Marc Comtois

State Workers Learning About Life in the Private Sector; One Way or Another

By Marc Comtois | June 8, 2007 |

Governor Carcieri (via ProJo) I am fully aware that I am placing the burden of resolving our state’s financial future on the shoulders of our employees….But my responsibility is to the average Rhode Island taxpaying families who put me here. I must act on behalf of all our citizens, and must fix this now for…

RE: Governor Carcieri’s Big Proposal

By Marc Comtois | June 7, 2007 |

Here’s the full 7to7 blog post Andrew mentions, below: Governor Carcieri this afternoon laid out a plan to “solve the state’s budget crisis” that includes seeking legislation to freeze all state wages at current levels and cutting 1,000 state employees. Carcieri said the employee reductions would save taxpayers $26 million in fiscal 2008 and another…

On Lame-Duckedness

By Marc Comtois | June 7, 2007 |

Brian C. Jones over at the Phoenix (via N4N) has a story on Governor Carcieri, the focus of which is a question: is the Guv already a lame duck? At the heart of the problem is the budget and the perception that Governor Carcieri doesn’t play well with others and somehow it’s all the Carcieri’s…

Whitehouse: No Z-Visas for Illegal Felons Equates to Torture

By Marc Comtois | June 6, 2007 |

In the ongoing immigration debate in the Senate, Sen. John Cornyn introduced an amendment banning felons from obtaining Z visas. Our own Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse rose up in opposition to Cornyn’s attempt at common sense, as Michelle Malkin reports: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (who?) is blabbering on about the due process rights of illegal aliens. Now…

Another Quick Fix is In

By Marc Comtois | June 6, 2007 |

All in all, just another (temporary) thumb in the dike…: Lawmakers likely will have $102 million more revenue to balance the budget than previously thought, thanks in part to House Bill 6473 (PDF), which authorizes the state to raise $195 million from the sale of tobacco settlement bonds….The move essentially fills a hole created last…

Rasmussen: Fred Thompson in Second

By Marc Comtois | June 5, 2007 |

According to Rasmussen: With former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson taking his first formal steps towards a Presidential run and the immigration debate creating challenges for Arizona Senator John McCain, the race for the Republican Presidential nomination has an entirely different look this week. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) remains on top, but…

Kirk’s (Russell, not Captain) Ten Conservative Principles

By Marc Comtois | June 4, 2007 |

Apropos of nothing–er–except conservatism, here’s a conservative lesson for the day. Why, you may ask? Well, every once in a while we need to be reminded, don’t we? So, please open your primer to Russel Kirk’s Ten Conservative Principles. (Regarding the post title, maybe I should try to come up with Captain Kirk’s own list…or…

State Employees Health Insurance Contribution Going Up…

By Marc Comtois | June 4, 2007 |

…and I guess we’re supposed be happy about it? (Via ProJo’s Political Scene): On July 1, the worker’s share of the premium cost will rise. For union workers, this was spelled out in the contract; for nonunion workers, a notice went out to each agency’s human resources department three weeks ago, and the agencies are…

ProJo’s Broad anti-Blog Brush

By Marc Comtois | June 1, 2007 |

In “The blogosphere bog,” the ProJo editors use the recent controversy about Katie Couric’s ghostwritten blog as a jumping off point to damn the entire ‘sphere. Much of what they say is true: [T]he Internet, with its fluidity, lack of sourcing, misleading sourcing, problematic (or nonexistent) dating and vulnerability to manipulation is a veritable Great…

Laffey Laying Groundwork for Governor in ’10

By Marc Comtois | June 1, 2007 |

Ian Donnis has a story in this week’s Phoenix on former Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey and what he’s up to. Laffey, a member of the local steering committee for Rudy Giuliani’s presidential campaign, has been turning up at GOP events in recent months, including a May 24 joint fundraiser of the South Kingstown and Narragansett…