Rhode Island Politics

Accountability in Politics and Education

By Justin Katz | June 2, 2011 |

The conversation was of the likely accountability that RI politicians will face for a vote on raising sales taxes and on perspectives on accountability in education during Andrew’s call in to Matt Allen Show, last night. Stream by clicking here, or download it.

This Is Consolidation

By Justin Katz | June 1, 2011 |

The Providence Journal editorial board highlights a piece of legislation that, while unlikely to become law, illustrates the potential consequences of consolidation for the sake of efficiency and ease: … Sen. John Tassoni (D.-Smithfield) — a member of the state’s AFL-CIO executive board, former business agent for the state’s largest public-employees union, AFSCME Council 94,…

First Responses to DiPalma Inquiry

By Justin Katz | May 31, 2011 |

The responses have begun to trickle in to my inquiry about the support that Sen. Louis DiPalma (D, Little Compton, Tiverton, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport) has expressed for Senate Majority Leader Dominique Ruggerio’s hiring of a union pal’s son at a very high salary. So far, I’ve sent (or attempted to send) variations of the following…

All of This Would Have Been David Cicilline’s But He Chose to Violate the Charter Instead

By Monique Chartier | May 28, 2011 |

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…

Endorsements and Blame

By Justin Katz | May 26, 2011 |

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.

Selling Pension Reform: The No-Blame Game

By Marc Comtois | May 25, 2011 |

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…

Laffey Raises a Point It’s Easy to Forget

By Justin Katz | May 18, 2011 |

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…

Rough Month for the Fakers: G.T. Raimondo Auditing (Some or All) State Disability Pensions

By Monique Chartier | May 17, 2011 |

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…

A People Beaten Down

By Justin Katz | May 12, 2011 |

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.

Left Holding the Bag

By Marc Comtois | May 11, 2011 |

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…