Rhode Island Politics
I don’t know what makes Ian think think this news would “irritate” us: “Crowley to succeed Jerzyk at RI’s Future.” There’s even more reason for optimism in the fact that the RI Left doesn’t understand what a gift to Ocean State conservatives this is.
Newsmakers with Tim White (and Ian Donnis and Arlene Violet) had House Speaker William Murphy on this morning. Here is some of what he had to say (rough transcription, folks). Ian Donnis mentioned how the RI Legislature has typically been shortsighted–the tobacco money grab–and how that gave the impression that there was no long term…
As John Howell reports in the Warwick Beacon, cities and towns are going to be clamoring for a reduction in unfunded mandates (ie; rules or laws imposed by the state on municipalities without the concomitant funds). “There’s slim hope that the legislature would relieve schools of providing textbooks for non public schools or special education…
Perhaps our system of government requires too much depth of thought and strategy. Defending the straight-party voting option, John Callaci of Cranston writes: I suggest that splitting the ticket is often irrational. For example, one can easily understand someone voting for Sen. Jack Reed or Governor Carcieri but not both, as many Rhode Islanders have…
It’s difficult not to suspect something other than a desire for a life change lying behind this: Frank J. Williams, the chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, stunned the legal and political community today with his announcement that he is stepping down from the high court. … He plans to continue his Lincoln…
According to Rasmussen, when given a choice between a government that provides fewer services and sets lower taxes and one that demands higher taxes but offers more services, Americans choose smaller government by a 59% to 28% margin. So, if these views are in the majority, why is it that our elected representatives do the…
Those are some telling résumés those Senate fiscal advisers have (emphasis added): Peter Marino, former policy director of the business-backed Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, will become the Senate fiscal adviser beginning Dec. 22. He will be paid $125,000 a year, according to Senate spokesman Greg Pare, and he will play a key role as…
As Justin points out, The Poverty Institute’s Kate Brewster seems to be basing much of her “more taxes, increase spending” argument on the work of Peter Orszag and Joseph Stiglitz. Brewster states that they’ve determined that “tax increases on high earners are less harmful than spending cuts.” True enough and plausible, but that isn’t exactly…
From the ProJo article which Justin cites: According to the mayor’s chief of administration, Richard I. Kerbel, the retroactive pay for the nonunion officers matches retroactive pay awarded to police union members in arbitration over the last fiscal year Unlike so many other aspects of public sector compensation, it is, in fact, common practice in…
Commenter George Elbow is back and once again requesting that Andrew revisit his post about Bob Walsh’s public pension investment scenario. Yes, we all understand the concept of compound interest. Rather, what we’d like discussed is the sustainability and FAIRNESS of the Walshian demands, particularly in this economic enviromnent. Please help us understand why Public…