Campaign Update – Caprio Defends Gist, Supports Ed Reforms
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Caprio defends Gist, supports education reforms. Robitaille delivers economic policy speech. Cicilline launches ‘Made in Rhode Island’ tour.
Caprio Defends Gist, Race to the Top
Democrat gubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio announced his support of Education Commissioner Deborah Gist, as well as his commitment to educational reform, which he believes will help revive Rhode Island's dragging economy.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"We can't talk about economic development without a plan to develop a well-educated workforce, and that requires bold reforms like those being made by Education Commissioner Deborah Gist. Reforming our education system is the best thing we can do for our economy," said Caprio.
He specifically said he supported the reforms Gist wants to implement through the Race to the Top program, which could pour as much as $75 million into the state education system.
Caprio also voiced his support for alternative education, charter schools, and mayoral academies, for students who don't perform well in the traditional settings.
His comments came after independent candidate Lincoln Chafee criticized Gist and the Race to the Top program.
Robitaille Pushes for Less Taxes, Lower Spending
Republican gubernatorial candidate John Robitaille called for tax cuts and less government interference in businesses in an economic policy speech yesterday at LFI, Inc., a manufacturer based in Smithfield.
“The success of Rhode Island households has to be out main concern,” Robitaille said. “In turn, the success of small businesses and job creators has to be the focal point of our attention and resources.”
“I want the government to get out of the way so you can unleash your ambition and realize the dreams that will lead you—and Rhode Island—to greatness," Robitaille continued. “Greatness starts here...with families and entrepreneurs and teams who dare to dream and have the passion to win.”
In his speech, Robitaille called for the following:
• cutting government spending
• changing the public employee pension system to make it more affordable to taxpayers
• capping property tax increases at 2.5 percent
• eliminating unfunded state mandates on cities and towns
• ending the car tax, capital gains tax, and death tax
• consider privatizing services that can be done better, cheaper, and faster by a private company than a government agency like the DMV
• reorganize the Economic Development Corporation into two divisions: business retention and new business attraction
Cicilline Launches ‘Made in Rhode Island Jobs Tour’
Congressional candidate David Cicilline, a Democrat, launched his ‘Made in Rhode Island Jobs Tour’ yesterday at Northwest Woolen Mills in Woonsocket. He criticized his Republican opponent John Loughlin for supporting tax breaks for corporations that shift jobs overseas.
“Congress should do everything it can to get our economy moving again and put American men and women back to work,” said Cicilline. “My Republican opponent’s suggestion, that government should do nothing, is unacceptable for the countless families who are trying to make ends meet during this recession. In Congress, my first priority will be to create good jobs for hardworking men and women.”
According to his campaign, Cicilline is proposing the following actions to help in job creation:
• A review of existing U.S. trade agreements, to ensure that American companies have a fighting chance to compete in the global marketplace.
• A permanent research and development tax credit to reward businesses that demonstrate innovation in creating new technologies.
• Greater access to credit for small businesses. One way to do this would be to create regional guarantee funds administered through local SBA offices, similar to the Capital Access Program established in Michigan in 1986.
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