RI Political Corruption

A water drop and ripples

We’re being governed by a deliberately toxic and wasteful bureaucracy.

By Justin Katz | November 4, 2024 |

I’ve fallen way behind, so this tweet from Ken Block is a couple months old, but its content is (unfortunately) timeless in Rhode Island: The picture being painted for me by over ten current and former DOT employees is a toxically managed organization where who you know is far more important than how you do…

A water drop and ripples

The point of government seems to be as a way to make politicians feel like celebrities.

By Justin Katz | September 13, 2024 |

It’s a passing thought, of course, but Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee’s mild lament that a State House celebration of a basketball trophy is happening during school hours bugs me.  Somehow, it emphasizes the point that our government officials see the well-being of children — of all regular Rhode Islanders, for that matter — as…

A machine with its screws coming loose

Politics This Week: Increasing Signs of Systemic Failure

By Justin Katz | September 9, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz review the latest signs that Rhode Island’s bolts are loosening.

A water drop and ripples

A Warwick Schools moving contract provides a lesson in RI’s multiple layers of corruption.

By Justin Katz | August 21, 2024 |

On its surface, the controversy looks obvious.  I mean, the guy winning the no-bid contract had a relative in the relevant office of the school department: Astro of New England, a different moving company, first raised issues with the bidding process after Astro owner Chuck Lamendola said he noticed Jada had been awarded work in…

Two boys walk through a surreal circus

Politics This Week: In Search of Themes

By Justin Katz | August 19, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz decipher the themes of state and national politics.

Elites stand on a people pyramid

Politics This Week: Who RI Works For

By Justin Katz | August 5, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz talk about who benefits (and who doesn’t) from recent items in the news.

A circle of people exchanges cash secretly

Politics This Week: The Favor Exchange in Dem RI

By Justin Katz | July 29, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz review recent political talk in Rhode Island.

A young man smiles as somebody falls out the window

Politics This Week: The One Area of Democrat Coordination

By Justin Katz | July 24, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz discuss the areas in which state and national Democrats are able to succeed.

A crowd mocks a mismatched boy while not noticing people getting away with things

Politics This Week: What People Don’t Care About

By Justin Katz | June 11, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz put a spotlight on the aspects of controversies that nobody seems to notice.

A zombie politician speechifies

Politics This Week: Governed by Corruption

By Justin Katz | June 4, 2024 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz marvel at the built-in corruption at the state and federal levels.