Marc Comtois

Forgetful Montalbano

By Marc Comtois | June 1, 2006 |

So, Senate President Joseph Montalbano forgot to report to the state Ethics Commission that his law firm did work for the town of West Warwick. Somehow he did manage to remember to report his work for at least 6 other towns. Imagine that, of all of the towns to not report…. A strange coincidence? In…

Casino Amendment: Some Constitutional Context

By Marc Comtois | May 26, 2006 |

The debate was entertaining, but eventually the RI House pushed through a ballot question asking the RI voters to amend [PDF] the RI Constitution to allow a privately owned casino in West Warwick. The Constitution already makes provisions for the public to vote on the expansion of state-operated “lotteries,” but, as was reinforced last summer…

Barney Frank: Defender of Free Markets

By Marc Comtois | May 24, 2006 |

On the heels of George McGovern’s defense of big business, we have Barney Frank extolling the virtues of a free market in the face of GOP reluctance to cut agricultural subsidies. (Via Instapundit -> Club for Growth). Mr. Chairman, I am here to confess my reading incomprehension. I have listened to many of my conservative…

Michaud to Challenge Carcieri II

By Marc Comtois | May 19, 2006 |

As previously mentioned, Dan Yorke reported yesterday that Brown Economics Professor and Beacon Mutual advisor Dennis Michaud had filed papers to run against Governor Carcieri in the Republican Gubernatorial primary. Now the ProJo has provided further information. Michaud…said he decided to challenge Carcieri because of the incumbent’s “failed economic performance” and “failed performance to deliver…

Chafee Votes Against Progressive Tax Cuts

By Marc Comtois | May 12, 2006 |

As had been predicted, Senator Chafee voted against the reaffirmation of President Bush’s tax cuts. Meanwhile, the Congressional Joint Economic Committee has discovered that lower taxes are actually more “Progressive”: Debate over changes in the tax code often focuses on who benefits most from such changes. Most of this debate hinges on tax distribution tables…

Harrah’s Has Entered Competitive Bidding Before

By Marc Comtois | May 11, 2006 | Comments Off on Harrah’s Has Entered Competitive Bidding Before

Thomas K. Jones of West Warwick–who lives across the street from Harrah’s proposed casino sight–has done some research and discovered that Harrah’s has entered a competitive bidding process before. The difference in dollar figures is staggering. I am not a legislator with legislative staffers and researchers at my disposal. Yet it took me all of…

Kerr Offers Sage Advice to Kennedy

By Marc Comtois | May 10, 2006 |

It’s not really news when those of us on the conservative side of things think Patrick Kennedy should bow out in light of his most recent shenanigans. Nor is it news when his Democrat enablers praise him for his “bravery” and endorse him for another Congressional run. What is news is when a liberal like…

Bakst Confusion: Democrat Tax-Cutters?!

By Marc Comtois | May 9, 2006 |

ProJo columnist Charles Bakst is confused: how can Rhode Island Democrats want tax cuts for the rich? Playing to stereotypes, Bakst understands why Republicans want them–“Carcieri, who proposes spending slashes that will hurt the poor, asserts that he wants to boost Rhode Island’s economy”–but he’s simply flumoxed by how the representatives of the average working…

Kurtz: National Media Gave Kennedy a Pass

By Marc Comtois | May 8, 2006 |

Washington Post political scene reporter Howie Kurtz observes that the national media has been uncharacteristically silent concerning Patrick Kennedy’s previous “adventures,” especially since he is, well, a Kennedy: It’s hard to imagine that Patrick Kennedy would have gotten elected to Congress a dozen years ago without his last name. It’s equally hard to imagine that…

Another Poll, Another Chafee Lead (but smaller)

By Marc Comtois | May 5, 2006 |

New Hampshire polling outfit American Research Group (via RIFuture) seems to have done a more robust job of polling on the RI GOP Primary race than some recent efforts. The poll methodology was “based on 384 completed telephone interviews among a random sample of likely Republican primary voters in Rhode Island from April 25-May 2,…