I am so humbled to represent Washington Park and South Providence as a State House Representative, but despite rumors, I am not finished just yet; I look forward to representing our community with admiration this coming term.
This past year has been difficult. I lost my best friend, mentor, and lifelong companion, my father, Joseph Almeida Sr. He first inspired me to run for public office, and his compassion guided me throughout my tenure. I will dedicate this coming term to his legacy, and will always remember the words he said to me “work hard and always look out for your family.” The people of our Providence community are family, and I will take care of them just like my dad taught me.
I also wanted to take the time to thank the people of Providence for giving me the privilege to lead after all these years. Providence is an amazing place and this is an astonishing time to be a leader in our community. Being a member of the General Assembly is like a dream come true. In this great country of ours, I can sincerely say that anything is possible, and I am a testament to that.
There were a number of legislative accomplishments during my time in the State House. I fought for reasonable gun laws, a living wage, reproductive choice, and affordable health care. I couldn’t have accomplished this without dedicated members of our society willing to put aside our differences to create a neighborhood and community that is a better place for everyone.
With all this being said, there is so much more we need to accomplish. Our community and our children need to feel safe in their homes, our schools need dramatic improvement, and crime needs to be addressed. We need to make our government more efficient and ensure it continues to work for its people. As your representative, I will work with both local and state leaders to tackle these challenges to ensure Providence is the ‘go to’ location for people and business.
Thank you, Providence for always believing in me. Now let’s keep working together to make Providence an even better place. I believe Providence is stronger when we work together. #StrongerTogether
Mr. Joe Almeida is the Rhode Island State Representative for the 12th District representing South Side and Washington Park in Providence.
Related Slideshow: 2018 Governor’s Race Playbook - June 4, 2018
Morgan, the consummate battler, went to court to challenge Peter Kilmartin to release public documents regarding the expenditure of Google monies given to Rhode Island.
Morgan, like fellow GOP candidate Allan Fung and Democrat Matt Brown, hammered Governor Gina Raimondo on the PawSox proposal. SEE HERE
Losses:
N/A
X-Factor: Issues Morgan has been talking about for years are growing in importance.
First, the D.I.N.O. program — dynamic intelligence for nation opportunity — and economic education initiative focused on preparing students for better-paying jobs.
Second, the R.I.N.O. — redefining intelligence for national opportunity — a career focused retaining program for Rhode Island workers.
And, third, MEND-i, a statewide community health initiative that puts more emphasis on the community health systems. SEE INTERVIEW HERE
Losses:
Are these the issues that Rhode Islanders care about?
X-Factor: A lot of substance, but little style points. Needs follow-up.
PawSox, PawSox, PawSox. Fung is hammering Raimondo on the latest PawSox proposal that Raimondo's Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor testified in favor of House Finance on Thursday night.
Pryor joined some bill supporters claiming Mattiello's new bill would cost more (as much as $25 million more), but eliminate the risk for taxpayers. But, by Friday morning, Raimondo said the taxpayers would be on the hook if the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency fails. So this new proposal that the Raimondo administration purportedly supports -- costs more and still puts the taxpayer on the hook.
This is good eating for Fung's campaign.
Losses:
Raimondo via the Democratic Governor's Association is hammering Fung on pay equity and gun control. This is designed to create a gender gap for Fung. He needs to be careful here -- could be the difference maker.
X-Factor: Needs to be careful. Has to make sure that he does not lose female voters over the next few months - guns, equity, schools, reproductive rights.
Deepwater Wind announcement claimed a large number of construction jobs over the next few years -- potentially as many as 800, but fewer than 50 permanent jobs in Rhode Island.
Losses:
The PawSox are becoming a big problem - does she favor Speaker Nick Mattiello's new proposal?
X-Factor: Will she push through an unpopular funding scheme?
This week Spencer Dickinson said that he name Ted Siedle as a special prosecutor to "dig into problems with the RI retirees pension fund."
Dickinson is the only candidate from either party who, as a member of the House, actively fought what he calls the so-called ‘pension reform’ disaster of 2011.”
Dickinson says that the legislation pushed through by Speaker Gordon Fox and then-treasurer Gina Raimondo in November 2011 has "angered thousands of teachers and state employees who still believe the action was illegal, unnecessary and unfair."
Siedle, a columnist for Forbes Magazine and former attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission, "does not mince words when sharing his views on the subject: “Pension fraud … 38 Studios… these are the greatest crimes ever perpetrated in the history of the state.”
Losses:
N/A
X-Factors: Can he run successfully on the failures of pension reform?
Brown charges, "The latest PawSox proposal is more of the same. There’s no way revenue will be there to pay these bonds and taxpayers will be on the hook.
The entire effort to get the taxpayers of Rhode Island to subsidize the PawSox -- a corporation owned by a group of billionaires -- must end.
The people of Rhode Island struggling to make ends meet shouldn’t have to subsidize a corporation owned by a group of billionaires. They can build this proposed stadium themselves.
If you own a business, you should make the investment, take the risk and reap the profits. That’s how the free market works. What’s happening here is corporate socialism: government taking taxpayers money and subsidizing a private corporation.
This effort to compel Rhode Island taxpayers to subsidize billionaire owners has hurt the PawSox brand. Rhode Islanders are smart - they know they’re getting fleeced and they’re angry about it. A team that used to be of and for the local community is now owned by a group that seems to be solely out to maximize their own profits. I think that’s at least part of the reason attendance at PawSox games is down.
Instead of another taxpayer giveaway to another wealthy corporation, the state should meet its Medicaid obligations, cease raiding 911 emergency services and address the real problems facing Rhode Islanders. Our political leaders always take care of the rich, connected and powerful while the people are forgotten and the state fails to meet basic needs."
Losses:
Needs to explain the John Lewis claim.
X-Factor: Cha-ching -- PawSox issue may be the winner to build some momentum.
