2020 Election Profile: Michael McCaffrey, RI State Senate District 29

Tuesday, September 01, 2020

GoLocalProv News Team

 

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Michael McCaffrey

Senator Mike McCaffrey is running for reelection in Senate District 29 (Warwick). He currently serves as Senate Majority Leader.

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.

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1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island? 

COVID-19. It has impacted each and every one of our lives in some particular way. In my own family, life as we know it has changed dramatically. My wife Deirdre is a registered nurse, we have four children in school, and I’m also highly at-risk due to a prior bout with bi-lateral pneumonia that had me in an ICU for two months. Since the outbreak began, I’ve been working with residents and small businesses that have been impacted by this terrible virus. It’s brought issues into focus, such as the need to establish stronger safety nets for unemployed workers, struggling small businesses, and those in congregate care settings. 

 

2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?

In the short-term, we need to exercise patience in dealing with COVID-19. We’ve seen that when other states reopen too quickly it can be a monumental setback for their local economy, because, in effect, they take one step forward and then two steps backward. 

We know what leads to a good economy and attracts investment in the long-term: good schools, safe and reliable infrastructure, and low business costs. We’ve fully funded the education funding formula, made historic investments in our roads and bridges, and cut corporate income taxes and fees on small businesses. Some have suggested raising taxes on small businesses to close the anticipated deficit. That’s a non-starter for me. We must continue to focus on improving the fundamentals of Rhode Island’s business climate.


3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?

COVID-19 has highlighted public health inequities in our state. They exist by zip code, socio-economic status, age, and race. We must confront this challenge head on and develop a statewide health care system plan. From COVID-19 to ongoing efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and constant consolidation rumors about our hospitals, healthcare highlights both national and local policy discussions. Too often these decisions are made in an isolated manner. We must develop a statewide health care system plan built around two components: (1) patients and (2) the institutions that deliver services to meet needs of those patients.  If re-elected to the Senate, I would ask my colleagues to adopt a modern strategic plan to help inform us on health care related issues; such as, rising health care costs, hospital acquisitions and consolidations, and access to quality care.

 

4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?  

As Senate Majority Leader, I have focused on overhauling Rhode Island’s broken criminal justice system. For too long, individuals were trapped in a vicious cycle of recidivism. Three years ago, the Senate fought to pass Justice Reinvestment. We’re already seeing results of this massive paradigm shift that changed our criminal justice policy from one centered on sentencing and punishment to one centered on rehabilitation and re-entry. I think my personal experience as an attorney makes me uniquely qualified to champion these issues, since they usually deal in legal nuance. If re-elected, I’m will continue to fight for these issues because when an individual is rehabilitated or has access to the services they deserve instead of incarcerate, everyone benefits.

As a candidate for Senate District 29, I’m uniquely qualified because I am a lifelong city resident who cares deeply about my community. This campaign isn’t just about winning public office; it’s about bringing to the Senate a vision and priorities that are deeply rooted in community service here in Warwick, from my perspective as a member of the Board of Volunteers of Warwick Schools to my experience as a monthly attendee of Conimicut Village Association meetings.


5. Who is your inspiration?  


My parents, my wife, and my children.

 

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