2020 Election Profile: Ken Mendonca, RI House District 72
Sunday, November 01, 2020
Ken Mendonca is running for election in House District 72 (Portsmouth, Middletown).
Read what he has to say about why he is running for office.
This is part of an ongoing series by GoLocal featuring each of the candidates for House and Senate.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island?
Although a gubernatorial race isn’t on the ballot, Governor Raimondo’s decision to withhold $900M in CARES Act funding to presumably plug a $600M or larger FY21 budget shortfall is a major risk to RI’s future. RI’s economy relies on the revenues from the sales tax, other business-related taxes and licenses that businesses provide. Having been a member of the Committee on House finance, typically these revenue streams are consistent and predictable, but that cannot be said during the COVID pandemic. Her decision not to stabilize the economy with the infusion of federal funds could have long term fiscal consequences for the state. When a business fails, the tax revenues generated by that business dries up and unemployment costs increase. The revenue loss impacts the current year’s budget and subsequent year budgets and the losses have to be made up through tax increases or through cuts. On a municipal level, a shuttered business negatively impacts their tax base as well which then puts a greater burden on the residential tax base. A vaccine or anti-viral for the pandemic may be months or years away and the governor’s gamble may have far-reaching effects for members of the legislature to resolve.
2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?
My answer would be much different under normal economic circumstances, but the pandemic has nearly decimated the fragile RI economy which relies heavily on the service and tourism sectors to be vibrant. The economy needs to be reopened to pre-pandemic levels so that what is left of the economy can be salvaged this year and so that businesses can survive. A pullback on the opening process will just send the local economy into a deeper nosedive. This by no means to remove the health and safety measures for employees and customers, but let businesses open up 100% with a few restrictions. At this time, businesses know what measures are required and its government’s role to enforce laws and to assist businesses meet the ever-changing requirements. The general assembly has been permitting the governor to rule by executive order and there has been very little pushback by the elected assembly members. We need legislators that will lead and remove the roadblocks, now and in the future, to improve the economic environment and remove the rocks from the backpacks of the taxpayers.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
Pandemic aside, generally the poor economic climate tops the list. I polled businesses’ owners some time ago and their common concerns were the cost of utilities, access to capital and access to a skilled workforce. In 2020, Wallethub ranked RI the third highest for energy costs in the nation. In District 72 (Portsmouth/ Middletown), a 98-year-old business moved south two years ago because of the high utility costs. The move reportedly saved the company 50% in energy costs annually. We need legislators that can assess the impacts of our energy policy and its impact on future economic growth. The RI Commerce Corporation has issued or committed hundreds of millions of taxpayer’s dollars in grant funding to assist businesses in attracting and retaining jobs to improve the economy. Now that the program has been in place for several years, it is time for an audit that I support to determine if the program worked. Having access to a skilled workforce requires affordable housing. There is no one silver bullet to solve the affordable housing a solution, but as a legislator, I co-sponsored legislation that created a municipal infrastructure grant program with one of its express purposes was for housing development.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
I am seeking reelection to the House District 72 seat (Portsmouth/ Middletown) to continue the effort of representing the needs of my constituents, while working hard for the taxpayer ensuring they get the most from their hard earned money by state government. In my term as a state representative, I served on the House Committee on Finance, and sub committees on General Government and Environment and Transportation. While on these committees, I invested hundreds of hours at the state house learning the details about the budgeting, operation and expenditure processes of state government. I asked questions in the best interest of the taxpayer, politics aside, to the administration, general office holders and the departments to hold them accountable. I also heard testimony on over 750 pieces of legislation. The video proof is available online. Putting the time in on committees is critical to making informed votes on the house floor where legislation becomes law. By participating on the finance committee, l learned not only how the sausage was made, but how it was going to be paid for. I was also honored to serve on Committee for Veteran Affairs and to represent the many veterans in the district
5. Who is your inspiration?
I learned a hard work ethic from my dad, Francis. I was the youngest of five children in a family of seven. He made many sacrifices to ensure we had food in the fridge and a roof over our heads. Sometimes we wouldn’t see him on holidays until late in the evening as the extra holiday pay helped pay the bills. To keep the house fed, he had a four-acre farm where he grew vegetables and had livestock. The farm required a lot of his time before and after his normal workday. At harvest time, the family would help pick, can and freeze. One weekend a summer, we’d collect hay bales and stack them in the barn loft by hand. It was hard work for a twelve-year-old. I recognized then that hard work and education was the key that would open career doors for me, so I paid for and attended college part time while working full time. After eight years, I was the first family member to graduate college. I then went on to earn a master’s degree. I carried that work ethic during my time serving the public and will do so again if elected.
Bio:
I am a lifelong resident of the East Bay and have been a Portsmouth resident for 24 years. I graduated from Rogers High School in Newport and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree, in Information Systems Science and a Master of Business Administration from Salve Regina University.
Professionally I have been employed by Rite-Solutions for 16 years as a systems engineer/program manager supporting the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC). I’ve been employed in the Aquidneck Island defense industry for over 27 years and prior to that period I was employed by a high technology firm in Middletown for nine years.
I have been married for 27 years to Nancy (Wilson), an educator at the Portsmouth Middle School. Our daughter, Kaleigh, attended Portsmouth Public Schools and is graduate of RIC.
I was elected to serve the citizens of Portsmouth and Middletown in the House of Representative District 72 in November 2016 for one term. I was a Member of the House Committee on Finance, subcommittee on General Government, and subcommittee on Environment and Transportation. I was also a member the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Website:
https://www.electkenri.com/
FB:
Ken Mendonca for RI State Representative District 72
Twitter:
@ElectKenR
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