GoLocalProv Voter’s Guide - Lieutenant Governor: Elizabeth Roberts
Friday, October 15, 2010
Elizabeth Roberts
Democratic Candidate for Lieutenant Governor *Seeking Reelection
Born:
April 17, 1957 in Washington, DC; Moved to Cranston, RI 29 years ago
Education:
Brown University (BA)
Boston University (MBA in Health Care Management)
Career Highlights:
• From 1996 to 2006, served as a senator for the Rhode Island Senate
• Served as Chairwoman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee
• Served as Co-Chair of Permanent Joint Committee on Healthcare Oversight
• In 2006, elected to Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island
• Serves as Chairwoman of the Long Term Care Coordinating Council, the Small Business Advocacy Council and the Emergency Management Advisory Council
• Previously worked as a business strategy consultant, policy analyst and health care manager
Personal Information:
In 2006, Common Cause named Roberts one of the top two senators in Rhode Island. That same year, she became the state’s first female Lieutenant Governor.
Views on Key Issues:
• Do you favor the expansion of casino gambling in RI to include table games in Lincoln and Newport?
No. I oppose the expansion of casino gambling by adding table games. This is not a viable long-term revenue stream. We should be looking toward more sustainable industries to expand our economy. If we had spent as much time and energy on other areas of economic development as we have on the gambling question over the past 25 years our state’s economy would be in far better shape.
• Do you think RI is culturally too accepting of public corruption?
I don't believe anyone in Rhode Island accepts public corruption. I certainly don't accept it. I strongly supported the recent Ethics Commission joint resolution to hold elected officials accountable to the highest standards of ethical conduct. No public official should be exempt from transparency under the Code of Ethics.
• 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?
Although I disagreed with the process by which the Deepwater Wind deal was reached, I support the goals of this project. We should be exploring other alternative energy sources—solar, bio-fuel. Alternative energy is the future of energy independence and sustainability for RI. There’s real potential for economic development in this sector.
• Do you think RI effectively spends its education dollars?
There is nothing more critical to the economic rebirth of our state than the excellence of our public education system. The new education funding formula establishes a baseline amount for every student and takes poverty into account. This will better reflect our priorities to give every student a great education while closing achievement gaps.
• Do you favor a state law to allow gay marriage?
Yes. I have been a long-time sponsor and supporter of the marriage equality bill. I have been married to my husband for almost 30 years and I believe that same sex couples should have the same access that we have to the rights and privileges granted by a civil marriage license.
• Do you think RI should enact restrictive immigration legislation?
I support the vigorous enforcement of our federal immigration laws. There must be a unified effort at the federal level to enact and enforce a sensible and sustainable immigration policy for the nation, not an incoherent patchwork of individual laws in each state.
• Do you think municipal government has done enough to cut spending?
There are municipal leaders in Rhode Island who have worked hard to get costs under control, but the transformational changes that are needed have not yet been achieved. We must consolidate and streamline public services and put in place common-sense approaches to cost-cutting, including changes to state law to make these municipal strategies work.
• 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?
My priority is ensuring that we have a fair and sustainable pension system that will serve our retirees while being fair to taxpayers. Retirees must not find themselves facing a collapsing unfunded pension system. I support changes that achieve a balance to close the gap on the unfunded liability in our pension system.
• 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 best way to generate revenue and reduce the costs of government is through achieving a healthier RI economy. Putting people back to work will have a profound impact on our state’s fiscal situation. I have been working with RI companies and companies that want to come to RI to make this happen.
• What specifically will you do to improve employment for Rhode Islanders?
I will continue to assist RI businesses to gain access to capital to grow jobs; work to expand new sectors like advanced manufacturing and the knowledge economy; cut through red-tape and improve the business climate by driving down the cost of health care; and promote RI companies through my Buy Local RI initiative.
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