GoLocal Voter’s Guide - AG Candidates: Erik Wallin
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Erik Wallin
Republican Candidate for Attorney General
Born:
1970 in North Kingstown, RI
Education:
Rhode Island College
Roger Williams University School of Law (JD) Cum Laude
Air University’s Judge Advocate Staff Officer School
Career Highlights:
• Served as a First Lieutenant and a Captain in the US Air Force (Distinguished Graduate of Commissioned Officer Training)
• Served as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate at Write Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio
• Appointed a Special Assistant US Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio
• Appointed the Area Defense Counsel at WPAFB
• Served in the USAF Eastern Circuit as a Circuit Defense Counsel in Washington, DC
• In 2003, appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General in Rhode Island
• In 2008, opened his own law office in Wakefield, concentrating in criminal justice
Personal Information:
Wallin has been invited to teach and lecture other Judge Advocate officers at the Air University in Montgomery, Alabama and the US Army’s Judge Advocate School at the University of Virginia. His wife Karissa is an Attorney for the US Government in Washington, DC.
Views on Key Issues:
• Do you favor the expansion of casino gambling in RI to include table games in Lincoln and Newport?
No.
• Do you think RI is culturally too accepting of public corruption?
Individual Rhode Islanders are not accepting of public corruption. However, as they have witnessed a political insider as Attorney General turn a blind eye to public corruption, any loss of faith that those who betray the public trust will be held accountable is certainly understandable.
• Do you support the Deepwater Wind Project as a way of helping RI become a hub of the new energy industry? Do you think it is a viable method of economic development here?
I support what Deepwater wind is trying to do, i.e., renewable energy and grow jobs, but I do not support the way in which the rules were changed by the General Assembly to force the PUC to approve the deal.
• Do you think RI effectively spends its education dollars?
Rhode Island can do better.
• Do you favor a state law to allow gay marriage?
Personally, I believe marriage is a term that should be reserved between a man and a woman. I do support some form of recognition of civil unions. As Attorney General, my job is not to substitute my own views but instead to enforce the law, and I will do just that.
• Do you think RI should enact restrictive immigration legislation?
The question is extremely broad since restrictive is not defined. I support the expansion of E-Verify, the continued cooperation of law enforcement with federal authorities, and efforts to tighten up enforcement to ensure that only those legally present in our country and state have access to public assistance benefits.
• Do you think municipal government has done enough to cut spending?
The Attorney General does not have jurisdiction over municipal government budgets. However, some municipal governments have done well, while others can do more.
• What specifically do you propose to change in the state pension system, and how much will your changes save in annual costs to the pension system?
The Attorney General does not have the legislative power to change the state's pension system. However, under my HOPE Act, any state or municipal employee convicted of public corruption will lose his/her pension. I will also ensure that pension fraud is investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
• What is your strategy to address the state's budget deficit? Please be specific, i.e. what cuts or revenue enhancements you are proposing.
The Attorney General does not propose or enact the state's budget. However, I will fully review the budget for my department to look for areas of excess and opportunities to use the office's resources more efficiently to make our state a safer more prosperous place to live, work, and do business.
• What specifically will you do to improve employment for Rhode Islanders?
Aggressively prosecuting public corruption will make Rhode Island more attractive to businesses that do not want to engage in "pay-to-play." I will also be a strong advocate for individuals and businesses to ensure public utilities and health insurers justify rate increases.
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