Rhode Island Politics

Foretelling the Future in Cranston

By Justin Katz | November 18, 2010 |

Steven Frias, a Steve Laffey ally of old and author of a book on Cranston’s political history, relates the origin of school committees’ authority to negotiate contracts (even though they can’t tax to pay for them) and binding arbitration for police and fire. Sadly, there are some discouraging parallels to our proximate future: The leader…

The Mandate to Be Divisive

By Justin Katz | November 16, 2010 |

With the expectation that it’s a reminder that will often have to be made, over the next four years, let’s note once again that Lincoln Chafee will be running Rhode Island based on the smallest victorious slice of the electorate ever: As the winner of what came down to a four-man race for R.I. governor,…

“I campaigned on it…I can’t go back on a campaign pledge.”

By Marc Comtois | November 15, 2010 |

So says our governor-elect when talking about his pledge to revoke the E-verify Executive order. Hey, he’s honest, right? I guess that means we can be sure that a 1% sales tax increase is coming. Yippee.

Scions United

By Marc Comtois | November 15, 2010 |

As has been reported (I saw it tweeted first by Ian Donnis), governor-elect Chafee has tabbed erstwhile liberal Democrat political insider–lobbyist, Chairman of the Board of NARAL—Richard Licht (h/t Ted Nesi for the link to Licht’s bio) to head up the Department of Administration. The liberalness isn’t a surprise, but lest we forget, there is…

Incoming Gen Treas Raimondo: Psych! I’m Not Releasing My Tax Returns

By Monique Chartier | November 14, 2010 |

General Treasurer candidate Gina Raimondo had refused to release her tax returns during the campaign but indicated that she would do so if elected. And she reaffirmed to a ProJo reporter just last week that she would do so. Oops. State Treasurer-elect Gina M. Raimondo on Thursday refused to release her income-tax returns after promising…

Mo’ Money by Default

By Justin Katz | November 13, 2010 |

Marc’s already splashed into the political hay of the issue, but we should take a moment to look more directly at the raises received by Rhode Island’s top office holders: The salaries go up only once every four years and when they do, they reflect the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast region for the…

An Administration in Review

By Justin Katz | November 13, 2010 |

Conservative Rhode Islanders haven’t been shy about criticizing Governor Don Carcieri. His tendency to spin the state’s financial health in a positive light has been tinny on the ear. The Deepwater Wind process has been a travesty. I’m even very suspicious of the recent revamping of the state’s tax code. But the governor’s recent op-ed…

Trillo (R) Tried to Entice Block (M) Into Joining the (R)

By Monique Chartier | November 10, 2010 |

On the WPRO Matt Allen (scowling person at top of page) Show tonight, Republican House Rep Joe Trillo revealed that he had tried to persuade Moderate gubernatorial candidate Ken Block to convert to Republicanism, going so far as to offer Block a leadership role in the RIGOP. Mr. Block declined and went on to garner…

What a difference: Chafee versus Christie

By Donald B. Hawthorne | November 10, 2010 |

RI governor-elect Chafee. NJ governor Christie. Night and day. Prepare yourself for the next generation of Kremlin-style lies from the RI NEA and recall how Anchor Rising publicly destroyed their lies several years ago in East Greenwich – here and here. ADDENDUM #1: More Christie here, here, here, and here. You just have to watch…

The Transition to Reinvigorated Decline

By Justin Katz | November 10, 2010 |

Bob Walsh is on Governor-elect Lincoln Chafee’s transition team? National Education Association Rhode Island Executive Director Bob Walsh is preparing the way for Rhode Island’s next governor? Boy, they (you know whom I mean) aren’t even trying to hide it anymore. Two hyperbolic scenarios arise in my imagination. In the first, a simpering Chafee begs,…