Retribution and Incompetence in the McKee Administration - Rep. Julie Casimiro

Retribution and Incompetence in the McKee Administration - Rep. Julie Casimiro

I recently saw a video from Lt. Governor Candidate Sue Anderbois accusing Governor McKee of retribution in attempting to get her removed from the Energy Efficiency Council.  She is absolutely spot on!  Retribution and pettiness are alive and well in this administration, including the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.  Is this what the Governor should be focused on right now???

 

Because I don’t always agree with the Governor, I have had simple license plate requests blocked.  Doing this to my requests doesn’t hurt me, it hurts my constituents who also vote in Gubernatorial elections.  At the urging of one of my male colleagues, I requested a tour of all facilities of the Department of Corrections.   This request was also blocked … but a male colleague was given the opportunity.  Misogyny or bullying?

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Oftentimes, my legislative work was blocked, not because of policy but because of petty politics.

 

But more importantly, let’s look at the failures of this administration.  Let’s start with the Washington Bridge.  Rhode Island taxpayers were told the demolition and replacement costs would be between $250 million and $300 million and would be substantially completed in 2026.  Now, RIDOT lists the rebuild alone at $427.9 million, with traffic lanes not opening until November of 2028, and the project will not be finalized until 2029.  This is not a small mistake.  This is a collapse in planning, oversight, and credibility. Add to this the loss in hospitality revenue through 2029.  A Salve Regina study around hospitality estimated a $114 million loss in hospitality revenue in the first year, with projected hospitality impacts reaching $748 million through 2029.

 

Taxpayers are paying more, businesses are losing money, and commuters are losing valuable time… and the state is still years away from a fully functional bridge.  The Washington Bridge debacle is not just broken infrastructure; it’s broken leadership!

 

But this administration would rather focus on retribution and petty politics.

 

We also endured a data breach, multiple payroll blunders, missed Medicaid payments, failing roads and bridges, the delayed Girls Facility in Exeter, which has yet to open, misplaced grants at EOHHS, the promise to end the sludge issue in Quonset without any substantial action having taken place … this list goes on and on.  And, they are blocking license plates???

 

We need better from the Office of the Governor.  Time for change.  That is why I am wholeheartedly and enthusiastically endorsing Helena Foulkes for Governor of Rhode Island.

 

Helena will get to work immediately, making the necessary changes to right this ship.  Rhode Island ranks at the bottom in far too many categories.  It’s time for true leadership and not petty politics. Rhode Island can’t afford 4 more years of McKee & Company.