Commerce RI Has Failed to Meet Two out of Three Times, Raimondo Missed Only Meeting
Tuesday, April 07, 2015
With Rhode Island's economy consistently at the bottom of national rankings, Governor Gina Raimondo appears to be unable to constitute a full board of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, as board departures and canceled meetings have dictated the year so far.
The full Board has met just once since Raimondo took office in 2015, missing two out of the first three scheduled monthly meetings, and needs at least two to three seats filled, if not more, on the 12 member board.
Commerce RI spokesperson Melissa Czerwein said when asked that the current board composition was listed on their website, but at least several board members have said that they've stepped off.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"I'm not on the board. I resigned a couple of months ago," said Elizabeth Francis, Executive Director of the RI Board of Humanities who was appointed by Governor Chafee for a three term in 2014. "I wanted to give the Governor and [Commerce RI Secretary] Stefan Pryor the flexibility to bring on who they wanted."
Roland Fiore, who had been appointed in 2013 to serve through 2017, told GoLocal that he has stepped down as well.
The Secretary of State's office lists an incomplete list of board members for Commerce RI, that lacks Fiore and Francis (as well as Rhode Island College President Dr. Nancy Carriuolo).
"The Commerce Corporation Board will play an important role in jumpstarting our struggling economy, creating jobs, and expanding opportunity for all Rhode Islanders," said Raimondo press secretary Marie Aberger. "The Governor is currently in the midst of making decisions regarding these board appointments, and we’ll have more to share soon."
Aberger confirmed the Governor missed the one meeting that the full Board had on February 23. The Governor serves as the 13th board member.
195 Focus?
Commerce RI had met at least four times as a full board this time last year.
"I think it's a combination of factors," said Rhode Island State Senator James Shehaan, who had introduced legislation to require greater oversight of the state's quasi public agencies. "If [board members] have a term that has not expired, or one that straddles a new Governor -- that person could stay on I guess, or else be brought in and said, 'Hey look would you mind tendering your resignation." And that could take time."
"It's really been the 'Raimondo shuffle' with the boards -- its methodical, and we're getting them by dribs and drabs. There's not even an education commissioner lined up after Gist," continued Shehaan. "You'd think Commerce would be a priority, with the $25 million [earmarked] for 195. That's really a showcase centerpiece. The 'baseball' in the ointment is the PawSox, and I think the center player is [Commerce Secretary] Pryor, whether or not the board in place."
The 195 Redevelopment District under Commerce RI's jurisdiction met on Monday night.
The development of the 195 land continues to be a priority of Commerce RI, who issued an RFP for real estate development consulting services that was due at the end of March. Commerce RI has declined requests for the names of the RFP applicants.
Meanwhile, the General Assembly and the Senate await any nominations to confirm for the board.
"The only Commerce appointment to have come before us this session is Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor. His nomination was confirmed on February 5," said Greg Pare, spokesperson for Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed. "There are no pending appointments to the Commerce Corporation presently before the Senate."
Related Slideshow: Raimondo’s First 75 Days
Related Articles
- Raimondo Warns of Projected $500 Million Budget Deficit by FY19
- Pam Gencarella: Where Does Raimondo’s Vision Put Us in Five Years?
- Russell Moore: Raimondo’s Spot-On Budget Warning
- Raimondo Announces Formation of Working Group to Reinvent Medicaid in RI
- NEW: Raimondo Names New Rhode Island Department of Health Director
- NEW: Lewis to Step Down, Raimondo Announces New RIDOT Chief
- Governor Raimondo Urges Residents to Continue to Stay Off Roads
- Raimondo Names 6 New 195 Commissioners
- UPDATED: Raimondo Nominates 5 to Board of Education
- Governor Raimondo Announces Pay Equity Tip Line and Website
- Kwan Among Four Named by Raimondo to RI Arts Council
- Governor Raimondo to Launch Web-Based Open Budget Tool
- Governor Raimondo’s Budget Address, March 12, 2015
- Winners and Losers in Raimondo Budget Proposal
- Raimondo Budget Proposal Draws Praise - and Criticism
- New: Raimondo, State Leaders React to Pension Settlement
- NEW: Raimondo Budget Preview Includes $10 Million in Low-Income Scholarships
- Raimondo’s Former Firm Highest Paid by State
- Raimondo’s First 75 Days
- NEW: Raimondo Makes Case for New Rhode Island School Building Authority
- NEW: Raimondo Announces “Governor for a Day” Winner
- NEW: Raimondo Appoints Twelve to Rhode Island Commission on Women
- Horowitz: Raimondo’s Budget: Well-Constructed and Well-Packaged
- Russ Moore: 5 Things To Hate About Raimondo’s Budget
- Raimondo Activates Adverse Weather Policy for State Employees