Downtown Providence from the Providence River. (Photo by Bob Plain)
Rep. Jon Brien thinks he can retain his House seat without winning the election. His path to victory: eliminating the man who beat him in a primary. Brien thinks the federal Hatch Act might prohibit fire fighter Stephen Casey from serving in the state legislature because the Woonsocket Fire Department got a $300,000 grant from the U.S. government.
Like RIPEC’s report itself, the Providence Journal’s editorial on it is light on specifics and heavy on platitudes. It strikes me as patently false when politicians, activists or the news media assert that Rhode Island doesn’t have a governmental position to serve the business sector of the state’s economy. You don’t have to like the EDC, but intellectual honesty requires its existence at least be acknowledged!
The New Leaders Project, a local political action committee that endorses State House candidates, is confounding some for its unconventional endorsements. The PAC says it advocates a “pro-jobs” agenda but what does that really mean? Well, its president, East Greenwich School Committee member Jack Sommers, was fined by the Department of Labor Training in 2010 for not paying an employee nearly $2,000 in wages. Pro jobs but anti pay check, I guess…
One year after closing five schools, Providence education officials are anticipating student enrollment to “surge” by some 2,000 students, says the ProJo. The so-called ed reform movement seems to work far better at shrinking public education than it does at serving it.
So here’s pretty much all you need to know about what America values in its workforce: NFL refs should get pensions, but public school teachers on the other hand, not so much…
You know things are getting bad in Rhode Island when the state is suing its orphans. Miss Hannigan would be proud.
Seems like the debate over a mega-port at Quonset is heating up again. For those who don’t remember, the idea for a deep water port at Quonset pitted quality of life in North Kingstown against economic development for Rhode Island.
No one wants the Cranston father-daughter dance controversy to continue … except of course local Republicans and national conservative groups who are using the situation as an opportunity to beat up on the ACLU.
Here’s what the mayor of Phoenix said after trying to live on food stamps for one week: “I’m tired and it’s hard to focus.”
Back in 1967, it was Republicans accusing Democrats of being “brainwashed” by the “military industrial complex.”
Jon Brien has a better chance of winning a write-in campaign! LOL!
Wouldn’t the time to allege a Hatch Act violation have been right after Casey filed his canididacy papers?
Of course not. You’re supposed to wait until after you lose and cry about it incessantly.
I’m waiting for the Gablinske/Brien ticket in 2014! The Sour Grapes Party!
“Jon Brien has a better chance of winning a write-in campaign! LOL!”
As usual with the callous comments. This is actually bigger than Brien. When was the last time one of the state legislators had to fight a Hatch complaint? I’m no Brien fan but win or lose, it will probably open a can of worms. With the anti-public union sentiment in this state, people will be coming out of the woodwork to file complaints. You’re as bad as his campaign manager Kerwin who called it a ‘slam dunk’ in the Projo. As to the timeliness of the complaint, I’m sure in Brien’s own mind he had no worries up until the results were in.
As usual, you have no clue what you’re talking about. I’ve known candidates who’ve sought opinions from the Ethics Commission concerning the Hatch Act.
I can assure you that Brien has zero grounds for a Hatch Act complaint. I’ll bet you a steak dinner on it!
Which people are going to come out of the woodwork? You’re such a turkey!
Ethics Commission??? How about the US Office of Special Counsel.
Frequently Asked Questions
You are so confident that you’re afraid to take my bet. Silly troll.
State of Rhode Island Division of Human Resources
Political Activity and the State and Local Employee
Read page 7 & 8. By the way, I don’t support Brien’s endeavor and I’m not calling it a win or loss. Unless you know exactly what Mr. Casey’s duties include then maybe you shouldn’t either. As for who’s coming out of the woodwork, that remains to be seen. Ethics Commission??? LMAO!