General Assembly

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…

A Republican cruise ship leaves a Democrat lifeboat behind

Politics This Week: RI Left Behind

By Justin Katz | November 12, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz discuss the prospects for the Ocean State after a full Republican sweep in D.C.

Villains sitting on a platform with the ladder up sawed off.

Politics This Week: Nothing a Little Genuine Competition Couldn’t Fix

By Justin Katz | October 21, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz follow local stories’ thread of RI’s obvious need for political competition.

A heavy man races casually without competition

Politics This Week: Corruption Without Competition

By Justin Katz | October 15, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz discuss ways in which corruption thrives without competitive elections.

Shortsighted inspectors of disaster

Important lessons lie somewhere in the details of a Cranston zoning battle.

By Justin Katz | August 28, 2024 |

They may not be straightforward or easily articulated, though, so just read them through and absorb the awfulness. Here’s the background: Built in the 1980s and 1990s where Scituate Avenue meets Furnace Hill Brook, Alpine Estates was one of the first of what would become many modern subdivisions on what used to be western Cranston…

A water drop and ripples

Lack of General Assembly competition shows the progressive-union-Democrat axis has things locked up.

By Justin Katz | August 22, 2024 |

Further to yesterday’s post on Johnston politics, don’t forget this corresponding news about the state legislature: In 2022, just 20 percent of Rhode Island’s 113 General Assembly seats went uncontested in a primary and/or the general election. But this year, 52 percent of those Assembly seats will go uncontested thanks to a sharp drop in…

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…

A purple-haired doctor with blood on her shirt

RI politicians shouldn’t be able to stroll past protecting the butchers of children.

By Justin Katz | July 3, 2024 |

Rhode Island’s governor and Democrat legislators are willing to trample the rights and bodies of children in order to protect medical butchers from facing consequences for their actions.

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…

McKee Antoinette serves cake

Politics This Week: Let Them Eat Leftovers

By Justin Katz | June 18, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz review the undercurrents of politics in RI and nationally.