Cranston

A water drop and ripples

Under no circumstances should education programs become corrupt slush funds.

By Justin Katz | September 27, 2023 |

The story has moved on since I made a note to highlight this, but it remains an important point, particularly because suggested by a Republican: Mayor Kenneth Hopkins is on the defense after three City Council members voiced strong concerns about the city potentially using its $6-million share of Gov. Dan McKee’s “Learn365RI” money to…

A hand reaches for chains

Politics This Week: Unions Versus the People in RI

By Justin Katz | July 17, 2023 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz discuss evidence of unions’ tightening grip on Rhode Island and other political topics.

Providence and Newport featured on a cartoon map of Rhode Island.

Politics This Week: Pols Pandering to “Rhode Island Values”

By Justin Katz | July 5, 2023 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz discuss the latest political news of the state.

Edwin Lord Mills A Royal Procession

Politics This Week: Those of Unknowing Privilege

By Justin Katz | May 22, 2023 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz explore the increasingly disconnected behavior of RI’s political elite.

Man hiding money behind his back with his fingers crossed.

Politics This Week: Tales from the Everything’s Personal State

By Justin Katz | April 25, 2023 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz discuss how personal relations, feelings, and drama pervade Rhode Island government in every aspect.

Cranston Pensions: Rhode Island… with Emphasis

By Justin Katz | February 13, 2012 |

The RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity had published data covering all of Cranston’s public-sector retirees, and I’ve posted a general comparison of the numbers with those for the state system overall.

The Cranston West Banner Can’t be Required to Just Disappear

By Carroll Andrew Morse | January 17, 2012 |

If the Cranston West banner has to be destroyed or removed, or if certain words have to be redacted from it, to comply with Judge Ronald Lagueux’s Federal Court decision, there is no reason why a Soviet-style disappearance from history without explanation must occur, or that the public should not be informed that they are…

An Illustration of RI’s Advantaged Class in Cranston

By Justin Katz | April 26, 2011 |

Like the swapping of high-paying public jobs for the sons of union leaders, the fact that Cranston is currently paying $67,107-86,778 annual pensions to six former police chiefs feels emblematic of the state’s broader systemic corruption: In the past 20 years, Cranston has hired — and retired — six police chiefs. Most served three years…

Once Again Re: The Direction of Imposition

By Justin Katz | March 11, 2011 |

This started out as a comment to my previous post on the topic, but it began to feel more like a post in its own right. As usual, our left-leaning readers have got me all wrong. I have absolutely no problem with any religion having an exclusive prayer posted in public schools, even with required…

Re: The Direction of Imposition

By Justin Katz | March 11, 2011 |

I’ve been at a loss as to how to respond to the comments to my post this morning about the Cranston school prayer banner, because those who advocate for the removal of the banner are so extreme in their beliefs (even those who are typically reasonable and moderate in their approach) that they appear to…