Unions

Gavel with a speech bubble

RI unions have gotten away with implied intimidation for too long.

By Justin Katz | December 2, 2021 |

Here’s an interesting section from William Jacobson’s running notes from the Rhode Island Superior Court hearing in the case of the National Education Association of Rhode Island and Nicole Solas: The court then moved onto that anti-SLAPP portion of the case. Union attorney says Solas didn’t present evidence of bad faith or motive of harassment.…

Perseverance sign at E-Cubed Academy

What does a double-timing Providence principal tell us about that job in Rhode Island?

By Justin Katz | December 1, 2021 |

News about former Providence principal Michael Redmond, and the fact that for a period of time he was working full time (during the same hours) for both the school district of Providence and the Washington, D.C., school district (remotely), has been broadly reported in Rhode Island.  Unfortunately, the public debate falls quickly into the lines that divide…

Bob Walsh talks on A Lively Experiment 11/12/21

Walsh gives away the game for the local media and his union.

By Justin Katz | November 26, 2021 |

Referring to an appearance by National Education Association of Rhode Island director Bob Walsh on A Lively Experiment, Erika Sanzi plainly describes a reality of local media. Walsh’s offending claim was that Nicole Solas shouldn’t call herself a “stay-at-home mom” when she’s “in a different community at a different school committee meeting screaming at the top…

A water drop and ripples

Biden chooses union support over protecting children.

By Justin Katz | November 24, 2021 |

Stephen Green refers to this policy change as “the Pedophile Protection Act”: Joe Biden’s Department of Education is seeking to roll back a Trump-era effort to collect data on teacher-on-student sex crimes. “The department’s Office for Civil Rights will not ask school districts questions regarding teacher-on-student sexual assault allegations as part of its 2021-2022 Civil…

A man with a mirror mask

Politics This Week with John DePetro: A Revealing Week

By Justin Katz | November 22, 2021 |

John and Justin cover lots of ground in this content-rich discussion of political news in the Ocean State.

A water drop and ripples

Bob Walsh’s view on $3,000 bonuses for government worker vaccination is a perfect example.

By Justin Katz | November 22, 2021 |

Bob Walsh, the head of the National Education Association of Rhode Island teachers union, perfectly illustrates the problem with so much insider thinking in the Ocean State with this comment: Perspective: If you supported the extra $600 per week that unemployed workers received during the pandemic but are critical of a $3000 stipend (less than…

A water drop and ripples

Unnecessary, ineffective vaccine payments to special interests is what government does.

By Justin Katz | November 19, 2021 |

Look, nobody should be surprised that Governor Dan McKee’s administration has apparently agreed to give members of state employees’ biggest labor union $3,000 for full vaccination status.  That’s how this works.  If you’re in the private sector, government gives you the choice of being vaccinated or losing your job.  If you’re in the public sector,…

Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi

How about it, Mayor Picozzi? Will you seek restitution for theft?

By Justin Katz | November 16, 2021 |

Stalwart taxpayer advocate Rob Cote of Warwick has issued an open letter to the mayor of that city, Frank Picozzi: Dear Mayor, To keep you informed on the continuing Warwick Fire Department theft scandal. On Tuesday morning 11/16/21 at 9 am, former council president Steve Merolla will take a plea deal with the RI Ethics…

RI Senate Oversight hearing on Providence Schools

Mark the General Assembly down with the teachers union as unserious about Providence students.

By Justin Katz | November 4, 2021 |

These two paragraphs from Steph Machado’s WPRI report on a Senate Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight Committee’s hearing concerning the state takeover of Providence schools convey the most-important information, with the rest describing superficial political performance: Zack Scott, the deputy superintendent of operations, told the Senate committee Wednesday only nine departing teachers had responded to…

Union head Maribeth Calabro tweets teacher complaints

The attitude of Providence public school employees proves failing students will continue.

By Justin Katz | November 2, 2021 |

In June 2019 — two and a half years ago, when Rhode Island students now in their senior years were finishing their freshman years — the Institute for Education Policy at Johns Hopkins School of Education published a ground-shaking report on systemic failure in the Providence public school system.  The first “challenge” the authors emphasized…