Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - June 10, 2016
Friday, June 10, 2016
Russ Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Every Friday, GoLocalProv's Russ Moore breaks down who is rising and who is falling in RI politics, business, and sports. Moore has worked on both sides of the desk in Rhode Island media, both for newspapers and on political campaigns. Send him email at
[email protected] and follow him on Twitter @russmoore713.
Related Slideshow: Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - June 10, 2016
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HOT
Gina Raimondo: The Governor announced this Thursday that General Electric will be coming to Providence and creating 100 new technology jobs in the “near term.” The announcement is a big win for Governor Raimondo, who promised to make job creation a centerpiece of her administration. The GE news is a first step in that direction.
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HOT
Nicholas Mattiello: The unveiling of the state budget provided some much-needed positive press for the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The budget (thanks to a slightly improving economy and tough, responsible decisions during the brunt of the recession) features no broad based tax hikes, and slashes taxes for retirees and fees to visit state beaches. It's not easy to criticize this year's version of the state budget, and that will give Mattiello a much-needed strong week in the news.
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HOT
John Igliozzi: The City Council came under fire this week, particularly from the Elorza administration, for setting a tax levy without releasing the spending plan earlier this week. Yet the council deserves credit for lowering the tax levy and therefore decreasing the tax burden on Providence residents, particularly those who rent their houses (taxes are always built into the rent prices). Sometimes, it behooves us to show some patience, particularly when the only reason the council released the rates earlier than when they initially planned to was to accommodate the administration’s plan to send out bills as soon as possible. Good for Igliozzi and the Council's Finance Committee for cutting the levy.
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HOT
Quonset Air Show: This weekend features the state’s air show—an amazing display and array of military planes and jets sailing over Quonset. The air show has raised over $2 million dollars for charity since its inception. This year, in order to avoid the brutal traffic that almost always coincides with the show, show goers can board the train to get there and ride for free.
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Safe: The state of Rhode Island ranked the fourth safest in the USA according to a recent study done by Wallethub. According to the study, the state ranked 4th in home & community safety, 36th in financial safety, 4th in road safety, 1st in workplace safety and 16th in safety from natural disasters. We could always be better, but we're a pretty "safe" place apparently.
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HOT
Rhode Island Foundation: The Rhode Island Foundation celebrates its 100th year of its existence this Monday at the Temple to Music in Roger Williams Park. Over 1,000 business and community leaders, donors and grant recipients will be attending the event, which will happen exactly 100 years to the day in 1916 that industrialist Jesse Metcalf started the non-profit organization with a $10,000 gift (a big donation back then, keep in mind inflation). The organization has since done exceptional charity work for so many organizations and people in Rhode Island. Here’s to at least 100 more great years.
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NOT
Bill Fischer: The long-time communications professional has had a rough go of it this year at the statehouse. Fischer lost the battle over the truck tolls early on in the session. And now, it appears that yet again there will be no state aid to the so-called Superman building in downtown Providence. Further, the $20 million dollar bond issue to benefit ProvPort isn't a part of the budget either -- another of Fischer's clients. Too many questions about what land they are going to buy and who is going to make all the money. Fischer is a nice gentleman, but this hasn't been a year in the news for him.
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NOT
Seth Magaziner: The General Treasurer lost one of his best advisers in Jeff Padwa, who is joining the law firm of Darrow Everett, where he will undoubtedly make more money than if he had remained in the public sector. This means the Treasurer is on his third chief of staff in 18 months. The pension fund's performance has been lackluster and it's weighed down by high fees paid to money managers. Allof these have been given the General Treasurer fits as of late.
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NOT
Pawtucket Red Sox Owners: The Pawtucket Red Sox owners have committed to staying in Pawtucket for the next few years, but they’ve come back to the state yet again with their Paws hats in hand asking for taxpayer’s money yet again. The Pawtucket Red Sox ownership hasn’t yet demonstrated why it would be a good taxpayer investment to support their minor league baseball team. Until that happens, no taxpayer money should be spent.
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NOT
Donald Trump: The presumptive Republican nominee for President of the United States did himself no favors last week when he asserted that the only reason he received an unfavorable ruling in the civil case over his now defunct Trump University, was due to the judge’s Mexican heritage. The statement caused a backlash from not only Democrats and independents, but also prominent Republicans like House Speaker Paul Ryan.
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NOT
RI GOP Hall of Fame: The Hall of Fame for the Rhode Island Republican party always sounded like a bad idea—a mutual admiration society if there ever was one. Now, the state GOP had to reschedule from yesterday until September, since the members of the House of Representatives had to be in session that night. It seems like poor planning doomed the event.
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