Moore: Ruggerio’s Opportunity to Foster Compromise
Monday, March 27, 2017
Contrary to popular belief, it’s good to have someone with experience in a leadership position in government.
Anyone paying attention to Congress over the last week knows what I mean.
President Donald Trump, who has no previous government experience, thought he could steamroll legislation to upend Obamacare through Congress--similar to the way a chief executive commands directives to sycophantic underlings.That’s not how government works.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTExhibit number two, and a more local example, would be former Governor Donald Carcieri. Throughout his tenure, he was frequently frustrated by his inability to spearhead his agenda through the legislature. Like Trump with Congress, Carcieri was stymied by his inability to work with the state legislature for long periods of his tenure.
That’s why it’s encouraging that Dominick Ruggerio, who represents portions of North Providence and Providence, has ascended to Rhode Island Senate President--the top position in the state senate--following former Senator Teresa Paiva Weed’s abrupt departure for a lucrative position at the Rhode Island Hospital Association.
Experience Counts
Sure, Ruggerio, an administrator for the International Laborer’s Union, has some foibles--just like the rest of us. But pardon me if I don’t like judging people harshly for their mistakes and instead prefer to view their whole body of work.
Ruggerio has been at the table, getting results for Rhode Islanders for over 30 years. Whether it was the expansion of the airport, the construction of the convention center, the Providence Place Mall, or the dorms and educational institution buildings at places like The University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.
Many will criticize Ruggerio for his union ties, but Ruggerio has supported many pro-business initiatives in Rhode Island, including reforming the tax code by lowering the top bracket rate, pension reform, and more recently, the measure to bring Norwegian Airlines to T.F. Green Airport.
In sum, Ruggerio knows how to get things done thanks to not only his decades of experience but also his temperament.
Compromise is Key
It’s no secret that Governor Gina Raimondo and House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello are currently at odds over their dueling, major proposals this legislative session. Mattiello wants to begin a program to completely eliminate the car tax over the next 5 years or so. Raimondo, on the other hand, wants to provide a lower amount of car tax relief, and create a new, free college tuition program for all Rhode Island students going forward.
Ruggerio, in assuming his new role as the Senate’s top dog, has an opportunity to work as a mediator between the two sides. Ruggerio may very well be able to forge a compromise between the Governor’s office and the House of Representatives in the best interests of all Rhode Islanders.
If Ruggerio is able to strike that balance, he will have successful tenure as Senate President. And we’ll all be better off for it.
Russell Moore has worked on both sides of the desk in Rhode Island media, both for newspapers and on political campaigns. Send him email at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter @russmoore713.
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