Dave Talan for Mayor of Providence

Republican Dave Talan kicks off his campaign for Mayor of Providence tonight. Here are the issues motivating Mr. Talan to run as described in his official campaign announcement...

On education, Talan wants every child to be able to attend a good school, close to home, of their parents' choosing. If that choice is a private or parochial school, Talan would provide vouchers to ease the financial burden - both for the 8,000 children who have already fled the public schools, and for the 10,000 more he believes would leave if they could afford to. Talan's plan would save taxpayers about $25 million. It would also benefit children who stay in public schools, by relieving overcrowding; ending cross-town forced busing; and providing competition that would force the teachers unions to relax their stranglehold on needed reforms. Talan, who attended public schools (Lexington Ave. Elementary; Reservoir Ave. Elementary; George J. West Jr. High; Classical High; URI & CCRI), would fight for an unlimited number of public charter schools; and would ease the way for experts to teach math and science.

On taxes & spending, Talan would balance the budget by reducing spending; rather than by raising taxes and relying on unlikely increases in state aid. As already mentioned, his school voucher plan would save $25 million. Talan would also fight to end all unfunded state mandates, that require spending on unnecessary things of little value. He endorses Mayor Steve Laffey's "Taxpayers Relief Act", that would clarify management rights, and lower pension and health care costs.

On ethics & honest government, Talan will continue the practice of refusing all contributions from city workers or people who do business with the city. He would expand this to the City Council, and push for an ethics ordinance, in order to promote more economic development in the city. Investors want to know they will not have to pay bribes, kickbacks, or campaign donations, in order to do business.

Talan is putting together a team of 35 Republican running mates to campaign together with him (15 City Council; 7 State Senate; 13 State Representative).