Fresh from orientation at the General Assembly, State Representative Doreen Costa (R, Exeter, North Kingstown) told the crowd of about 100 people attending last night's RI Tea Party Strategy meeting about her day:
Of particular note, Costa mentioned that the equipment is in place and almost final to post the results of every vote of the General Assembly on the legislature's Web site within minutes of its being tallied, including who voted how. Anybody who's ever tried to sort through the legislative journals to give legislators credit or blame will appreciate not having to do so anymore.
One interesting take on a social issue: Costa doesn't think passage of same-sex marriage legislation is likely and that raising it would be a distraction from the critical problems of the state. She went so far as to suggest that, if Governor-elect Lincoln Chafee decides to push the issue, it would be "political suicide."
Costa also announced that she'd declined the General Assembly's healthcare benefit (and, presumably, the waiver payments available for those who don't take it). The handful of representatives who were doing the same, as of last April included Roberto DaSilva, John Edwards, Christopher Fierro (since knocked out in the primary), Scott Guthrie, Joy Hearn, Robert Jacquard, Peter Kilmartin (now attorney general), Michael Marcello, Rene Menard, and Patricia Serpa, with Frank Maher as the lone senator.
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Passing gay marriage would be "political suicide"? That is laughable. It is only supported by the majority of the people, and the Governor.
It will be interesting to see how much she gets done, if she gets even 1 of her bills passed or heard I will be surprised. I can't imagine when you have been throwing mud on everyone in the building that anyone would want to work with you (with the exception of the few republicans).
Posted by: Swazool at December 9, 2010 1:11 PM
What majority is supporting gay marriage? It looks like whoever is paying for the poll is getting the answers they want to hear.
Posted by: G-Man at December 9, 2010 4:57 PM
If the majority want gay marriage, then there should be no issue putting it on the ballot in 2012 instead of enacting it via legislation.
Posted by: Don Botts at December 9, 2010 8:22 PM
Here is one poll, by Brown who would be considered non partial, taken in 2009 that had the majority of RIers supporting gay marriage.
The rights of a minority should never be decided by the majority.
Sorry people, get ready for the gay weddings you have been fearing! The hetero-marriage is no longer protected! Lol
Posted by: Swazool at December 9, 2010 8:31 PM
Miss Costa seems to have been put on this planet solely to make Sarah Palin look semi-informed and sophisticated
Happy Holidays to all
with love..Sammy
Posted by: Sammy at December 9, 2010 10:42 PM
sammy-since you live in Arizona,what's it to you?obviously the people in N.Kingstown want her to represent them.
Posted by: joe bernstein at December 10, 2010 2:11 AM
So here we have a lie by Swazool (Brown has been shown to be a highly biased polling outfit) and a baseless, gratuitous insult from Sammy. Neither one is capable of discussing the merits of the issues, so this is all they have.
This is the best you can do? No wonder you hang out here. You were probably rejected from RIFuture for incompetence.
Posted by: Contrarian View at December 10, 2010 8:15 AM
So Contrarian View, you really think that Gay Marriage is not going to pass this year? The speaker of the house is a homo, and the Governor ran saying he is for gay marriage and will pass it. What facts do you have to support this, besides Costa (who is in the minority) saying so?
I will wait your response...
Posted by: Swazool at December 10, 2010 9:01 AM
The evolution of the Lee Atwater modus operandi: If the "hot" MILF repeats the lie loud enough and often enough, everyone will believe it.
Swaz, I wish I could share your optimism, but Fox is a corporate lawyer-lobbyist first and gay man, well, not sure if it's even second. If big money tells him to sit on an SSM bill, he will.
Posted by: bella at December 10, 2010 11:14 AM
I wouldn't bet money on it passing this year. This is the sort of issue that could get the public angry enough to counterbalance the special interests who usually control the Democratic marionettes in the GA.
And if it did pass, I would expect it to be challenged in the Supreme Court.
Posted by: Contrarian View at December 10, 2010 12:03 PM
Bella, lol at milf, you can't be talking about Costa. Palin yes, but Costa isn't even close.
CV, public anger over gay marriage, when the polls show it is supported? Not sure I follow your logic.
Posted by: Swazool at December 10, 2010 12:22 PM
The most recent writing in the promo on gay marriage.
But the political calculus has changed with a governor-elect and a House speaker who support same-sex marriage, and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, a longtime opponent, indicating she would not block a Senate vote if a Senate committee approved a same-sex marriage bill.
“The governor elect feels that the issue should be addressed as soon as possible by the General Assembly, and does not believe that the question should be decided by a ballot referendum.”
Posted by: Swazool at December 10, 2010 12:32 PM
Oh I see, a poll by Contrarian View is more reliable and unbiased than one by Taubman Center for Public Policy.
I guess we will wait and see...
Posted by: Swazool at December 11, 2010 9:51 AM
This is amateur hour. But this is what you, umm, wanted, and I quess, umm, you deserve.
Posted by: David S at December 11, 2010 8:08 PM
I guess we'd ummm,be better off with the professional hacks we've been enduring for years.
Costa scare the entrenched tax and spend(with plenty for themselves)progressive turds.
If they just quit feeding these legislators on our dime,it would be a start.
Ever go to a hearing and watch Rhoda Perry stuffing her face during testimony?It's nauseating.And you paid for it.
Posted by: joe bernstein at December 12, 2010 10:10 AM
Easy on the envy Joe. I would in the same circumstance have emitted even more umms. But one has to wonder. Are the new outsiders actually able to do anything- just by the virtue of their outsider status? Or, more likely, one of these amateurs proves themselves to be a diamond in the rough. I don't think it will be Costa.
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Passing gay marriage would be "political suicide"? That is laughable. It is only supported by the majority of the people, and the Governor.
Posted by: Swazool at December 9, 2010 1:11 PMIt will be interesting to see how much she gets done, if she gets even 1 of her bills passed or heard I will be surprised. I can't imagine when you have been throwing mud on everyone in the building that anyone would want to work with you (with the exception of the few republicans).
What majority is supporting gay marriage? It looks like whoever is paying for the poll is getting the answers they want to hear.
Posted by: G-Man at December 9, 2010 4:57 PMIf the majority want gay marriage, then there should be no issue putting it on the ballot in 2012 instead of enacting it via legislation.
Posted by: Don Botts at December 9, 2010 8:22 PMHere is one poll, by Brown who would be considered non partial, taken in 2009 that had the majority of RIers supporting gay marriage.
http://www.projo.com/news/content/BROWN_POLL_05-28-09_0AEH43P_v29.3f6f656.html
I am sure the numbers are been higher this year.
Posted by: Swazool at December 9, 2010 8:27 PMThe rights of a minority should never be decided by the majority.
Sorry people, get ready for the gay weddings you have been fearing! The hetero-marriage is no longer protected! Lol
Posted by: Swazool at December 9, 2010 8:31 PMMiss Costa seems to have been put on this planet solely to make Sarah Palin look semi-informed and sophisticated
Happy Holidays to all
with love..Sammy
Posted by: Sammy at December 9, 2010 10:42 PMsammy-since you live in Arizona,what's it to you?obviously the people in N.Kingstown want her to represent them.
Posted by: joe bernstein at December 10, 2010 2:11 AMSo here we have a lie by Swazool (Brown has been shown to be a highly biased polling outfit) and a baseless, gratuitous insult from Sammy. Neither one is capable of discussing the merits of the issues, so this is all they have.
This is the best you can do? No wonder you hang out here. You were probably rejected from RIFuture for incompetence.
Posted by: Contrarian View at December 10, 2010 8:15 AMSo Contrarian View, you really think that Gay Marriage is not going to pass this year? The speaker of the house is a homo, and the Governor ran saying he is for gay marriage and will pass it. What facts do you have to support this, besides Costa (who is in the minority) saying so?
I will wait your response...
Posted by: Swazool at December 10, 2010 9:01 AMThe evolution of the Lee Atwater modus operandi: If the "hot" MILF repeats the lie loud enough and often enough, everyone will believe it.
Posted by: bella at December 10, 2010 11:14 AMSwaz, I wish I could share your optimism, but Fox is a corporate lawyer-lobbyist first and gay man, well, not sure if it's even second. If big money tells him to sit on an SSM bill, he will.
I wouldn't bet money on it passing this year. This is the sort of issue that could get the public angry enough to counterbalance the special interests who usually control the Democratic marionettes in the GA.
And if it did pass, I would expect it to be challenged in the Supreme Court.
Posted by: Contrarian View at December 10, 2010 12:03 PMBella, lol at milf, you can't be talking about Costa. Palin yes, but Costa isn't even close.
Posted by: Swazool at December 10, 2010 12:22 PMCV, public anger over gay marriage, when the polls show it is supported? Not sure I follow your logic.
The most recent writing in the promo on gay marriage.
But the political calculus has changed with a governor-elect and a House speaker who support same-sex marriage, and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, a longtime opponent, indicating she would not block a Senate vote if a Senate committee approved a same-sex marriage bill.
“The governor elect feels that the issue should be addressed as soon as possible by the General Assembly, and does not believe that the question should be decided by a ballot referendum.”
Posted by: Swazool at December 10, 2010 12:32 PMOh I see, a poll by Contrarian View is more reliable and unbiased than one by Taubman Center for Public Policy.
I guess we will wait and see...
Posted by: Swazool at December 11, 2010 9:51 AMThis is amateur hour. But this is what you, umm, wanted, and I quess, umm, you deserve.
Posted by: David S at December 11, 2010 8:08 PMI guess we'd ummm,be better off with the professional hacks we've been enduring for years.
Posted by: joe bernstein at December 12, 2010 10:10 AMCosta scare the entrenched tax and spend(with plenty for themselves)progressive turds.
If they just quit feeding these legislators on our dime,it would be a start.
Ever go to a hearing and watch Rhoda Perry stuffing her face during testimony?It's nauseating.And you paid for it.
Easy on the envy Joe. I would in the same circumstance have emitted even more umms. But one has to wonder. Are the new outsiders actually able to do anything- just by the virtue of their outsider status? Or, more likely, one of these amateurs proves themselves to be a diamond in the rough. I don't think it will be Costa.
Posted by: David S at December 14, 2010 7:27 PM