Rhode Island Politics

Dealing with Stimulation

By Justin Katz | February 26, 2009 |

Appearing on last night’s Matt Allen show, Monique shone some light on strings attached to stimulus money — such as the reversal of welfare reform — and advised caution in accepting and deploying it Stream by clicking here, or download it.

Stimulus Funds: Take your Time, Gov!

By Monique Chartier | February 25, 2009 |

Governor Carcieri has asked for another extension to submit the state budget. Spokeswoman Amy Kempe said earlier today: “The budget submission will be delayed to allow the governor to meet with House and Senate leaders to discuss the impact of the federal stimulus law. This is not a process that should be rushed. It turns…

Polls and Principles on Marriage

By Justin Katz | February 23, 2009 |

I have to say that I’m not sure what to make of Joe Trillo’s planned strategy for dealing with same-sex marriage if he becomes governor and the issue comes up: Were a bill allowing same-sex marriage to make it to his desk as governor, Trillo said he would let a public poll determine whether he…

Democrats (and Reporters) Too Quick to Assess Poll’s Blame

By Justin Katz | February 18, 2009 |

Rhode Island Democratic Party Executive Director Tim Grilo barely waited for the starting gun to charge through the gate and publicize new Taubman Center polling data concerning Governor Carcieri’s approval ratings: “These numbers reflect a resounding rejection of Governor Carcieri’s failed policies and empty promises. We are in the midst of the greatest economic crisis…

The Governor Joins the Transparency Movement

By Justin Katz | February 15, 2009 |

Right on the heels of Treasurer Frank Caprio’s efforts (suspiciously so, some might say), Governor Carcieri has directed the Department of Administration to make its data available online: Governor Carcieri’s administration is poised to announce the launch Monday of a mechanism for the public to search state spending records through a new “Transparency Portal.” According…

Welcome to the Era of Dependency

By Justin Katz | February 15, 2009 |

I have a question. Once the dust settles on the big grandchildren’s money drop heading the states’ way, how is our failed public finance system going to maintain all of this on top of the infrastructure and assets that it currently struggles to keep in one piece? To Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline, new federal…

The Public/Private Disconnect

By Marc Comtois | February 13, 2009 |

What takes up 10% of my weekly paycheck? Family health care, that’s what. And that’s just my share. My employer kicks in some, too. Like so many other employees of small businesses, my company had to health-plan shop again this year to find a way of keeping costs down. In our case, the health care…

While We’re on the Nexus Between Religion and Politics…

By Justin Katz | February 13, 2009 |

Here’s some Biblical inspiration specifically for Rhode Islanders (Proverbs 28:28) When the wicked gain pre-eminence, other men hide; but at their fall the just flourish. I’d append the suggestion that the second clause goes the other way, as well: the flourishing of the just leads the wicked to fall. So let’s start flourishing!

State on the Radio

By Justin Katz | February 13, 2009 |

Matt and Marc talked about the state of the state, on the Matt Allen show, Wednesday night, and the peculiarity of having a lieutenant governor from the governor’s opposition party (sports analogy employed). Stream by clicking here, or download it.

What Does Rhode Island Get Out of This?

By Monique Chartier | February 13, 2009 |

[This post should in no way be interpreted as an acceptance or approval of the “stimulus” bill furiously being worked out in Congress. The premise that massive government spending can lift or save an economy is a non-starter; most of the line-item spending in the bill qua economic stimulus is an absurdity. In short, this…