Rhode Island Politics

Kate Brewster, executive director of the Poverty Institute at Rhode Island College: “This is not a State of the State,” Brewster said, “but a state of denial. There was no mention of thousands of working families who are struggling with stagnant wages and skyrocketing costs of living.” Hmmm. From the Governor’s State of the State…

Providence Phoenix reporter Ian Donnis has ventured forth with a new Phoenix blog, Not for Nothing. He’s been a great resource as a journalist, and I’m sure he’ll continue to be so as a blogger, as well. I can’t help but note, however, this line from Ian’s blog announcement: Political activist Matt Jerzyk, a friend…

The Rhode Island legislature has picked up right where it left off last session on the issue of eminent domain reform, with Representative Charlene Lima’s (D-Cranston) not-very-good bill as the leading candidate in the House. Here’s the main body of her proposed “reform” (H5079)…37-6-13.2. Limitations on acquisition of land. – (a) Notwithstanding any provision of…

The ProJo reports: The state Ethics Commission ruled yesterday that it is more likely than not that Senate President Joseph A. Montalbano intentionally violated the state ethics code by failing to report tens of thousands of dollars in income from West Warwick for legal work associated with the Narragansett’s failed casino proposal. The commission decided…

Looks like the slot-machine revenue panacea isn’t working out too well. For the first time since video-slot machines were introduced in 1993, both Lincoln Park and Newport Grand are taking in substantially less money than they did the year before. This could have dramatic consequences for the state, which is already struggling with a $105.1-million…

Here’s an interesting idea proposed by Rhode Island House Speaker William Murphy in his opening address to the 2007 legislative session…Transparent process, open inquiry, public debate. That is what marked this body’s earliest beginnings, and let me close by sharing a plan for restoring that reputation to the House of Representatives as it exists today.…

I know the dollar amount is minimal, and I’m not even sure that I’d make any blanket policy suggestions, but something just seems wrong with making taxpayers cover expenses for this: Rhode Island sent three state lawmakers to Washington, D.C., last month for a conference put on by the Center for Policy Alternatives. Rep. Edith…

Perhaps it’s fanciful of me to wonder, but could Joe Scott’s jumping parties be an indication that Republican “double agents” and Democrats-at-heart sense change in the minority air? When the Big Bad Right-Wing Extremists knock on the door, Republican liberals may feel more comfortable departing the straw house that is the RI GOP. Little RINO,…

Bill Rappleye of WJAR-TV (NBC 10) is reporting that State Representative Joseph Scott (Charlestown/Exeter/Richmond) is leaving the Republican party and joining the Democrats.