January 8, 2009

Rhode Island Politics

Moving Forward

Justin Katz

Last night on the Matt Allen show, I mentioned our coverage of the governor's speech and gave some general suggestions about the direction of Anchor Rising in the new year. Stream by clicking here, or download it.

I have to say that the governor's plan takes more ground (and concedes less) than I'd expected, giving me some hope that the state can head in a better direction without utter collapse. As I wrote in the comments to our liveblogging post, it's important, however, not to forget the basics of Rhode Island politics just because we're relatively happy with the governor's direction.

Part of the "political coverage" built into our system as it stands is coverage to do the wrong thing. The House may pass this proposal having already arranged for the Senate to make fatal changes. On something else down the road, the Senate will take a political risk, and the House will kill it. Meanwhile, the governor's new commission on consolidation (empowered to propose legislation directly) will contain a mole or two who'll scuttle advancement in the governor's name.

And as I said in response to a question about how legislators could get away with raising taxes in this environment: Wait until just after an election.

5:53 AM | TrackBack (0)
Comments, although monitored, are not necessarily representative of the views Anchor Rising's contributors or approved by them. We reserve the right to delete or modify comments for any reason.

"And as I said in response to a question about how legislators could get away with raising taxes in this environment: Wait until just after an election."

A more hopefull syllogism would be this:

Q: How can the Democrat GA get away with cutting the throats of their union patrons?

A: Wait until just after an election.

Posted by: Mike at January 8, 2009 9:33 AM

Raising taxes on productive working people, to pay for more food, medicine, housing and education to useless eater baby makers from third world nations, is hardly a sound economic or social policy.

Posted by: erik d. at January 8, 2009 12:04 PM

Erik "The Potentially Schizoid Man" D:

In an incredible coincidence, someone else with your handle and email had this to say about improving things in Rhode Island...

Refraining from selectively persecuting immigrants and instead continuing to be a welcoming place for foreigners would go a long way towards rehabilitating RI's image as a provincial, reactionary, scapegoating nest of xenophobes and nativists.
So have you been lobotomized, or are you just trolling?

Posted by: Andrew at January 8, 2009 1:03 PM
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