Providence
Honestly, something about Governor Chafee’s fact-finding missions makes me very nervous. Consider this, from his latest trip, to Pittsburgh. It focuses on the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), which is attracting all sorts of federal money and expanding the prominence of the University’s medical program: Dr. Edward Wing, now dean of medicine and biological…
What am I missing in this story? Providence teachers on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to approve a three-year contract that guarantees that every fired teacher will be returned to the district in exchange for substantial concessions. But: The unprecedented decision to fire every teacher and close five schools left teachers and parents angry and demoralized. Although…
Monique’s already expressed a justified skepticism about this: Former firefighter John Sauro remains permanently and totally disabled from doing his job in the Fire Department, an orthopedic surgeon has concluded after a special examination. But the surgeon recommended additional tests to confirm his finding. The report by Dr. Anthony DeLuise Jr. was submitted Wednesday to…
A recurring theme arose when the Providence School Board voted to eliminate administrator unionization: [Stephen Kane, executive secretary of the Association of Providence Public School and Staff Administrators] now worries that the fate of each administrator will be left to “the whim of the School Board. Of course, it’s going to get personal. It’s going…
Expecting politicians to act with sexual propriety is loser’s bet, I know. And you can call me an up-tight, un-modern Puritan prig or whatever, but it just isn’t good when the Mayor of the largest city in the state–someone who is, correctly and properly, a role model for minority youth–reveals he is having a child…
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…
The conversation was mainly of Esserman and arbitration when Monique called in to the Matt Allen Show, on Wednesday. Stream by clicking here, or download it.
If you skipped the historical essay to which Marc linked on Monday, give it a read. It concerns the making of the pension mess in Providence, and its most valuable insight, in my view, is the light that it shines on the entire dynamic created by public sector unions. The defining statement comes from firefighter…
Both sides in the debate over educational reform at Hope High School in Providence have made reasonable points. Those associated with the school note improved scores and a vitalized environment when reforms were under way. Those associated with the district cite the need to educate all of Providence’s students and a need for consistency across…
I don’t know Providence finances well enough to quibble with Mayor Angel Tavares’s budget proposal, but in emphasis and presentation it stands in stark contrast to Governor Lincoln Chafee. Tavares led with controversial and concrete initiatives for spending reduction, while Chafee led with a massive tax increase. Maybe they’ll get to the same place —…
