Rhode Island – Page 50

August 3, 2011January 22, 2012

Top Ten Reasons Wyatt Prison is an Epic Scandal

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With the recent bankruptcy filing by Central Falls, RI, many are asking what will happen to the city’s most notorious flagship, the Wyatt Detention Facility. The city will not disappear, no more than Bridgeport, CT disappeared along route 95 ten years ago. Bridgeport is roughly the size of Providence, is Connecticut’s largest city, and some feared their bankruptcy in 1991 would drag the entire state into collapse. Central Falls is Rhode Island’s smallest city, and apparently home to large scale corruption. Here are the Top10 Reasons the privately owned, municipally managed, prison is a fitting ground zero to understand the situation.

10: The Interest Payments- The Wyatt financial fiasco is a case study in collecting interest, as they have long since been underwater on their loans. The Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation refinanced their loan (bonds owned by investors) so they could build an addition, and have $229 million in liabilities at the start of 2011, while their prison was independently assessed at $45 million. With the “homeowners” barely able to make their payments now, they will surely face a “loan modification” in a very short period of time. I wonder if anyone is willing to take over the payments? I wonder if anyone is dumb enough to take over the prison and pay five times as much in annual interest than principal?

9: Brown University- John Birkelund, as CEO of Dillon Read, sold the Wyatt prison bonds to John Birkelund, as Chairman of Brown’s endowment; making a profit (surely) for John Birkelund and friends. Ever heard the phrase “Pump & Dump?”

8: AVCORR- Anthony Ventetuolo was a founding father of the Wyatt prison, and former blue-blood of the ACI. He learned that moving from public to private services, one can literally make millions of dollars for the same work. AVCORR ultimately took over management of the prison, and recent financial audits have expressed serious issues with the financial controls. He has been dismissed; and in a state where everyone is connected, an in depth state investigation by Lynch or Kilmartin is inconceivable.

7: RDW- Mike Doyle, a top lobbyist in Rhode Island is another founding father, greasing the wheels for a prison to legally become a for-profit enterprise and ensuring a base of lobbying efforts to create more prisoners, more crime, and more clientele. With an office 100 yards from the statehouse, some would say it’s a nice fit.

6: Federal Lobbying- After paying $10,000 a month to Dutko Worldwide to do D.C. lobbying, Wyatt still couldn’t keep the ICE contract after this shoestring operation (where all money has to pay off bond interest) could not keep Jason Ng alive. One has to appreciate there is a billion dollar industry that needs to encourage incarceration through lobbying efforts. And here you thought people only went to prison because of their own behavior. Meanwhile, AIG holds the bond agreement, and Halliburton was the construction company; companies who merely pay fines when caught stealing.

5: Fiscal Impact Statement- Is $50,000 a month lots of money? $10,000? Depends. The Wyatt is not only Tax Free, but it also gets free water and garbage from the City, and who knows what else. What is the water bill for 1000 people? What is the trash bill for Providence’s four largest hotels? Without a Fiscal Impact Statement, the hoped for, yet denied (“Suckers”) charity that Wyatt dangles may not even make up for the charity they receive from CF and the people of Rhode Island.

4: Mayor Moreau- This is the guy who was getting $10k contracts for friends to board up foreclosed houses. He appointed every member of the CFDFC Board (who are charged with managing the money). If anyone has “Federal Investigation” written all over them, it would be Mayor Moreau- who is known as a long-time friend of Patrick Lynch. Of course, if the Bush and Obama administrations would ever take some of their White Collar investigators back from the “War on Terror,” and put them back to the “War on White Collar Crime”…

3: Judges Pfeifer and Flanders- Connected as they come in RI (long time judiciary) and respected enough to be appointed receivers of Central Falls. Although CFDFC, the municipal corporation created to manage Wyatt, is a “distinct legal entity” from the city, these judges fail to point this out. Instead they allow the success or failure of this business to be seen as tied to the city, and the state.

2: Former A.G. Patrick Lynch is more embedded in Wyatt than just a friendship with Moreau. Of all the attorneys in RI to be Wyatt’s chief legal counsel, Lynch’s sister got the job when he was the Attorney General. What are the connections between current A.G. Kilmartin (also from Pawtucket) and the Wyatt? Perhaps that is an easy question for some.

1: Congressman Cicillini a rival to Mayor Moreau on leaving a city in shambles, and now that Wyatt represents “jobs” in his congressional district… We shall see how much he supports tax dollars being diverted to private investors’ financial scandal. Is there a protection of taxpayer funds? Is there a concern for human rights? For civil rights? Any concern for the families and communities being used to finance this business deal?

The For-Profit privately owned Wyatt prison is not the Alamo. It is not Bunker Hill, nor Ground Zero. Its just a bad business deal- and investors know that it doesn’t always work out. Ciao.

August 2, 2011January 22, 2012

Testimony in Opposition to RIPTA Cuts: Or, Sometimes You’ve Got To Hustle

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Last night I listened to nearly three hours of testimony against RIPTA cuts. Listening for so long about something I care so much about was hard. By the time my turn came I’d drafted three different pieces of testimony. Since going through all of them would just have been rude to the dozens still sitting patiently, I said one piece and I’ll share all three points here. Thanks for listening.

I am a huge fan of RIPTA. Someone said RIPTA should sell merchandise to earn a couple extra bucks. I am one of the people who would buy that shirt because I am grateful that I don’t need to bleed hundreds of dollars a month to own and maintain a car. I am grateful that when my bike gets stolen I can still get to work on time. I’m glad I don’t even know the bus schedule because I can walk a block and expect one to show within 15 minutes. Even better – saving those hundred some dollars a month, I go to restaurants and bars during the week. Bringing home $850 a month, I have disposable income! That’s amazing! You know who wasn’t at those hearings? The good men and women who own those fine establishments. They were probably still at work. If they saw me here, they’d be pissed too, because this whole song and dance is costing them business.

There’s no money for RIPTA. That’s funny, because four years ago they told me there was no money to clean up our democracy, three years ago they said we’d keep giving away tens of millions to the wealthiest of the state, two years ago they didn’t have the money to provide to the families of homicide victims for burials, this year there wasn’t enough money to provide a place to sleep that wasn’t a sidewalk curb, or to keep poor parents and kids on health insurance. But they’ve found the money to keep the tax loopholes in place for AmGem, Raytheon and CVS, and they’ve found the money to cut the income tax for the wealthiest of us in half. Who’s calling the shots, and on whose behalf are they calling them?

I’d like to tell the story of two of the people sitting for hours in that hearing, Representative Maria Cimini, and Representative Chris Blazejewski. They saw the same charade at the State House for the 28 cuts to RIPTA service that preceded this one. They wrote their legislators, they called, they showed up. And then that wasn’t enough anymore. People tonight have asked you to heckle, but that’s not enough. Sometimes you’ve got to hustle. Maria and Chris hustled for a year and now they’ve got seats in the State House. They’ve done a good job this year too, I’ve been watching very closely. But they need a few more players on their team. Advocating for the working poor on Smith Hill can get lonely. If your representative decides to listen to AmGen before he listens to you, it’s time to hustle. If your representative doesn’t return your phone calls, it’s time to hustle. If Rhode Island is your state, it’s time to own it.

So thank you for showing up, thank you for staying. Thank you for speaking and for giving me an opportunity to speak.

July 26, 2011January 22, 2012

State Senator Nicholas Kettle has Learned What, Exactly?

Yesterdays’s Projo ran a piece on freshman Senator Nicholas Kettle. Kettle also happens to be the youngest Senator at age 20. You might remember Kettle, who rode into office as a Republican Tea Party candidate with no experience whatsoever. He very soon established his Tea Party bona fides by insulting the homeless community in RI with disdainful and uncaring comments via email.

Here’s the relevant bit from an earlier Projo article:

In an e-mail before the hearing, freshman Sen. Nicholas D. Kettle urged Tea Party supporters to question homeless advocates and “fill up the room before the homeless folks! Help me ask why this homeless person has better clothes than I,” he said.

Kettle promised to ask tough questions and called Tassoni’s hearings a “dog-and-pony show.”

But during the hearing, Kettle apologized for the message, after homeless advocate John Joyce read it aloud and asked why Kettle hated the homeless and the poor.

Kettle said he didn’t hate the homeless, but that he sent the e-mail “out of frustration” and because he thought the hearing was one-sided.

“Don’t apologize to me,” said Joyce, who was once homeless. “Apologize to the homeless people of the state.”

So we have a young Senator making a freshman mistake right out of the box, but the forgiving among us will chalk it all up to a lack of worldly experience. Kettle did apologize after all. He said he does not hate the homeless, but was frustrated by the politics he was encountering.

But that apology rings hollow in light of more recent comments Kettle made. He now claims that one of the main lessons he learned had nothing to do with tolerance or compassion. Instead Kettle has learned the true art of politics. He has learned not to express his true views out loud, but to keep them to himself. He has decided that honestly expressing himself is dangerous.

“Watch what you put in writing,” he says now.

Going from “idealistic” Tea Party darling to disengenuous political hack in just one session has got to be some sort of record.

July 26, 2011January 22, 2012

Redistricting: The Most Fun You’ll Have All Decade

Draw your own House, Senate and Congressional districts today!

Thanks to the New Organizing Institute newsletter for sending this one out.

During the College Democrats of RI convention in early May, I spoke to how this redistricting season is going to be really exciting. For the first time ever, anyone with an internet connection will be able to compete with the State House consultants to draw the new district maps.

A couple of months passed, and I still hadn’t gotten my hands on a clean dataset and a free and accessible tool to play around with it. As I understand it, Rhode Island was one of the few states to a) ask for the Census data from the Feds without precinct level data, and b) decide to pay our consultants to draw new precinct lines, in addition to ward, municipal, legislative and congressional districts. That gives us a more opaque, and more expensive process.

The tool here, Dave’s Redistricting application, has several things going for it, but also a few shortcomings. It’s free, it’s intuitive, it processes data quickly and smoothly on the laptop I’m sitting at. You set the number of districts, whether congressional, or legislative, and color in the Census block groups you’re allocating, and it keeps a running total by population.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t been enhanced with the voter file, so you can’t compare it against party affiliation, primary voters, or even general registration numbers. The other downside is that the finest grain available is Census block group, where I believe that Election Data Services may have access to block level data.

Expect several meetings over the fall for public input as we draw us some new maps, though no set number or other criteria are mentioned in H6096. The ProJo says:

If all goes as planned, the commission would start meeting this summer, holding public hearings across the state as it reviews the options for new district lines, which would be submitted to the General Assembly by Jan. 15, 2012. The Assembly would then vote on the new boundaries, which would be in place for the November 2012 election.

States are required to redistrict every 10 years, using the latest U.S. Census data to uphold the principle of one-person, one-vote, by making sure congressional and legislative districts are equal in population.

The Assembly has budgeted $1.5 million for Rhode Island’s latest redistricting. Of that amount, $692,240 will go to Election Data Services, with the rest being set aside for potential lawsuits, according to House spokesman Larry Berman.

Ideally, of course, the new boundaries would be in place not just for the November 2012 general election, but also the September primary, and the June filing deadline for candidates.

July 26, 2011January 22, 2012

Thou Shalt Not Kill, Except…

Its been about two months since Governor Chafee signed the bill that posthumously pardoned John Gordon, the last man executed by the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. During the hearing a great many people spoke eloquently about the terrible injustice of a man who (in hindsight) was so clearly innocent that he propelled the discontinuation of the Death Penalty in Rhode Island. Some spoke of racism, of frenzied crowds, or proper legal procedure. Others reiterated the spiritual and moral bankruptcy of putting people to death, made only more horrid when someone is likely innocent.

I wasn’t so eloquent. I was blunt, and spoke about innocent people locked away right now, and how legal technicalities can bury evidence that would exonerate someone and I even named names. But that was about “actual innocence.” What about the Death Penalty in general?

Governor Chafee is currently battling the federal government, who want the option of killing a Rhode Island resident upon conviction and sentencing by a jury. Chafee clearly is saying it doesn’t matter what the charge, there should be no death penalty. What do others think? Its long been said we live in the most Catholic state in the union, and the Church has long been one of the staunchest international opponents of the death penalty. But I’m not convinced that tenets of a church doctrine too often filter down to the card carriers. And it seems that one is more likely to get a “kill em” response from an average citizen in any situation where there is a public case on TV.

Is it time for a legislator to introduce a bill and have this public debate? Would the Attorney General support the death penalty? It seems he would. Jason Pleau, according to his lawyers, was prepared to plead guilty in exchange for Life Without Parole. Rather than accept that offer, A.G. Kilmartin dismissed the charges against him, leaving Pleau only open to federal prosecution and the possible death penalty. Kilmartin clearly knows it is illegal for the state to kill someone as punishment for a crime, and his job is to uphold the laws of Rhode Island.

Personally, I say bring on the death penalty. Under federal habeas corpus law section 2255, death penalty states receive more scrutiny of the case. It makes it vastly more expensive (California is spending tens of millions just to maintain their death penalty cases), and innocent people will die from time to time (Texas seems to have clearly killed two in recent years), but more people will be exonerated (Louisiana and Illinois have each cleared dozens over the past decade). Federal habeas section 2254, where there is no death penalty, allows for far more innocent people to rot away in prison. They are accused of terrible crimes, will likely never be paroled, and generate far less public oversight because it takes “natural causes” to kill them rather than a needle.

With conflict within the government itself, this discussion needs to be more fleshed out. Across the nation people hold this debate. Some tend to simplify it as those who support killing are “tough,” and those who oppose it are “soft.” Some believe the court system is infallible, and innocent people never get put to death. Some are strong enough to hold to their beliefs even when placed in a challenging situation. Does Chaffee support what Pleau did? Of course not. Does he think the man should be let go tomorrow? Of course not. But props to him for standing up for his beliefs; its pretty rare to see these days.

July 25, 2011January 22, 2012

New Mattress Policy Coming to Prov.

From the City of Providence:

Beginning August 1, Providence residents and property owners can dispose of their old mattresses and box springs directly at the Department of Public Works’ Convenience Center at 700 Allens Avenue on Thursdays from 3-7PM and Saturdays from 7AM – 1PM.

Residents dropping off mattresses/box springs will be asked to provide proof of Providence residency, and drop-offs are limited to two mattresses/box springs per resident.

Those who choose not to drop off their mattresses and box springs directly at DPW will be required to pay a $20 disposal fee for each mattress or box spring they throw away. Property owners will be fined $50 to $500 for mattresses and box springs that are placed on the curb in front of their property without a scheduled pick-up.

Throwing away old mattresses and box springs is easy: Just call Waste Management at 1-800-972-4545 before 3PM, at least 24 hours prior to your regular trash collection day, from Monday to Friday, 8AM – 5PM to schedule curbside pickup. English and Spanish-speaking customer service representatives are available from to process mattress/box spring disposal requests. Payments can be made by either check or credit/debit card.

Each year thousands of people dump mattresses and box springs on the sidewalk in Providence when they move or buy new ones, and their disposal comes with a surprisingly high price tag that the city simply can no longer afford. Last year alone, 19,000 mattresses were collected throughout the city, costing Providence’s taxpayers $513,000.

Bulky trash items and white goods will still be picked-up free of charge by calling 1-800-972-4545.

May 12, 2011January 7, 2012

95/5 Civic Responsibility!

Yesterday, Rep. Valencia held a press conference for his new income tax reform bill, H6095, which he’s calling the 95/5 Civic Responsibility bill. The 95/5 bill would raise an estimated $130 million in FY2012 and protect our state’s working families from even more painful and irresponsible service cuts. As the Projo reports:

“It asks the most fortunate among us, a mere 5 percent of Rhode Islanders, to chip in a little more,” said Valencia, a Richmond Democrat who has filed a bill that would put the proposed changes into state law. “To date, only the other 95 percent of the people have been required to pay their fair share.”

NOW is the time to let your legislators know about the importance of supporting H6095. Please take a minute to call your state representative and state senator, and then call Speaker Gordon Fox at 401-222-2466 to tell him to include H6095 in this year’s budget!

And if you really care about responsible revenue generation, please join RAFT at our next fair tax canvasses around this bill, this Saturday 11am-2pm and Sunday 12-3pm at 69 Brown Street. RSVP at rifairtaxes@gmail.com.

April 15, 2011January 7, 2012

Want to repeal the Bush tax cuts in RI and solve our fiscal crisis? We can.

With our $295 million deficit, cuts looming on the horizon, and the only other revenue-raising plan (a relatively regressive sales tax) now seeming to buckle under public outcry, Rhode Island is in desperate need of a real solution to our fiscal situation.

Well, we have one! State Rep. Larry Valencia is currently drafting a piece of legislation that would function as a state-level repeal of the Bush tax cuts on the wealthy by raising the state income tax for Rhode Island’s highest-earners by the same amount George W. slashed their federal income taxes.

In this time of need, when small businesses, students, and working families are being asked to sacrifice, it is illogical that we wouldn’t also ask a little more from those citizens who have been receiving an immense windfall for the past decade thanks to President Bush’s tax cuts.

Representative Valencia’s bill is the only responsible answer to RI’s budget gap, and I sincerely hope our Democratic leaders in the Statehouse see this instead of working to defend the policies of George Bush.

But if this common-sense solution going to make it into the budget, it needs a strong organizing drive behind it. That’s where we need your help. Whether you’re interested in canvassing or phonebanking, helping with graphic design and literature, setting up a house party for your friends to spread the word, research, strategy, WHATEVER you can contribute, we NEED your involvement.

So please, shoot me an email at aaron.regunberg@gmail.com. I would love to sit down to talk about how you can best fit into our campaign. You can also ‘like’ our Facebook page (Rhode Islanders for a State Repeal of the Bush Tax Cuts) for campaign updates on actions, press coverage, and research.

Together, we can bring some sanity back to Rhode Island’s tax structure.

May 30, 2010January 12, 2012

Anthony Gemma is running for Congress

As first reported here on RI Future, Anthony Gemma, president of Gem Plumbing & Heating, was considering a run for Congress. For the past (at least) few weeks, he was making his fundraising calls, contacting some RI Future readers.

And this confirms it. Anthony Gemma is running for Congress. His campaign website isn’t live yet, but will be soon.

Gemma describes himself as a “conservative Democrat,” and the impact on the race for Segal, Cicilline, and Lynch is still to be determined, although it’s likely that Gemma damages Bill Lynch’s camapign to a greater degree than Segal or Cicilline. Could Gemma’s political inexperience be the ultimate rallying cry of an “outsider” candidacy in a political environment in which incumbency and political experience may very well be poisonous?

Some background on Gemma (via Facebook):

Anthony P. Gemma, born in Providence Rhode Island in 1970 to Larry and the late Gloria Gemma, is the youngest of nine children and remains a lifelong Rhode Island resident.

Anthony made his decision to seek election in the US House of Representatives 1st Congressional District because of his passion for the State he calls home. Anthony’s experience and work ethic span decades and include accomplishments such as successful business owner, attorney, exemplary leader, philanthropist and family man. He has worked tirelessly to create new, sustainable jobs, manage healthcare costs in Rhode Island, worked to develop performance excellence standards for Rhode Island businesses, and co-founded the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation in memory of his mom, who died from breast cancer in 2002.

Anthony’s solid work ethic both professional and philanthropic was instilled at the age of ten, when his father and mentor – introduced him to the family’s plumbing business. Discipline and integrity were expected from all the Gemma children, and Anthony applied those qualities to his academic career. He was graduated cum laude from Suffolk University in 1992 with a B.S. in Legal Argument/Communications. He earned his J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law in 1998, and currently Anthony is admitted to practice law in Rhode Island and in Federal Court.

In 1998, Anthony assumed the roles of Executive Vice President and CEO and in 2000 was appointed to the position of company president, in which he remained until 2008.

At that time, Anthony founded Mediapeel™, an integrated marketing firm specializing in new media solutions and offering a product line which includes web video magazine and website development, media buying and placement, the Mediapeel™ On-Time Traffic Reporting Center, and other traditional and cutting-edge forms of advertising.

Anthony is committed to a team approach to business building and problem solving. He and his team of committed professionals founded the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation created in the memory of his mother, who succumbed to the disease in 2002. The Foundation is committed to raising breast cancer awareness, increasing breast health education, and generating funding for critical breast health programs.

Innovation coupled with the blending of cutting-edge and traditional strategies and methods are the hallmark of Anthony’s public and private endeavors. He was instrumental in the development of the Gem Institute for Performance Excellence, a learning organization with the mission to provide guidance to organizations throughout the United States seeking to increase performance levels.

Anthony is also an accomplished public speaker and motivator. He consults with organizations throughout the United States on various topics. He served as the President of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, served on the Executive Board of the Northern RI Chamber and served as a board member of Quality Partners of Rhode Island. He is a past member of the Providence/Cranston Workforce Development, and an active volunteer with the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.

Anthony has achieved many awards throughout his career including: 2005, 2007 and 2008 Forty Under 40 Award – Providence Business News, 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year – Point Magazine, The 2006 EFNE Award for Business Innovation, the 2007 WELCOA Wellness Award – Gold Level, and many more. Anthony has also won several awards for his outstanding commitment to community service including Philanthropist of the Year – St. Mary’s Home For Children, Sponsor of the Year – Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Local Hero Award – Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Boy Scouts of America – 2009 – Whitney M. Young Service Award. In addition to his commendations, Anthony has worked tirelessly with the Autism Project of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Veterans Administration and the Rhode Island Special Olympics.

Anthony is married to Julie DiManni-Gemma and is the proud father of Anthony Gemma. The family resides in Lincoln, RI.

May 12, 2010January 12, 2012

David Segal to Announce Run for Congress – TODAY

Update: Segal’s announcement will take place at today at 12:15 at Bank of America (218 Taunton Ave, East Providence). Segal will join supporters to discuss his record of standing up to powerful interests and winning victories on behalf of working families. After his remarks, Segal will begin his grassroots campaign — joining supporters in going door to door in the community, talking with voters.

Original Post: David Segal will make his announcement that he will be a candidate for Congress in the Democratic Primary for the seat being vacated by Patrick Kennedy (CD1). As I wrote before, the entire progressive community has a serious choice to make – right here and right now. Do we want to put our collective efforts behind a true, consistent, and RELIABLE progressive champion who will stand up for regular working folks, for good paying jobs and economic development for all, and for the environment? Do we want someone who will fight for equality, for affordable housing, for ending imperialism, and for true health care reform? Do we want someone who will fight for open and accountable government, for ethics and campaign finance reform? Do we want someone who will stand up for us, rather than sell out to corporate America like most Democrats are so eager to do?

“We need to do more for working families in Rhode Island,” Segal explained. “For the last eight years, I’ve been fighting for regular people against powerful interests. Working with grassroots coalitions, we’ve won some important victories for local families. Now more than ever, Rhode Island working families need someone in Congress who will stand up to powerful interests and win victories for working families.”

On Wednesday, Segal will make his formal announcement of candidacy (details to follow). The kick-off event will emphasize his record of taking on big banks on behalf of regular people and the need to hold Wall Street accountable. After the event, Segal and local residents will canvass the neighborhood to talk to residents about this specific issue.

If you’re like me, you want David Segal to be the next U.S. Representative for RI’s First Congressional District because you know he’s the best person for the job. Personally, what I like most about David Segal is that he wants to hear what people think, actively seeking out the opinions of his constituents. This allows him to have a down-to-earth understanding of the issues based on an honest analysis and sincere reflection of how they directly impact people’s lives.

As a Councilman and a State Representative for Providence and East Providence, Segal has passed laws cracking down on predatory lending by big banks, steering good jobs to Rhode Island families, increasing affordable housing, and facilitating the development of renewable electricity and “green jobs” across the state. He’s also championed ethics reform and campaign finance reform legislation. And last year, Segal organized fellow legislators to block the state budget until $25 million in funding for schools and local aid for services was restored.

Here are several recent examples of how David Segal will stand up and fight for all Rhode Islanders in Washington.

Net Metering bill – allows a customer to get paid for any additional every generated from localized renewable energy production (this includes cities and towns – hint, hint).
Voting Records bill – would require that the voting records of all Representative and Senators in the General Assembly be placed online.
State Mandate bill – prohibits any new state mandates from being issued without adequate funding by and from the state.
Mayoral Academy bill – would require that mayoral academies to use a random selection process to choose student invitees to attend the mayoral academy, opening up the opportunity to all children.
Foreclosure Mediation bill – would require that big banks and lenders offer mediation and counseling services at least 45 days before initiating a foreclosure.
Domestic Partner bill – allows for couples living together in committed relationships, but not officially married, to make funeral arrangement decisions for the deceased.
Immigration anti-profiling bill – would prohibit state and local police from inquiring about the immigration status, unless arrested for a felony or there is reasonable suspicion.

David Segal has also been a consistent supporter of the rights of workers. He has been standing up for the Westin Hotel employees during their boycott, spearheading a petition drive calling on the Hotel’s management to be fair to its workers and resolve the labor dispute. Fundamental to Segal’s argument is that when taxpayer money is spent, Rhode Island workers and families should benefit.

We’re close to reaching 2,000 signatures. You can (and should) sign the petition and add your name to the growing list of supporters of the Westin Hotel workers.

“I have recommended the Westin hotel in the past due to its status as a unionized hotel. This labor dispute makes me reconsider that decision.” — Heather V., Providence, RI”The Westin hotel would not stand for a group booking suddenly paying 20% less… Why would you think that you can do this to your union workers?” — Kevin C., Cranston, RI

“Please respect the workers. They are what makes your hotel work.” — Maureen M., Wakefield, RI

“Now is certainly not the time to punish workers for the economic situation is this country. You have the power and moral imperative to do the right thing in this situation.” — A reverend from Providence, RI

On Thursday, David Segal will deliver the petition to hotel management and call for the reversal of the recent 20% pay cut and a massive increase in healthcare co-pays (read more about the labor dispute here).

So now, let’s help David Segal win this. There are three things you can do RIGHT NOW!

Do all three NOW.

Let’s all come together and work our butts off to send David Segal to Capitol Hill! How awesome would that be?

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