Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics
Friday, June 17, 2011
Every week GoLocalProv lets you know who is on the boil and who is cooling off quickly in the world of Rhode Island politics.
Who’s Hot
Lincoln Chafee & Gina Raimondo -> Kudos to the Governor and the woman many want to be his challenger in 2014 for getting serious on pension reform. They’ve put together a panel that is balanced and (hopefully) committed to helping getting the state’s finances back in order while not completely screwing over union workers that have worked their entire careers and deserves pensions. That needs to be the message going forward. Pensions are not evil. But an unsuitable system hurts everyone.
Don Grebien -> The Pawtucket Mayor, who was supported by a number of local unions during his campaign, is catching heat for wanting to outsource rescue services to a private company. Their criticism is understandable, but Grebien inherited a city in fiscal crisis (just like Providence) and has been able to handle it in a way that hasn’t come at the expense of education or public safety. If privatized rescue service is as bad as it gets for Pawtucket, residents ought to be happy.
Cranston Local 217 -> Great job standing up to JP Morgan Chase in Cranston this week. The state’s contract with JP Morgan allows the bank to charge unfair transaction fees on the state's unemployment and insurance card program. Why are we letting this happen to people in already difficult situations? Anyone?
Grace Diaz -> It’s amazing that in 2012 our state still needs to pass laws on racial profiling, but Rep. Diaz deserves credit for fighting against unfair policies to target some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens.
Susan Lusi -> Is there a more unenviable task than being Superintendent of Providence Public Schools? For some reason, Lusi thinks she’s up to the task for at least a year (and possibly longer). She comes with a sterling resume and has experience in both Providence and Rhode Island. Hopefully the district won’t chew her up and spit her out, as it sometimes tends to do with its superintendents.
Geoffrey Canada -> One of the most inspirational, game-changing people in the country is coming to Rhode Island for the Family Services RI event in October. The goal is help create something in Providence similar to what Canada has created in Harlem. His wraparound model that includes supporting children in virtually every aspect of their lives (education, health, afterschool) has literally saved a generation of vulnerable young people in New York. We can only hope the same will happen here.
Boston -> Honestly, is there really a better sports city in all of America?
Who’s Not
Paul Fogarty, Dominick Ruggerio & Frank Ciccone -> C’mon guys. With all eyes on you, do you really have to attempt to squeeze every last dime out of a retirement system that everyone knows is in shambles? Kudos to Treasurer Raimondo for expressing her concern with a bill that speaks to every reason so many folks are fed up with the state.
National Popular Vote -> It’s not all that hot of a topic, but the idea that the National Popular Vote will somehow bring more Presidential Candidates to Rhode Island is way out there. And not for nothing, it’s kind of pointless. The winner of the popular vote has only not been elected President four times, and only once in more than 100 years. The system (generally) works.
Coventry, Johnston & Warren -> Did anyone that isn’t an elected official in any of these towns realize how underfunded their pensions systems are? This is just a start. Don’t be surprised if the story over the next year quickly becomes about the large number of small towns in our state teetering on the verge of collapse.
RI Board Of Regents -> Maybe they’re just putting on a show to make sure everyone thinks they really considered voting against Achievement First, but right now it sounds like not opening this Mayoral Academy in Cranston is actually an option. And just like that, the next round of Race to the Top money will not involve us.
The 195 Situation -> It’s difficult to tell who’s right and who’s wrong, meaning the city of Providence or the state. But both sides really need to get together and figure this out, because everyone considered this area the crown jewel of economic development and it sounds like everyone will suffer if they can’t figure this out.
Vancouver -> If you thought Vancouver residents were bad, come see Rhode Island later today if the House Finance Committee decides raising taxes is the only way to get out of this mess.
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Comments:
RI Taxpayer
6:52am on Friday, June 17, 2011
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How can anyone be against drug testing for welfare recipients? It makes total sense to me. What's the argument?
jkl the 2nd
7:38am on Friday, June 17, 2011
Costa is just a headline seeker. She has no clue the market out there in covering up drug tests.
Buc Kner
7:41am on Friday, June 17, 2011
Gina raimondo is a fellow 02906'er w/linc, she never supported caprio and she wants to be senator where the major wall St connections are made..public office for Gina is not a clling, its forum which she is allowed to display her skills, intelligence & financial savy...EXCEPT.she's a Democrat & the labor forces will eventually dwarf her..maybe not today but they will
Michael Gardiner
12:34pm on Friday, June 17, 2011
Costa's bill is a worthy attempt to deal with a real problem. Your position is irresponsible shirking and an attempt to be a nice guy probably connected with your desire to be popular rather than based in any real respect for the rights or circumstances of people. You could care less about children growing up in the homes of state supported drug abusers. Go join Grace Dias's club. Her cynicism will prevent police form making common sense stops of juveniles in cars on the way to and form the convenience stores that thrive on the sale of blunts. Your way of thinking is a disabling and corrupting cancer. Costa is fighting for our state and our people, even the drug users themselves who need rescue not your weakness. As for their children, you do them no good and may as well count your article as an attack on them.
t f
2:58pm on Friday, June 17, 2011
A survey of 800 Rhode Island voters conducted on June 1, 2008 showed 74% overall support for a national popular vote for President.
Support was 78% among independents, 86% among liberal Democrats, 85% among moderate Democrats, 60% among conservative Democrats, 71% among liberal Republicans, 63% among moderate Republicans, and 35% among conservative Republicans.
By age, support was 77% among 18-29 year olds, 80% among 30-45 year olds, 70% among 46-65 year olds, and 76% for those older than 65.
By gender, support was 84% among women and 63% among men.
http://nationalpopularvote.com/pages/polls.php#RI_2008JUN
The National Popular Vote bill would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC).
Every vote, everywhere, would be politically relevant and equal in presidential elections. Elections wouldn't be about winning states. Every vote, everywhere would be counted for in the total number of popular votes of the country and DIRECTLY assist the candidate for whom it was cast.
Most voters don't care whether their presidential candidate wins or loses in their state . . . they care whether he/she wins the White House. Voters want to know, that even if they were on the losing side, their vote actually was directly and equally counted and mattered to their candidate. Most Americans consider the idea of the candidate with the most popular votes being declared a loser detestable. We don't allow this in any other election in our representative republic.
Because of the current state-by-state winner-take-all laws, Rhode Island voters, and voters in 2/3rds of the country have been, and will continue to be ignored in presidential elections. Candidates have no reason to poll, visit, advertise, organize, campaign, or care about the concerns of voters of states where they are safely ahead or hopelessly behind.
Since World War II, a shift of a handful of votes in one or two states would have elected the second-place candidate in 4 of the 13 presidential elections. Near misses are now frequently common. There have been 6 consecutive non-landslide presidential elections. A shift of 60,000 votes in Ohio in 2004 would have defeated President Bush despite his nationwide lead of over 3 Million votes.
Gary Cooper
10:14am on Saturday, June 18, 2011
RE: Grace Diaz. You say she should be given credit? For what? Trying to scam the taxpayers out of even more money to throw at he illegals? Have you people gone mad? Get real.
RE: Doreen Costa. First of all, her idea to drug test welfare recipients isn’t “crap.” To the average hardworking taxpayer, it makes perfectly good sense.
In addition, when you suggest it might be considered when we do the same for the GA – I say “Good Idea.” Let’s do it! People like Robert Watson would have been caught long ago.
jack flash
2:49pm on Saturday, June 18, 2011
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Doesn't every taxpayer in Rhode Island want THEIR hard-earned taxpayer dollars for public assistance going to help someone buy more crack? Gee whatever was Doreen Costa thinking? This column decides list Costa as someone "Who's Not." It is time for the writer of this pure crap and the rest of Rhode Island to WAKE-UP. You are the reason why we are here....ranked dead last in almost everything. Keep up the good work!
guy smily
1:14pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011
Linc Chafee gets on the list of who is hot in RI politics simply because his back is up against the wall on pension reform. Do you really think he has any part in fixing this? His handlers told him to nod and say yes. GoLocalProv sinks to a new low! Grace Diaz and Lincoln Chafee on the "Who's Hot" list! Are you attempting to look more liberal than the PRO JO?