June 2016 – Page 3

June 21, 2016

RI legislators not returning illegal campaign donations

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Despite the NRA paying a record fine for making illegal campaign donations to Rhode Island politicians, to date, not one current office holder in the state has seen fit to return the money.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) was fined by the RI Board of Elections for funneling illegal donations to RI politicians, including House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President M Teresa Paiva-Weed. One estimate puts the total amount of contributions at over $160,000, over a 10 year period from 2004 to 2014. Due to the detective work of Sam Bell, executive director of the Rhode Island Progressive Democrats of America, the NRA was fined $63,000 and the NRA’s Rhode Island PAC was formally dissolved.

Technically, any money received by any candidate in Rhode Island that comes from the NRA Political Victory Fund PAC before January 2014 was illegal. That doesn’t mean that it’s a crime to keep the money after the fact, and it’s likely that the politicians did not know that the campaign donations were illegal before Bell made his case.

That said, the bottom line is that the money these politicians accepted from the NRA is tainted, and the influence this money has on our General Assembly can be felt acutely when observing the legislature in action.

Are you still wondering why our General Assembly can’t seem to pass common sense gun control legislation?

Between 2004 and 2014, House Speaker Nick Mattiello received $2,975 from the NRA. All these donations appear to be illegal, tainted contributions. The Speaker has kept every penny. Seventeen other representatives have also taken thousands of dollars.

Joseph McNamara is the head of the RI Democratic Party, the same party whose national platform calls for banning assault weapons and strengthening gun laws to prevent violence. McNamara accepted $700 in illegal NRA contributions over the years.

During the same 10 year period, Senate President M Teresa Paiva-Weed has accepted, and kept, what appears to be $6,075 in illegal contributions from the NRA. Seventeen other senators took illegal NRA cash, including Senate Majority Leader Domenic Ruggerio, who raked in $3350 and Senate Judiciary Chair Michael McCaffrey, whose committee handles every bill about guns that comes to the Senate, to the tune of$3500.

Rep Jan Malik, who was recently challenged by his primary opponent Jason Knight to return his illegal donations, took $1075. On the last day of the most recent legislative session, Rep Malik voted for a House bill that would have made it easier to get concealed carry permits in RI before changing his vote after the fact.

I went through the campaign finance reports available here, and carefully made a list of all incumbents who have accepted NRA money between 2004 and 2014.

Here’s the list:

In addition to Representatives and Senators, Attorney General Peter Kilmartin has accepted $1150 in illegal donations.

Attorney General KILMARTIN, PETER F   03/30/2004   $200.00
Attorney General KILMARTIN, PETER F   03/07/2006   $250.00
Attorney General KILMARTIN, PETER F   04/27/2007   $200.00
Attorney General KILMARTIN, PETER F   12/31/2009   $200.00
Attorney General KILMARTIN, PETER F   03/04/2009   $300.00

Former Speaker of the House, William Murphy, now a lobbyist, raked in a series of illegal NRA contributions. He now rakes in even more as a lobbyist for gun interests.

Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J   02/05/2004   $500.00
Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J   02/05/2004   $500.00
Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J   04/14/2006   $350.00
Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J   04/27/2007   $1,000.00
Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J   03/31/2005   $875.00
Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J   02/22/2009   $1,000.00
Lobbyist MURPHY, WILLIAM J   01/31/2008   $1,000.00

Representative   MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS   11/05/2006   $250.00
Representative   MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS   04/27/2007   $150.00
Representative   MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS   04/01/2008   $150.00
Representative   MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS   07/06/2010   $450.00
Representative   MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS   04/04/2011   $450.00
Representative   MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS   06/06/2012   $450.00
Representative   MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS   02/13/2013   $800.00
Representative   MATTIELLO, NICHOLAS   05/28/2009   $225.00

Representative   CARNEVALE, JOHN M   06/05/2010   $200.00
Representative   CARNEVALE, JOHN M   04/12/2011   $200.00
Representative   CHIPPENDALE, MICHAEL W   10/15/2012   $500.00
Representative   CORVESE, ARTHUR J   05/08/2004   $300.00
Representative   CORVESE, ARTHUR J   05/16/2005   $300.00
Representative   CORVESE, ARTHUR J   07/11/2006   $300.00
Representative   COSTA, DOREEN MARIE   10/15/2012   $500.00
Representative   DESIMONE, JOHN J   07/08/2004   $150.00
Representative   FELLELA, DEBORAH A   08/20/2006   $250.00
Representative   FELLELA, DEBORAH A   04/27/2007   $100.00
Representative   FELLELA, DEBORAH A   01/12/2010   $150.00
Representative   FELLELA, DEBORAH A   04/12/2011   $200.00
Representative   JACQUARD, ROBERT B   07/19/2004   $300.00
Representative   JACQUARD, ROBERT B   10/20/2004   $500.00
Representative   JACQUARD, ROBERT B   10/12/2006   $350.00
Representative   JACQUARD, ROBERT B   04/12/2011   $200.00
Representative   KENNEDY, BRIAN PATRICK   07/19/2004   $400.00
Representative   KENNEDY, BRIAN PATRICK   08/02/2006   $400.00
Representative   KENNEDY, BRIAN PATRICK   06/11/2009   $400.00
Representative   KENNEDY, BRIAN PATRICK   06/05/2010   $375.00
Representative   KENNEDY, BRIAN PATRICK   04/12/2011   $375.00
Representative   LIMA, CHARLENE       04/06/2004   $300.00
Representative   MACBETH, KAREN       11/01/2009   $100.00
Representative   MACBETH, KAREN       05/27/2010   $200.00
Representative   MACBETH, KAREN       12/08/2011   $200.00
Representative   MALIK, JAN       08/18/2004   $200.00
Representative   MALIK, JAN       11/19/2004   $250.00
Representative   MALIK, JAN       06/29/2005   $225.00
Representative   MALIK, JAN       09/06/2006   $300.00
Representative   MALIK, JAN       06/05/2010   $300.00
Representative   MCNAMARA, JOSEPH   05/26/2004   $200.00
Representative   MCNAMARA, JOSEPH   05/25/2005   $300.00
Representative   MCNAMARA, JOSEPH   06/16/2011   $200.00
Representative   MELO, HELIO       03/10/2010   $225.00
Representative   MELO, HELIO       04/12/2011   $200.00
Representative   NEWBERRY, BRIAN C   11/03/2006   $300.00
Representative   NEWBERRY, BRIAN C   05/29/2009   $150.00
Representative   NEWBERRY, BRIAN C   02/24/2010   $150.00
Representative   NEWBERRY, BRIAN C   06/29/2011   $200.00
Representative   NEWBERRY, BRIAN C   04/15/2013   $250.00
Representative   TRILLO, JOSEPH A   04/02/2004   $100.00
Representative   TRILLO, JOSEPH A   04/05/2004   $500.00
Representative   TRILLO, JOSEPH A   04/06/2004   $200.00
Representative   TRILLO, JOSEPH A   04/07/2004   $100.00
Representative   TRILLO, JOSEPH A   04/22/2004   $150.00
Representative   TRILLO, JOSEPH A   06/29/2005   $200.00
Representative   TRILLO, JOSEPH A   06/15/2006   $300.00
Representative   TRILLO, JOSEPH A   07/24/2007   $300.00
Representative   TRILLO, JOSEPH A   05/17/2008   $300.00
Representative   TRILLO, JOSEPH A   05/29/2009   $300.00
Representative   TRILLO, JOSEPH A   06/05/2010   $300.00
Representative   TRILLO, JOSEPH A   04/12/2011   $200.00
Representative   UCCI, STEPHEN R       11/19/2004   $500.00
Representative   UCCI, STEPHEN R       08/21/2006   $250.00
Representative   UCCI, STEPHEN R       11/02/2006   $200.00
Representative   UCCI, STEPHEN R       07/27/2007   $300.00
Representative   UCCI, STEPHEN R       06/29/2009   $200.00
Representative   UCCI, STEPHEN R       06/29/2009   $200.00
Representative   UCCI, STEPHEN R       06/25/2011   $200.00
Representative   UCCI, STEPHEN R       06/15/2010   $200.00
Representative   WINFIELD, THOMAS J   08/22/2004   $200.00
Representative   WINFIELD, THOMAS J   06/15/2006   $200.00
Representative   WINFIELD, THOMAS J   11/06/2006   $90.00
Representative   WINFIELD, THOMAS J   08/10/2007   $225.00

Senator   PAIVA WEED, M TERESA   02/24/2011   $1,000.00
Senator   PAIVA WEED, M TERESA   02/02/2012   $1,000.00
Senator   PAIVA WEED, M TERESA   08/12/2013   $800.00
Senator   PAIVA WEED, M TERESA   04/22/2004   $375.00
Senator   PAIVA WEED, M TERESA   05/14/2007   $500.00
Senator   PAIVA WEED, M TERESA   05/17/2008   $400.00
Senator   PAIVA WEED, M TERESA   02/11/2009   $1,000.00
Senator   PAIVA WEED, M TERESA   02/24/2010   $1,000.00

Senator   CICCONE III, FRANK A   07/10/2004   $150.00
Senator   CICCONE III, FRANK A   05/25/2005   $225.00
Senator   CICCONE III, FRANK A   06/21/2006   $300.00
Senator   CICCONE III, FRANK A   11/03/2006   $300.00
Senator   CICCONE III, FRANK A   05/07/2007   $300.00
Senator   CICCONE III, FRANK A   04/15/2008   $300.00
Senator   CICCONE III, FRANK A   06/03/2009   $300.00
Senator   CICCONE III, FRANK A   06/12/2010   $300.00
Senator   CICCONE III, FRANK A   06/21/2013   $400.00
Senator   COTE, MARC A       03/23/2004   $200.00
Senator   COTE, MARC A       05/16/2005   $200.00
Senator   COTE, MARC A       06/15/2006   $200.00
Senator   COTE, MARC A       04/16/2008   $200.00
Senator   COTE, MARC A       04/06/2010   $200.00
Senator   DAPONTE, DANIEL       02/24/2010   $200.00
Senator   DAPONTE, DANIEL       04/12/2011   $200.00
Senator   DOYLE II, JAMES E   06/17/2006   $150.00
Senator   DOYLE II, JAMES E   03/31/2008   $300.00
Senator   FELAG JR, WALTER S   07/04/2004   $200.00
Senator   FELAG JR, WALTER S   09/01/2006   $300.00
Senator   FELAG JR, WALTER S   06/15/2008   $300.00
Senator   FELAG JR, WALTER S   03/03/2010   $300.00
Senator   FELAG JR, WALTER S   04/12/2011   $300.00
Senator   FOGARTY, PAUL W       05/13/2004   $100.00
Senator   FOGARTY, PAUL W       07/01/2005   $150.00
Senator   FOGARTY, PAUL W       09/21/2007   $150.00
Senator   FOGARTY, PAUL W       01/10/2008   $150.00
Senator   FOGARTY, PAUL W       06/11/2009   $200.00
Senator   GALLO, HANNA M       06/01/2004   $150.00
Senator   GALLO, HANNA M       05/24/2005   $150.00
Senator   GALLO, HANNA M       05/17/2008   $150.00
Senator   GALLO, HANNA M       08/05/2009   $200.00
Senator   GALLO, HANNA M       04/28/2011   $200.00
Senator   GALLO, HANNA M       04/12/2011   $200.00
Senator   GOODWIN, MARYELLEN   08/16/2004   $150.00
Senator   GOODWIN, MARYELLEN   07/09/2010   $200.00
Senator   GOODWIN, MARYELLEN   05/13/2011   $200.00
Senator   LYNCH PRATA, ERIN P   06/08/2009   $200.00
Senator   LYNCH PRATA, ERIN P   06/10/2010   $200.00
Senator   LYNCH PRATA, ERIN P   04/12/2011   $200.00
Senator   MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J   07/21/2004   $500.00
Senator   MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J   07/21/2005   $750.00
Senator   MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J   08/06/2006   $750.00
Senator   MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J   08/07/2007   $750.00
Senator   MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J   06/24/2008   $750.00
Senator   MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J   06/05/2009   $750.00
Senator   MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J   06/15/2010   $750.00
Senator   MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J   05/20/2011   $750.00
Senator   MCCAFFREY, MICHAEL J   06/28/2013   $400.00
Senator   PICARD, ROGER A       07/19/2004   $200.00
Senator   PICARD, ROGER A       08/03/2005   $200.00
Senator   PICARD, ROGER A       05/15/2006   $250.00
Senator   PICARD, ROGER A       06/20/2009   $300.00
Senator   PICARD, ROGER A       06/12/2010   $150.00
Senator   RAPTAKIS, LEONIDAS P   05/10/2006   $300.00
Senator   RAPTAKIS, LEONIDAS P   07/24/2007   $300.00
Senator   RAPTAKIS, LEONIDAS P   06/30/2008   $300.00
Senator   RAPTAKIS, LEONIDAS P   02/26/2013   $250.00
Senator   RAPTAKIS, LEONIDAS P   07/19/2004   $300.00
Senator   RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J   05/19/2004   $300.00
Senator   RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J   05/25/2005   $300.00
Senator   RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J   05/10/2006   $300.00
Senator   RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J   04/27/2007   $300.00
Senator   RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J   05/17/2008   $300.00
Senator   RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J   02/21/2013   $500.00
Senator   RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J   05/29/2009   $300.00
Senator   RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J   02/24/2011   $450.00
Senator   RUGGERIO, DOMINICK J   02/08/2012   $500.00
Senator   SERPA, PATRICIA A   07/01/2009   $150.00
Senator   SERPA, PATRICIA A   06/05/2010   $150.00
Senator   SERPA, PATRICIA A   07/18/2011   $200.00
Senator   SERPA, PATRICIA A   03/30/2013   $250.00
Senator   SHEEHAN, JAMES C   05/04/2004   $150.00
Senator   SHEEHAN, JAMES C   07/08/2005   $150.00
Senator   SHEEHAN, JAMES C   07/24/2007   $100.00
Senator   SOSNOWSKI, V SUSAN   07/28/2004   $200.00
Senator   SOSNOWSKI, V SUSAN   10/18/2004   $100.00
Senator   SOSNOWSKI, V SUSAN   04/08/2008   $200.00
Senator   SOSNOWSKI, V SUSAN   03/02/2010   $200.00
Senator   SOSNOWSKI, V SUSAN   06/16/2011   $200.00
Senator   WALASKA, WILLIAM A   04/26/2004   $300.00
Senator   WALASKA, WILLIAM A   04/05/2005   $300.00
Senator   WALASKA, WILLIAM A   09/01/2006   $300.00
Senator   WALASKA, WILLIAM A   05/02/2007   $300.00
Senator   WALASKA, WILLIAM A   05/17/2008   $300.00
Senator   WALASKA, WILLIAM A   06/07/2009   $300.00
Senator   WALASKA, WILLIAM A   06/05/2010   $300.00
Senator   WALASKA, WILLIAM A   04/12/2011   $300.00

RI HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE   04/29/2004   $300.00
RI HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE   09/15/2005   $300.00
RI HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE   04/06/2006   $200.00

SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE 04/21/2004 $625.00
SENATE DEMOCRATS 2004 PAC 08/16/2004 $600.00

June 21, 2016June 21, 2016

PVD puts Carnevale’s residency under microscope

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Rep. John Carnevale will have to prove to the Providence Board of Canvassers that he lives in the district he represents. The two-person board of canvassers agreed today that “there is reasonable cause to suggest that John Carnevale … is not in fact eligible to vote,” according to a verbal draft of the resolution compelling the board to investigate the matter further.

Brandon Bell, chairman of the state Republican Party, challenged Carnevale’s residency following a WPRI investigation that showed Carnevale spends significant time at a home he owns in Johnston and rents out the house in Providence where he says he lives. “My basis is really the basis that channel 12 reported on in their investigation,” said Bell.

There isn’t a high bar for Carnevale to prove that he lives in Providence. According to state law, he will need only to prove that he hasn’t voted elsewhere and that his cars, credit cards, bank accounts, insurance, tax filings, any businesses he may own and any criminal record he may have coincide with the Providence address.

Carnevale, who has declined to discuss the allegation, was not at the meeting. It’s unclear if he will have to appear at the subsequent hearing on his voting and candidacy eligibility. That hearing is likely to happen in July, after the deadline to file for candidacy.

A certified letter will be sent to Carnevale alerting him of the proceedings. I asked Claudia Haugen, chairwoman of the board of canvassers, to which address for Carnevale the letter will be sent.

“It would go to, I’m sure, the Providence address,” she said, with a smile.

June 21, 2016

GoLocal’s ‘Panhandler Plague’ piece sparks protest

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GoLocal, a local online news blog, “has a history of dehumanizing stories related to the poor and homeless” said protesters outside the news blog’s downtown offices on Tuesday. The news site’s latest headline, “Panhandling continues to plague Providence”, was too much. They organized a panhandling protest.

What the headline means, says Curtis Pouliot-Alvarez, staff attorney at Rhode Island Center for Justice, is that, “they don’t consider these people human. Instead they’re calling them an illness and a scourge on society.

“The real problem is poverty and the systems that create poverty” said Pouliot-Alvarez, and that’s what needs to be changed.”

Pouliot-Alvarez was joined by Shannah Kurland, a community lawyer at PrYSM and several others in congregating outside the GoLocal offices and asking passersby for money, “to buy GoLocal a heart.”

No one gave any money while I was there, and GoLocal never left their basement offices to talk to the protesters.

2016-06-21 GoLocal Panhandling 009 — Shannah Kurland

2016-06-21 GoLocal Panhandling 001 — Curtis Pouliot-Alvarez

June 20, 2016June 20, 2016

A post-mortem for probation reform

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The Justice Reinvestment reform package died at some point late last Friday night, passing the Senate but never making it out of the Judiciary Committee in the House. This was a surprising conclusion to nearly a year of momentum building around the issue of mass probation and mass incarceration, and is indicative of the uphill battle any criminal justice reform measures face. Even in an era where conversations about prison spending are front and center, substantive reform faces the same ‘tough on crime’ hurdles it always has.

After a landmark effort to bring together all stakeholders to fix what was commonly referred to as a ‘broken’ system, six pieces of legislation emerged in the spring, with all of them eventually passing the Senate. The compromise legislation was already almost unrecognizable from the far more progressive recommendations made to the Justice Reinvestment Working Group by the research and consulting group, the Council of State Governments. However it was ultimately a strong package that reflected a diverse array of interests and promised meaningful change and improvements. The legislation was a testament to the leadership, hard-work, and collaboration by all branches of the government, and spear-headed by the governor, at tackling the third-rail of criminal justice reform. The group also worked hard to incorporate communities that are so highly impacted by these issues, listening to the concerns of criminal justice advocates, the NAACP, and those directly affected.

Much of the language of the bills essentially codified goals for how to best run probation and sentencing. The importance was just as much about demonstrating a set of ideals and priorities to all stakeholders, such as the judiciary, the public defender, and the attorney general, as mandating change. For example, a section on correctional impact statements would require an estimation on the effect on the DOC budget for any relevant future legislation. Such a change would not require legislation to implement, but the goal was to use statute to compel progress. As another example, a provision allowing police to bring a mentally ill individual to treatment instead of jail permits a decision that could be made by a cop on the street any way, but is encouraged by legally formalizing the process. As a result, the failure of the bills is even more of a two-sided coin: on the one hand, many of the goals can still be implemented even without legislation. On the other hand, the death of legislation so modest and restrained indicates a strong opposition to reform.

Had the package only contained these more rhetorical modifications, it may have passed. But at the same time the bills also succeeded in targeting several concrete, important, and seemingly consensus changes that would have substantively reduced correctional spending. Since these provisions were the only ones that ended up receiving any push-back in committee, it seems possible they were what torpedoed the efforts.

These provisions were nowhere near as ambitious as the major policy goals laid out at the start of the process. Most notably, from the beginning of the Justice Reinvestment Working Group, there was conversation about a cap on probation length. This ultimately morphed into an extremely restricted max for a very small set of charge types that was recommended by the Judiciary as part of the new court rules. None of the more impactful ideas made it into the legislative package.

However, some important though widely supported changes aimed at reducing correctional costs did emerge. These included expanding the criteria for medical parole, which would have enabled greater paroled release of sick and dying inmates. Another important change merely gave the parole board more discretion to impose shorter sentences for parole violations, as requested by the board itself. Another provision created a more formal process for the judiciary to choose to divert criminal cases as it saw fit, another very conditional and discretionary form of reform. Perhaps the most progressive bill, Senate Bill 2935, would have reduced the maximum sentences for certain assaults and larcenies by creating a tiered system based on severity. While judges and attorneys naturally take severity into account during sentencing, this legislation would have concretely capped the amount of probation or prison time for less severe versions of the crimes.

In some ways, the decision by the House to not pass the legislation leaves the state, at the moment, back where it was in April, 2015, after the forum on mass incarceration at Roger Williams Law School. At that forum, the members of the entire state criminal justice apparatus spent a day learning about mass incarceration. The hope was each member would feel emboldened to use their discretion to provide a check to the tough on crime mentality that has driven us to this point. With the effort and commitment to reform heralded by the governor, supported by the DOC and Judiciary, and passed by the Senate, that imperative remains stronger than ever.

June 20, 2016

Passage of ethics reform is great news for Rhode Island

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This past week the General Assembly finally passed legislation to give the Ethics Commission jurisdiction over the General Assembly.

That means, come Nov. 8, when you go to vote, there will be a question on your ballot asking you if you want to amend the state constitution to hold your legislators fully accountable to the state Code of Ethics.

Ethics reform was not just a bill, but a journey. While it has taken us six long and arduous years to get ethics reform written into law, I am very pleased that the day has finally arrived.

In a 2009 Supreme Court decision, members of the General Assembly were effectively rendered immune to Ethics Commission jurisdiction and the state Code of Ethics for conduct within their core legislative duties. At that time, the court decided that the Ethics Commission passage was in contradiction to a clause in the constitution guaranteeing legislators free “speech in debate.”

So, the constitution had to be changed.

The six-year work to return the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission over the General Assembly was initiated by my dear friend, the late Sen. Michael Lenihan. Mike knew that integrity matters both personally and publicly. Our government needs to possess integrity in the eyes of the public. People need to have confidence that their government works for them, not just the well-connected.

Humans are imperfect beings. As James Madison famously wrote in the Federalist Papers, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”

We all need rules to check our behavior as well as a mechanism to hold persons accountable for unethical behavior. Re-instituting the state Code of Ethics over members of the General Assembly will encourage members to listen to the better angels of their nature, whose voices remind us all that the nobility of public service resides in placing the common good above self-interest. When lawmakers do this, we are at our best in making a real difference in the lives of others.

This ethics amendment is a good and sound measure. I firmly believe that it will help us restore a modicum of the peoples’ trust in their elected assemblymen and women. In light of recent events, this amendment could not come at a better time.

There will always be the bad actor — the lawmaker with a reckless disregard for the law who perverts the system he or she is sworn to uphold. And no question — when that lawmaker is rooted out, he or she should be shown the same amount of regard that they showed the people of Rhode Island. But since we’re judged by the company we keep, every time it happens, it casts a pall over those who are doing the job honestly and forthrightly.

And that’s why this amendment is so important. It will ensure that someone else — an independent Ethics Commission — will be keeping a close watch on lawmakers, helping to make sure that lawmakers act in the best interest of the public. With that assurance in place, the public can have increased confidence that the members of the General Assembly will address the challenges that lie ahead with a renewed focus on the common good.

Once again, I’d like to thank the people who made this possible, the Senate and House leadership and all my legislative colleagues. And I, of course, urge everyone to vote yes on the ethics amendment on November 8.

June 20, 2016June 20, 2016

Three Democratic challengers to make a run at Burrillville Town Council

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The Burrillville Democratic Town Committee voted unanimously to endorse three candidates for town council. All three oppose the $700 million fracked gas and diesel oil burning power plant proposed for the town by Invenergy and supported by the present town council.

“In all these cases,” said Committee Chairman Stephen Mulcahey, “we have candidates who are committed to opposing the proposed power plant. In addition, these candidates have the experience and capacity to govern past this one issue”.

The three candidates are:

Jim Alix, a retired school counselor (MSW). He and his wife, Kathy, a retired school teacher have been residents of Burrillville for over 30 years. Jim has been an active member of the Burrillville Parks and Rec program as well the Burrillville Extended Care Program.
Michael Dutilly, a career firefighter and union president of the Harrisville Fire Department. Mike is a lifelong resident of Burrillville and a graduate of Burrillville High School. Mike is married and has a newborn baby boy.
Bob Perreault, a multi-generational Burrillville resident. Bob is a retired Zambarano Hospital employee where he spent his career caring for patients. Bob was a Therapeutic Services provider and has a keen sense of empathy for our fellow residents at Zambarano Hospital.

It is thought that Councillors Nancy Binns and Kimberly Brissette Brown will not be seeking re-election. The only councillor up for re-election is Council President John Pacheco. Councillor David Place, not up for re-election, has plans to run for state representative, against Cale Keable. It’s unclear how this race would affect the make up of the Town Council.

A new Burrillville Town Council may come too late to have an impact on the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB)’s decision regarding the plant. Close observers say the current make up of the Town Council supports the plant 4-3, with Stephen Rawson, David Fox, Place and Binns in support and Pacheco, Brissete Brown and Michelle Bouchard against.

At the same meeting, the Burrillville Democratic Town Committee gave its endorsement for reelection to State Senator Paul Fogarty and State Rep. Cale Keable, who made an unsuccessful play in the State House to pass legislation that would give voters in Burrillville the opportunity to vote on any tax treaties the town council negotiates with energy companies in the town. That bill died in the Senate under “curious” conditions.

June 20, 2016

Moms Demand Action presents ‘Under the Gun’

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Please join the RI chapter of Moms Demand Action for a screening of Under the Gun, the new Katie Couric documentary on June 29 at 7pm Providence. Panel discussion to follow.

Special guests include Shannon Watts and Mike the Gun Guy and more.

Space is limited, RSVP required.

You can watch a preview of the movie below:

Rated R.

June 20, 2016June 20, 2016

Wage theft law gets teeth

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Wage theft in Rhode Island may be a much bigger problem than robbery. And, as Steve Ahlquist previously reported, even high profile violators may be getting away with a slap on the wrist with workers left with little recourse.

Thanks to a bill introduced by Representative Shekarchi and Senator Nesselbush, now passed by the House and Senate, that will change upon the Governor’s signature.

In written testimony supporting the bill, the Rhode Island chapter of the Progressive Democrats of America (RIPDA) summarized how the bill makes a difference:

The bill improves the current law in several ways. First, in redefining “employee,” the protected class is broadened to generally include “independent contractors” (minus the groups that have been specifically excluded). Second, it provides for the State to suspend a non-compliant business’ license. Third, it allows employees to recover double damages and attorneys’ fees from a wage-stealing employer.

Not only does this bill deter unscrupulous employers from stealing from employees with suspension of a business’ license, but, for those who are deprived of their rightful wages, the bill gives a real solution. Instead of merely filing with the Department of Labor and Training, employees will be able to sue directly and recover twice as much as was stolen from them. Attorneys are encouraged to take meritorious cases — if successful, the employee’s lawyer is entitled to be paid by the employer.

The most financially vulnerable among us are targets of wage theft. The biggest challenge remains: Employees need to be aware of their rights, and have the courage to seek legal help when standing up to unethical and manipulative bosses.

June 20, 2016

Jack Reed supports selling cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia

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Congress is coming under increasing pressure to stop supplying cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia, but Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed doesn’t seem to be feeling it. He said the weapons, which are made by Rhode Island-based Textron and banned by 119 nations but not the US and Saudi Arabia, “should still be provided under strict conditions,” he told RI Future.

An amendment to the House military spending bill narrowly failed last week that would have stopped the sale of cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia. It was supported by congressmen David Cicilline and Jim Langevin, both of whom notably declined to comment on the vote. I asked Reed about the issue when I saw him on Friday.

“I think we should still be selling those weapon systems that comply with the law,” said Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees.

Providence-based Textron is the last North American producer of cluster bombs, and the only source of cluster bombs for the US military. They’ve become a hot button issue as evidence mounts that Saudi Arabia has used cluster bombs it procured from the US in civilian-populated areas of Yemen.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have each independently found evidence that Textron’s cluster bombs have malfunctioned more than 1 percent of the time in Yemen and have been used in civilian-populated areas. Both allegations would be violations of US law concerning cluster bombs.

“That is something we have to look at very closely because the threshold is 1 percent or less,” Reed said. “That’s the way they are designed, that’s the way they’re tested and that’s the way they are maintained. We have strict protocols in design and the systems need to perform to very high standards and that as a result those and only those systems are sold.”

He added, “I think you do look at all the data that is being submitted. I think we are looking at it, and we are testing it.”

Reed said the US military still has cluster bombs in its arsenal, as well. “We have them in our own inventory so we’re very conscience of trying to make sure they are tested properly,” he said.

He seemed confident in their efficacy. “The systems we provide, technically, are designed so that if a cluster does not detonate it will be deactivated. They are the only ones authorized to be sold.”

Textron’s political action committee has been a long-time financial supporter of Reed, according to campaign finance reports. In 2015, Textron donated $1,000 to Reed’s campaign war chest, and in 2013 Textron made six donations for a total of $10,000 – of which $5,000 was given on June 30. In 2010, Reed got $1,000 from Textron , as he did in 2006 as well. In 2007 Textron gave Reed $9,000.

Read RI Future’s full coverage of Textron’s cluster bombs here:

Human Rights Watch condemns use of Textron-made cluster bomb (Feb. 24)
Textron still makes cluster bombs despite downward global, US trends (Feb. 29)
Textron sold cluster bombs to seven foreign governments (March 4)
What US company made the bomb that killed 97 civilians in Yemen (April 8)
Quaker group to protests Textron for selling cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia (April 11)
Textron plays leading role in Middle East violence (April 11)
CODEPINK, peace groups join campaign against cluster bombs (April 15)
Peace activists call attention to Textron cluster bombs (April 19)
Anti-cluster bomb activists arrested for chaining themselves to Textron headquarters
- (April 21)
Human Rights Watch finds evidence of Textron cluster bomb in Yemen (May 6)
Anti-Textron actions to happen weekly in Providence, RI (May 16)
Quakers, radicals, others protest Textron cluster bombs (May 19)
Amnesty International targets Textron, locals target Textron investors (May 24)
Pia Ward’s personal connection to cluster bomb casualties (May 26)
Textron’s Scott Donnelly is 2nd highest paid CEO in RI at $12.2 million (May 27)
Report says US to stop selling cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia (May 28)
Peace activists educate Providence residents about Textron’s cluster bombs (June 2)
(June 16)

June 19, 2016

The Pulse shooting and Pride through a different PrYSM

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Last week’s violence in Orlando at a gay nightclub was a major motivator for the recent protest action by PrYSM at Pride this year. The action, however, was part of a larger multi-evening dialogue about a schism within the LGBTQQIA+ community that has been present for some time which directly confronts and talks about the inter-connections between race, class, gender, sex, and orientation, a conversation that includes the use of words like “Marxism” and “Islamophobia” in ways that are light-years to the Left of what is being talked about by the mainstream press when reporting on Bernie Sanders. During my coverage of these events I heard some activists express disgust at how some of the Sanders supporters have carried on, particularly with regards to brow-beating black voters for not supporting the Senator from Vermont!

Steve Ahlquist’s excellent recent report on the events at the State House last week, wherein a woman of color, Vanessa Flores-Maldonado, was booed for mentioning police brutality, was the first domino in the chain of events that led to this. That blatant act of racism and misogyny so disgusted local activists of color that they felt it was imperative to hold another event at AS-220 on Friday, June 17 that would allow them to process through and mourn together in a safe place a man of color unleashing such violence against other people of color.

The evening began with a very emotional event that was so private I did not record audio or images. Several queer Muslims held a prayer service, the jumu’ah, attended by a variety of community members and allies, and led by a local Muslim professor who was sure to qualify that she was not an imam or Islamic scholar, just a prayerful believer who believed in God. The prayer leader had a queer niece who introduced her aunt and began to weep in the middle of her speech, saying at one point this was so important to her because “we as Muslims don’t talk about these things”. The congregation shared as one prayer mat a long and wide rainbow flag unfurled from the front of the main stage of AS-220. It was a breathtaking sight in its simplicity.

Placards distributed at the prayer service.

Following the prayer, the activists had a series of presentations articulating their feelings and emotions related to the events in Orlando. These included silly moments of singing classic gay karaoke tunes as well as moments of genuine sadness, with performers continuing to break down throughout. One instance was a queer male talking longingly of Omar Mateen, the Pulse shooter, asking in a painful tone not only why he had done these things but how he could have been so hurt by America’s white supremacist and homophobic culture to consider such violence legitimate. Another performer described his views as Marxist and queer while discussing how he is able to “pass” as white despite being a light-skinned Syrian.

The day before, Sam Husseini, an independent journalist who has given special notice to Arab news topic during his career, wrote this in a piece titled Noor Zahi Salman: Everything You’re Hearing About Me Is a Lie:

Some friends of Noor Zahi Salman are apparently speculating that what actually happened was that Omar Mateen was about to be outed as gay — and went nuts. This could have broader implications since “Israel surveils and blackmails gay Palestinians to make them informants.” That clearly is speculative. But far more responsible than speculation that is streaming forth from your TV.

The point that many of these queer and allied Muslims shared, regardless of their personal views regarding the Pillars of Islam, was that the Pulse shooter was one of them for multiple reasons and that his actions were an explosion of nihilistic rage not at homosexuality being condoned by a decadent libertine Western society as much as this self-proclaimed enlightened Western civilization being the central organ of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and imperialism in the world today. They pulled no punches, including a moment when Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were displayed in large glossy photos onstage as part of a musical number that repudiated both Democratic and Republican racism. One of these performances included a line that summed up these sentiments, “Not gay as in happy but queer as in fuck you!”

This performance had o[pened with these slogans being covered with images of Trump, Clinton, and other political figures. — This performance had opened with these slogans being covered with images of Trump, Clinton, and other political figures.

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The next day was Pride. Throughout the day, white stage performers were consistently, when referring to Orlando, using derogatory language about Mateen that ‘othered’ him while failing to articulate any recognition of him as potentially bisexual or as a member of a religious minority currently experiencing a tremendous level of state-sponsored violence at home and abroad. There was zero recognition of how our war on Afghanistan would have radicalized him. Instead, he was described as a “thug” or “hoodlum” by the MCs, which included one white drag queen wearing a Clinton campaign button. Backstage, one could spy David Cicilline and Jorge Elorza yucking it up and totally at home in a corporate Pride event.

After the PrYSM action, they decamped from the Pride site and went to India Point Park to hold an alternative evening celebration. While Gina Raimondo and her husband, two people who have made a living off corporate welfare while demonizing pensioners, were greeted with adulation by the crowds at the Pride parade, these people of color were celebrating genuine diversity and actual progressive values.

Statistically speaking, we know that people of color and particularly African Americans are the most Left-leaning voting bloc in both the Democratic Party and the American population. Surveys have shown they are in favor for abortion and LGBTQQI rights, gun control, Affirmative Action, universal healthcare, expansion of Social Security, free college tuition, and even wealth redistribution via a progressive income tax and reparations for slavery or other instances of historic systemic white supremacy.

In other words, these are the people who would be by default akin to Scandinavian social democrats. The reason Bernie Sanders failed to make significant inroads this year with the black vote was because he ran a typical white northern liberal presidential campaign, centering his energies on white middle class population centers known for progressive attitudes, such as college campuses and middle class communities, while failing to reach into the black community population centers in a meaningful fashion, though the younger generation, many of whom are first-generation college students, in certain instances did embrace his candidacy. (How Tad Devine, a native of South Providence, could not figure that one out is truly bizarre.) Indeed, in a recent report on The Real News Network, it was said:

[T]he below of the Democratic party is black folks. We’re about 25 percent of that party. And if our presence was going to transform the party, we’d be seeing a very different kind of party politically. Black folks are the most left-leaning constituency in the United States, that’s been shown generation after generation.

Those facts in the macro sense defined the generational and ethnic gap between the PrYSM and Pride celebrants in the micro sense.

These politically-engaged young people of color did not feel like Bernie Sanders campaigned to them this year and feel like Jorge Elorza is a phony, playing heartstrings with his story of humble upbringing on the West End while failing to vocalize any critique of the financial institutions that are now holding Providence hostage at a time when Wall Street has lower popularity than the Johnston landfill. They understand that they could be the base of a progressive political leader but instead they are ignored by politicians while real estate interests and Brown University gentrify historic black neighborhoods on the East Side, in the West End and South Providence. They know that the Democratic Party is a force trying to destroy their community so to break up their progressive voting bloc’s power in city and state government. These are the points of conversation I had with various activists over the last few days leading up to the Pride action and so define the coordinates of where any actual post-Sanders movement is going.

White progressives should take note.

If you like my reporting, please consider contributing to my Patreon!

June 18, 2016June 19, 2016

PrYSM statement on community safety

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Good afternoon Rhode Island Pride members, Rhode Island government officials, members of LGBTQIA communities, families, friends, and supporters.

Before we begin, we would like to acknowledge that we are standing, marching, parading, and celebrating on stolen Narragansett and Wampanoag lands. We honor the indigenous communities whose lands we are occupying. We also honor the Black and Brown communities who have experienced and continue to experience violence on this land.

We are members, coordinators, and family of the Providence Youth Student Movement, also known as PrYSM. PrYSM organizes at the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation by centering youth, women, queer, and people of color leadership in our campaigns, our organization, and our communities. PrYSM mobilizes queer Southeast Asian youth, families, and allies to build grassroots power and organize collectively for social justice. Our program, Queer and Trans Thursdays creates safe spaces for queer and trans* people of color to advocate for ourselves, support our communities, organize for political empowerment, and build community.

This year, Rhode Island Pride has named PrYSM “Honorary Marshals” for the 40th RI Pride Parade. In addition, RI Pride representatives, in conjunction with Mayor Elorza, supports the over-policing and increased surveillance of RI Pride. According to Options Magazine, RI Pride representatives met on Monday, June 13th, with Providence Police, Rhode Island State Police, the Providence Emergency Management Association, and local business owners, “to review [their] safety plan and coordinate [their] efforts and communication,” after the Orlando mass anti-LGBTQ shooting. As a result of RI Pride and Mayor Elorza’s blatant disregard of the trauma, histories, and experiences of LGBTQ people of color with state violence, PrYSM rejects the position of Honorary Marshal. PrYSM rejects RI Pride’s tokenizing of communities of color. PrYSM rejects RI Pride.

In response to a tragedy where predominantly Latinx and other people of color were murdered, Rhode Island Pride defaulted to encouraging the police and other institutions that perpetuate violence against LGBTQ people of color to violate our communities. It is telling that RI Pride chose to work with local businesses and representatives of State Violence before communicating with the local and grassroots organizations that work to defend marginalized communities every day, and that RI Pride uses for its diversity shots in Pride propaganda.

The roots of Pride are embedded into a history of police violence. The Stonewall Uprising of 1969, and the courage of queer and trans* people of color fighting against police forces that continuously brutalized their communities catalyzed the first American Pride parades of 1970. Pride is a symbol of LGBTQIA communities’ survival against forces of oppression, hatred, and destruction. We must recognize that the police and the oppression they sustain are simply extensions of the violence that took the lives of our queer siblings in Orlando, of our queer siblings overseas slaughtered by U.S. warfare, and our queer communities attacked by the same cops who claim solidarity with us during Pride then beat us once the rainbow flags are lowered.

PrYSM has prioritized community safety since our inception, arising in response to gang violence that put the lives of Southeast Asian Youth at risk. PrYSM will be continuing our legacy of keeping marginalized communities safe and prioritizing the real NEEDS of communities of color. We will be boycotting Pride until RI Pride prioritizes queer and trans people of color.

We are calling for:

– Decreased police presence and surveillance of communities of color during RI Pride
– Financial and programmatic support of local grassroots organizations that seek to find alternatives to the police for community safety
– Rhode Island Pride must make public efforts to support LGBTQIA people facing or experiencing homelessness, to demonstrate support for our most endangered community members
– Rhode Island Pride must encourage other organizations to support the Community Safety Act, a city-wide ordinance that would protect the people of Providence against police misconduct.

PrYSM will be hosting an alternative Pride celebration later tonight at India Point Park from 6pm to 9pm. This celebration is for LGBTQIA-identified or allied people who would like a safe, welcoming, and free space to celebrate our survival and to heal from the violence against our community. If you would like to build community with us, you may speak to one of our coordinators or members to join.

For more information, contact Charles at cchhor@prysm.us or Helen at helen@prysm.us.

From a press release read today by the Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM) at Pride. PrYSM was chosen to serve as honorary marshals of this year’s parade.

June 18, 2016June 18, 2016

RI General Assembly morally bankrupt on guns

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In the wake of the terrible tragedy at the Pulse nightclub last week in Orlando, there was a small sliver of hope that the RI General Assembly might pass some kind of meaningful gun control legislation. Instead, the House, under the leadership of Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, voted to weaken existing gun laws pertaining to concealed carry permits, and the full house passed a version of a bill to disarm domestic violence offenders that is so watered down as to be meaningless.

In short, the General Assembly did nothing to make Rhode Island safer or to improve the condition of gun laws in Rhode Island, and the House of Representatives attempted to make the situation worse.

Let’s start with the domestic violence bill. Advocates have been pushing a bill for three years that would close a loophole that allows domestic abusers to retain their guns when convicted of a misdemeanor. If passed, the law would take guns out of the hands of criminal domestic abusers.

The Second Amendment Coalition, the local arm of the NRA here in Rhode Island, opposed that bill, and for three years it never got out of committee. Instead, the House decided to take a bill entered by Representative Gregg Amore and change it into a duplicate of a bill by Senator Cindy Coyne, recently passed in the Senate. Senator Coyne’s bill doesn’t take guns out of the hands of misdemeanor domestic abusers. Instead, it codifies existing law about felony domestic abusers, providing a framework for taking away an abusers guns only in the case of felony domestic abuse.

On the floor of the House, while introducing the bill, House Judiciary Chairman Cale Keable said that the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV), “Acknowledges that this is a good step in the right direction, even if they would have wanted more.”

Not quite.

While the Senate was debating the Coyne bill, Deborah Debare, executive director of the RICADV said, “This bill was originally proposed as part of a comprehensive package that would have been a major step forward for victim safety, and we supported it in that context. Passed in isolation, however, this legislation is an administrative fix to existing systems that will have little impact on victims or on preventing domestic violence homicides.” (italics mine)

Coyne had presented and the RICADV had supported a package of bills. This one bill, on its own, does nothing for domestic violence. “We caution against seeing the passage of this legislation alone as a victory towards creating safety for victims and their families, or towards preventing the domestic violence homicides that continue to take a toll on Rhode Island communities,” said Debare in her letter.

During the Judiciary Committee hearing, Representative Edie Ajello, a co-sponsor of the Amore bill that the committee dismboweled and turned into a copy of the Coyne bill, asked that her name be taken off the bill as it was now presented. “Okay,” said Keable, “I’ll make sure a form is sent to you.”

The committee hearing was held in room 205, away from the Capitol TV cameras that broadcast the goings on on the State House. Under questioning from Representative Carol Hagan McEntee the lawyer for House Judiciary admitted that existing law already covered everything this bill purported to do. All this bill does is establish a standardized statewide framework for having guns removed from the possession of convicted felony domestic abusers. It also makes sure that these criminals will be properly recompensed for the value of their guns if the weapons are sold.

This was all done under the watchful, approving eye of Frank Saccoccio of the Second Amendment Coalition.

After the bill passed in committee, Tom Wojick, a members of Moms Demand Action, left the committee meeting room saying “Shame on you!” to the reps.

In the hallway outside the committee, Jerry Belair, representing the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence (RICAGV), called the legislation “Virtually meaningless”. The House, says Belair, “is using this legislation to provide cover for themselves, as a red herring, to make believe they’re doing something for domestic violence.”

Jennifer Boylan Smith, a local leader of RI Moms Demand Action, said in the hallway after the committee vote that the “Moms are very angry, very frustrated” with the passage of this bill.

Hours later the bill went to the floor of the House. It passed virtually unanimously.

Representative Teresa Tanzi, who has been fighting to pass a real bill that would disarm domestic abusers for three years, rose to speak after the vote. I’m quoting her at length below:

This is a bitter pill for me to swallow today. Who can stand here tonight and say they were against a bill as the chairman said, is the first time in the history of Rhode Island, that we would be surrendering guns for those convicted of domestic violence provisions?

“Certainly not I.

“The thing that hurts me, and frankly the thing that haunts me, is that it’s just a little too little. On our final day of session, we had an opportunity here to make a real difference. To not wait until the inevitable tragedy, and I really truly believe that it is inevitable that this will come here some day, but to protect Rhode Island families now… passions are high right now… our community is reeling in the wake of yet another mass murder.

“We are called on to act as lawmakers to respond, to protect, and this response to the pleas of our constituents I feel is not on par with the crisis that our nation currently faces.

“My hope is that when I return, that we as a body return in January that we continue the work that Rep Amore, myself, the Speaker and so many others began and will be able to address the issue because it will not go away.

“A generation of citizens has been awakened to a new reality. And I personally will not rest until I feel that we have done all that we as a body can do to reverse the tide of gun violence. And I truly am grateful to you all for not objecting, for allowing me this moment, to say my piece on the floor, and I truly appreciate it.”

Though the bill does nothing to protect victims of domestic abuse, is does have safe guards in place to protect domestic abusers from whatever financial losses they might suffer in losing their guns. In a press release, the General Assembly pointed out:

Under the bill, firearms surrendered to gun dealers could be sold by the dealer to a person designated by the person subject to the surrender order, but that person must not live in the abuser’s household and would be prohibited from returning the gun to the abuser’s possession. The abuser could receive payment for any sale after the surrender.

“The bill asks the Police Officer’s Commission on Standards and Training to establish policies for what law enforcement agencies should do with firearms surrendered to them under this bill. The bill stipulates that the person who surrenders the gun is to be notified when it is disposed of by the department, and that he or she should receive any financial value derived from its disposal.”

Having passed legislation that does more for perpetrators of domestic violence than it does for victims, the House immediately moved to pass legislation that would give police chiefs less discretion in denying concealed carry permits. Currently the law in Rhode Island allows concealed carry permit holders to bring their guns into schools. A bill to prevent that has never gotten out of committee. Instead, the House decided to pass legislation that is opposed by police chiefs throughout the state, because it will make it harder to deny concealed carry permits.

Representative Michael Chippendale rose to wax eloquently about how wonderful this bill was. He seemed pleased that the bill would make it easier to deny permits to gang members while making it easier for anyone else to get permission to conceal a gun on their person.

This bill passed overwhelmingly, with only six legislators, Ajello, Jean Phillipe Barros, Joy Hearn, McEntee, Aaron Regunberg and Tanzi voting against it. Reportedly, after the bill passed, some legislators, including Jan Malik, changed their vote. Malik was recently challenged by his primary opponent Jason Knight to return campaign contributions to the NRA.

Reaction on Twitter was swift and negative after Ted Nesi reported the passage of the concealed carry bill:

Governor Gina Raimondo won’t have to veto the bill. The Senate did not pass it, reportedly under pressure from police chiefs from throughout the state.

The General Assembly offered thoughts and prayers and moments of silence in the wake of the Orlando tragedy. They used victims of domestic violence to pretend that they were passing meaningful legislation, when in fact the legislation protects perpetrator more than victims. They came close to making it easier for anyone to carry guns into schools. They insulted the memory of those who died in Orlando, in Charleston, at Sandy Hook…

The actions of the General Assembly last night was an insult to Rhode Island, and an abject moral failure.

Shame.

June 17, 2016

Amos House has a new home

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“Amos has a new house,” said Ned Handy, right before the ceremonial ribbon was cut on Amos House’s new community center on Pine Street in Providence.

The grand opening of the new 29,000 square foot operations center for Amos House – Rhode Island’s largest social service agency and soup kitchen – was a gala affair for South Providence. Pine Street was temporarily closed to accommodate the large crowd. Senator Jack Reed, a slew of state legislators, Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements and many other local dignitaries were on hand. There were several congratulatory speeches and then tours of the new facility, complete with refreshments and lunch. State Senator Harold Metts donned a dashiki, a traditional West African shirt, for the occasion.

Senator Jack Reed, who was a pro bono lawyer for Amos House as a young man, said “Amos House provides an extraordinary service to the community. It represents, really, the best of Rhode Island. And now they have the facilities to help them do it much better.”

The new $6 million facility was paid for, in part, by a $1 million gift from Rhode Island Housing and a federal money secured by Senator Reed. Employees of Amos House, half of whom are former clients, contributed $45,000 of their own money.

“When we embarked on this project seven, eight years ago, many people said we would not do it,” said Eileen Hayes, the popular CEO of Amos House. “We could not possibly raise $5 million for a community center on the south side of Providence. But guess what, we did it!”

The facility has a large dining hall and a kitchen on the first floor. On the second floor there are classrooms, group meeting spaces and a state-of-the-art computer lab. Staff offices are on the third floor.

June 17, 2016June 17, 2016

Archambault, Conley lose Sierra Club endorsement over Burrillville bill

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State senators Stephen Archambault and Bill Conley lost their endorsements from the Rhode Island chapter of the Seirra Club because they voted against the Burrillville power plant bill as members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Sierra Club condemns every member of the committee that voted ‘no’ to this bill, but we are especially disappointed in Sen. Archambault and Sen. Conley. Both senators were endorsed by the RI Sierra Club in 2014,” wrote Sierra Club political chair Aaron Jaehnig.

“With a record like this, they will not be endorsed again in 2016. Sierra Club demands that our logo be removed from all websites and campaign materials for both,” Jaehnig continued. “The people of Burrillville and the people of Rhode Island deserved better. Make no mistake – that vote was a betrayal of everyone who cares about our planet, and of future generations of Rhode Islanders. It represents an insane double-down on the dangerous fossil fuel economy that has taken our climate to the brink and that threatens all of our futures.”

Neither senator could be immediately reached for comment. This post will be updated if and when they respond to comment.

On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted down a bill that would have given Burrillville residents a vote on a tax agreement between Invenergy, the corporation that seeks to build the power plant, and the Republican town council. Residents convinced legislators Cale Keable and Paul Fogarty to introduce the legislation because they say they can’t trust the town council to negotiate in good faith.

At the first committee hearing, Archambault was dismissive of this concern, saying, “The town council, at large, has been elected and is in a position to best negotiate tax treaties.”

June 17, 2016June 17, 2016

General Assembly restores Ethics Commission oversite… finally!

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The General Assembly unanimously approved legislation to restore the Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction over lawmakers. The joint resolution puts a constitutional amendment before voters at the November general election that, if approved, would close the legislative immunity loophole. Since it is a joint resolution, it does not require a signature by the governor to become effective.

In 2009, the Rhode Island Supreme Court held that the state constitution’s “speech in debate clause” conferred legislative immunity upon General Assembly members. As a result, legislators stood outside the purview of the Ethics Commission. A constitutional amendment is necessary to restore the Ethics Commission’s oversight of the legislature.

“Since the Irons decision, Common Cause has dedicated itself to closing the ‘legislative immunity’ loophole,” said Common Cause Executive Director John Marion. “This is a historic moment for those who care about ethical government in Rhode Island. We have no doubt that this measure will increase transparency and accountability in our legislature. The work is not done, however, because voters still need to pass this constitutional amendment on the ballot in November.”

“Today’s vote is a dramatic, historic step forward,” said Phil West, who is the former executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island. “The Speaker and Senate President’s ballot question will allow voters to establish the same ethics accountability for all public officials in Rhode Island. It will again allow legislators to think through potential conflicts of interest and to seek advisory opinions from the Rhode Island Ethics Commission. No other state has anything better than this.”

The resolution adopted by the House and Senate did not include a campaign blackout period for filing complaints.

“We met with several groups and decided that the Constitution was an inappropriate place for a moratorium on filing complaints,” said Speaker Nicholas Mattiello. “I have confidence that the Ethics Commission will consider and determine the proper approach for dealing with frivolous, politically charged complaints.”

Personal note: It was an honor to sit in the House and Senate galleys with John Marion and Phil West as the resolutions passed.

June 17, 2016June 18, 2016

Josh Fox’s HOW TO LET GO OF THE WORLD a tribute to places like Burrillville

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Midway through Gasland director Josh Fox’s new film How To Let Go Of The World (And Love All The Things Climate Can’t Change), the filmmaker comes to the stark conclusion that most people in the mainstream press are not saying out loud: climate change is here, it is already impacting our world, and we are well past the time when mythical natural gas “bridge fuels,” like those proposed for use in Burrillville would have been of any use to our civilization.

CLICK HERE TO GET TICKETS TO THIS FILM, OPENING AT THE CABLE CAR!

Picking up where his previous documentary about opposition to fracking left off, he goes on a globe-trotting journey to the Amazon rain forest, the Pacific islands, China, and everywhere in between to visit communities that are opposing fossil fuel infrastructure expansion while confronting the onset of the crisis. Yet unless one thinks this is all doom and gloom, think again, it is in reality a celebration of solidarity and includes within its coordinates the potential salvation of our civilization.

We witness the beauty of South American indigenous people rowing miles into the jungle to clean up oil spilled by reckless fossil fuel companies and the courage of Pacific islanders who form a blockade out of canoes trying to hinder the passage of an Australian tanker. There’s the majesty of the Chinese solar panel entrepreneur whose industrial-level output of renewable energy implements would put cranes in the air across the Ocean State. And here in America we see the aftermath of super storm Sandy as a preview of what is in store for all the coastal cities in America, including Providence, with 384 miles of coastline in the Ocean State that are in dire need of renovations and reinforcement to accommodate rising sea levels.

Fox’s operational budget and cinematography are notably hands-on, DIY. He has amazing panoramic views of the landscape because of a trusty self-flown drone he pilots with relative ease around the sky looking down on the decimation of climate change. One needs only recall the majesty of works by Dziga Vertov to see his film occupying a continuity that will rank it alongside other great works of documentary.

It is intended as a call to action. I hope that Sen. Whitehouse and George Nee will see this film and consider its points carefully. The climate crisis provides us with great opportunities but they begin with understanding that the Democratic Party is not going to be a force for change in the face of this emergency and that instead it is going to come from the masses of people who band together in the face of calamity.

See this movie.

June 16, 2016June 16, 2016

Cicilline, Langevin support bill to stop Textron-to-Saudi Arabia cluster bomb sales

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Congressmen David Cicilline and Jim Langevin both supported an amendment to the House military spending bill that would stopped the United States from transferring Textron-made cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia.

“None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to transfer or authorize the transfer of any cluster munitions to Saudi Arabia,” reads the simple amendment Congressman John Conyers of Michigan.

It was narrowly defeated by 12 votes, 204 to 216. Neither of Rhode Island’s congressman could be immediately reached for comment. But Congressman Hank Johnson posted a news release about the bill and his speech before the House Armed Service Committee (Congressman Cicilline can be seen in the background).

“Earlier this year, the Saudi led-coalition dropped cluster bombs in Yemen’s that struck a rehabilitation center for the blind – which also has a school for blind children,” Johnson said. “The destruction of the school and the injuries sustained by the children were unbearably gruesome. This deliberate and reckless use of cluster munitions by Saudi Arabia highlights their complete disregard for the welfare of innocent people. This is unacceptable. We cannot ignore our duty to protect basic human rights values here and around the world. There is something fundamentally wrong with preaching human and civil rights here at home while we export death abroad. Rather, Congress must step up our efforts to keep such internationally reviled weapons out of the hands of those that would misuse them.”

If passed, the bill would have further limited Rhode Island-based Textron’s market for cluster bombs. Located in downtown Providence, Textron, a defense industry conglomerate, is the last North American manufacturer of cluster bombs, which have been banned by 119 nations but not but the United States and Saudi Arabia. The US is known to have sold Saudi Arabia Textron-made cluster bombs and Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International as well as local peace activists have called upon Textron to stop making cluster bombs.

“It’s an important program for us,” Textron spokesman David Sylvestre told RI Future in February. He could not immediately be reached for comment today.

Human Rights Watch in a post published today mentioned the grassroots effort in Rhode Island to convince Textron to stop making cluster bombs.

“Public pressure seems to be mounting against Textron,” wrote Mary Wareham, advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. “Outside Textron’s headquarters in Providence, Rhode Island, local activists have been demonstrating for weeks – demanding that the company cease its production of cluster munitions.”

The FANG Collective and the American Friends Service Committee have led efforts to call public attention to Textron cluster bombs. Members of the groups and other peace activists participated in another protest outside Textron headquarters in downtown Providence today.

Singapore recently stopped making cluster bombs and Wareham wrote, “Textron should follow the example set by Singapore Technologies Engineering and commit to stop making these indiscriminate weapons as a way to assure the public that it is responsive to global concern at civilian suffering.”

Read RI Future’s full coverage of Textron’s cluster bombs here:

Human Rights Watch condemns use of Textron-made cluster bomb (Feb. 24)
Textron still makes cluster bombs despite downward global, US trends (Feb. 29)
Textron sold cluster bombs to seven foreign governments (March 4)
What US company made the bomb that killed 97 civilians in Yemen (April 8)
Quaker group to protests Textron for selling cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia (April 11)
Textron plays leading role in Middle East violence (April 11)
CODEPINK, peace groups join campaign against cluster bombs (April 15)
Peace activists call attention to Textron cluster bombs (April 19)
Anti-cluster bomb activists arrested for chaining themselves to Textron headquarters
- (April 21)
Human Rights Watch finds evidence of Textron cluster bomb in Yemen (May 6)
Anti-Textron actions to happen weekly in Providence, RI (May 16)
Quakers, radicals, others protest Textron cluster bombs (May 19)
Amnesty International targets Textron, locals target Textron investors (May 24)
Pia Ward’s personal connection to cluster bomb casualties (May 26)
Textron’s Scott Donnelly is 2nd highest paid CEO in RI at $12.2 million (May 27)
Report says US to stop selling cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia (May 28)
Peace activists educate Providence residents about Textron’s cluster bombs (June 2)

June 16, 2016June 16, 2016

Income inequality in Rhode Island

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Between 2009 and 2013, the top one percent captured 85.1 percent of total income growth in the United States. To be included in the top one percent in Rhode Island your annual income would have to be $336,625. The average income of a Rhode Island one-percenter is $884,609. Since the bottom 99 percent makes $47,545 on average, the top one percent makes 18.6 times more than the bottom 99 in this state.

This info is gleaned from Income inequality in the US by state, metropolitan area, and county, a new paper published by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) for the Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN). The paper, by Mark Price, an economist at the Keystone Research Center in Harrisburg, Penn. and Estelle Sommeiller, a socio-economist at the Institute for Research in Economic and Social Sciences in Greater Paris, France, shows that the top one percent of income earners captured the majority of income growth since the Great Recession in 24 states—with the top one percent taking home all income growth in 15 states.

Rhode Island ranks 28 out of the states in income inequality, based on the ratio of top one percent to bottom 99 percent income. The situation in Massachusetts (ranked 6) and Connecticut (ranked 2) is far worse for inequality.

The top one percent in Rhode Island takes 15.6 percent of all income in Rhode Island. This number approaches or surpasses historical highs, tracked from 1917-2013.

“Rising inequality is not a new phenomenon, and it’s not confined to large urban areas or financial centers,” said Price. “It’s a persistent problem throughout the country—in big cities and small towns, in all 50 states. In the face of this national problem, we need national policy solutions to jump start wage growth for the vast majority.”

“The degree of income inequality differs from one city to another, but the underlying forces are clear. Inequality isn’t a regional issue. It’s the result of intentional policy decisions to shift bargaining power away from working people and towards the top 1 percent,” said Sommeiller. “To reverse this, we should enact policies that boost worker’s ability to bargain for higher wages, rein in the salaries of CEOs and the financial sector, and prioritize full employment.”

June 16, 2016

Knights of Columbus cancel Deware fundraiser over abortion stance

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A planned fund raising event for Bill Deware at the Knights of Columbus hall in North Providence was cancelled this week when the Knights of Columbus was informed that Deware, a candidate for State Rep House District 54, is pro-choice. It is not known who informed the Knights of Columbus of Deware’s pro-choice status. Deware says, “I am indeed pro-choice. I am an ardent supporter of a woman’s right to control her own body. I would argue any human being in any situation has a fundamental right to control their own body.”

Deware is a Progressive Democrat. “I got involved with the Bernie Sanders campaign regionally and it showed me I could be more active politically. Locally I was brought to action by the cuts to Medicaid (which impact me and my family directly due to my daughter having multiple handicaps) and the need for tax and ethics reform in RI. I feel people need to get involved in the political process and help restore faith in government. Then we can start to make government work for us again. What we have right now, is not working for us here in RI. We want and deserve better.”

As for his fundraiser being cancelled because of his pro-choice stance, Deware says that “There are many issues that unite us and I would like to focus on those issues rather than divisive ones. For instance; the Catholic Church believes in social justice, racial justice & economic justice, as do I. Jesus healed the sick, helped the poor and didn’t judge. These are areas I would like to focus on in my career and in my life.”

A new location, Lancellotta’s Banquet Restaurant in North Providence, has already been booked for the fundraiser and will take place on the same night, June 30th, as the original event.

Knights of Columbus did not respond to a request for comment.

June 16, 2016June 16, 2016

Progressives mixed on standing against RIPTA fare increase

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As far as the $8 billion state budget goes, an additional $900,000 to fund free RIPTA rides for the elderly, disabled and destitute through the fiscal year seems like a small ask. But in this year’s House budget bill, it was the only evidence of dissent between progressives and the more conservative Democrats who control the chamber.

Even at that, House Republicans were more united in their support of the free RIPTA rides program than were several left-leaning legislators. The smaller but demonstrably more vocal GOP caucus spent Wednesday’s marathon budget session offering amendments and peppering Finance Committee Chairman Marvin Abney with questions and concerns. The only amendment from the progressive left came from Rep. John Lombardi, who represents the Federal Hill section of Providence. He made an impassioned plea to restore free bus service to Rhode Island’s most vulnerable residents.

“Some of my constituents earn about between $700 and $800 a month and believe it or not 50 cents can make the difference,” he said, suggesting the money could come from the General Assembly’s own budget. “I’ll tell you what, many of my constituents are alone. They just received their citizenship from other countries. They’re here. They’re from the islands, they’re Russians, they’re Albanians, they’re people from Africa. That’s who my constituency looks like and I’m sure many of you are starting to see that in your neighborhoods. I think we have a duty to help these people. I think we have to assist these people because they are most in need.”

The RIPTA Board of Directors decided to end free rides for the elderly, disabled and destitute earlier this year. The House budget keeps it alive until January, while Governor Gina Raimondo’s proposed budget did not fund it at all. The governor and House Speaker Nick Mattiello have each indicated the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is in need of a full overhaul. Lombardi’s amendment would have funded the free rides for the entire fiscal year, regardless of a systemic overhaul.

The amendment failed, 41 voted against it and 27 supported it. House Republicans, who spent most of the evening trying to shrink government spending, were unanimous in their support of the social welfare program. Progressives, on the other hand, were not. Reps Teresa Tanzi, Art Handy, Chris Blazejewski and Shelby Maldonado all voted against extending free RIPTA rides to the elderly, disabled and destitute.

Tanzi, who represents Narragansett and South Kingstown, offered her own impassioned plea on why RIPTA shouldn’t receive additional funding.

“It is with a heavy heart that I urge folks not to support this amendment because it’s not the best thing to do with the limited funds that we have,” she said. “Believe me I would love to make a $900,000 investment in RIPTA this is not the best way to do it.”

Tanzi explained, “The problem is the state was forced to contract with a third party vendor. That third party vendor is called Logisticare and since they have taken over the number of people who have qualified for these free passes has grown. And while that has happened they have changed it so they are no longer billing those passes the way that RIPTA used to … when RIPTA was in charge of it they billed so that medicare would be reimbursing the state, so we lost significant federal dollars to match it.”

She continued, “I think what the committee heard at the end of the night heard was that throwing $800,000 more dollars at a program that is being very poorly run is not the solution and that giving them six months to renegotiate the contract with this third party vendor, giving them six months under perhaps oversight under Chairwoman [Pat] Serpa’s guidance or under a subcommittee through finance, we’re going to look at this holistically and try to come up with a solution. So nobody wants this program to end in January, nobody wants people isolated and locked up in their homes in the middle of winter. We’re looking for a solution and right now throwing $893,000 more dollars at a program that we know is being mismanaged is not the best answer.”

Tanzi is making a concerted effort today to get Speaker Mattiello to bring to a floor vote her bill that would limit the ability of felony domestic abusers to possess guns, and her advocacy against the amendment may have been part of the deal making that happens as the legislative session draws to a close.

Nonetheless, her stand drew some measure ire. Sam Bell, director of the Rhode Island Progressive Democrats, tweeted. “I rarely publicly criticize our legislative allies, but I personally think @tanzister made an error here.” When it was Lombardi’s turn to speak, he shot back sarcastically, “I’m so glad people in this chamber have heavy hearts.”

Rep. Joe Almeida, who also represents a poor neighborhood in Providence, said if the attempt to outsource the program has failed, the state should waste no more time with the private company.

“If this third party can’t run a business right, why do we still have to wait six months?” he asked. “Why do people gotta be left on the sidewalk and can’t get nowhere? If this third party can’t do it, they should have been fired a long time ago. In business we wouldn’t have waited this long. I hope RIPTA has the common sense not to bring this company back if they can’t do the job.”

Meanwhile Majority Leader John DeSimone, known for parroting the will of Speaker Mattiello, tacked to the right of Tanzi – who herself took a more conservative position than the GOP caucus.

“We need to take a comprehensive look at what we are doing,” he said. “We are the only state in the country currently that has no fare and as a result we are losing millions of dollars from the federal government. But the usage of the bus is not as good as the states that charge so there is obviously something wrong. At this point we have to be responsible, we have to get the federal money that is available to us and RIPTA may need to be revamped or remanaged or something has to happen. But the answer is not to just keep the fares free. While the motives of having a free fare are fantastic, it’s just not working.”

The RIPTA Riders Alliance held a rally outside the State House earlier this week at which an elderly woman said, “I know there is money in the budget, they just want to squander it on their friends.”

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