RI Progress Report: Raimondo Questions Chafee’s Leadership on 38 Studios Loan

Narrative of the day: Treasurer Gina Raimondo blamed her former pension reform partner Gov. Linc Chafee for not paying close enough attention to the risky loan guarantee that state made to Curt Schilling and 38 Studios.

She told the Providence Journal, “A company does not run out of money overnight. A company is not a year behind [on] product development overnight. So the question is: how has the state been monitoring this investment; how and what has the governor and his staff, in conjunction with the EDC … how have they been working the deal?”

It’s a legitimate question, but it also shines a bright light on the growing rift between Raimondo and Chafee, who may end up squaring off against each other for the governor’s office in 2014.

Raimondo said she has sought information from the governor’s office and has not yet received a reply … we know the feeling, as RI Future is still waiting to hear back from your staff on a weeks-old request for an interview with you!

Ian Donnis on Anthony Gemma’s positive early season poll numbers against incumbent David Cicilline: “That’s like assuming some guy currently batting .340 is going to maintain his excellence through a grueling a 162-game baseball schedule.”

Look for many to use the 38 Studios debacle as a reason to remake the EDC.

The NAACP, an organization near and dear to state Sen. Harold Metts, has endorsed marriage equality. Last I checked, Sen. Metts is against it.