GoLocal Voter’s Guide - AG Candidates: Peter Kilmartin
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Peter Kilmartin
Democratic Candidate for Attorney General
Born:
February 18, 1962 in Pawtucket, RI
Education:
Roger Williams University (BS)
Roger Williams University School of Law (JD)
Career Highlights:
• From 1984 to 2008, served as a police officer for the Pawtucket Police Department and eventually rose to the rank of captain, head of the prosecution division
• In 1990, elected to the House of Representatives and has served as a representative for the 80th (1990-2003) and 61st (2003-present) district since then
• Is a member of the House Committee on Corporations, House Committee on Labor, House Committee on Rules, and the Joint Committee on Highway Safety
Personal Information:
In 1999 Kilmartin and wife, Kristine, founded the Pawtucket Arts Festival, which draws thousands of people from New England to Pawtucket every year.
Views on Key Issues:
• Do you favor the expansion of casino gambling in RI to include table games in Lincoln and Newport?
Gaming exists in Rhode Island and is our third largest revenue source. Because Massachusetts is aggressively pursuing casino gambling. I support allowing the voters to choose if they want table games. I also will pursue legislation I have introduced in the past that creates oversight of gaming through a Gaming Commission, which would include both the Attorney General's office and the Rhode Island State Police.
• Do you think RI is culturally too accepting of public corruption?
I do not believe Rhode Island citizens accept or condone corruption. Neither do I. As Attorney General, I will aggressively identify, investigate and prosecute corruption. When I was sworn in as a police officer, I pledged to enforce the law without fear or favor. I will do the same as Attorney General.
• 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 the Deepwater Wind Project. It will help create jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy. Europe has successful wind projects and Rhode Island has the potential to be on the forefront of this nationally, thereby creating a new industry.
• Do you think RI effectively spends its education dollars?
There is a lot of room for improvement. I supported creation of a school funding formula this year and that will help us better allocate education dollars. Also, participation in the Race to the Top program is a positive step forward. I have long been an advocate for consolidation of administrative positions and services as a means of streamlining and saving dollars.
• Do you favor a state law to allow gay marriage?
The General Assembly has the discretion to enact gay marriage or civil union legislation. If it does, it needs to take into account the positions of religious organizations to assure they are not forced to act contrary to their religious beliefs.
• Do you think RI should enact restrictive immigration legislation?
Only the federal government can restrict immigration. I did vote for E-Verify legislation. As Attorney General, I will implement the "Safe Communities" program. If someone is arrested in Rhode Island, their fingerprints would immediately be sent to immigration officials to check their immigration status for deportation.
• Do you think municipal government has done enough to cut spending?
Each city and town has to be evaluated separately. For instance, I understand that Richmond has made great strides in this area. Generally speaking, more needs to be done. I supported what is popularly known as "3050" (2006 S-3050) to keep property taxes down and cut spending. I believe cities and towns need to sit with their employees and find further savings. Also, I will identify, investigate and prosecute municipal corruption to protect local taxpayer dollars.
• 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?
In the past, I have supported changes in the pension system resulting in tens of millions of dollars of savings. The role of the Attorney General is to prosecute those who defraud the system. I support enhancing penalties of anyone who defrauds the pension system or gets a pension illegally. Further, I will make the Attorney General's office available to municipalities prior to their granting a disability pension to ensure that pension is legitimate.
• 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 has a budget of approximately 23 million dollars. If elected, during the transition phase and early months of office, I will conduct an evaluation of the office to identify and correct inefficiencies. I will take a zero-based budgeting approach to the office and cut where necessary. Also, I will participate in national lawsuits against companies that have illegally harmed Rhode Island consumers to ensure that the state gets its fair share of any judgment dollars.
• What specifically will you do to improve employment for Rhode Islanders?
Fight corruption. Business wants to know that the state they work in has honest government. Identifying, investigating and prosecuting corruption is the way to do this. Business, as well as all citizens, also wants to have confidence that the Attorney General will act in a fair, unbiased and even-handed manner on all cases before it. The playing field has to be level. As Attorney General, this is the standard I will set for the entire office.
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