With over 125 people in attendance, including several city and state elected officials, Tom Sgouros, candidate for General Treasurer, gave an impassioned and heartfelt speech about why he’s running.  The main theme is that we can do better in Rhode Island.  While expressing his love for the Ocean State (rather than mimicking others who seem focused on how horrible it is), Sgouros understands that the state has significant problems.  But hope is not lost.

For 20 years, Tom Sgouros has been advocating for a better Rhode Island, working with politicians and activist groups to develop new ways of looking at the state’s old problems.  And he’s waited for these reforms to be put into practice.  We’ve all waited, and waited, and waited. 

Tom is sick of waiting.

For 20 years he’s talked about the state’s problems, and for almost 7 years he’s been writing them down.  His new book “Ten Things You Don’t Know About Rhode Island” is a must-read for anyone who is as interested in solving the state’s problems as Tom Sgouros is.

Tom spoke briefly about what the Treasurer’s office does, or more importantly how the Treasurer’s office can be better used as a vehicle to help the state’s problems.  Hundreds of millions of dollars in investment funds leave the state.  They are invested in faraway banks.  And with those funds, the investment fees and commissions also leave the state – millions and millions of dollars that could and should stay here. 

Sgouros wants to redirect the state’s investments, reduce the load that is put on the state, and use the investments to better help Rhode Islanders.  We can use that money here for education, for our roads and bridges, for the environment, for open space, for public transit, for health care, and for many, many government services that are critical to us.  Rhode Island can and should invest in the state to help the hardworking men and women who need it.  Tom has the knowledge and experience to use the lessons of economics in a practical way when dealing with the state’s investments.

With Tom Sgouros, Progressive don’t need to compromise.  In this election, at this time, we don’t have to choose the least worst candidate. If we want fresh, new ideas to solve the state’s problems, Tom Sgouros is the one.

There are several things that YOU can do right NOW to support Tom Sgouros.

1. Please make a donation before midnight tonight:
2. Endorse Tom Sgouros and join the many other Rhode Islanders who are publicly supporting him.
3. Sign up to volunteer.  You can commit to hosting a house party, inviting your friends, family, and neighbors to meet with Tom.  You can knock on some doors or make some phone calls to help Tom’s campaign.