Rhode Island Politics
So, in doing some research for yesterday’s post about questionable interactions between the judiciary and legislature in Rhode Island, I came across (and linked to) a Providence Journal piece on what appears to be a regular practice of nepotistic hiring between the two branches. Yet, today I read about some Ethics Commission charges against Governor…
A familiar refrain from Harry Staley of the Rhode Island Shoreline Coalition: Why am I concerned? Why can’t I be like those Rhode Islanders who embrace this state’s special brand of ethical conduct? Unfortunately, I was taught, albeit in other states, that the very perception of wrongdoing or improper influence by those granted the public…
John Arcaro, an independent challenger for Pawtucket’s seat in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, directed my attention to an October piece about his race. I’m still naif enough to think this stunning: [Rep. Elaine A. Coderre] hasn’t had an opponent for her House seat since 1986, when Raymond G. Berger, a Republican who opposed…
In a story by Howard Fineman, Mitch McConnell casts the current political “divisiveness” in its proper historical context: “It’s naive to assume there would be one collection of views widely held by everyone,” he said. “I’m amazed at all this hand-wringing over the level of discourse and partisanship. It leads me to believe nobody has…
I do not disagree with the idea that more information about the state’s legislators would benefit the democratic process, but I am not convinced that biographical data or past voting records are the most important pieces of information that a state-level blog can compile. My biggest complaint about local legacy media legislative reporting is that…
A caller to Rick Adams’s show (listen here) just suggested to Don that Anchor Rising publish background information — voting records, fund contributors, family employment, union sympathy, and so on — for each of Rhode Island’s legislators. That’s a fantastic idea, and we should certainly give some thought to ways in which to get it…
The alarm siren that this news sets off should be audible as distantly as Hawaii: Superior Court Judge Netti Vogel last week issued a permanent injunction blocking the state’s three-year agreement with United. United rival Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island had sought the injunction, claiming the state’s handling of the bids was…
While visiting The Learning Community Charter School in Pawtucket, Governor Carcieri floated the idea of removing the state’s charter school cap, which limits each school district to two charter schools (except Providence, which is allowed four). Predictably, there are those who disagree with the Governor about removing the cap, even though recent studies have shown…
According to Boston resident Dan Flynn, to whom Michelle Malkin links, many residents of that city are still suffering a hangover from their indulgence at the country’s political office party. The slurred speech was not charming, and the promotion was not forthcoming. Such is the image that comes to mind while perusing the stream of…
Over at National Review Online, John J. Miller previews the 2006 Senate races. With all due respect to the conservative mothership, he gets Rhode Island completely wrong. Lincoln Chafee, the sort-of Republican, isn’t well liked by many of his GOP colleagues because they worry he’ll bolt the party if it means he can stay in…
