In a 30-minute one-on-one interview Tuesday afternoon on GoLocal LIVE, Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello discussed a range of issues including preserving Roe v. Wade as the “law of the land,” extending the statute of limitations for sexual abusers, Governor Gina Raimondo's record, the PawSox move to Worcester and the requirement for Rhode Island government to pay for legal notices in the Providence Journal.
PawSox
Mattiello said, “Well I wish the Paw Sox well, but at the end of the day that's a lot of money [the $100m Worcester agreement] to pay back and we'll know in five or ten years if it was a good investment or not. I'm glad that Rhode Island does not have to bear that burden.”
On extending the statute of limitations of sexual abusers, Mattiello said: "it's complicated."
"You have to figure out who it's going to apply to and what all the nuances are, so yes I think we should extend the statute of limitations. You have to look at the retroactive aspect of it you have to look at who it's going to apply to…there's so many different versions I do expect that, that's something that we will look at next year that we should look at next year I know a lot of folks want it’ said Mattiello.
Abortion Rights
On the issue of abortion rights, Mattiello skirted a firm commitment to affirm Roe v. Wade if the issue of choice came back to the states.
On preserving abortion rights, Mattiello affirmed that he is “pro-life” but understands that pro-choice is the “law of the land” in the United States and ”every civilized nation in the world allows choice and I recognize that,” Mattiello said.
“I would think it's appropriate to address there you have a lot of folks in society and when you have and there's this very large pro-choice population out there probably the majority and you just can't neglect that so I mean we're all mindful of what society is going to expect,” said Mattiello.
Newspaper Legal Notices
Mattiello said he would review a statute that requires the state and cities and towns to publish legal notices in newspapers like the Providence Journal. In the past, both Governors Lincoln Chafee and Gina Raimondo have called for the repeal of the 50 plus-year-old mandate that cost taxpayers an estimated $750,000 a year.
While the Providence Journal has laid off or done buyouts for dozens of reporters, editors, and photographers over the past two years, they have paid lobbyist Joe Walsh more than $100,000 to fight off efforts to repeal the legal notice requirements.
Raimondo
Mattiello said he strongly supports fellow Democrat Gina Raimondo's reelection effort. While the two have sometimes had a strained relationship, Mattiello said she has been success in helping to rebuild the Rhode Island economy.
Related Slideshow: GoLocal Statewide Poll - Conducted by Harvard’s Della Volpe - June, 2018
Q4: When it comes to voting, do you consider yourself to be affiliated with the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, Moderate, or Unaffiliated with a major party?
Q5: Next year, in November of 2018, there will be a statewide general election for Governor and many other state offices. How likely is it that you will vote in this election? Will you definitely be voting, will you probably be voting, are you 50-50...
Definitely be voting.............................. 81%
Probably be voting............................... 19%
All others............................................. 0%
Q20: If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: Democrat Gina Raimondo, Republican Allan Fung and Independent Joe Trillo - for whom would you vote?
Q20: If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: Democrat Gina Raimondo, Republican Patricia Morgan and Independent Joe Trillo - for whom would you vote?
Q21: If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: Democrat Matt Brown, Republican Allan Fung and Independent Joe Trillo - for whom would you vote?
Allan Fung, a Republican..................... 35%
Matt Brown, a Democrat...................... 25%
Joe Trillo, an Independent.................... 14%
Q22: If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: Democrat Matt Brown, Republican Patricia Morgan and Independent Joe Trillo - for whom would you vote?
Matt Brown, a Democrat...................... 30%
Patricia Morgan, a Republican............. 20%
Joe Trillo, an Independent.................... 18%
Q23: If the election for the U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Robert Nardolillo - for whom would you vote?
Q24: If the election for the U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Robert Flanders - for whom would you vote?
Q25: If there was an election today, would you vote to approve or reject issuing $250 million in financing supported general obligation bonds to repair Rhode Island's deteriorating school buildings and bring them up to minimum standards called "warm, safe and dry"?
Q26: The Rhode Island General Assembly is in the process of negotiating a $40 million public financing deal with the Pawtucket Red Sox for a new stadium, hoping to bring a vote before the House and Senate this summer.
In general, do you favor or oppose the use of public funds to help finance a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox?
Q27: The City of Providence and the state of Rhode Island are considering a proposal by New York developer Jason Fane to build a 46-story luxury residence tower in Providence, next to a public riverfront park. The developer will invest $250 to $300 million of his own funds. The project is called the Hope Point Tower, it would be 170-feet taller than the Superman building and would require waiving height restrictions and the use of state tax credits.
In general, do you favor or oppose development of the Hope Point Tower?
Q29: Since it was launched in 2016, UHIP -- the Rhode Island program designed to improve customer service for those who receive federal benefits -- has run into significant problems, including long lines, cost overruns, lost applications, over- and under-charging of patients and families.
Based on what you know at this time, what percent of blame for this do you assign to:
Deloitte, the consulting company who
produced the system........................... 53.3%
Governor Gina Raimondo, who has
been governor since the system
launch in September 2016................... 47.1%
Q30: Presently, there are local groups opposing the development of a natural gas facility in Burrillville, solar projects in Exeter, a LNG facility in Providence and wind projects in North Kingstown.
Some people say that it is important for local groups to play a role in opposition of projects like these that could be dangerous or harmful to citizens;
Others say that local groups have gone too far to the detriment of the state’s long-term energy needs.
Which statement comes closer to your own view?
Local groups play an important role...... 46%
Local groups have gone too far............. 31%
Not sure................................................. 24%
Q32: The next question is about the total income of YOUR HOUSEHOLD for the PAST 12 MONTHS. Please include your income PLUS the income of all members living in your household (including cohabiting partners and armed forces members living at home).
$50,000 or less.................................... 33%
More $50,000 but less than $75,000..... 18%
More $75,000 but less than $100,000... 16%
More $100,000 but less than $150,000. 13%
$150,000 or more................................ 10%
Q33: What particular ethnic group or nationality - such as English, French, Italian, Irish, Latino, Jewish, African American, and so forth - do you consider yourself a part of or feel closest to?