Governor Raimondo with GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle LLIVE at the State House
Governor Gina Raimondo said that mental health parity remains one of her top legislative priorities as the Rhode Island General Assembly nears the end of the 2018 General Assembly session.
Raimondo joined GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle on GoLocal LIVE at the Rhode Island State House where she talked about the latest jobs numbers, the fiscal year 2019 budget making its way through the House, and more.
“There’s an important bill weaving its way through the House and the Senate — which would require insurance companies to cover mental health services the same way they cover medical health. I really would like to see that passed,” said Raimondo.
“I talk to people every day - and so many school teachers — who say these kids need access to mental health — and insurance companies aren’t paying,” said Raimondo. “So right now, that’s probably one of my top priorities of things weaving their way through the state legislature.”
Jobs, Budget, PawSox — and Licenses for Immigrants
Raimondo spoke to the jobs numbers released on Thursday, which showed that Rhode Island gained 1,200 jobs in May.
“It’s huge. We made history,” said Raimondo. “For the first time ever we have more than 500,000 jobs in Rhode Island. We keep breaking records month after month — there’s more work to do but we have to keep going.”
Raimondo addressed the FY19 budget that came out of House Finance — which did not include her proposed expansion of medical marijuana compassion centers in the state.
“I think it’s a good budget — you don’t have good jobs numbers by accident,” said Raimondo. “On medical marijuana, I don’t [the House budget] was the right call. We have a caregiver system to regulate, we also have to make sure everyone has access to medical marijuana.”
“Massachusetts is about to go live with recreational marijuana. I wanted an expansion of compassion centers. I had hoped the legislature would have done something now, so we wouldn’t be coming from behind,” said Raimondo.
Raimondo said she was watching to see if PawSox legislation would be taken up during the waning days of the session.
“I have not seen the new version — I want to keep the PawSox in Pawtucket, we need to protect taxpayers,” said Raimondo. “There’s more than one way to skin this cat. I was behind this initial deal, this is a new framework. I think I could be fine with either, assuming taxpayers are protected. Is this truly risk free? In life, nothing is truly risk free…but the reason I want to this happen, it’s not just the ballpark in Pawtucket — it’s a piece of the puzzle for economic redevelopment in Pawtucket.”
Raimondo also addressed opponent Matt Brown’s calling for licenses for immigrants.
“I have been a supporter of licenses. It’s a public safety issue,” said Raimondo. “It’s less about immigrants than safety on the roads.”
“You can’t do it by executive order,” said Raimondo. “A few years ago, I thought it was a possibility — it’s not possible to do that way. I’m for it, I want it to happen we have to do it the right way.
“Look at Barack Obama — he did a lot by executive order, a lot of which have been unwound. If you want to do it, you have to do it the right way.”
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?
