RI Dems endorse incumbents in fractious state convention
Last night’s RI Democratic State committee meeting offered no surprises in the outcome — incumbent Governor Raimondo and Lt. Gov. McKee received expected endorsements — but the process of getting there provided moments of conflict that illuminated tensions within the Party. The convention of the more than 100 members of the state committee — city […]
Raimondo signs ‘red flag’ gun safety executive order
Flanked by red-t-shirted members of Moms Demand Action, Gov. Gina Raimondo signed an executive order at Warwick City Hall this afternoon aimed at assisting law enforcement in removing guns from those determined to pose danger to themselves or others. The three components of the order provide for coordination among state and local police investigating reports […]
Governors face the crisis of innovation in Providence Summer Meeting
Perhaps the clearest example of the much-discussed challenge of innovation came in the closing session of the National Governors Association (NGA) in Providence. The outgoing chair, Virginia’s Terry McAuliffe, attempted to pass the gavel to incoming governor Brian Sandoval of Nevada. They had arranged for a drone to buzz in from offstage and drop it […]
Raimondo quietly reverses 6/10 decision, then backslides.
Governor Raimondo seemed to quietly reverse herself on the 6/10 Connector, stating that her office was open to working with the City of Providence on any solution that was safe, did not worsen traffic, and was cost-effective. Through a staffer, Raimondo later denied that her statement constituted a reversal of policy. Rhode Islanders can continue […]
Amid emergency repairs, Raimondo, Elorza disagree on feasability of 6/10 boulevard
“Not at all,” said Emily Crowell when asked if the mayor agrees with the governor that the boulevard idea is unfeasible because of the emergency repairs the announced today. “We’re not abandoning the idea to make the 6/10 connector multi-modal.”
Raimondo’s office must take 6/10 position
Resident Laura Bozzi says transit must "outcompete" driving. #610Connector pic.twitter.com/sCjYXpMUkT — Transport Providence (@TransportPVD) August 30, 2016 The assembled crowd of 200 people at Tuesday night’s 6/10 Connector community meeting were unequivocal: no highway should be rebuilt along the corridor. It found a receptive if demur audience in Providence Planning Department and Mayor Jorge Elorza. […]
Sometimes economic development looks a lot like war and stealing
Governor Gina Raimondo spent Tuesday traveling around southern Rhode Island celebrating economic victories. But as her visits to Newport and Westerly indicate, not everything that benefits the Ocean State economy is necessary good for the rest of the world.
RI state police force gets even whiter
There are 27 new state police troopers this year and 93% of them are white men. There is only one Hispanic man and only one women among the new officers and not one African American.
Democratic Party platform frowns on Raimondo-style pension cuts
Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea described it as “the most progressive platform ever put forward by an American political party.” Sen. Bernie Sanders said, “Our job now is to see that platform implemented by a Democratically controlled Senate [and] a Democratically controlled House.” Yet one small detail might have Gov. Gina Raimondo nervous. In between […]
Raimondo will tell PayPal RI is ‘progressive place’ for business
After I tweeted about it, Republican state Rep. Bobby Nardolillo wrote the governor about it, and the Providence Journal asked her about it, Gina Raimondo said she will invite to Rhode Island PayPal and other companies uncomfortable doing business in North Carolina because of a new law that legalizes discrimination against LGBTQ people. “I am […]
Nardolillo to Raimondo: Bring LGBTQ-respecting PayPal to RI
Republican Rep. Bobby Nardolillo wants Rhode Island to pick up the PayPal jobs that are fleeing North Carolina because that state passed a law discriminating against LGBTQ people, an idea also floated by some on the progressive left yesterday. “I learned today of an excellent opportunity to draw a high profile, internationally recognized company to […]
Next generation Veterans’ Affairs: Economic engine, not resource hub
Veterans are fierce, persistent against all odds, and amazing leaders. Sure, not all veterans are the same, but a majority of vets are exceptional with whatever they pour their energy into, whether it’s fixing diesel engines or running a Fortune 100 company. A vision for the future of the Division of Veterans Affairs has to […]
Raimondo convenes discussion on state aid to local schools
Governor Gina Raimondo announced today she is organizing a working group to review the state’s education funding formula. “After five years, it is time to for a fresh look to review our education funding structure,” she said in a press release sent out today. “A significant part of jumpstarting our economy and creating opportunity for […]
As the fast continues: Educating Raimondo on climate change
“You can’t negotiate with a beetle. You are now dealing with natural law. And if you don’t understand natural law, you will soon.” Oren Lyons, a member of the Onandaga Council of Chiefs, quoted by Mary Christina Wood in her book Nature’s Trust, sums up what’s wrong with our self-absorbed political system and its failure […]
FANG activists lock themselves to Spectra construction equipment
Activists opposed to methane gas expansion locked themselves to construction equipment being used to prepare an area in Burrillville for a gas pipeline project early Monday morning. “I expect them to be arrested at some point today,” said Sherrie Andre, who sent out a press release and photos of the action on behalf of FANG, […]
Raimondo ends school construction moratorium
No ground has been broken yet, but it can now be said that the much-maligned moratorium on school construction is officially over. Governor Gina Raimondo today launched the new School Building Authority Capital Fund, a $20 million line item in the 2016 budget that will go to fixing Rhode Island’s aging and too often decrepit […]
Will Ken Wagner’s past in New York shape his future in Rhode Island
This spring Governor Raimondo held meetings with various stakeholder groups to find out what characteristics they would want in an education commissioner. According to the Providence Journal article of July 7, “Common themes emerged, with each group calling for a leader who listens and is collaborative, thoughtful, and student-centered.” In my view, the choice of […]
Q&A on the 6/10 Connector
With Governor Raimondo’s recent push for transportation funding, people are talking about patching up the 6/10 Connector vs. replacing it with a boulevard. Best practice in urban design recommends replacing urban highways with boulevards. But that would be something we haven’t done before in Rhode Island, so it’s understandable that some people have concerns. Here […]
NBC10 Wingmen: On Gina Raimondo
Governor Gina Raimondo would like to expand the Commerce Corporation and shrink Medicaid. Perhaps only in Rhode Island is such a political actor also a Democrat. To her credit, she also seems committed to raising the minimum wage and increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit. But she’s not really using any of her enormous political […]
State spends $5 million on private school transportation, textbooks
Rhode Island spent more than $5.4 million in 2014 on transportation and textbooks for students who attend private and parochial schools, according to the Department of Education. “The textbook law has been in the books since the 19th century,” said RIDE spokesman Elliot Krieger. “The transport law on books since the 1970s.” Governor Gina Raimondo’s […]
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