Rhode Island Politics
Confronted with the “category 5 hurricane” that is Providence’s financial condition, Mayor Angel Taveras has had to implement some difficult and unpopular budget measures. Notices of potential termination to all teachers (though a majority+ will not actually lose their job) and the closing of some schools. A 5.25% property tax hike and an increase in…
Marc’s call in to Matt Allen Show, last night, touched on the Projo’s now-laughable endorsement of David Cicilline and Treasurer Gina Raimondo’s efforts to blame nobody for the pension mess that she counts as the issue facing Rhode Island. Stream by clicking here, or download it.
When traveling the state and talking to various union groups, it’s understandable–politically, yes, but also pragmatically–that General Treasurer Gina Raimondo is refraining from playing the blame game (well, except for various “politicians” of the past). She needs unions on board to make reform happen and if the rank and file can understand the scope of…
This line from Stephen Laffey at the Operation Clean Government event at which he spoke is a helpful reminder: “It’s over for Providence. … It’s over for Rhode Island,” he said. “You people have to publicly humiliate your elected officials.” For my part, I know I tend to wrongly assume that people who bear responsibility…
Kicking it all off, of course, was WPRI Tim White’s rumbling of the “disabled” weight lifter. That was followed by Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Pare announcing a week ago that all Providence firefighter disability pensions were being reviewed. (Firefighter Local 799 says, Go get ’em, boss.) Now it turns out that General Treasurer…
Marc and Matt discussed the hammer that keeps pounding Rhode Island on last night’s Matt Allen Show. Stream by clicking here, or download it.
The ProJo headlines the $9.4 billion pension liability, but also mentions the $2.4 billion health care liability. That’s $11.8 billion in money owed to state and municipal retirees (some of which is funded). They try to soften the blow explaining that an 80% funding level “is considered healthy” for pensions. So that makes it about…
An interesting feature in Monday’s Providence Journal came as four short reports about new legislators in the General Assembly: Rep. Dan Reilly (R, Portsmouth), Rep. Doreen Costa (R, North Kingstown), Sen. Nick Kettle (R, Coventry), and Rep. Chris Blazejewski (D, Providence). The way they’re framed from the beginning tells readers a great deal about the…
G. Wayne Miller of the Projo is reporting that former state police Superintendent Brendan Doherty will announce his candidacy for Rhode Island’s First District Congressional seat on Thursday… A longtime Cumberland resident, Doherty will make his formal announcement at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday at Imperial Packaging Corp., a Pawtucket manufacturer.Meanwhile, Ian Donnis of WRNI (1290AM)…
Sure, it’s a small matter in the great scheme of things. But it’s been a particularly galling one. The General Assembly may finally have harkened to the outraged voices of business owners about the insanity that comprises our boiler inspection law. Yes, it’s only one of many regulations that cause an unnecessary drag on Rhode…