Rhode Island Politics

Of Hospitals and Bikepaths

By Carroll Andrew Morse | September 19, 2005 | Comments Off on Of Hospitals and Bikepaths

According to the New York Times, it costs $8,000,000 to refurbish a hospital in Najaf, Iraq (h/t Andrew Sullivan). According to the highway bill, it will cost $10,000,000 for “transportation improvements” to the Blackstone River Bikeway. Am I the only one who thinks there is something amiss with these relative amounts? These kind of numbers…

Is Rhode Island ready to step up for New Orleans?

By Carroll Andrew Morse | September 18, 2005 |

One suggestion for finding funding to pay for the $200B reconstruction of New Orleans is to redirect funding allocated in the recently passed highway bill. Here is the list of projects earmarked for Rhode Island, straight from the text of the bill. Are Rhode Islanders — citizens and Congressional delegation alike — willing to step…

Attorney General Candidate Bill Harsch

By Carroll Andrew Morse | September 15, 2005 | Comments Off on Attorney General Candidate Bill Harsch

According to a letter sent out by the Campaign Committee to elect Bill Harsch, Harsch’s campaign for Attorney General is motivated by some very specific complaints against current AG Patrick Lynch… Justice is not a privilege reserved for elite politicians, high-priced lobbyists, union bosses, and corporate fat cats. Justice is a right to which all…

Is Laffey vs. Chafee Really a Battle Between Visionary Principles & a Reactionary Establishment? Unfortunately Not.

By | September 13, 2005 |

There are numerous aspects of Steve Laffey’s personal life history that many of us can relate to and all of us can respect. He is a living embodiment of the American Dream, achieving great things through the liberty found in America combined with getting a great education and then working hard. If you read his…

An Airing of Weaknesses

By Justin Katz | September 9, 2005 |

It seems to me, Don, that the well-poisoning of your closing question elides precisely the benefit of a Laffey run for U.S. Senate. Tweak your perceptive hypothetical of a primary-free Chafee’s positioning: While sitting on the sidelines eating popcorn, Chafee would have been able to size up his opponent, research weak points, and come out…

Outrunning the Laffey-Train

By | September 9, 2005 |

Senator Chafee finds himself in a very awkward position: As Andrew noted on Thursday, Cranston mayor Stephen Laffey announced his intentions to run for his U.S. Senate seat in 2006. Unfortunately for Chafee, this is going to be a very tough pill to swallow for many reasons. First, without having to face a primary, it…

T-Minus 23 1/2 Hours or so to the BIG Laffey Announcement

By Carroll Andrew Morse | September 7, 2005 | Comments Off on T-Minus 23 1/2 Hours or so to the BIG Laffey Announcement

Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey has a big announcement planned for tommorrow. Here’s the announcement of the announcement, from a flier sent around by the Mayor… Mayor Stephen P. Laffey has a really BIG announcement to make. Repeat: Really “BIG” Laffey announcement. And he wants YOU to hear it!Perhaps Mayor Laffey has learned what’s inside of…

AFL-CIO Splintering? Not in Rhode Island

By Marc Comtois | August 1, 2005 | Comments Off on AFL-CIO Splintering? Not in Rhode Island

I noted with interest the national splintering of the AFL-CIO and wondered what effect it would have on this, one of the most “labor-friendly” states in the union. According to this report on this subject in today’s ProJo, RI ranks 1st in New England and 9th nationally in percent of union employees in the workforce.…

Casino Gambling is Destructive, Serving No Positive Social Purpose

By | July 17, 2005 |

Thanks to Chuck over at The Senescent Man, check out this website entitled Kay Coalition Against Casino Gambling (KAYCO), which is a statewide coordinating body helping local community groups to resist the spread of the gambling industry in their neighborhoods. Casino gambling serves no positive social purpose. We must continue to oppose all attempts to…

The Governor on Beacon Mutual

By Marc Comtois | July 15, 2005 | Comments Off on The Governor on Beacon Mutual

Governor Carcieri has put forth his case against the privatization of Beacon Mutual in today’s ProJo. First, there are risks: Rhode Island employers should worry about this expansion because Beacon is not just any insurer. Beacon has two statutory duties that no other insurer has: First, Beacon must offer insurance at the lowest possible cost…