Rhode Island Politics

Re: Federal Judgeships and Campaign Contributions – Two Completely Unrelated Items?

By Carroll Andrew Morse | April 14, 2009 |

For those inclined to throw their hands up in the air and say “dat’s the way da game is played” in response to the appointment of Jack McConnell to a Federal District Court judgeship, take a moment to remember that before he was a Senator with direct influence on judicial appointments, Sheldon Whitehouse joined an…

Federal Judgeships and Campaign Contributions – Two Completely Unrelated Items?

By Monique Chartier | April 13, 2009 |

Kudos to John Mulligan and the Providence Journal for shining some light on the nice chunk of change that proposed federal judge John McConnell has contributed to his political sponsors. The McConnells [John and his wife Sara Shea] gave $8,800 to Reed’s reelection campaign. They gave $3,000 to reelect Rep. James R. Langevin and $4,600…

Yeah. The Candidate of “Fiscal Responsibility”

By Justin Katz | April 13, 2009 |

All one needs to know about Lincoln Chafee and his pending run for governor (including his status as a garden-variety left-wing Democrat) is revealed in this: The Republican-turned-Independent Chafee has been out and about seeking support from George Nee, secretary-treasurer of the state AFL-CIO, among others. Late last week, Nee said he had lunch with…

House Judiciary Committee – Hearings of Interest Today

By Monique Chartier | April 8, 2009 |

At the Rise of the House, 4:30-ish, in Room 313 at the State House. (True, all bills and resolutions before the General Assembly are of interest!) House Bill No. 5298 BY Palumbo, Corvese, Malik, Gablinske, Jacquard ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT – THE RHODE ISLAND TAXPAYER AND CITIZEN PROTECTION ACT OF…

“What Do We Need to Do to Get Out of This Mess?”

By Justin Katz | April 8, 2009 |

If you’re available on the morning of Saturday the 25th, you might consider joining me in North Kingstown, as a member of the the audience of Operation Clean Government’s spring public affairs forum, which is intended to probe “the RI fiscal train wreck.” There’s a breakfast beforehand, at 8:45 a.m., with the main event being…

2009 Supplemental Budget: Gov Refuses to Sign

By Monique Chartier | April 7, 2009 |

… nor will he veto it. Citing the absence in the budget of statutory pension reforms which are absolutely necessary to ensure sustainability Governor Carcieri has returned H5019 Sub A to the General Assembly, permitting it to become law without his signature. Additionally, his letter to the G.A., available

Chafee Likely to Run for Governor

By Marc Comtois | April 7, 2009 |

Ian Donnis has been admirably ferreting out hints for a while and now the ProJo has a story about it, so I suppose we should mention the likely entrance of former Senator Chafee into the Governor’s race. There.

Anchor Rising’s Top 10 Right-of-Center Rhode Islanders: On the Cusp

By Justin Katz | April 6, 2009 |

What’s particularly interesting about compiling a ranking of Rhode Islanders on the right is that there turned out to be such a close grouping that most of the list is subject to change with ease: Joe Trillo’s run for governor will surely increase his prominence and, therefore, his ability to affect the news cycle. Harry…

AFT Flyer: Find the Fib

By Monique Chartier | April 4, 2009 |

This flyer, in PDF form, urged the removal from the FY2009 budget of those articles which would have bestowed much needed management tools (i.e., lifted costly mandates) on cities and towns. Sent to several state legislators, it apparently did the trick as the matter has been pushed off to FY 2010. There is a major…

Loughlin in a Rat-a-tat-tat

By Justin Katz | April 4, 2009 |

There seemed to be something different about the pacing of Newsmakers, last week, when Rep. John Loughlin was on. The questions came at a rapid-fire-pace. I think John did well, in that environment, although his answer didn’t quite address what I would have liked to hear on the (now moot) question of delaying the financial…