What’s the plan to fix budget problems in Woonsocket? A special 13 percent supplemental tax increase this spring. But here’s the problem with that plan. According to the Projo: “the special assessment will cost the average homeowner about $350 in a city where the median family income is about $770 a week.”
— Lou Raptakis, a former state senator, tells East Greenwich Patch that he is going to run for his old seat. Raptakis ran for Secretary of State two years ago and very conservative Glen Shibley ended up winning his seat. EG Patch also reports that Peter DiSimmone, of Narragansett, plans to challenge Sen. Dawson Hodgson, whose district now includes a stretch of that town in addition to East Greenwich and North Kingstown.
— Yes, financial problems of cities and towns is a huge issue for Rhode Island. But so is this one: the number of people who are graduating from high school is dropping. According to a study, RI is one of 10 states in the country to see a decline and, at 75.3 percent, we’re not below the national average.
— Dan McGowan lists the 15 most influential political operatives in Rhode Island. Congrats to Kate Brock, of Ocean State Action, whom McGowan calls, “the face of the progressive left in Rhode Island.” Ray Sullivan, of Marriage Equality Rhode Island, also makes McGowan’s list.
— Did you see where Ernie Almonte said he was thinking of running for governor but doesn’t know if he’ll run as a Republican or as a Democrat? This is the problem with the Democratic party in Rhode Island – it really isn’t all that different from the GOP.