Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics
Friday, June 24, 2011
Who’s Hot
Brian Newberry -> Kudos to the new House Minority Leader for taking a stand against the process of voting on a $7.7 billion budget after only a few hours of discussion at last week’s House Finance Committee hearing. The Republicans have so little power on Smith Hill that it’s not likely much will change in the near future, but Newberry still made the right call. Maybe this principled and practical leader is just what the GOP in RI needs.
Ed Pacheco -> For anyone that questions where Republican Chairman Ken McKay has been over the past few months, the same question deserves to be directed at his Democratic rival. But Pacheco came out of hiding this week to take a shot at Col. Brendan Doherty, something you should expect to see a lot more of in the coming months. The big question is whether Pacheco also intends to attack those in his own party that are weighing a run for Congress against David Cicilline.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTGina Raimondo -> Want to know a surefire sign your state is in a fiscal crisis? When the General Treasurer has better name recognition than virtually every other elected official in the state. Raimondo has truly had a stellar introduction to state politics. Let’s just hope she doesn’t take her talents to a different office before getting the job done on pension reform.
John Lombardi -> Seems like everyone had a good time at the former Mayor and Council President’s fundraiser last week, despite some allegedly rude comments made about Mayor Taveras and Councilman Terry Hassett by one of the roasters. You have to wonder if Lombardi is weighing another run at Mayor. Two questions: Does he have it in him and can he possibly challenge a guy that appears to get more popular with every difficult decision he makes?
Sheldon Whitehouse -> Senator Whitehouse wasn’t the only person involved in bringing Netroots Nation to Providence in 2012, but he certainly deserves much of the credit. This is a big deal in the nerdy liberal blogger crowd and it will undoubtedly drive a ton of business to the downtown area. One would imagine there will be an increase in pot sales that week as well.
Paul Doughty -> Kudos to the Fire union President for coming to terms on an agreement that will allow every firefighter in the city to keep their job. Doughty doesn’t have an easy job and one could certainly understand his distrust of the city of Providence, but it’s nice to see him step up to the plate to preserve jobs and help the city.
Paul Jabour -> The ed reform crowd might not like Jabour’s proposal to make every city and town elect its school committee, but the fact is mayoral appointed committees aren’t working in Rhode Island either. Look no further than Providence and Central Falls, two of the worst school districts in the state.
David Salvatore -> Appears to have gotten his wish for an independent audit of the many disability pensions handed out in the city over the past few decades. Let’s see what kind of can of worms this is going to open up.
Who’s Not
House Finance Committee -> It’s not so much the end product, it’s the process. There is something wrong about a group of people sitting in a hearing looking awfully confused while asking very few questions for a couple of hours before unanimously passing a $7.7 billion budget.
Don Carcieri -> It comes as no surprise that the former Governor is supporting Brendan Doherty for Congress and the move might help solidify voters on the right that have questioned the former Colonel’s Republican credentials. But good luck getting some of those independent supporters that would like to vote against Congressman Cicilline (if he is the Democratic nominee) after they watched the former Governor help run the state into the ground over the course of eight years.
Allan Fung -> Welcome to the bad PR file. The Cranston Mayor sent out a message to city residents criticizing spending in city schools, but at the same time, he is supporting the building of a new Mayoral Academy in 2012. The two may have very little in common, but you tell that to the average taxpayer n the city.
Providence Teachers -> For all the criticism directed toward the Central Falls situation, it’s worth mentioning that Providence appears to have many of the same problems in its school system. The high rate of chronic absenteeism is just another black eye for Providence teachers as they attempt to negotiate a new contract.
Central Falls -> When it rains, it pours. The majority of cities and towns (including Providence) seem to feel as though the General Assembly came through for them. But not Central Falls, where bankruptcy appears to be the only option.
Whitey Bulger -> The most important question stemming from the arrest James “Whitey” Bulger this week: How was he paying less for a sweet apartment in Santa Monica than many people pay to live in downtown Providence?
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- Side of the Rhode: Who’s hot and who’s not in RI politics?
