Rhode Island Politics
Looks like it’s back to the drawing board for Harrah’s and the Narragansett Tribe as the RI Supreme Court has concluded that the latest casino proposal doesn’t pass constitutional muster: A bill that would allow the Narragansett Indians to open a casino on nontribal land does not pass constitutional muster, the state Supreme Court said…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…