Self-Government
We’ve said this around here, well, forever. Justin even gave it a shot in Tiverton and exposed the depth of depravity of the true political insiders. But that the road can be tough shouldn’t dissuade conservatives and moderates from seeking elected office and making some local change. As Stephen Kruiser writes: It’s important for more…
Today: September 11, global change, evolution, economics, 17th amendment, gold standard, and a boughten electorate… all to a purpose.
1. The major national story is that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker won his recall election, 53%-46% despite substantial efforts to unseat him from organized labor groups who oppose the budget and collective bargaining reforms he has spearheaded. The real message here is that there are still many Americans who don’t like to be told that…
Andrew did an excellent job summarizing RISC’s Winter Meeting, this morning. I was trying to follow along with the comments from the other side of the room, where I was doing the same thing from near the press table. If you’re interested in even more post-live liveblogging of the event, I think I might be…
[9:16] Good morning, from the Rhode Island Statewide Coalititon Winter Meeting, where a panel discussion on municipal finance in Rhode Island has been convened. Panel members are Woonsocket Mayor Leo Fontaine, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, Central Falls Receiver Robert Flanders, and the multi-titled Gary Sasse. [9:18] Central Falls Receiver Flanders is the moderator, and introducing…
Central Falls Receiver Robert Flanders certainly cannot be faulted for not responding to inquiries in a timely fashion… Q1: You have been quoted on the Buddy Cianci radio show as saying that some sitting Rhode Island Mayors should approach the state government and ask to become the receivers for their cities. Is this indeed a…
Yesterday was the second consecutive day on which Buddy Cianci, during his WPRO (630AM) radio show, referenced an earlier interview with Central Falls Receiver Robert Flanders, where Receiver Flanders had apparently suggested that Rhode Island Mayors could deal with their fiscal problems by approaching the state and having themselves appointed receivers of their own communities.…
I ask, because it’s really hard to tell from the way the issue of the overnight parking ban played out. In December, Central Falls Receiver Robert Flanders “approved” an ordinance imposing a fine for overnight parking in Central Falls scheduled to take effect this month (though Senator Agostinho Silva’s press releases on the matter have…
Rhode Island’s Director of Revenue provided a simple explanation to Projo reporters John Hill and Bryan Rourke about why the state has suspended municipal democracy in East Providence: It was necessary to make a “statement to Wall Street” to help East Providence get loans…The appointment of a state budget commission with complete financial control of…
If you think that suspension of democracy justified on fiscal grounds will only be a small scale phenomenon occassionally affecting a municipality here and there, think again. From the Daily Telegraph (h/t Walter Russell Mead)…An intrusive European body with the power to take over the economies of struggling nations should be set up to tackle…