According to NBC 10, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is a step closer to keeping his emergency pandemic executive powers. The Rhode Island Senate passed a resolution 30-8 to extend his powers through March 31. The House of Representatives voted 50-17 to pass a matching version of the same measure. Supporters said the powers are necessary to protect public health, while opponents said they are an overreach. McKee announced this week that the statewide indoor mask mandate will be lifted and that statewide school mask mandate will likely be lifted March 4.