Rhode Island Politics

A water drop and ripples

Magaziner running from the podium after announcing a run for governor has become typical crafting.

By Justin Katz | September 20, 2021 |

The bottom line is that the news media supports progressive Democrats, so its practitioners are not anxious to press their candidates when they decline to answer questions in the service of crafting the news stories.  That’s why it’s entirely natural for Rhode Island General Treasurer to hold a press conference announcing his expected run for…

Ray Rickman and Mike Stenhouse on State of the State

State of the State: Ray Rickman for RI Senate

By Mike Stenhouse | September 15, 2021 |

Ray Rickman and Mike Stenhouse discuss Rickman’s experience and plans if he’s elected to the state Senate.

A water drop and ripples

Elorza bowing out of the gubernatorial race was the right thing to do.

By Justin Katz | September 15, 2021 |

GoLocalProv is reporting that Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza won’t be following through with his plan to seek the governor’s office.  It’s the obvious move to make, given the state of political play in the state right now.  I suppose it would be too much to hope, however, that Elorza has realized he’s out of his depth…

Dan McKee gets vaccinated

McKee needs to start inoculating his decisions against the symptoms of cronyism.

By Justin Katz | September 13, 2021 |

How Democrat Governor Dan McKee handled the awarding of a $5 million education-related contract to a group of his friends and allies has been a disaster, giving his opposition a wide-open window through which to pepper him with political arrows, but I’m withholding judgment on the action itself.  This paragraph from Patrick Anderson’s Providence Journal article on…

Rhode Island General Assembly redistricting commission 09/09/21

RI General Assembly Republicans follow the science.

By Justin Katz | September 10, 2021 |

Yesterday, Patrick Anderson of the Providence Journal tweeted the picture used as the featured image in this post.  As Anderson notes, the masking is entirely according to partisan lines.  Unmasked (left to right) are Senators Jessica de la Cruz and Gordon Rogers and Representatives David Place and Brian Newberry. The follow-up comments are interesting, too.  Far-left…

A man with his head in a box

Politics This Week with John DePetro: The Narrative Dominates

By Justin Katz | September 7, 2021 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz review multiple ways state and local government seem not to be acting as one would expect competent professionals to act.

A water drop and ripples

McKee jumped out of the municipal frying pan and into the 38 Studios fire.

By Justin Katz | September 7, 2021 |

This blows my mind.  As his former chief of staff, Anthony Silva falls issues a series of retirements, resignations, and property donations in an effort to put an influence-peddling scandal behind himself, Democrat Governor Dan McKee goes and fills his position with somebody who carries the stain of the 38 Studios scandal: On Tuesday, McKee…

Reps Casimiro & Chippendale with Richard August

State of the State: Legislation of 2021 General Assembly Session

By Richard August | September 2, 2021 |

Representatives Julie Casimiro and Mike Chippendale join host Richard August for a review of the legislative session this past spring.

Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt's Facebook page

Wait… the people of Woonsocket are paying for Baldelli-Hunt’s First Amendment transgression?

By Justin Katz | September 2, 2021 |

The Valley Breeze reports the conclusion of a controversy in Woonsocket mentioned in this space a month ago. Democrat Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt has settled a lawsuit that the ACLU of Rhode Island brought against her for blocking people on a Facebook page that she was clearly using for official (which is to say, public) purposes. …

A water drop and ripples

Treasurer Magaziner should stop using his office for political pronouncements.

By Justin Katz | August 31, 2021 |

Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner just sent out a statement through his official spokesman and including the seal of his office: “Statement from Treasurer Magaziner Calling for Vaccine Requirement for Teachers and School Staff.” “With children across Rhode Island returning to school this week, we must take immediate action to protect them from COVID-19,”…