Monique Chartier

Truck Tolls or Any Tolls – Ever More Revenue Still Ain’t the Fix

By Monique Chartier | December 15, 2024 |

They’re ba-a-a-a-a-ack. Well, strong possibility. Truck-only tolls, that is. To clarify, Rhode Island’s only-in-the-nation, truck-only toll law is not just discriminatory – it applies only to a certain type of vehicle, trucks – but it is actually doubly discriminatory – it applies only to CERTAIN trucks (Class 8 and above). But the federal appeals court…

The Schrodinger Legality of RIDOT Paying a Losing Bidder

By Monique Chartier | December 8, 2024 |

This is not the biggest question pertaining to Rhode Island’s handling of the failed Washington Bridge – it is secondary, for example, to WHY the state had to offer a serious incentive for what would seem to be a juicy public contract, not to mention what Ken Block is in the process of turning up…

Warriors, Not Culture Warriors, in the US Military, Please

By Monique Chartier | November 17, 2024 |

There has been a “Well I Swan” reaction this week in certain quarters to President-Elect Donald Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense.  The big concerns seem to be that Pete Hegseth is a Fox News host; that he lacks defense policy experience or foreign policy chops that he has certain tattoos; and – oh, hey,…

RIDOT Contract: Statewide Weigh-in-Motion Enforcement Program. RIDOT: Nah.

By Monique Chartier | September 24, 2024 |

Following the determination in April that the Washington Bridge eastbound was becoming “considerably more sensitive” (gulp), RIDOT contracted to install a new, combined structural health monitoring and vehicle weigh-in-motion program on/between the Washington Bridge and the Iway (Providence River Bridge). In May, RIDOT entered into a five year “sole source” – i.e., no RFP –…

No, Gene, Do Not Redirect Professor Schiller’s Excellent Questions About the Bridge Fiasco

By Monique Chartier | September 4, 2024 |

Gene Valicenti’s weekly Tuesday conversation on WPRO with Brown University Professor Wendy Schiller took a slightly unexpected turn yesterday when Gene honored her request to comment on the handling of the Washington Bridge closure. (Starts at Minute 06:45.) Schiller: This is a significant, major problem that if something goes wrong with the eastbound side, for…

Rhode Island’s Tiny Greenhouse Gas Emissions: the Obvious and the Not-So-Obvious

By Monique Chartier | August 4, 2024 |

The above pie chart speaks for itself.  Rhode Island’s greenhouse gas emissions are so small, they barely register on the chart. That Rhode Island, the smallest state in the country and, on top of that, one with a poor business climate that has further driven down its carbon footprint [because that’s the highest priority, right?…

Offshore Wind on the Electric Grid: Emperor’s New (50%) Energy Source

By Monique Chartier | August 1, 2024 |

In 2021, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed and Governor Dan McKee signed a law that mandates for the state net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. What this would mean in real terms is, no more fossil fuels for Rhode Island. No gas or diesel to power our vehicles. No heating oil, natural gas…

Washington Bridge: Full Investigation Now

By Monique Chartier | July 7, 2024 |

In mid-March, the day after his administration announced that a full replacement, not just repair, of the Washington Bridge would be needed, Governor Dan McKee promised accountability and the day of reckoning for those who are responsible for the position we’re in … further promising to hold any responsible parties fully accountable. even if that…

Of Bake Sales and Nursing Homes Not Saved

By Monique Chartier | June 23, 2024 |

On Thursday, Governor Dan McKee appeared on The News with Gene Valicenti for an “Ask the Governor” segment on WPRO.  (No podcast to link to.)  During the segment, while rattling off accomplishments of the just-passed state budget, Governor McKee said … nursing homes, which we basically have saved … An interesting statement.  In fact, six…

Even By Her Own Metric, Rhode Island’s Education Commissioner Has to Step Down

By Monique Chartier | February 22, 2024 |

The Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity has called for the removal of Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green. They make their case here. I echo their call. During her tenure, Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green has failed to implement successful education reforms. She has instead prioritized questionable, experimental, non-education initiatives in Rhode Island’s K-12…