Dave Fisher
A General Assembly, united
The prospect of a Constitutional Convention in Rhode Island is among the most prescient and hotly debated issues in Rhode Island politics today. Detractors of a Con-Con worry that the influence of monied special interests would essentially buy their way into a constitution that benefits those special interests. Supporters say that the convention would be […]
Corporate tax cut nay but combined reporting yay
Since Rep Nick “Jobs and Economy” Mattiello has risen to the throne of speaker of the house, there seems to be a wave of pro-corporate, anti-human legislation making its way through the halls of the Marble Monolith, and quickly. The latest of these ‘improve-the-business-climate’ bills to bubble to the greasy surface of the General Assembly […]
Are you there, General Assembly? It’s me, Woonsocket…
Hey there, guys and gals. I was just having a coffee cabinet and some dynamites, thinking about yesterday’s SCORI decision in the Woonsocket and Pawtucket School Committee’s case to alter and accelerate school funding for these two cities, when it occurred to me that I should reach out to you all because, who knows better […]
Is Conley defending an epic environmental catastrophe
Everybody seems to be wondering what has Historian Laureate Patrick Conley’s knickers in a twist over R.I. Department of Environmental Management’s regulatory structures, so I offer a bit of perspective on his beef with DEM. As Bob Plain pointed out in this excellent post, Conley is currently subject to at least two corrective actions by […]
It’s the (green) jobs and the economy, stupid!
Since his ascension to the legislative throne, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello has adopted the oft-heard, heptasyllabic mantra of “jobs and the economy.” This is an admirable goal, but suggesting that adjusting the corporate and estate taxes will have any effect on the economy as a whole is like saying the best way to jump start […]
Nick Kettle’s campaign strategy: cut and paste
Politicians are beginning to understand that a campaign website is essential in any race. Maybe they got the idea while perusing a newspaper from 2001, or maybe the idea has been “held for further study” for the last 13 years. Either way, in 2014, a campaign website is de rigeur. Most politicians “borrow” ideas from […]
Saying ‘no’ to not drugs: Industrial hemp and marijuana law reform
When the RI General Assembly passed a law prohibiting smoking in public places, it made our restaurants and bars healthier places for their patrons and employees. Sure was a step in the right direction, but what was not a widely publicized fact after the law passed was that the following year, organizations like Save the […]
Margaux Morisseau’s campaign kicks off tonight
It’s been official for a while, but tonight it will be officially official. Margaux Morisseau will kick off her campaign for the District 21 Rhode Island Senate seat tonight at the Corner Bistro, 1115 Hartford Pike, North Scituate 02857. Margaux Morisseau is the director of Community Building & Organizing for NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, a nonprofit […]
Mattiello visits Woonsocket, but his tax-cutting agenda won’t help city
As was reported by Jim Baron in The Woonsocket Call, newly elected House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello visited Woonsocket recently. While I only became aware of his visit after the fact, and was disappointingly not invited to the Rotary Club luncheon that he addressed, I should like to address the Speaker through this most public of […]
SCOTUS McCutcheon ruling further erodes US democracy
Not since Roe v. Wade has a U.S. Supreme Court decision permeated the public consciousness quite like the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) case. In 2010, the nation’s highest court opened the campaign finance floodgates when – in a 5-4 decision – they sided with lawyers for the anti- Hillary Clinton political action […]
Woonsocket, 100 days into the Baldelli Hunt era
Now that Mayor Lisa Baldelli- Hunt has given her 100-day update on the city’s finances, I thought I’d write a post on it. While I don’t think that even 100 days are enough to actually get a handle on the minutiae of running the city of Woonsocket, I give her credit and this goes in […]
House Finance will hear tax equity bills today
The powerful House Finance Committee will hear two bills on income tax equity today. One sponsored by Rep. Maria Cimini of Providence would raise income taxes on the richest Rhode Islanders by 2 percent and would mean $60 million for the state. The other, sponsored by Rep. Larry Valencia, who represents Exeter, Hopkinton and Richmond, […]
Rep. Valencia continues push for tax equity
Rep. Larry Valencia is charging hard at injustice and promoting progressive values in the General Assembly. This Democrat serving Hopkinton, Exeter, and Richmond voted ‘Yea’ on marriage equality, is a cosponsor of the marijuana legalization bill, the lead sponsor of the repeal of Voter ID, cosponsors Rep. Maria Cimini’s Tax Equity bill, and has also […]
Environmental advocates take to the State House
Each year, the Environment Council of Rhode Island (ECRI) holds a legislative lobby day allowing everyday folks who care about the environment to lobby their legislators to protect laws that protect our environment and voice opposition to bills that they see as detrimental to the first resort’s ecosystems. The Environment Council of Rhode Island was […]
Rhode Island is for marriage equality
It’s as good as done. Marriage equality will be marriage reality with one more trip through the House, and a swipe of the governor’s pen. Just in time for wedding season! The Rhode Island Senate made history today passing S38 by a 26 to 12 vote, making Rhode Island the tenth state in the union […]
Committee moves marriage equality to full Senate
The Senate Judiciary Committee made history today with the passage of two bills regarding same sex marriage, and the defeat of a bill that would have put the question of marriage equality to a ballot vote in 2014. In a vote of 7-to-4, the committee passed SB 38, which redefines marriage as a union of […]
Gallagher And Gun Control
Ever tried to pry out a nail with a screwdriver or pave a driveway with plastic resin? No? That’s because you’re smart enough to use the right tool for the right job. Which is why the “hammers, knives and baseball bats kill more people than guns, but they’re not regulated” argument used by Second Amendment […]
Lima, MacBeth Suggest Not Paying 38 Studios Bonds
The House Finance Committee heard several bills yesterday concerning the operation of the RI Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in the wake of last years 38 Studios fiasco, including two bills that would prohibit the state or the EDC from making payments to the bondholders of the failed video game company. The bills, H5639 and H5888, […]
Rhode Island Women Still Fighting For Equal Pay
When it comes to wages, there’s still a gender gap in Rhode Island. According to a new report from the Women’s Fund of RI, the median weekly income for a woman in Rhode Island in 2011 was $746, while men earned $917. The disparity happens in wage growth as well. Increase in median wage for […]
Hotel Employees Picket Providence Renaissance
It seems that the new boss is the same as the old boss at the Renaissance Hotel in Providence. The Renaissance was made famous not for its stellar customer service, but for this now infamous YouTube video of Joey DeFrancesco quitting his job with the help of the What Cheer? Brigade. Joey quit his job […]
New Comments