Progressive News, Opinion, and Analysis
Forget receivership – for now, anyway – the Woonsocket School Committee has another idea to solve the struggling city’s budget crisis. The school committee last night voted 4 to 1 to have the state take over the local schools. More later this morning on what happens next. The Projo has two great pieces of journalism …
The legislative session is slated to end on Tuesday and if it does without the General Assembly approving a supplemental tax bill for Woonsocket residents the struggling city will probably have to file for bankruptcy … don’t worry, though, this isn’t a surprise to local legislators Jon Brien and Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, who won’t support the …
It’s hard to imagine a more news-packed day than yesterday for Rhode Island: 38 Studios filed for bankruptcy and is now being investigated by state and federal authorities, the House passed the state budget plan after a marathon session that ended just after 3:30 this morning and, oh yeah, thousands of progressive activists were downtown …
Continue reading “Progress Report: Budget Bill, 38 Studios, Netroots”
Of course everyone talks about the parties and the networking opportunities, but the real action at Netroots Nation is in the panels and speakers. Each day of the big progressive get together I’ll be posting a little bit about some of the panels and speakers I’m looking forward to sitting in on. Look for posts …
Back in June 2009, there was a strong push for the state to make changes to the tax structure. Organizing from the grassroots was highlighting the inequity of what was then called the “flat tax.” Boring you with all the details now isn’t the point, but reminding you of the rhetoric from the business community …
Continue reading “Tax Debate: Back to Future for Business Community”
To date, my new business plan for RI Future has consisted mostly of me wearing sweaters on cold nights and eating a lot of peanut butter and bread for meals. But this state’s only source of progressive news and information now needs a new computer. Since our readership is growing just as rapidly as the …
All best to the Central Falls Charter Commission. Here’s hoping Councilman James Diossa is right on when he tells the Projo, “The charter commission is going to bring the community out and get them engaged and involved.” Portsmouth Rep. Dan Reilly’s parents, who are the biggest income tax evaders in the state, are not claiming …
Continue reading “RI Progress Report: Dan Reilly, Central Falls, Catholics”
Ask any conservative and they’ll tell you that the state’s problems are inextricably linked to the dominance of Democrats. This is not untrue, but what they aren’t telling you is that many of the Democrats in the General Assembly are more closely aligned with their own ideology than that of the party’s typical platform. Our …
Continue reading “The Democrat in Name Only State: Rhode Island”
Thousands of Rhode Islanders went to work today (or looked for work) instead of to the polls. Maybe they were going to vote, but then decided they just wanted to go home. Or maybe they didn’t like the candidates. Or maybe they just didn’t know where their local polling place was. They’ll all be counted …
Continue reading “Electoral Abstinence: Choosing None of the Above”
Providence Mayor Angel Taveras announces his proposed budget tonight … it’ll be interesting to see how he plugs that $22 million hole in the city’s operating expenses. We’ll learn tonight if any more of the local non-profits decided to pony up and help out the Capital City. A great editorial from the Projo about the …
Continue reading “RI Progress Report: Taveras Budget, DD Cuts, Welcome Wickford Junction”
As the Senate takes up the Buffett Rule on Monday, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and reportedly Sen. Jack Reed too, will be rallying for his bill today. Whitehouse, who is sponsoring the high-profile legislation that would ensure millionaires pay at least 30 percent tax on their income, will meet activists, union members and other Rhode Islanders …
Continue reading “RI Progress Report: Buffett Rule, New Baykeeper, Ahlquist”
Mitt Romney will make his second campaign stop in the Ocean State today. The GOP presidential hopeful will be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick for what his campaign calls a Small Business Town Hall. The last time Romney was in Rhode Island he held a fundraiser at a Newport mansion, where the millionaire …
Continue reading “RI Progress Report: Romney in RI and Wildfire Warnings”
Rightfully, Sen. Frank Ciccone is emerging as the biggest loser in the incident in which his senate colleague Dominick Ruggerio was arrested for allegedly driving drunk and refusing a breathalyzer. Ciccone is accused of attempting to coerce Barrington police officers to let Ruggerio off by threatening legislative retribution. We’re not sure exactly which is more …
Continue reading “RI Progress Report: Teachers v. Tuition, Ciccone, RIP Peter Lord”
A proposal passed yesterday by the General Assembly of Occupy Oakland is to generate a national day of action that will call attention to prisons across America. While presidential candidates take to their stumps, one might be unaware that America is the international leader of incarceration with no competition in sight. February 20th, amidst American Black …
Continue reading “National “Occupy” Day in Support of Prisoners: February 20th”