Rhode Island Politics
I suppose this Projo editorial opposing the newly legislated board for statewide health insurance benefits for teachers is better late than never, but the editors continue to keep two and two from being joined: Obviously, Rhode Island can do much better than rushing through a new system whereby a panel of special interests reward themselves…
Apparently, we’re supposed to believe that it’s a net good to be spending more taxpayer dollars on pensions because it’s good for the economy: While several speakers were telling the House Finance Committee last week that cities and towns were spending too much on employee pensions, another, representing public school teachers argued that the state…
A quick skim of Rhode Island’s General Laws didn’t reveal anything to contradict what Providence fire fighter union head Paul Doughty says, here, although through the finger pointing and blame shifting of Rhode Island politics, the perception that he’s incorrect is probably widespread: “There’s no requirement in state law, in state rules, or anywhere that…
Ed Achorn makes a familiar observation when he writes: Ocean State politicians have long supported a two-tiered society in which there is a privileged class of public employees — about one in six workers in Rhode Island two years ago, probably a higher percentage today — and an underprivileged class of private-sector drones. We should…
As though anticipating former Senator Chafee’s answer to WPRO’s Matt Allen, Matt just asked about whether the unions will have to give more concessions. Seeming to ignore the public/private sector distinction, Chafee said — unbelievably — “Everybody’s in the same boat, here.” in his column Tuesday, Ed Achorn enumerates the ways that we are not.…
Even without taking up the debate about Rhode Island’s flat tax, a press release announcing legislation to eliminate it, sponsored by Rep. Helio Melo (D, East Providence), illustrates why Rhode Island’s economy will go nowhere until there’s massive turnover in the state house: “The flat-tax was championed as a way to attract employers to our…
Under Marc’s post, Roland observes anyone in office will and can make mistakes but it’s important to catch them before they’re carved in stone such as [Rep John] Loughlin catching himself Indeed. This is an approach that needs to be extended to the newly legislated teachers’ health insurance board. Every legislator who voted to override…
The following correction (initially made Saturday morning) is sufficiently important that I’ve bumped this post so that it is not diluted by the lightened weekend readership. CORRECTION: Although readers may offer partial mitigation based on the fact that Rhode Island’s method of providing legislators’ votes is not exactly helpful when it comes to pre-dawn data…
Is it me or does everything about the Chip Hoyas check scheme story make him the perfect poster child for Rhode Island political corruption? Sure, the most damaging corruption in the state is entirely legal, but Hoyas’s shadow amply covers that, as well: The obese political insider, pathetically sunken into a gambling addiction by those…
I take it that Monique is responding to later segments of Dan Yorke’s Thursday interview with Warwick’s Republican mayor, Scott Avedisian (audio here). This is the very first exchange in the interview: Dan Yorke: What is your position on the governor’s race, what are you going to be doing with your friend, Linc Chafee, and…