Rhode Island Politics

How about Merit Pay … for the General Assembly

By Monique Chartier | November 3, 2008 |

Rather than to the Consumer Price Index, shouldn’t raises for members of the General Assembly in some way be tied to job performance? My own thought would be a factor which combines the growth in jobs in the state with the increase in the median salary in the state. What other factors should be considered?…

A Pre-Election History Lesson

By Justin Katz | November 3, 2008 |

A concerned citizen of Rhode Island sends along this brief video history of the Democrats’ success in our state.

What “Moderate” Means…

By Justin Katz | November 1, 2008 |

… would seem to be precisely what skeptics thought it meant when Ken Block launched his party of that name about a year ago — namely, susceptible to pressure and manipulation. At the time, Block wrote an Engaged Citizen post in which he declared: All ridiculous culture war issues aside, the time is right now…

Debate: Second Congressional District Race

By Monique Chartier | October 31, 2008 |

Mark Zaccaria (R) and Congressman James Langevin (D) square off this afternoon at 4:00 on WPRO‘s Dan Yorke Show.

A Reformist Quip in the Air

By Justin Katz | October 29, 2008 |

I’ve been saving this line for future use, but District 17 candidate for the RI Senate, Edward O’Neill, beat me to it in his race against Joseph Montalbano: O’Neill acknowledges that his campaign is centered on his opponent. “He’s running on his record; I say, I’m running on his record,” O’Neill said. For his part,…

Transportation Bond: Let Them “Scramble”

By Marc Comtois | October 29, 2008 |

The Governor was out pushing the $87.2 million transportation bond yesterday. I understand the pragmatic reasons–especially in a tight budget year–but the fiscal irresponsibility of taking on 30 years of debt to fund a portion of what should be a regular budget item has to stop. Gov. Donald L. Carcieri and R.I. Department of Transportation…

Can RI Do Better Than Just Hoping for Change?

By Carroll Andrew Morse | October 29, 2008 |

In a South County Independent op-ed, State Representative candidate Jim Haldeman (District 35, South Kingstown) asks how trusting the political leadership that has brought Rhode Island to the brink of economic disaster is a strategy that makes any sort of sense…The incumbent General Assembly members in the [South Kingstown Town Council Candidates Forum] a few…

Already Weakening the Rhetoric

By Justin Katz | October 29, 2008 |

I preferred David Anderson’s press release to this concession, made even before he’s won office: … David Anderson, the Republican challenging House Majority Leader Gordon Fox, in Providence, said he would consider higher income and sales taxes if that is what was required to reduce local property taxes, and shift more of the responsibility for…

Making It Through to the Wallop

By Justin Katz | October 27, 2008 |

Well, RI General Treasurer Frank Caprio sold his $350 million in bonds today: General Treasurer Frank Caprio announced today that the State of Rhode Island raised $350M from the sale of Tax Anticipation Notes (TANs). Just over $25M was sold directly to Rhode Islanders. In a rare retail push of TANS, Bank of America and…

The Final Week (Thank God!)

By Marc Comtois | October 27, 2008 |

It’s the final week of this never-ending election and people who can make up their minds await the decision of the 10% (or so) who can’t. I can never figure out how you could be undecided at this point, but people are. In the Senate, despite the conviction of Ted Stevens (AK), it still looks…