RI Campaign 2010 - Lynch Calls for Merging RI House & Senate
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Attorney General Patrick Lynch, a Democratic candidate for governor, yesterday called for a sweeping restructuring of state government, saying the Rhode Island House and Senate should be merged into one body.
“I will be calling for this resolution because our state government is broken,” Lynch said. “The responsibility of the elected officials is to work for the people, not the politicians at the Statehouse. The culture of inside deals, budget gimmicks, quick fixes and a complete lack of long term planning has left us in dire economic straits.”
His campaign said a unicameral legislature would make it easier for citizens to hold their elected officials accountable. “There will be no pointing the finger at the Senate by the House or the vice versa for good legislation not getting passed,” his campaign said.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTPlus, eliminating separate houses also would save money and foster a more competitive environment for running for office, according to his campaign. Other proposed reforms include creating a biennial, rather than annual, state budget and arming the governor with a line-item veto.
Democratic AG Candidate Focuses on Internet Scams
Peter Kilmartin, a Democratic candidate for Attorney General, yesterday called for protection from Internet scams for seniors. Kilmartin noted that 75 percent of all Rhode Island households are online and that elderly residents were the fasting growing segment of users.
“When elected Attorney General, a top priority of the office will be enhancing our Consumer Protection Division and other programs that protect Rhode Island seniors from internet scams,” Kilmartin said. “This will be accomplished in part through educational programs directed to senior centers, housing and elderly organizations while developing easy to read resources that offer common-sense approaches to avoiding internet scams.”
Republican AG Candidate Gets Hometown Support
The sole Republican candidate for Attorney General, Erik Wallin, announced yesterday he had been unanimously endorsed by the Republican town committees in North Kingstown and East Providence. “I am extremely grateful for the committed support I have received from the East Providence GOP throughout my campaign,” Wallin said. “Having grown up in North Kingstown, the endorsement by their Republican Town Committee is a source of great personal pride.”
Bill Lynch Announces Endorsements
Congressional candidate Bill Lynch, a Democrat running for the Second District seat, has been endorsed by the Warren Democratic Town Committee. “We are eager to offer our support for Bill Lynch’s campaign for Congress,” said Chairman Bill Ryan. “Bill has the goals and determination needed to bring about real change in Washington. His focus on job creation is precisely what is needed right now. We are confident in Bill’s candidacy and happy to have him advocate on behalf of the Ocean State.”
