Three State Legislators Honored by Rhode Island Farm Bureau

GoLocalProv News Team

Three State Legislators Honored by Rhode Island Farm Bureau

Last week, the Rhode Island Farm Bureau honored three Rhode Island State legislators during their 60th annual awards event at the West Valley Inn.

Senator Walter S. Felag Jr. of District 10 and Representative Donna M. Walsh of District 36 were the recipients of the Farm Bureau's new “Navigator” award. The award was created to honor state legislators and officials who have been instrumental in helping the organization deal with and address concerns about government regulations and procedures.

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Senator V. Susan Sosnowski
Felag and Walsh were the Senate and House sponsors of legislation that was incorporated into the state budget which requires the state to assess inherited working farmland at its use value, not its higher cash value, for inheritance tax purposes.

Previously, family farms were assessed at their “full and fair” cash value, the value of the land if it were to be developed. Although an average Rhode Island family farm is about 50 acres and might be worth about $650,000 as a working farm, it could be worth around $5 million as house lots, costing the heirs about $500,000 in inheritance taxes. The result has often been that heirs of the farm were forced to sell all or part of the land to pay the tax bill.

Senator Walter S. Felag Jr.
The event also honored Senator V. Susan Sosnowski of District 37 with the 2013 “Golden Tractor” award. This ward is granted to the person who has done the most to help Rhode Island agriculture; and acknowledges Sosnowski's consistent legislative advocacy to help Rhode Island farms survive and thrive.

Senator Sosnowski, who is serving her ninth term in the Senate, is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture and also serves as a member of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services.

Rep. Donna M. Walsh
Representative Walsh, who was the 2012 recipient of the “Golden Tractor” award, is in her fourth term in the House of Representatives, and has also served three terms in the Senate. She is Vice Chair of the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, a member of the House Committee on Judiciary and the House Committee on Oversight and co-chairs the Permanent Joint Committee on Economic Development.

Senator Felag, first elected to the Senate in 1998, is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs and Second Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance.

JWU Students' Favorite Food Spots In Providence

Golden Crust Pizza

Providence/North Providence

Pizza was one of our college staples too, so this was a no-brainer. Golden Crust Pizza has everything a collegian needs, including 4 am delivery seven days a week! Students mention the house specialty Buffalo chicken -- spicy with a nice balance of blue cheese. Golden Crust features many specials that fit the tight budget of our survey takers. $6.99 gets you any wrap on the menu, a bag of chips and a soda. Perfect for those times when dining hall food won't do it.

228 Oakland Ave

(401) 273-2288

Wise Guys Deli

Providence

This is one of those spots where the kitschy name belies some good food. Located on Federal Hill, Wise Guys is a very good example of an old-school sandwich shop that gets it right. The sandwiches are, of course, named after famous gangsters. Students like the Frank Lucas (both the man and the pizza). Lucas preached "being cool" and the BBQ sauce and caramelized onions on this pie do the trick. On the sandwich side, check out the Il Padrino with prosciutto and mozzarella. And, says one student, the cheese fries are to die for.

133 Atwells Ave.

(401) 621-8111

UMelt

Providence/Kingston

It's not a shocker that culinary students love UMelt. We wrote about them last year on our Best Grilled Cheese list. Well the memory-evoking childhood fave crosses all age groups in America. These are fun and funky grilled cheeses. The chefs-to-be say check out the BBQ pulled pork, the Chipster--with bacon and BBQ Cape Cod potato chips providing a nice crunch--or the dessert version with Nutella and honey-roasted bananas. They all push the envelope...in a good way. Check the website for locations and menu.

Trinity Brewhouse

Providence

Can you believe how long Trinity Brewhouse has been in business? We've been going to Trinity for the delicious, house-brewed beer and the pub food longer than our student advisers have been alive. Trinity's one of the most decorated local breweries around, and now a new generation likes them too. Their beers have won awards at a wide array of beer festivals, their pub food is good, and kids like the nightly specials for everything from wings to free pool. Check the website for the complete list.

186 Fountain St.

(401) 453-2337

Ladder 133

Providence

We've also written about Ladder 133 before--this is us trying to fit in with the students and stave off old age--as one of the really good options for bar food and a spot to watch a big game. For local culinary students, Ladder 133 features award winning wings, interesting burgers and good grilled pizzas. They also love the chilli here. On a cold winter day--or night--it will warm you through and through, they agree. This is another spot that features specials almost daily that will put lots of food in the belly for little money.

133 Douglas Ave.

(401) 272-7427

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