Progressive Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Brown hit incumbent Governor and primary opponent Gina Raimondo on healthcare, reproductive rights — and management aptitude, and more -- when he appeared on GoLocal LIVE on Federal Hill.
During the past week, Brown went on the offensive against Raimondo, garnering a number of top national women's rights leaders to endorse him over Rhode Island's first female Governor -- which included a letter signed by more than three dozen women leaders, activists and Rhode Island residents supporting Brown’s platform and plan to expand reproductive health access in the state.
The letter, signed by former NARAL Pro-Choice America President Emerita Kate Michelman, prominent women’s rights advocate Gloria Steinem and others, puts a spotlight on what Brown said is Raimondo’s anti-choice governing record and the specific actions she took to restrict abortion coverage in Rhode Island.
"The state is 81% pro-choice but we rank as an F for restrictions on reproductive freedom," said Brown on LIVE, pointing out what he said is the disconnect between what voters want -- and the current administration backs.
"Raimondo’s restrictions were the first anti-choice legislation passed in Rhode Island in nearly two decades," said Brown.
Licenses for Immigrants -- Political Leadership Only Counts on "Difficult Issues"
After Raimondo said Thursday on LIVE that she didn't believe she had the authority to issue an executive order to provide for licenses to immigrants statewide, Brown countered Raimondo's argument.
"The [immigrant] community is under assault by the Trump admin — we see the separation of families at the border," said Brown. "I want Rhode Island to be a place welcoming to immigrants."
"As for licenses, this is a common sense issue. Immigrants are here, they should be able to drive to work, it's good for the economy, good for them pick their kids up," said Brown. "In terms of how to do it, it can be done by legislation. I’ve said if necessary I’ll do it as an Executive Order."
"I know [Raimondo] pledged she’d do one and did not keep that promise," said Brown. "It may be difficult but most of the important things that need to be done are difficult. Political leadership only counts on the difficult issues."
Economics, Healthcare
Brown addressed his opposition to legislation to put taxpayer backing behind a new Pawtucket Red Sox stadium -- as well as to out-of-state interests taking over healthcare in Rhode Island.
Regarding the PawSox, Brown said the following.
"My feeling is, as you know, Governor Raimondo’s signature economic development strategy is taking money from taxpayers and giving it to corporations and I think that’s not real economic development," said Brown. "Lasting economic development is going to be built on small businesses — the future of where the economy is going to be, that’s clean energy. That’s why I opposed the fracked gas plant the Governor has pushed for building up in the forest of Burrillville and making Rhode Island the first fully clean energy site in the country."
Brown was similarly scathing with regard to his view of Raimondo's track record on healthcare.
"We need a robust local healthcare system — and Raimondo by slashing Medicaid has hurt the local healthcare system," said Brown. "Now we’ve seen hospitals closing, we’re looking at large hospitals looking at selling themselves to large out of state corporations. To not have a local healthcare system would be bad for the quality of care, for the people of the state, and certainly bad for the future of the economy."
"It would be much better for this state if we had a local healthcare system. Anyone’s whose experience when a local old-fashioned provider is bought by a corporation, you see the quality of care change — it’s not the same as having your local healthcare," said Brown. "If the healthcare goes to [Massachusetts] — you’ll see us going up 195, jobs gravitate out of state. I want to do everything possible to keep our local healthcare system robust and vibrant. "
Related Slideshow: GoLocal Statewide Poll - Conducted by Harvard’s Della Volpe - June, 2018
Q4: When it comes to voting, do you consider yourself to be affiliated with the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, Moderate, or Unaffiliated with a major party?
Q5: Next year, in November of 2018, there will be a statewide general election for Governor and many other state offices. How likely is it that you will vote in this election? Will you definitely be voting, will you probably be voting, are you 50-50...
Definitely be voting.............................. 81%
Probably be voting............................... 19%
All others............................................. 0%
Q20: If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: Democrat Gina Raimondo, Republican Allan Fung and Independent Joe Trillo - for whom would you vote?
Q20: If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: Democrat Gina Raimondo, Republican Patricia Morgan and Independent Joe Trillo - for whom would you vote?
Q21: If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: Democrat Matt Brown, Republican Allan Fung and Independent Joe Trillo - for whom would you vote?
Allan Fung, a Republican..................... 35%
Matt Brown, a Democrat...................... 25%
Joe Trillo, an Independent.................... 14%
Q22: If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: Democrat Matt Brown, Republican Patricia Morgan and Independent Joe Trillo - for whom would you vote?
Matt Brown, a Democrat...................... 30%
Patricia Morgan, a Republican............. 20%
Joe Trillo, an Independent.................... 18%
Q23: If the election for the U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Robert Nardolillo - for whom would you vote?
Q24: If the election for the U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Robert Flanders - for whom would you vote?
Q25: If there was an election today, would you vote to approve or reject issuing $250 million in financing supported general obligation bonds to repair Rhode Island's deteriorating school buildings and bring them up to minimum standards called "warm, safe and dry"?
Q26: The Rhode Island General Assembly is in the process of negotiating a $40 million public financing deal with the Pawtucket Red Sox for a new stadium, hoping to bring a vote before the House and Senate this summer.
In general, do you favor or oppose the use of public funds to help finance a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox?
Q27: The City of Providence and the state of Rhode Island are considering a proposal by New York developer Jason Fane to build a 46-story luxury residence tower in Providence, next to a public riverfront park. The developer will invest $250 to $300 million of his own funds. The project is called the Hope Point Tower, it would be 170-feet taller than the Superman building and would require waiving height restrictions and the use of state tax credits.
In general, do you favor or oppose development of the Hope Point Tower?
Q29: Since it was launched in 2016, UHIP -- the Rhode Island program designed to improve customer service for those who receive federal benefits -- has run into significant problems, including long lines, cost overruns, lost applications, over- and under-charging of patients and families.
Based on what you know at this time, what percent of blame for this do you assign to:
Deloitte, the consulting company who
produced the system........................... 53.3%
Governor Gina Raimondo, who has
been governor since the system
launch in September 2016................... 47.1%
Q30: Presently, there are local groups opposing the development of a natural gas facility in Burrillville, solar projects in Exeter, a LNG facility in Providence and wind projects in North Kingstown.
Some people say that it is important for local groups to play a role in opposition of projects like these that could be dangerous or harmful to citizens;
Others say that local groups have gone too far to the detriment of the state’s long-term energy needs.
Which statement comes closer to your own view?
Local groups play an important role...... 46%
Local groups have gone too far............. 31%
Not sure................................................. 24%
Q32: The next question is about the total income of YOUR HOUSEHOLD for the PAST 12 MONTHS. Please include your income PLUS the income of all members living in your household (including cohabiting partners and armed forces members living at home).
$50,000 or less.................................... 33%
More $50,000 but less than $75,000..... 18%
More $75,000 but less than $100,000... 16%
More $100,000 but less than $150,000. 13%
$150,000 or more................................ 10%
Q33: What particular ethnic group or nationality - such as English, French, Italian, Irish, Latino, Jewish, African American, and so forth - do you consider yourself a part of or feel closest to?