Although I was a member of the Board of Directors of the now-defunct EngageRI (the group of RI business folks who wholeheartedly supported Gina RI Pension Plan Reform efforts), like many others, I am extremely disappointed in her performance, or shall I say lack thereof, as governor and shall not be voting for her on Nov. 6.
Failures out of Fear
Gina’s lack of courage to support Ken Block in his almost single-handedly led charge for and successful winning of the removal of the Mindless Master Lever (BTW, many of Gina’s original supporters have finally woken up to the fact that they should have supported and elected Ken for governor when they had the chance and now lament the fact that he is not running this time) was the first indication to non-insiders that Gina is more than willing to sacrifice voter rights to further her own political career within the Democratic Party.
The second such embarrassingly blatant indication is her lack of support for, once again, Ken Block’s almost single-handedly led charge to give the governor Line Item Veto power over the State Budget. What governor in her right mind would not want LIV? Apparently, since 44 other governors have LIV, only one who is truly afraid to exercise any leadership authority over a General Assembly controlled by fellow Democrats.
Her third strike is her failure to pound the table for equal pay for women. Once again she is afraid to stand up to Nick Mattiello and Dom Ruggerio.
Last, but not least, was her flip-flopping on the 38 Stadium deal, where once again, she bowed to the wishes of Nick and Dom and approved the PawSox State financing package they proposed despite voter polls showing that taxpayers are overwhelming opposed to financing a baseball stadium. That’s right, 4 strikes. Can you tell that I, like a growing portion of the population, am not a baseball fan?
Lack of Managerial Skills
A good manager/leader hires and retains talented and committed lieutenants for key positions. Let’s check Gina’s record:
Steve Newman, Gina’s handpicked Chief of Staff, gone within 3 years. Left under a cloud of potential conflict of interest.
Rob Hull, Gina’s handpicked Director of Revenue (a Key Position, if not The Key Position, in Gina’s Administration), gone within 2 years. Rob never even lived in RI, but commuted from his longtime hometown of Wellesley, MA. How’s that for commitment?
Darin Early – Commercial real estate professional brought in from California by Gina & Co. to be CEO of CommerceRI (Am I the only one who questions the intelligence of replacing an experienced RI business leader like Marcel Valois with Darin as head of CommerceRI? Anyhow, we got lucky and Darin, probably realizing he was way in over his head, lived up to his name and jumped ship early. He now works for Gilbane where his background and experience is, hopefully, a better fit.)
Jamia MacDonald – Gina did an end run around the job requirements to appoint this unqualified person head of DCYF which has turned into a heart-wrenching fiasco for unfortunate victims.
Hand in the Cookie Jar
Unable to find money in her budget for her much-touted newly created position of RI Chief Innovation Officer, Gina decided to raid the RI College $21 million Endowment to fund this $250,000 (total compensation) position. That’s right $250,000 per year out of a $21 million Endowment. Questionable fiduciary oversight at best. Obliviously, this position went to an out of Stater, since no sane RIer would want to be known for tapping an Endowment intended to provide college scholarships. Not sure the guy lasted 2 years (RIC Trustees should be thankful). Can’t even remember his name. He must have been too far ahead of his time.
The real piece de resistance was when Gina tried to get the URI Foundation to pay for her much heralded trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Luckily, the URIF Trustees are smarter than the RIC Trustees and made the URIF renege on picking the tab. Rather than paying for the trip out of her State budget or her huge campaign fund or even out of her own pocket (which she could easily afford), all of which, by the way, would have been extremely embarrassing after getting caught with her hand in the URIF cookie jar, she cancelled the trip claiming she was staying home due to a possible snow storm which turned out to be snow job.
Costly Failed Initiatives
Cooler and Warmer. Need I say more?
Free college tuition for first 2 years. Recent studies show that 38% (I’m sure the number will increase after the election) of these students don’t return after the first year and with respect to the ones who do return, they’re not yet sure how many will qualify based upon academic performance for the second year of free tuition.
$8 Million for Attack Ads
When I ask Gina supporters exactly what she has accomplished in four years that she deserves another 4 years in office, I’m awestruck by the silence. She wouldn’t need to spend $8 million on attack ads if she had a record she could tout.
I especially love the ad where some poor woman thanks Gina for the new law prohibiting gun ownership by spousal abusers. Like Gina had anything to do with that legislation other than signing the bill after it passed the General Assembly. State Rep. Teresa Tanzi and State Senator Harold Meets deserve the credit for pushing this bill through the G.A., not Gina.
Four years of Gina have left us with UHIP and DCYF fiascos, bottom of the barrel public schools, decaying infrastructure, and lost revenue due to overly generous (and, in some cases, unnecessary, TSA’s). What masochist would want another four years?
This 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).
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?
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?
In November, 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...
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Will ensure that we have high-quality affordable health care.
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Will make government more accountable to the people.
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Is committed to improving education in public schools.
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
Next is a series of qualities and attributes that candidates for Governor could possess. Which candidate for Governor does each attribute apply to most? [RANDOMIZED]
If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Gina Raimondo, Republican Allan Fung and Independent Joe Trillo, for whom would you vote?
Attorney generals in several states have begun investigating sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy, opening investigations and issuing subpoenas for documents.
Do you favor or oppose the Rhode Island Attorney General opening an investigation into the Archdiocese of Providence on issues related to possible sexual abuse of children?
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?
Recently, it was announced that state officials approved a fast-track regulatory review of Massachusetts based Partners HealthCare’s proposed takeover of Care New England, Rhode Island’s second-largest hospital system, and operator Women & Infants, Butler and Kent Hospitals. [RANDOMIZED]
Do you believe the quality of care for Rhode Islanders will:
Recently, it was announced that state officials approved a fast-track regulatory review of Massachusetts based Partners HealthCare’s proposed takeover of Care New England, Rhode Island’s second-largest hospital system, and operator Women & Infants, Butler and Kent Hospitals. [RANDOMIZED]
Do you believe the number of jobs available to Rhode Islanders will:
Earlier this year, legislation was filed in the General Assembly that would require that all Rhode Island public schools have a school resource officer on the premises -- if a school has over 1,200 students -- two school resource officers would need to be present.
Do you support or oppose expanding Rhode Island’s free college tuition program at the
Community College of Rhode Island to the state’s two four-year colleges so that the last two
years of tuition at Rhode Island College and URI would be free for those recent high school
graduates, who are in a solid academic standing, and on track to graduate in four years? It is estimated that the cost of the program would be $35 million.
Do you support or oppose an Educational Bill of Rights for students and parents in Rhode Island that includes:
1) The right to be taught by effective teachers.
2) The right not to be taught by teachers who, after due process evaluation, fail to meet standards established by state and local education officials.
3) The right to appropriate academic materials and resources.
4) The right to safe, clean and environmental-friendly school facilities.
5) The right to emotionally supportive schools that do not tolerate harassment, discrimination or abuse.
6) The right to attend a school where funding is based on student need with the goal of providing
access to adequate educational opportunities.
7) The right to a pathway out of a failing school.
8) The right to a fair, accurate and transparent assessment system that measures student
performance and need.
9) The right of parents to current and reliable information about their child’s progress and performance.
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