Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics
Friday, May 13, 2011
Each week, GoLocalProv brings you an insider look at who is on fire and who is cooling off in the world of Rhode Island politics.
Who’s Hot
Deborah Gist -> There is plenty to complain about with the state's Education Commissioner, but the idea that she should apologize to a woman wooed to Rhode Island by her enemies for talking too much during a meeting is outrageous. Kudos to Gist for continuing to defend her policies in a room that probably wasn't too keen on anything she had to say.
Chris Young -> Anyone think Mayor Taveras will call his old pal from the campaign trail to lead the fight against the colleges and hospitals? Taxing the nonprofits is all the rage these days, and to his credit, Young spent most of last summer calling for these institutions to pony up while his opponents danced and dodged the question. For what it’s worth, 25 percent seems a bit steep when you consider where Providence would be without Brown or the hospitals.
John Igliozzi -> It’s worth mentioning that the only time we seem to hear the Providence City Council complaining about city ordinance violations is when it’s convenient for them, but Councilman Igliozzi is spot-on for asking questions regarding the latest cash scam happening in the city.
Larry Valencia -> You want a tax plan that won’t devastate the folks who can least afford it? Rep. Valencia’s plan to tax people making over $200,000 a year might be worth taking a look at. Then again, the state could just mail out an annual appeal to the upper five percent of earners and then publish the names of those too cheap to help the state out when it needs a hand. It’s probably more realistic than getting Valencia’s bill passed.
Don Grebien -> With all the focus on Providence, everyone forgets that other cities and towns have were also screwed over by state cuts over the past eight years. Kudos to Mayor Grebien for submitting a budget that calls on everyone to make sacrifice, but does not include a property tax hike that would be incredibly detrimental to the city.
Paul Jabour -> There are more feds spying on people on the Hill they think are mobsters than there are cops patrolling the streets. That needs to change and Senator Jabour deserves credit for calling for an increased police presence in that neighborhood. Unfortunately, it took a murder for anyone to speak up.
Who’s Not
A Republican Primary -> The argument that a Republican Primary helps the Party in 2012 is totally false. Brendan Doherty and John Loughlin are the two strongest candidates the Republicans have and they’re running against each other. Why not give Loughlin another crack at Congressman Cicilline and have Doherty run for Senate or wait until 2014 and throw him at Governor Chafee?
Chris Plante -> Was correctly called out this week for suggesting the people of Rhode Island don’t want same-sex marriage. Of course, there isn’t a single poll out there that would back this claim up and the idea that Speaker Fox not having the votes to get it passed justifies Plante’s statement makes no sense at all.
Diane Ravitch -> Not even Governor Chafee, who won his election thanks in large part to the teachers unions and then immediately rolled out the red carpet for Ravitch, agreed that Commissioner Gist was out of line during their meeting last week.
Joseph Burchfield -> Nice to know the former North Providence councilman has punished himself for violating the public’s trust, but skipping that extra family vacation probably won’t change the judge’s mind much when it comes to sentencing.
Harold Metts -> Before getting rid of the fraudulent voters in this state, maybe we should focus on the fraudulent politicians. All requiring identification at the polls does is make the voting process more restrictive, something Rhode Island simply can’t afford.
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Comments:
lOUIS PRIMA
6:35am on Friday, May 13, 2011
how low can you go?
praising John "reborn councilman" Igliozzi and Jabour
family on every payroll, judges, cousins at DPW..r u freakin kidding me
go back to school...while they are still open!!
Phil Lagoy
10:35am on Friday, May 13, 2011
Praising Rhoda Perry? She has voted for every tax hike that has ever come across her desk.
And not cuffing Pregnant prisioners? Should the guards carry them too so their feet don't get bloated? Enough with her bleeding heart garbage. It is time for action on unemployment and getting the economy moving. Walk down Hope St in her district and ask all the mom and pop shop owners how they are doing these days. If anyone deserves to be uncuffed or unshackled it is them.
Michael Trenn
8:05pm on Friday, May 13, 2011
How dare you imply that Harold Metts is a "fraudulent politician!" While I don't always agree with his positions, he has hit the nail on the head this time. Moreover, he has reresented his constituents with honor and dignity for many years. He has stood up to the power structure for people who cannot, even when that power structure is centered in his own party, as is the case on this issue. You NEED to apologize.
Buz Barton
8:20pm on Friday, May 13, 2011
I did think that Doherty might crush Cicillini in a race for Congressman from that district. But, now that there is a Democrat primary in the works, it doesn't seem to be an easy win for any of the candidates..Plus, its only May 2011, the season is young, people are probably becoming anesthetized about policitcal debates...so it is going to be a while before we see things unfold. Look at Trump. He has dived from #1 to #5 on the national level. Our political ratings chage almost daily...It seems to fluctuate like the stock market.
Buz Barton
Charles Drago
1:27am on Saturday, May 14, 2011
_______________________
Doherty vs. Cicilline will NEVER happen.
Brendan Doherty launched his campaign with a massive misrepresentation of his political affiliation. Doherty is no more a Republican than is David Cicilline.
And the similarities don't end there.
Cicilline and Doherty will say and do anything it takes to forward their personal agendas. They are peas in a pod.
Shame on David Cicilline.
Shame on Brendan Doherty.
Neither will be seated in the U.S. House of Representatives in January, 2013.
joe bernstein
10:37am on Sunday, May 15, 2011
I seldom agree with Harold Metts,but this bill was a good start on safeguarding the integrity of the voting process.
Aside from the ease with which non-citizens can vote in direct violation of Federal law,there is plenty of fraud perpetrated by US citizens,probably much more than by non-citizens.
I've never heard of Se.Metts being involved in anything unethical for that matter,even though I'm no fan of his positions on most issues.
Cara Mella
7:50pm on Sunday, May 15, 2011
Dan...Dan were are you getting your opinions from? You need to expand your base..it's a sad day when you thing Igliozzi, Jabour, and Young are HOT...
Cara Mella
7:52pm on Sunday, May 15, 2011
I meant THINK Igliozzi, Jabour, and Young are HOT…