Guest MINDSETTER™ James Sheehan: RI Needs to Bold in Rebuilding Economy
Monday, October 01, 2012
In a presentation to the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Economic Development, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council outlined proposals for a restructuring of the way the state pursues economic growth.
RIPEC, an independent, nonprofit public policy research organization, recently released a report on its study of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation that focused on the essential functions, structure and resources of the EDC. The report was prompted, in large part, by the collapse of 38 Studios, which received $75 million in EDC-backed loans.
As a co-chair of the joint committee, I welcomed the RIPEC report and presentation, and compliment the organization for its initiative and effort and its clear dedication to the betterment of our state through sound fiscal policy and efficiencies in government operations.
The joint committee, as part of its continuing hearings on the state’s short- and long-term economic development focus and efforts, intends to give serious consideration to the thorough and thoughtful RIPEC proposals. The RIPEC report focused not just on the EDC but also on all state activities and structures related to business and to economic growth and job creation. The report offered some bold proposals, from the creation of a State Commerce Secretary who would help shape the state’s business climate and oversee a new Executive Office of Commerce, to creation of a Council of Economic Advisors to analyze data and make policy recommendations.
Rhode Island needs to be bold in rebuilding our economy.
From crisis, it is said, comes opportunity. The anger and disappointment that followed the 38 Studios has opened the door to an honest discussion about how the state sets its economic development strategy, how the EDC or any successor organization fits into that strategy, and how we position the state for the greatest recovery in the shortest amount of time.
As Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed said, there is no higher priority than our state’s economy. It has been the number one focus of the Senate for years and will continue to be, as we work to restore a strong and vibrant economy in Rhode Island. The Joint Committee on Economic Development is fully invested in that effort. The RIPEC report that we are reviewing will be a valuable part of that process, along with a presentation to the committee by the Economic Development Foundation of Rhode Island and other testimony we have taken and will continue to solicit as part of the committee’s hearing work.
As are the individuals at RIPEC who generated the recent report, the members of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and its House co-chair Rep. Donna M. Walsh, are hard-working, dedicated legislators, determined to finding ways to grow a strong and sustained economy that is good for business, for workers and for all the citizens of our state.
State Senator James Sheehan represents District 36.
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Comments:
Samuel Bell
3:21am on Monday, October 01, 2012
If the economy has been the number one focus of the Senate, then I think it's safe to say the Senate has failed. Maybe it's time to admit that very conservative economic policies are very bad for the economy.
Russ Hryzan
4:19am on Monday, October 01, 2012
The RI General Assembly has overwhelmingly failed the people of RI. The only way things will ever get better is if the voters make the right decision and vote out the Democrat incumbents who continue to do nothing to promote a strong business sector and positive economic growth, and instead promote an environment of high taxes, low expectations of our government, and who will vote for anything that further lines their pockets and further sinks the RI economy and business climate.
Edward Smith
7:17am on Monday, October 01, 2012
I read the headline with great interest. "RI needs to be bold." Then I read the article. What a surprise! There are no ideas, plans, suggestions or proposals in this article.
400+ words of writing could have been saved. The only thing Sheehan says in this article is, literally, "RI needs to be bold." Brilliant.
I'm looking forward to the next Mindsetter piece, "Pay your taxes on time."
Christopher Lee
7:40am on Monday, October 01, 2012
By nature and design, absent an Earth shattering crisis, bold action can never emanate from the General Assembly. Even when bold action such as recent state pension reform takes place, it isn’t nearly enough to right the ship of state. Rhode Island will follow Greece, Portugal, Spain, California, and Illinois into the fiscal abyss.
Gov- stench
8:41am on Monday, October 01, 2012
This guy has been in the Senate for six terms or 12 years. His campaign sign has "Chartering a new Course" on it. I believe he changed it this year to read "Chartering the course." Does he actually believe that what he along with his rubber stamp buddies are doing is actually working? He approved the massive $8.1 Billion dollar budget with a 6% increase in spending. Where is the economy to support that Sheehan? He also touts the Ethics game with legislation but then turns around and votes for every single teacher bill that is put before him. He is a teacher himself!! Where is the ethics?
He is making himself very visible because he has a serious contender, Tina McKendall and she is gaining on him. You only have to look at his voting record - bad for Rhode Island.
Gary Arnold
8:56am on Monday, October 01, 2012
Sounds like a political hack running for office. Notice nothing said on what and how achievements would be made, no evidence of accountability and still has the GA involved.
The new director must be a business manager from outside of this state with performance goals if we are to have any chance to be smart while being bold.
Also mandatory is to have performance goals there must be a vision, plan and measurements for success; all missing in the state of RI.
Rhode Island Republican Strike Force
9:31am on Monday, October 01, 2012
Attention Mr. Sheehan, you are your party are part of the problem. The Democrats control 90% of the legislature and all 4 seats in Washington. Where have they gotten us? RIrankslast.com
Jack Brophy
4:58pm on Monday, October 01, 2012
My personal opinion is that there needs to be a two party system to have checks and balances. Clearly that does not exist in RI (or MA, for that matter). And, it is true that Sheehan has a “D” next to his name. But, he is a moderate who has continually demonstrated the ability and desire to work with the Rep’s in the Senate. He has also fought hard to bring business to Quonset. Because I happen to know a very successful businessman from RI who holds Sen. Sheehan in high regard, I also know that he (Sen. Sheehan) has even had many business meetings at his own home with some of the best/brightest minds in RI, strategizing ways to bring a better economic environment to the State. Sheehan initiated this on his own…Sweeping out a person solely due to his/her party affiliation, without giving regard to his/her body of work, is as bad as voting for a change – just for change sake. We did that with Obama. How’s that working out for us? Obama had no experience other than community organizing. No private sector experience. How’s that lack of experience working for us today? The last thing we need to do is go with a far Left Liberal or a Tea Partier (whom I think McKendall is)….both extremists. We a moderate; someone with experience; someone whose record speaks for itself (please see his site for an accurate depiction of that…not someone’s biased opinion); someone who is a working person. He comes from a family of teachers, people who have educated many of our children and touched many lives (a vocation, btw, he didn’t enter for personal riches, but to help others). His entire professional life has been dedicated to serving the citizens of RI. His tireless work for his constituents is merely an extension of his daily life. To suggest he isn’t dedicated to doing the right thing by us as Rhode Islanders is tantamount to saying one just doesn’t know what they don’t know – and THAT’s a very dangerous attitude, one that has greatly attributed to the mess we are in today.
Art West
5:14pm on Monday, October 01, 2012
What an absolute piece of useless fluff, Mr. Sheehan.
The bold move would be for you to resign.
We need a pro-business GA that cuts taxes and regulations and that stops treating citizens as serfs who exist primarily to send tribute to a corrupt single-party legislature that doles out our money to cronies.
We rank last in just about every business survey, yet you spew smiley garbage.
Samuel Bell
5:17pm on Monday, October 01, 2012
The supposed Democratic dominance is largely an illusion. The General Assembly is actually completely dominated by conservatives who happen to have Ds after their names. While the Senate is almost completely Democratic, only 8 out of 38 senators are pro-choice. In the House, there is a conservative majority, although nearly half of the representatives are at least somewhat liberal on social issues. On economic issues, however, the "Democratic" General Assembly is pretty much in the Republican mainstream (minus the Tea Party insanity). The General Assembly’s economic agenda of the past few years—huge tax cuts for the rich, big tax increases on the middle class (and small businesses), and massive cuts in social spending—is almost identical to what Mitt Romney is proposing to do to America.
Really, we have a government almost entirely dominated by Republicans who win by running as Democrats. And it’s been an utter disaster for our state.
Art West
5:57pm on Monday, October 01, 2012
I have no idea if you're joking or not, Samuel. At the very least, thanks for the insight into the mind of a Rhode Island voter like many, many of his fellows.
Jack Brophy
6:35pm on Monday, October 01, 2012
Art, I agree. I’m not sure if that was tongue in cheek or not? I do try to respect everyone’s opinions, but with some due respect, the Right to Life/Pro-Choice issue (although very important to many people – as it should be), should by no means be at the fore in this year’s State or National elections. I’m not sure using that topic as a litmus test for whom we should vote is the best measuring stick for a candidate. We have some major problems that should take precedence like: the recession; the growing threat of global terrorism; balancing a bloated budget, etc. I hope when we go to the polls, we stay focused on what is of utmost importance at this time in our country’s life…
Stan Lee
9:01pm on Monday, October 01, 2012
I know that everyone was extremely happy when the Republican Party controlled Congress and the White House under George W. Bush. What counts is not the party so much as the individual. Senator Sheehan has demonstrated that he can work with both sides of the isle by supporting numerous reform minded bills such as “Separation of Powers” and bills to promote government transparency (Access to Public Records). Gov-stench, I challenge you to engage in something constructive and good with your life…perhaps you should run for the General Assembly for $13,000 a year (gross). Perhaps you too will give your raise and health-care benefit backs to the state. Perhaps you too will smile…:)
dis gusted
9:31pm on Monday, October 01, 2012
Throwing stones at someone trying very hard to change the business climate showsignorance and lack of professionalism. The Senator commented on the RIPEC report and he is currently co-chairing hearings today again on how to reform the EDC, including the loan guarantee program! He also explained previously that law enforcement preferred they did not get involved at that point in time. And he respected their request which if you were in the same position would probably have done the same. The Senate does not work alone. They can come up with tentative plans and ideas but they have to work with the House…
And that is where you should be attacking...You are laughable to say because he is a Democrat he is like the others.
Here is an analogy for you. Suppose hypothetically, your family has brothers and sisters besides you in it. What if your brother and sister do something you don’t like and the results turn out terrible and your neighbors laugh at you? Should I blame you as well even if you tried your best to stop the hypothetical action? Or maybe I should start criticizing you and calling you names and saying you are a rotten person because you are a member of the family.
Here is a revelation for you….not everyone in the Democratic Party thinks alike and you focus as if they do. And why don’t you pick on Trillo who owns an alarm business but votes and creates fire code laws…What can be more of a conflict of interest than that? You people need to broaden your minds…You fixate on one thing and say it over and over. And don’t think for a minute that the opposition, Tea Party Tina, isn’t running for self gain…so that her husband’s business makes out as well as other businesses. Talk about a conflict of interest; why not mention the fact that the Teaparty transplant probably wouldn’t be even a viable candidate if she didn’t have a million dollar business she wanted to improve?
ella mentry
9:46pm on Monday, October 01, 2012
Sam,
I agree with your analysis. The problem is that the democrats in the GA are not Democrats...These 6 figure salary making lawyers that make up the leadership are Republicans in Democratic lawyer clothing...hence the Republican agenda..Sinxe when do real Democrats vote against binding arbitration, collective bargaining ideas, pensions, etc? The real democrats wouldn't do that..
Read today's Projo and you will see how the arrogant Democratic Majority leader Mattiello praised Republican Fung as a great mayor. He endorsed him...Democrats don't do this...
Read this from today's Projo. You will see how Mattiello is really kissing Fung's butt....for what? self gain, of course....and who died and made him speak for all the residents of Cranston?
I know many who don't like Fung..they don't call him their "beloved mayor."Mattiello went over the top..Like I said...he is a republican. in democrat lawyer clothes.
Projo Oct 1, 2012
House Majority Leader Nicholas Mattiello, a Cranston Democrat, gave a ringing endorsement of his city’s Republican mayor, Allan Fung, during Thursday night’s annual dinner of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns.
Fung, who was first elected mayor in 2008 and is running unopposed this year, was installed as the newest president of the league, which advocates at the State House for the interests of Rhode Island municipalities.
“He’s earned the respect of all the citizens of the city of Cranston. Mayor Fung is very respected, and I would go as far as to say he is a beloved mayor,” Mattiello said in his remarks. “In these difficult economic times, that is a difficult distinction to achieve. Mayor Fung is honest, direct and tells his citizens what they need to hear, not only what they want to hear, and works very hard on their behalf.”