for an audit of the privatization of the state’s Medicaid program. Medicaid is a public program, healthcare should not be for profit, and the privatization of any public service is concerning and should be monitored. Custodial Assault: In Rhode Island, it is legal for law enforcement officers to have sex with ​ someone in custody. So long as the officer claims it was “consensual,” the crime goes unchecked. However, there is such a power imbalance between a law enforcement officer and a person in custody that consent does not ever exist. This bill protects people in custody, in prison, and on probation or parole from sexual assault. Ban Dead Naming by Public Officials: This bill prohibits public officials from disclosing or using ​ someone’s former name after their name is legally changed. Right to Strike: Workers have the right to unionize and organize their workplace for better wages ​ and conditions. This bill prohibits employers from firing and permanently replacing their employees who strike. Single Family Zoning: Single family zoning is a driver of unaffordable housing, and segregated ​ towns, cities, and suburbs. Banning single family zoning in towns with at least 20,000 people and requiring middle housing in places with single family zoning would allow for more and undo some of the zoning that segregated America. This bill doesn’t prevent single family homes from being built, it prevents towns and neighborhoods from banning . Cancel Rent and Mortgages for Small Homeowners: During a pandemic and state of ​ emergency, we need to make sure we are not adding and housing burdens to the public health and unemployment crises we are currently facing.This bill forgives rent, as well as mortgage payments for small homeowners, from when the state of emergency was declared on March 9, 2020 until 90 days after the state of emergency is lifted.

Banning Source of Income Discrimination

The Rhode Island House voted to ban source of income ! Currently, ​ ​ landlords can discriminate against Rhode Islanders based on their source of income, even if that income is legal. This particularly hurts recipients of housing vouchers and subsidies. This bill prevents landlords from discriminating against any legal source of income, to ensure no one can be turned away from housing simply because they are using an affordable housing voucher to pay for it. The bill still has to pass the senate, call your senator today and urge them to support this vital piece of housing legislation!

Testifying in Support of the Rescue Rhode Island Act On March 15th, the state senate heard testimony in support of two bills in the Rescue Rhode Island Act. Rhode Island not only needs climate action and good paying union jobs, we need climate action that addresses the affordable housing crisis, provides quality food for Rhode Islanders, and combats the environmental racism that has polluted the air and water of people of color. Over 175 people signed up to testify in support of these bills yesterday and testimony lasted over five hours. I am awed by and grateful for the energy surrounding a Green New Deal that centers racial and economic justice, and I will keep you updated for opportunities to testify when the bills are heard in the House!

My first bill hearings On March 9th, I had my first committee hearing for a bill I introduced. You can watch the Judiciary Committee hearing on HB 6049, prohibiting custodial assault, on Capitol TV here. The ​ ​ hearing on HB 6049 starts around 2:17:00, and my testimony runs from around 2:18:00 to 2:20:00! On March 10th, I had my second hearing, with the Labor Committee hearing testimony on my bill to protect striking workers. You can watch the Labor Committee hear testimony regarding HB 6089 at this link starting at around 2:31:00, with my testimony lasting from around ​ ​ 2:31:00 to 2:34:00. Again, stay tuned to learn about opportunities to testify for my other bills!

Women’s History Month

To close off, I’d like to reflect on being in the middle of Women’s History Month. Being a woman in the state legislature is certainly not easy. The Rhode Island state legislature is notorious for being a boys club and male colleagues have made condescending remarks about me. Still, I’m thankful for my female colleagues in both the House and the Senate. Nationwide, only 30.9% of state legislators nationwide are women. Only 4.29% are Black women. And while I was proud to make history as the first Native American woman to serve in Rhode Island’s state legislature, a count from 2017 found a mere 0.33% of state legislators are Native American women. Fundraising is often cited as the big hurdle for women running for office [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. The ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ gender and racial wealth gaps impact who has the money to fund their campaign, donate to campaigns, or even have a network of potential donors to ask. The numbers hit hard; in 2018, women running in competitive congressional districts raised an average of $500,00 less than their male counterparts. ln 2020, the 113 Black women running for Congress collectively raised $81 million dollars while the 379 white women running raised $811 million. If you want to ensure that East Providence and Rhode Island continue to be represented by a progressive Black and Native American woman I ask that you donate below.

Donate

That’s all from me! As always, please let me know if there are updates you would like me to add to these newsletters, and any questions or concerns you may have.

In solidarity,

Brianna Henries State Representative | House District 64