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

Friday, January 20, 2012

Dan McGowan, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™

Who's Hot

James Langevin -> This was touched on last week, but kudos to Congressman Langevin for again standing by his opposition to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). Langevin has long been the leader among Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation when it comes to issues related to the internet and he continues to play a major role in that area. No one disagrees that copyright needs to be protected, but the SOPA takes it a bit too far.

David Segal -> Speaking of the SOPA, it was the group led by this former State Rep. and Congressional candidate that sounded the bells about the legislation months ago. Segal is the executive director at Demand Progress, which has led the battle against the bill. Preventing it would be a major win for his organization and for him personally (he'll certainly be able to raise money when he decides to run for office again).

Rob Cote -> Even though it occasionally feels like the fix is in when it comes to car taxes and the evaluation system, Cote deserves credit for not going away. You have to wonder if all of this exposure will lead to a run for political office in the future.

John Igliozzi -> The finance chairman of the Providence City Council is the latest city politician calling on Brown University to step up and pay its fair share in taxes to the city. Both sides have a point here. Why should Brown pay more to make up for foolish decisions regarding COLAs made two decades ago? At the same time, it sounds as though many of the other nonprofits have been willing to come to the table and Brown is beginning to look like the stubborn brat on the Hill.

Nancy Pelosi -> The House Minority Leader is making her way to Rhode Island in March to help members of Rhode Island's Delegation raise money. It's always exciting when big names make the trip to the Ocean State. But here's hoping she at least stays for dinner, unlike President Obama in 2010.

Libby Kimzey -> The young State Rep. candidate in Providence raised $13,000 in just a few short days following her campaign announcement. Even though it's only a State Rep. seat, Kimzey's race is clearly one to watch this year. A victory could show the state that progressives are still a powerful force in Rhode Island.

Newt Gingrich -> He's facing serious character attacks right now, but the former House Speaker still has a very real chance to win in South Carolina, which could help turn his campaign around. His task is convincing the right that he is the most conservative candidate left in the race.

Who's Not

Gina Raimondo -> The Treasurer continues to get pummeled by liberals for accepting that Manhattan Institute award, which she said this week she has no plans to return. Raimondo has plenty of time to recover before 2014, but if she continues to alienate the people who got her elected, she could face problems.

Nicholas Mattiello -> The House Majority Leader wants to bring a for-profit institution that charges $21,000 a year in tuition to Rhode Island. $21,000 for an education that is roughly equivalent to the one CCRI offers. This makes zero sense and is going to force a lot of young people to take on more debt than they can handle.

John Tassoni -> Without local pension reform, many city and towns will be at risking of dying. That's the only death penalty anyone in Rhode Island should be discussing at this point.

Pawtucket -> The city is facing a $2 million deficit halfway through its fiscal year and is beginning to look like it could be next in line when it comes to municipalities that are going broke.

Woonsocket -> That is, unless Woonsocket is next. After another downgrade in its bond rating, things appear to be unraveling and it’s all thanks to a school budget the city can't seem to figure out.

Coventry High School -> Shame on school officials for barring a student from a winter dance because of her medical condition. State Senator Nick Kettle deserves credit for leading the charge to get the school to change its foolish stance.

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Comments:

Edward Smith

9:19am on Friday, January 20, 2012

Raimondo should bask in the sunlight while she has the chance. Soon she will follow the political trayectory of her distinguished predecessors in the treasurer's office.

If Mattiello wants to bring in a for-profit college that will pay all kinds of taxes, good for him. If kids want to overpay for their education, it's their choice. Just ask any underemployed RISD grad, or nearly anyone who ever signed their life away to NE Tech.

James Berling

10:42am on Friday, January 20, 2012

_________________
Raimondo is a bright, conscientious and honest. I don't think the voters of this State could possibly tolerate that combination. You're right she is alienating the people who got her elected. They only voted for her because she had a D after her name but this will not stand.

David Beagle

1:23pm on Friday, January 20, 2012

Does anyone really think that if Gina Raimondo gave back that award that unionized state workers would forgive her for the pension reform? How many state workers have ever even heard of the Manhattan Institute?

Michael Trenn

8:08pm on Friday, January 20, 2012

It is interesting to see David Segal on the list. I suppose if we absolutely must have a "Progressive" as our Congressman, at least Segal seems to have Ethics.

Michael Gardiner

12:35am on Saturday, January 21, 2012

Congressman Langevin shows no boldness or initiative or savvy in opposing SOPA. It's simply a safe play, riding a reaction, and opposing a Republican authored effort. Yawn. This is exactly the type of politics he is known for. Congress does have an obligation to protect intellectual property. I would imagine RI's Hasbro doesn't want Transformer movies pirated and sold on foreign sites. I would imagine it wouldn't be good for RI's 75 million dollar loan to thirty eight studios if their game where downloadable of foreign pirating sites. When Congressman Langevin uses his self proclaimed "geek" status to actually fulfill that congressional responsibility I will be more impressed. His "Town Cryer" exhortations on cyber security are not essential, and his support of placing cyber security under the White house is dangerous. As the Providence Journal said in its lackluster endorsement of him in 2010, he's "no ball of fire." 63 words last week didn't make him hot, and neither do 76 words and an old head shot this week. But the list suffered.