Monique Chartier

Gemma: Absolutely No Reform to Social Security

By Monique Chartier | April 16, 2012 |

Yesterday, Anthony Gemma made his well-telegraphed announcement. As Patrick notes, the announcement was very light on issue substance. Thanks to the ProJo’s John Mulligan, however, we have at least one substantive morsel to gnaw on. Towards the end of Mulligan’s article in yesterday’s Providence Journal, which went to press before Mr. Gemma made his announcement,…

Iowahawk On the Fiscals of Romney Vs Obama

By Monique Chartier | April 15, 2012 |

Presumably referencing the divisive and pointless class war which the campaign of President Barack Obama (and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse) feels it needs to wage in order to win re-election, David Burge, aka Iowahawk, tweeted this remark Friday night. (H/T Instapundit Glenn Reynolds.) Apparently, I’m supposed to be more angry about what Mitt Romney does with…

RI Assoc of Firefighters Re Municipal Relief Package: We Will Litigate

By Monique Chartier | April 14, 2012 |

Justin live-blogged the Senate Finance Committee hearing of Governor Chafee’s Municipal Relief Package for Ocean State Current. Justin’s coverage of hearings on Smith Hill are a treat for us followers of Rhode Island policy and politics because he includes many interesting and enlightening details and macro items. This time is no exception. Therefore, with great…

Woonsocket’s Startling 13% Supplemental Property Tax Faces Uncertain Reception in the General Assembly

By Monique Chartier | April 12, 2012 |

Observers of Woonsocket’s current financial straits are aware that the city has proposed a 13% supplemental property tax – an increase, by the way, that would then form the basis, going forward, for Woonsocket’s new (higher) tax rate. Such a step requires approval by the state legislature. The Valley Breeze reports, however, that at a…

Langevin’s Challenger (Riley) Attracts Potential $upport From National Organization

By Monique Chartier | April 10, 2012 |

The Providence Journal’s John Mulligan reports. The leader of a conservative group that spent about $165,000 to attack then-congressional candidate David N. Cicilline in 2010 wants to help unseat Rep. James R. Langevin in 2012, he said Monday. Democrat Langevin is “a tax-and-spend liberal” who faces a “viable” challenger in Republican Michael G. Riley, said…

The Gov’t Giveth and the Gov’t Taketh Away: State Diverts Half a Million in School Aid to Select Vendors

By Monique Chartier | April 7, 2012 |

In a move that should set off alarm bells in (state-aid receiving) school boards around the state, Ed Comm Deborah Gist will pay three overdue school invoices directly and reduce state aid to the Woonsocket school department by that amount. Three vendors owed money by the Woonsocket Education Department will receive the funds directly from…

Expungement and Ciccone’s Arrest Record: Because If It’s Expunged, It Didn’t Happen

By Monique Chartier | April 5, 2012 |

Yes, as Andrew notes, Ian Donnis points out at On Politics that Senator Ciccone has an arrest record. State Senator Frank A. Ciccone, under fire for threatening comments allegedly made to Barrington police during a road stop last week, was arrested twice in the early 1980s and testified under immunity against the late former state…

From Spaccone To Surreal: Senator Ciccone Had Proposed Letting The Senate (Ethically) Police Itself

By Monique Chartier | April 3, 2012 |

How did I miss Item #3 from Ted Nesi’s most recent “Saturday Morning Post”? (Thanks to a friend for pointing it out. H/T John Depetro for invoking an excellent Italian word to describe the senator’s now notorious actions last week.) … The majority leader’s arrest report was released Wednesday morning by Barrington Police Chief John…

Ciccone Re Ruggerio: Do You Know Who He Is???

By Monique Chartier | March 31, 2012 |

“Do you know who I am???” That bullying, boastful phrase made famous by Moe Greene and sometimes uttered by politicians and the famous when they get in a jam. After hearing a full accounting of the arrest of Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio (D) for allegedly DUI, some of us were left slightly wanting (and…

Not So Fast: Now The City Council Will Consider Whether To Request An Investigation

By Monique Chartier | March 29, 2012 |

Last night, despite what appeared to be considerable grounds to do so, the Woonsocket School Committee voted three to two against bringing in the State Police to investigate such matters as apparently falsified school budget surpluses and a vanishing termination clause. Under my post reporting this irresponsible development, City Council President John Ward this morning…