Monique Chartier

The Budget: Give it a Shove, Gov

By Monique Chartier | June 30, 2009 |

The Governor’s office confirmed five minutes ago that the Governor had not yet acted on the budget. Still time to sneak in a suggestion, then. In the category of just-because-it’s-obvious-doesn’t-mean-it-doesn’t need-to-be-said, the Ocean State Republican urges Governor Carcieri to veto the budget bill on his desk. … the Assembly’s budget increases taxes on investments in…

Just a Bad Dream? Perils of Binding Arbitration

By Monique Chartier | June 30, 2009 |

I awoke this morning with a buzzing in my ears and a panicked conviction that binding arbitration for teacher contracts would be a very bad thing. A very bad thing, indeed. Perhaps those who oppose the concept of a never-ending contract should clear their ears, too, so as to hear the buzz. From “Vermonters for…

Brian Bishop: Perpetual Contracts Push Constitutional Envelope

By Monique Chartier | June 29, 2009 |

The General Assembly is still open for business – possibly with questionable motive, as Justin points out. One of the items of unfinished business that certain legislators may wish to revisit as Rhode Islanders head to the beaches is the never-ending contract. Brian Bishop looks at certain constitutional issues raised by the bill. It is…

… And What Happened to Lifting Mandates for Cities and Towns?

By Monique Chartier | June 28, 2009 |

Here was one good attempt at relief – an amendment to the budget submitted by Rep John Loughlin. Chapter 45-13 of the General Laws entitled “State Aid” is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 45-13-1.3. Relief from unfunded mandates. – Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, contained in the appropriations for the support…

The Confused, Non-End of this General Assembly Session … and a Slightly Ominous Big Picture Remark by the Speaker

By Monique Chartier | June 28, 2009 |

Needham, Peoples and Gregg have a very good description in today’s ProJo With scores of bills still in limbo, the Rhode Island House of Representatives abruptly went into hiatus at 1 a.m. Saturday. Speaker William J. Murphy cited the need to cool off and return for at least a day in July, and again on…

Charlie Hall on the Technical Intricacies of Iran’s Election Process

By Monique Chartier | June 27, 2009 |

… and how they make clear one aspect of the electoral fraud that took place June 12. Of course, the rest of Iranian society is much more advanced – and wants to continue progressing, one of the impetuses of the post-election uprising. But this is a pretty good depiction of their voting and ballot counting…

Alert: The Never-Ending Contract Heads to the House Floor Today

By Monique Chartier | June 26, 2009 |

Most contracts are of limited duration in large part because circumstances change and the terms of a contract could become infeasible for either party after a certain amount of time. This is no less true of a government contract. Peculiar to public sector contracts, however, while any public employee is free to leave that job…

Question about Proxy Voting on the House Floor

By Monique Chartier | June 23, 2009 |

… er, is it legal? While I caught only the last twenty minutes of the House session tonight, I sat next to a friend had arrived before myself. She cheerfully pointed out three or four House members who had voted on behalf of other House members. Each had pushed their own “Yea” or “Nay” button…

Where the Confidence is Truly Lacking

By Monique Chartier | June 23, 2009 |

… is referenced, in fact, by National Education Association Executive Director John I. Wilson in yesterday’s 7 to 7 ProJo News Blog report about the teachers’ “no confidence” vote in the School Committee. Our goals are basic and universal – to protect the rights of employees and defend quality public education. Undoubtedly, most individual teachers…

E-Verify: House Finance Committee (Unintentionally) Obviates One Major Obstacle

By Monique Chartier | June 21, 2009 |

One of the objections to e-verify has been that to oblige a small business – all businesses – to go on line to verify an applicant’s employment eligibility would be too burdensome. Rep Trillo and Rep Loughlin reported on Matt Allen’s Violent Round Table Friday night that the budget bill contains a provision that, henceforth,…