Rhode Island Politics

The Horse Looked Desirable; That’s Why It Was Deadly

By Justin Katz | November 22, 2011 |

In a post illustrating why he’s risen so quickly to the status of “must read” and why it’s so crucial to have intellectually curious people making their full-time livings investigating state-level politics and government, Ted Nesi responds to my incredulity at everybody’s willingness to accept the pension reform narrative. This is the most important paragraph…

What To Expect In The Upcoming General Assembly

By Patrick Laverty | November 22, 2011 |

In today’s Nesi’s Notes, Ted discusses an email from NEARI President Larry Purtill that was sent to NEARI members. Mr. Purtill talks about how Governor Chafee “lied” to NEARI during the campaign last year. Similarly, in a recent GoLocalProv article, NEARI executive director Robert Walsh said “I can assure you we received promises in writing.”…

Pension Reform Bait-and-Switch to Block Broader Reform

By Justin Katz | November 21, 2011 |

I’ve placed the 5.5% privatization tax in the context of the General Assembly’s history of opposing such money-saving measures and pondered the language of the newly minted statute. My concern, in brief, is that there really isn’t anything limiting the application of the 5.5% “assessment” to state privatization. The only limit mentioned is to the…

Raimondo’s Definition of Leadership

By Justin Katz | November 11, 2011 |

Gotta love General Treasurer Gina Raimondo’s definition for legislative leadership: Follow the Senate president. Follow Speaker Fox. Be a leader. Lead by following! That sounds very Rhode Island. Real legislative leaders should be asking themselves why this whole process appears to be going so smoothly. Sure, the unions are putting on their show, as they…

A Referendum to Thwart Dishonest Politics

By Justin Katz | November 8, 2011 |

So, today Tiverton voters will have the opportunity finally to do away with the financial town meeting (FTM) that has allowed a relatively small group of very motivated people to double taxes in the past ten years and ensure that they would continue to climb even during the worst economy that most of us have…

Political Donors as the Judges of Right and Wrong

By Justin Katz | November 7, 2011 |

Readers of the Sunday Providence Journal will be familiar with the “In Quotes” column that typically appears on page A2; basically it’s a few notable quotes from the week, usually with a picture of the speaker. This week, one in particular caught my eye, because it’s from Brown professor Wendy Schiller, and I think it…

Tossing 80% of RI Seniors Overboard: The AARP of RI Has Become A Pyranha in Sheep’s Clothing

By Monique Chartier | October 29, 2011 |

Even sharpened up, that cliche may not adequately describe the the duplicitious nature and predatory intent of the AARP’s testimony this week against pension reform. … Many have asked why AARP is engaged in this discussion. AARP Rhode Island’s advocacy on this bill fits into AARP’s broader, national campaign to Protect Seniors from fiscal instability…

Car Tax Evaluation Committee: Typical?

By Marc Comtois | October 28, 2011 |

Warwick Car Tax Revolt leader Rob Cote has done a great service to the citizens of Warwick and the state by keeping the heat on our elected officials regarding the car tax. Further to that end, he decided to drop in on the annual Car Tax Evaluation Committee meeting, buried somewhere in the State House…

2010 Campaign Intrigue: John Loughlin (Yes, Loughlin) Was Asked To Step Aside for Frank Caprio

By Monique Chartier | October 18, 2011 |

Avid followers of Rhode Island politics are aware that John Robitaille was approached by the Frank Caprio campaign – and, in due course, by a circumspect Frank Caprio himself – about dropping out of the 2010 gubernatorial race so as to avoid the four way race that ultimately got Linc Chafee elected. (Robitaille demurred and…

US Rep James Langevin Visits Occupy Providence

By Patrick Laverty | October 16, 2011 |

Tonight, US Rep. James Langevin visited the protesters down at Occupy Providence. I wonder if the protesters are aware that he is one of the very people they are protesting against. No, he’s not the CEO of Bank of America or Goldman Sachs. I understand they’re protesting against corporate greed, especially the greed that is…