RI Campaign Update - Lombardi Releases Economic Plan
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Cracking down on drunk driving. New campaign commercials. A new plan for economic development from a Providence mayoral candidate…. and more from the campaign trail yesterday.
Lombardi Releases Economic Plan
Democratic Providence mayoral candidate John Lombardi proposed creating a new program to loan money to businesses that want to start up in Providence. Known as the Providence Main Street Business Exchange, the program will provide loans to entrepreneurs who promise to create at least one new job for a Providence resident. Lombardi said his program would be modeled on the Hope Street Business District.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“I envision successful Main Street business communities just like the one we are standing in today, sprouting up all over the city of Providence, enriching our communities, and creating new jobs and social stabilization,” Lombardi said. “In these challenging economic times our city’s future depends on new and innovative economic development solutions.”
New Campaign Commercials
Two candidates for governor released new campaign commercials. To view independent Lincoln Chafee’s click here and to view Moderate Party candidate Ken Block’s click here.
Robitaille Hires Campaign Manager
Republican candidate John Robitaille has hired Andrew Biemer to serve as his campaign manager. Biemer has worked on Congressional campaigns in Connecticut and Louisiana and a lieutenant governor campaign in New Jersey. He also served on the Bush campaign in 2004. Prior to his hiring, Deputy Campaign Manager Patrick Mannix served as the senior staff member on the campaign.
Laws on Drunk Driving
The Moderate Party candidate for Attorney General yesterday, Chris Little, proposed increasing the use of ignition interlock devices to combat drunk driving. Little said IIDs should be mandatory after the second drunk driving conviction—currently they are optional. After the first conviction, he said drivers should have to attend a treatment program before the device is installed.
Independent Candidate Challenges Others to Forgo Salary
Little-known independent candidate for governor, Joe Lusi, yesterday promised to accept only half of the $119,818 salary the governor in Rhode Island makes—and he challenged the other candidates to do the same. Lusi also promised that he would not take any health benefits until every Rhode Islander had health coverage and he said he would refuse a state pension.
