Labor
Commenter Michael responded to Justin’s statement from earlier in the week concerning “the faulty attitude under which the public sector has become corrupted” by saying… The public sector is not corrupted. These generalized comments, written as fact are what prompts me to draw the proverbial line in the sand and defend the public sector without…
I’m skeptical that anything substantial will come of the current push for pension reform among elected officials, but even if some positive change results, I’m concerned that elected officials and the public alike will wipe their hands together with a collective “problem solved.” This article explaining that growing pension costs promise to eat up whole…
Steve Malanga looks at the national problem of cities in over their heads (particularly because of pension promises) and uses Providence (and New Haven, CT) as examples: Cities are also running out of fiscal alternatives to deal with their deficits. Like states…many cities have used one-shot revenue deals, hidden borrowing, and other gimmicks to bolster…
Anyone who keeps abreast of education issues knows that teachers are not particularly enamored with President Obama’s education reform: Race to the Top (RI Ed. Commissioner Deborah Gist certainly takes heat for her local championing of this national policy), school turnaround models (think Central Falls) or expanding charter schools are just a few policies that…
Lisa Blais of the Rhode Island Tea Party just posted the following to her Facebook page…League of Cities and Towns received assurance that binding arb. will not be a problem tonight. RI School Committee Association Exec Dir. given same assurance but will not leave the State House until the session is officially closed. We may…
GoLocalProv puts the added price tag of binding arbitration for teachers at $2 billion (albeit with few specific details). For my part, I’d say that National Education Association of Rhode Island Executive Director Bob Walsh tells us all we need to know about binding arbitration: Expanding the binding arbitration law to teachers and other school…
Marc and Matt Allen continued the conversation about binding arbitration on last night’s Matt Allen Show and went on to talk a bit about Michelle Bachmann. Stream by clicking here, or download it.
The binding arbitration bill has already passed the full Senate, 20-17. UPDATE: According to the information of the General Assembly website, Senator Frank Lombardo voted for binding arbitration in committee, in a 5-3 vote for passage, but against the measure on the floor. With the ex-officio votes available (Senators Paiva-Weed, Ruggerio and Algiere can vote…
Monique called into Matt Allen to report that the Senate Labor Committee had approved binding arbitration after having ended the hearing, clearing the room and then quickly reconvening to vote. Voting YES (to pass the bill) Ciccone Doyle Goodwin Lombardo McCaffrey Voting NO Hodgson Picard Fogarty There is still hope in the House, which is…
Matt Allen of WPRO (630AM) is on top of the binding arbitration issue, via his Twitter feed…Gop State Reps Watson and Ehrhardt send an open letter to the Speaker to adjourn tomorrow and forget binding arb. 15 minutes ago Larry Berman says the Speaker wants to review the new binding arb bill and review testimony.…