RI Political Corruption

A water drop and ripples

McKee’s absolution shows it’s time to disband the Ethics Commission.

By Justin Katz | February 5, 2024 |

This is how appeals to the Ethics Commission often end, these days: From personal experience, I can testify that the Ethics Commission combines the gradual accretion of ethical allowances with the possibility that the commission will completely disregard its precedence to suit its preferences of the moment.  Thus, it tends toward increasing permissiveness with a…

Reporter shocked at 19th Century public meeting

A Central Landfill meeting gives a sense of what’s being lost from media.

By Justin Katz | January 11, 2024 |

Considering how frequently I criticize professional journalists, I may too infrequently convey how powerful I think their role can (and should) be.  A recent Johnson Sunrise article by Rory Schuler, about the resignation/retirement of Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) Executive Directo Joseph Reposa, is an excellent example of what we’re losing.  Without making a gooey…

A water drop and ripples

The government insider merry-go-round.

By Justin Katz | January 4, 2024 |

John DePetro and I discussed this a few weeks ago, but the topic is worth a short, written note, too, because the vignette presents too perfect a lesson: While tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders were stuck in traffic for upwards of three to four hours, Governor Dan McKee was attending a political fundraiser for…

A man in a suit starts a fire against a government building

Politics This Week: RI Moves Further into Thugocracy

By Justin Katz | November 20, 2023 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz discuss the deteriorating civic structure of Rhode Island.

A glowing child emerges in the midst of a crowd of crazed monsters

Politics This Week: Reality Begins to Peek Through the Madness in New England

By Justin Katz | November 6, 2023 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz find evidence across multiple issues that truth is beginning to break through Democrats’ wall of unity.

The word, "vote," on puppet strings

Rhode Island should study Ana Quezada’s fabulous mail ballot results. (Updated)

By Justin Katz | October 3, 2023 |

State Senator Ana Quezada was a stand-out recipient of mail ballots, with surprisingly targeted support in specific precincts that didn’t spread into in-person votes as should have been expected.

A machine with its screws coming loose

Politics This Week: Loose Screws on the Insider Machine

By Justin Katz | October 2, 2023 |

John DePetro and Justin Katz watch as the insider machine becomes increasingly obvious.

A water drop and ripples

Rhode Island should just cancel the lone, last-minute Congressional debate.

By Justin Katz | September 29, 2023 |

I mean, what’s the point? Not only has Secretary of State Gregg Amore already publicly proclaimed Amo the winner, but by the time of this debate it’s likely more than 30% of all ballots will already have been cast. Let’s cut to the chase.  Instead of an election, Rhode Island might as well have a…

A water drop and ripples

Under no circumstances should education programs become corrupt slush funds.

By Justin Katz | September 27, 2023 |

The story has moved on since I made a note to highlight this, but it remains an important point, particularly because suggested by a Republican: Mayor Kenneth Hopkins is on the defense after three City Council members voiced strong concerns about the city potentially using its $6-million share of Gov. Dan McKee’s “Learn365RI” money to…

Mail ballot envelope

What did McKee pay Holly $1,500 a month for during the election?

By Justin Katz | July 19, 2023 |

Kathy Gregg reports in the Providence Journal that the person who collected the nomination signatures for Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos’s congressional run that are being scrutinized as fraudulent in multiple communities is Holly Cekala McClaren, who is the Holly with the (found to be exaggerated) Rhode Island accent in Governor Dan McKee’s dark and disgusting “you’re…