Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?

Friday, June 21, 2013

Dan Lawlor, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™

 

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NYC Mayor Bloomberg had great things to say about Gina Raimondo this week.

Every Friday, Dan Lawlor breaks down who's rising and who's falling in the world of Rhode Island politics. Check out who made the lists this week.

Who's Hot

Gina Raimondo: The treasurer, while facing criticism for the $15 million spent on the state's hedge fund management fees, has received a big endorsement from three-term Republican-turned-Independent New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg's office reportedly called Raimondo "a superstar," and announced the Mayor will be hosting a fundraiser for Raimondo in Manhattan. Good news, but will it help the treasurer woo Pawtucket?

Donna Walsh: Kudos to Representative Walsh for spearheading a move to vote down a bill for a special license plate for a retired family court magistrate. The bill was rejected in House Judiciary 6-5, with chairperson Edith Ajello voting in favor. A magistrate is a near judgeship, a court position often filled by alumni, former staff, or family members of the General Assembly. If only Walsh's bill to create a more transparent process for magistrate appointments received a similar up-or down vote.

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RHD-Pawtucket: As opposed to the segregated sweatshops of Birch Vocational, check out the creative work being done by clients at Resources for Human Development in Pawtucket, which provides engaging learning opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Individuals in the RHD program are showcasing work at 186 Carpenter Gallery in Providence through June 30.

Jay O'Grady: Representative's Grady's proposal (adopted by House Finance) to bring back a regulated version of the historic tax credit hopefully will help jumpstart revitalization in old mill villages, like Phenix in West Warwick. Without additional support, it's hard to find developers willing to re-develop some of the historic properties throughout the state.

Vintage Restaurant: Plenty of folks beat up on Woonsocket - but there are great places to visit and eat in Rhody's Northernmost city - Ye Olde English, Thai Garden, and Ciro's Tavern, just to name a few. Vintage Restaurant, for one, is a delight- and even offers sushi making classes. Take a drive North, and have a good bite.

Common Cause: As the last minute legislative rush comes upon us, when open meeting laws are suspended, when votes often take place in the shadowy world after midnight, we need a watchdog holding the legislature to account. Thank you to Common Cause for shining light on the shadows.

 

Who's Not

Gun violence: The death of 12 year old Aynis Vargas in Hartford Park is a tragedy. It comes on the heels of a month of increased robberies and highlights the need to come together as a community. Ignoring problems doesn't solve them.

United Providence!: The leadership turnaround at various district schools in the city has been ridiculous. From Alvarez to Gilbert Stuart to Mt. Pleasant, it is time for stability and support. Memo to management: Stop shuffling administrators.

Gordon Fox: The House Budget is a statement for the status quo with a few praiseworthy re-shuffles- notably a managed restoration of historic tax credits and a boost in education funding. The elephants in the room are the $32 million budget deficit, and the debt payments for the 38 Studios debacle. The basic tax structure still has special deals for CVS and the like (not to mention liquor store owners), without changing the playing field for most people.

Providence Public School District: Will anyone resign for allowing the Birch School disaster happen? What other secrets are not being monitored, corrected, or improved?

Debt in Woonsocket: The former factory town is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, and now faces a loss in anticipated state revenue. The situation needs some creative problem solving with the budget the city does have- Woonsocket should learn from post-bankrupt Vallejo, CA and adopt Participatory Budgeting–what do citizens want money spent on?

Thomas Falcone, Joint Committee on Legislative Services: Kudos to Monique Chartier of Anchor Rising for noting the rising cost of the General Assembly itself. For FY 2008, the operating budget for the General Assembly was $34,900,000. For FY 2013, the budget is $41,671,427. The JCLS, which oversees day to day operations of the General Assembly, should not oversee an increasing budget for insiders as the number of homeless rises.

Office of Lt. Governor: Want to better spend a million dollars? Begin the process of eliminating this unnecessary statewide office. Bob Healey was right about this in 2010, and with the state in a fiscal crisis, it's time to act. Liz Roberts is a great healthcare policy wonk, but she doesn't need to be Lt. Governor to share that knowledge. Neither Maine or New Hampshire has a Lt. Governor–why do we need one?

Lincoln Chafee: House leadership ignored Gov. Chafee's call to reduce the corporate tax, and reduced Chafee's proposed aid to cities and towns. Despite the Governor being a Democrat, the House is still king.

 

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