Guest MINDSETTER™ Rep. Shekarchi: The True Nature of Study Commissions

Thursday, December 01, 2016

 

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Rep. Joseph Shekarchi

It is no secret that we live in a time of great division within our state and country. Too often, opposing viewpoints and ideologies clash without any hope of finding a workable solution to the collective problems we face in our daily lives. It is in these situations that study commissions become a valuable tool to cut through the partisan rhetoric and find the best possible solutions for the taxpayers and residents of Rhode Island.

Recently, a study commission that I am a member of was described in an alarmist and untrue light and I felt the need to cut through the biased commentary and set the record straight about the true nature of the Commission to Study the Upgrade of Facilities by Encouraging Private Investment in Qualifying Projects.  

Three years ago, our infrastructure was crumbling, posing a serious risk to both our residents and businesses. In order to address this serious problem in the best interests of our taxpayers, I welcomed every possible idea that came forward and one of those was to form a study commission on public/private partnerships. 

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The operative and most important word here is “study” and contrary to what some may think, the purpose of the commission is to study the facts of public/private partnerships and whether they are beneficial to the public. The commission was in no way formed to implement privatization strategies within our state government. I cannot be any clearer regarding this fact. 

Also, there are already many state laws that deal with these types of partnerships and the commission’s objective is to review these statutes to determine if they are working for Rhode Islanders, if they need to be amended, or if a new direction is needed to better serve our citizens.  

In the same spirit of truly open study regarding the topic, I do not attend the meetings, with the exception of the first, to encourage the free and open discussion of these various ideas with the professionals that know the topic best.  However, I am briefed on the details of every meeting.  And due to this truly open process, I believe it is abundantly clear there is no preplanned outcome for the recommendations that the study commission will issue. It is possible that the commission will be extended or that no possible legislation will be drafted at all.  Every option is on the table for review, so, despite what some commentators may state, there is no alliance with private interests and the commission’s only allegiance is to the residents of Rhode Island.

The only objective of this study commission is to analyze the various facts, data, and viewpoints surrounding this issue in order to better the quality of life for our residents.  And after listening to and debating each idea, the goal of this commission is to offer recommendations that will save taxpayer dollars, put our citizens back to work, and provide the top-notch services and infrastructure that Rhode Islanders deserve. I believe those three goals are areas in which everyone on the political spectrum can agree need to be addressed.

In closing, every commission meeting is open to the public and broadcast on Capitol Television. I encourage anyone to attend and offer testimony regarding public/private partnerships so that we may all come together and solve the problems our state faces to ensure success and prosperity into the future.

 

Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi is the Majority Leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and represents District 23 in Warwick

 

Related Slideshow: Winners and Losers - 2016 Election

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Winner

Joe Trillo and John DePetro

While most Republicans in Rhode Island were hiding in the bushes, Trillo (the former GOP lawmaker) and DePetro (the WPRO talk show host) were loyal advocates for Donald Trump from the beginning and through the rough spots.

Both could be big winners and could score slots with the administration -- want to go to the White House? You now know the rings you need to kiss.

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Winner

Donald Trump, President of the United States

The most unlikely candidate pulled off the biggest victory in Presidential history. The billionaire developer was underestimated which set forth much of his success during the primaries and in the election. The next four years will never be dull.   

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Winner

General Michael Flynn

The Rhode Island native and URI grad will have a major roll in the Trump Administration and America's foreign policy. As top GOP consultant Ian Prior wrote in GoLocal in July about Flynn when he was on the VP shortlist:

Of course, there are any number of national security experts that can prosecute the case against Hillary Clinton, but Flynn is unique. He is a registered Democrat that was appointed by President Obama in 2012 to serve as Director of the DIA. Even more importantly, he resigned two years later over what he believed to be a misguided approach by the administration as it concerned ISIS.

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Loser

Nellie Gorbea, Secretary of State

This year's election was one of the the most mismanaged in modern Rhode Island history. First, the Chief-of Staff of the Secretary of State's office gets into a battle with talk show host John DePetro on social media. The action seemed inappropriate at best for the head of the office administering the election.

Then, the state's Presidential election hit a number of rough spots with faulty equipment and a failed repair and triage system that lead to long lines and frustration in a number of communities across the state.

The job of Secretary of State has three major components:

1) Take care of the State's achieves

2) Maintain a database of businesses

3) Run the state's elections

She needs to assure voters that she understands the problems and correct the mistakes.

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Loser

Brandon Bell, GOP Chair

Both Democratic Congressional candidates won big. The GOP had a net loss in the legislature.

Bell went all in on taking out Speaker Nick Mattiello -- a pro-business legislator, instead of recruiting a large number of competitive candidates. If Mattiello delivers of paper ballots like his campaign claims - Bell will have wildly miscalculated at every level and will have left the GOP a weaker party.

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Losers

Cicilline and Langevin

A Trump win greatly increases the likelihood that Rhode Island will lose a Congressional seat in the next federal redistricting. Rhode Island will be more like Vermont and Delaware -- two Senators and just one House member. This will mean a big loss for Rhode Island's clout in D.C.

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Winner

Allan Fung, Republican Mayor of Cranston

Fung had just the kind of night he wanted to have. He ran up big numbers against Democrat Mike Sepe and put parkinggate in his proverbial rear window.

The margin of victory is impressive -- Fung ran up 68% of the vote and has established himself as one of the top Republicans in Rhode Island.

Now, the personable Fung is the GOP frontrunner to challenge Raimondo as it does not look like she is going to Washington, D.C. now.

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Loser

RI's Broken Technology Infrastructure 

No money, no car, and no vote.

Lets see if we got this right. You have to wait in line to vote in some locations for as much as two hours because not enough scanners were deployed. Some days you can't register your car because the Hewlett-Packard system is not deployed and the state is now suing the company. And, tens of thousands of folks most in need have not been able to get their most critical benefits (or the from benefits) because the UHIP technology was flawed despite hundreds of millions being spent. 

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Winner

Speaker of the House, Nick Mattiello

If Mattiello does hold on to his House seat, he will be a stronger Speaker than ever before. He has added more Democrats to his majority and was the architect to many of the Democrats victories. 

The simmering stress between Mattiello and Raimondo will turn into a vibrant boil over during the next two years. Raimondo was no help to Mattiello or House members -- they had to clean up for her truck tolls and absorb her unwillingness to release 38 Studios documents.

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Loser

Gina Raimondo, Governor

Raimondo's options and national political network just took a major blow. No longer can Raimondo jump to the Clinton Administration to avoid a difficult reelection. Moreover, national Democratic connections are now in Siberia as the Presidency, the House and the Senate are all in Republican hands.

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Loser

Peter F. Neronha United States Attorney District of Rhode Island 

In a short period, it is highly likely the Neronha and a few other high profile political appointees will be replaced by the Trump White House. 

The impact of Ray Gallison and others is an unknown.

 
 

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