June 30, 2016

State sponsored stupidity

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No Nicholas Mattiello — Why is this man running our state?

Are you sick of living in an anointed dictatorship?

Every year the General Assembly rolls out some boneheaded decisions that we get to live with. This year “The Most Powerful Politician in the State” lost control of the wheel, declaring that the General Assembly had reached a “point of no return” and had to stay up all night blindly passing bills.

Why our legislators put up with giving up their power, swearing fealty and kissing the ring of anyone is beyond my ken.

Here’s a brief look at some of the foolishness…

$7.8 million in tax breaks for Ocean State Job Lot

The short version: because of the impending and yet unimplemented because there’s an election coming truck toll tax that will put a blight of gantries across our state, we taxpayers just gave Job Lot a whole bunch of money to stay put. This includes a $3.2 million job creation package over 10 years that gives Job Lot $7,500/year per new employee hired. Tat works out to $625/month per employee per job that we’re paying to create jobs. Whoo hoo! Let’s grow the economy. By the way, with a population of about 1 million, that means we’re each paying $7 to Job Lot, whether we shop there or not.

Beach Pass Cost Cuts

Who doesn’t like going to the beach and spending less money? Me—if the money from the beach passes was going to make sure that the beaches were kept pristine and beautiful, and to pay the life guards and crews. Yes, it’s nice to pay only $30 as a resident, but the fact that the law doesn’t take effect immediately means that the DEM had to come up with a whole “Season Pass Credit” refund procedure.

Even worse, we lowered the seasonal beach pass for out of state folk from $120 to $60 and the daily rate for tourists dropped from $28 to $14. Really? You mean that having tourists pay less to go to our awesome beaches is a good thing? Anyone who’d rather save $14 than go to East Matunuck deserves a beach vacation in Connecticut. Are we trying to curry favor with the cheapskate tourists?

$100,000 to Protect Mattiello’s Interests

Yes, $100,000 of our tax dollars are going to fight an ACLU Lawsuit which argues that prisoners at the ACI shouldn’t count as voters in Mattiello’s district, because they can’t vote there. In other words, our Anointed Dictator, who has amassed a huge campaign war chest because he’s such a great guy, actually needs fewer votes to get elected than every other legislator in the state.

Providence to Newport Ferry… Starting… NOW!

All of a sudden it seems that there’s going to be a Providence to Newport Ferry. This year. Starting July 1 the 45-60 minute trip will cost $10 each way and $20 round trip. This is very, very cool.

What’s a little bit odd, in my opinion, is that we’re taking $500,000 in funding from the US Department of Transportation, passing it through the RI DOT, and paying the Seastreak company to run the service. Are any profits from the service (and its bar) rolling back into to the state coffers? According to the Providence Journal, the state hasn’t set any ridership targets, so we won’t know if it’s successful or not.

In a state that’s trying to promote tourism, having this information out and available when tourists began making plans in say February or even June would have been a nifty idea. The website wasn’t even up last week, but now it says that there’s going to be “Complimentary shuttle bus service between the Providence train station, convention center, downtown, and the Providence to Newport ferry terminal.” Also, the last ferry leaves Providence at 6pm or Newport at 7:15, so nobody’s going to be staying for dinner…

It’s a nice idea, but the last-minute execution could be cooler. Or warmer.

June 30, 2016July 1, 2016

Deborah Ruggiero seeking re-election in House District 74

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Rep. Deborah Ruggiero announced today she plans to seek re-election to the House of Representatives.

“I’m honored to serve on behalf of my friends and neighbors in Jamestown and Middletown as their strong and articulate voice at the State House. My work on the 4 E’s — environment, economy, education and the elderly — has resonated in all of my legislative priorities including the Renewable Energy Program, the Rhode Island Safe School Act, and working for additional funding for our seniors,” says Representative Ruggiero, “I take my job as advocate very seriously and make sure that the needs of Jamestown and Middletown are addressed by the state. It’s about listening and being responsive. I would be honored to continue the work I’ve started, with the support of the voters of Jamestown and Middletown.”

Representative Ruggiero, a Democrat, was first elected in 2008 as the representative from District 74 in Jamestown and Middletown. A Deputy Majority Leader, this year she became the chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee. She serves as a member of the House Finance Committee and is the chairwoman of its Subcommittee on Environment and Transportation. She is also the co-chairwoman of the Special Legislative Commission on Defense Economy Planning.

Representative Ruggiero has championed legislation assisting the agricultural and seafood communities, improving home care patient rights, expanding renewable energy opportunities and supporting economic development at Rhode Island’s ports. She co-chaired the Joint Port Facilities Study Commission, which developed several recommendations to help the state’s economy.

As chairperson of the Small Business Renewable Energy Commission, she helped enact several comprehensive renewable energy laws to help reduce dependency on fossil fuels. She has sponsored numerous renewable energy laws, including several encouraging distributed generation. This week the governor signed into law legislation she sponsored to create third-party financing and virtual net metering for affordable housing, creating jobs in the clean energy sector and increasing renewable energy.

In 2014, she co-chaired the task force that studied the nexus of mental health laws and gun rights following the 2012 Newtown, Conn., school shooting and sponsored the resulting law requiring Rhode Island to submit more data to the national database used to screen gun purchases. Representative Ruggiero was the sponsor of the Safe Schools Act, Rhode Island’s anti-bullying law. She also sponsored legislation to remove regulations on small businesses.

In 2012, the Rhode Island State Nurses Association named her “Legislator of the Year” for her approach to health care issues. In 2011, the YWCA Northern Rhode Island recognized her as “a rising political star.”

Aside from her legislative duties, she is president of DR Communications Group, an advertising and marketing company. The native Rhode Islander is the creator and host of the award-winning radio show, “Amazing Women,” that highlights Rhode Island women that make a difference. She is also a member of Save the Bay and Jamestown Rotary. A resident of Jamestown, she holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. She’s an avid golfer and loves to cook.

“I plan to keep working hard to serve the needs of Jamestown and Middletown, to help create thoughtful policy that brings jobs, prosperity and sustainability to our whole state, and to deserve the trust of the people of District 74. I look forward to speaking with many citizens during this election season, and as always, I welcome all residents to contact me if they would like to talk about any topic. I love campaigning. It’s an enjoyable way to speak with constituents and engage in good conversations on important issues. It’s how I learn what people want me to work and vote on, and that input is pivotal to my work,” said Representative Ruggiero.

[From a press release]

June 30, 2016

Vincent Marzullo running for Pat Morgan’s House 26 seat

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Vincent Marzullo has served in a variety of government positions – for the State of Rhode Island, Essex County, NJ – and for 31 years with the federal government as the RI Director of the Corporation for National & Community Service.

During the 70’s and early 80’s, Vin was the RI Employment & Training Director, trained thousands of Rhode Islanders for Electric Boat Co. and administered the largest public service employment (PSE) program in the state’s history (4000 workers in state/local government and non-profit agencies) – and served in a similar capacity for Essex County, NJ.

As the head of the federal volunteerism agency for RI, Vin had daily responsibility for AmeriCorps*VISTA – the domestic Peace Corps, working with hundreds of non-profits, community development groups & various government entities; and was responsible for more than 4,000 senior corps volunteers that participate in the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions.

Vin has served as Admissions Director at St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn, a 6th grade teacher at a parochial school in Riverhead, NY, and was a partner in a research & development solar energy company when alternate energy was a promising job generator during the early 1980’s. In the 1982 RI General Election, Vin was the Republican Candidate for Governor and in 1978 he was a Democratic Candidate for Lt. Governor. Vin was a delegate to the RI Constitutional Convention in 1986.

Vin currently serves on the Board of Directors of PGE Federal Credit Union – a non profit credit union for federal & postal workers (almost 3500 members). While in federal service, Vin chaired for 12 years the RI Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) for federal workers – the world’s largest workplace giving program – raising more than $8 million during that period. Vin’s local involvement has been as a member of the West Warwick Pension Board from 1995-99 and again during 2011-13, advocating for greater transparency, improved investment performance, and better scrutiny of disability pensions. In addition, Vin served as the President of the West Warwick Babe Ruth League from 1986-92.

A Brooklyn, NY native who has been living in West Warwick for the past 34 years, Vin graduated from Providence College and attended the Manpower Institute (1973) at Harvard University. Recently retired from federal service, Vin and his wife, Josephine (a MET Life retiree), are the proud parents of 2 children: Amanda Wilmouth and Michael Marzullo and the grandparent to a granddaughter: Reese Wilmouth.

[From a press release]

June 30, 2016

Cale Keable seeking re-election in Burrillville

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Cale Keable announced today he is seeking election to the Rhode Island House of Representatives serving the people of Burrillville and Glocester.

“Now, more than ever, Burrillville and Glocester need a strong voice in the General Assembly,” said Cale. “The proposed power plant threatens the very fabric of our town. We fought tooth and nail to give the people a say. I will continue to be a voice for residents – not special interests.”

A Chicago company has submitted an application to the State to build a 1000-megawatt, fracked gas power plant in the heart of Burrillville’s village of Pascoag. Led by Cale’s opponent, the Burrillville Town Council recently opposed state legislation that would have subjected the tax treaty between the Burrillville Town Council and Invenergy’s power plant to local voter referendum.

“Cale Keable has been standing shoulder-to-shoulder with residents in fierce opposition to the proposed power plant,” said Jason Olkowski, who lives in Harrisville. “Burrillville needs a representative who has listened to our concerns and protects our interests. Other communities across the country have not had such vocal or visible support from their elected officials. Cale has established himself as both a leader and an advocate for our town. We are fortunate to have his leadership in the House of Representatives.”

Cale has chaired the House Judiciary Committee since 2014. Under his stewardship, the committee has passed an unprecedented series of government reforms: elimination of the master lever, comprehensive campaign finance reform, lobbying reform and a proposed amendment to the state’s constitution to bring the legislature within the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission.

“Our Judiciary Committee has implemented a pro-reform agenda that will restore public confidence in government and ensure that corruption is held accountable,” said Cale.

Cale has also fought to bring resources and tax relief to Burrillville and Glocester. Last year, he voted to reduce the state’s minimum corporate tax, eliminate sales tax on businesses’ utility bills, and create a new jobs tax incentive program. This year, he strongly supported the Administrative Procedures Act that overhauled the state’s regulatory framework. Cale has also passed legislation to ease resident interaction with government. Residents can now apply for hunting licenses online and Burrillville polls will now open at 7 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.

“In the wake of the Great Recession, Burrillville entrepreneurs and small businesses need all the help they can get,” said Cale. “For two years, we have worked to build a better business climate that reduces government’s burden on Burrillville small businesses.”

Cale has fought hard to combat the state’s opioid crisis. He cosponsored the state’s “Good Samaritan Act,” which exempts from liability and provides immunity to individuals who seek assistance when someone is overdosing. Cale also supported bills to further regulate the prescription of opioids, improve emergency room response to overdoses, and require insurance companies to continue coverage of inpatient substance abuse programs.

Cale was born and raised in Burrillville where he proudly attended its public schools. He graduated summa cum laude from Providence College with a bachelor’s degree in economics and history in 1998. Cale received his juris doctorate from Harvard Law School in 2001. He now works as an attorney at the law firm of Partridge Snow & Hahn. Cale, a two time kidney transplant survivor, serves as board member for the New England Organ Bank and is a former board member of the Industrial Foundation of Burrillville as well as Burrillville Schools Alumni Education Foundation Inc. Cale is married to Colleen (Foley) and they live in Pascoag with their two dogs Bonnie and Clyde.

[From a press release]

June 30, 2016July 1, 2016

Cicilline, Langevin on historic House floor sit-in for gun safety

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After leading a sit-in-styled event at the Providence Public Safety Complex yesterday, Rhode Island congressmen David Cicilline and Jim Langevin talked to RI Future about the direct action sit-in on the House floor last week and how it helped changed the debate on gun safety in Rhode Island.

“Sometimes you have to break the rules to stand up for something really important,” said Cicilline, who predicted the Democrats will eventually get the Republicans to vote on the ‘no fly, no buy’ gun safety bill they are angling for. “Sometimes these fights require finding a way to get in the way. Sometimes it’s the only way you can both bring attention and galvanize people to move forward and make change.”

Langevin called the sit-in, “among the most meaningful, impactful and inspiring days of my entire time in Congress. We are demanding a vote and we are not going to go away until we get one.”

If you couldn’t make it to the yesterday, here’s the video of the entire event, which also featured Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steve Pare, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, representatives Aaron Regunberg and Teresa Tanzi as well as several others.