Monique Chartier

En Route to Trouble: The I-195 Redevelopment Act of 2011

By Monique Chartier | June 5, 2011 |

One larger observation before jumping in. You know, here we are, at the point that we can see the day, in the near future, when public pension checks will bounce. Yet rather than focus on what is the state’s biggest crisis in many decades (arguably of the last century or more), Senate Majority Leader Dominick…

He’s Been Gone Less Than Six Months But Cicilline’s Raise to the Firefighters is Already Up in Smoke. (How’s the Obstruction of the City Auditor Turning Out, Congressman?)

By Monique Chartier | June 2, 2011 |

First, former Providence Mayor David Cicilline spent seven years carrying out the charade that he was being tough on the contract demands of the Providence firefighters so that he could falsely claim the title of Champion of the Taxpayer. Then, as the end of his second term approached and it became clear that the lack…

Don Carcieri Not Running for US Senate?

By Monique Chartier | June 2, 2011 |

That’s what Ian Donnis is hearing. If these murmurings are true (and I wouldn’t bother to post if someone of less than Ian’s credibility had reported it), no one should be more relieved than the Truth Commissioner himself because the former governor’s considerable campaign strengths, pointed out by Ian, Carcieri has some key assets that…

Bravo! The State Takes Ken Block Up On His Offer to Look for Waste and Fraud

By Monique Chartier | May 31, 2011 |

… in our Medicaid dollars. (Hey, Ken, will you be looking in any other areas?) By the way, apparently he’ll be doing it for free. This is very nice of him but personally, I’d have no problem with the state paying for such a service – a fee based on a percentage of dollars recovered…

C.F. Principal: Ho Hum, Now That I’ve Enjoyed Seven Months Paid Leave, Guess I’ll Ask Why I was Taken Off the Job

By Monique Chartier | May 31, 2011 |

Presumably, the Central Falls school administration messed up by placing Ms. Legault on leave and then forgetting (or ???) that they did so. And it goes without saying that it would be a rare occurance, indeed, for private sector resources to be squandered in this way. Elizabeth Legault started out the year as co-principal at…

All of This Would Have Been David Cicilline’s But He Chose to Violate the Charter Instead

By Monique Chartier | May 28, 2011 |

Confronted with the “category 5 hurricane” that is Providence’s financial condition, Mayor Angel Taveras has had to implement some difficult and unpopular budget measures. Notices of potential termination to all teachers (though a majority+ will not actually lose their job) and the closing of some schools. A 5.25% property tax hike and an increase in…

If Only President Obama Could Have Similarly Interceded for that Poor Housekeeper!

By Monique Chartier | May 26, 2011 |

Assuming it’s not a really clever photoshop, Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s defense attorneys undoubtedly shuddered when this International Monetary Fund photograph by Stephen Jaffe went up on The Corner late this afternoon.

As We’re Waiting for Godot Gina, the Latest on Rhode Island’s Public Pension Disaster

By Monique Chartier | May 22, 2011 |

So here’s where we stand. > Tomorrow at 2 pm, G.T. Gina Raimondo presents the history and making of Rhode Island’s pension crisis, to be followed by a “menu” of remedy options. > She admits to being on a bit of a crusade. Like that’s a bad thing when even a liberal think tank in…

Waivering Health Care Reform

By Monique Chartier | May 21, 2011 |

About his then residence that had undergone extensive renovations, Dave Barry once observed, When prospective buyers ask: ”What kind of construction is this house?” I answer: “Spackle.” Similarly, health care reform now seems to be comprised largely of waivers. 204 more companies were granted waivers in the last ten days, 20% of them going to…

Charlie Hall on the New Beach Parking Fee Schedule

By Monique Chartier | May 19, 2011 |

Heads up, beach lovers – parking passes for Rhode Island beaches are slated to go up in early June in accordance with the Governor’s instruction. Courtesy Oceanstate Follies.