Rename Your Poison!

The Providence Journal leads today with this story on the effort to change the state's name from Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to just plain Rhode Island, because the word "plantation" is just to slavery-ish. It's not as though we added the word to the state's name just to say "screw you" to blacks, the way the states of Mississippi and Georgia did when they added Confederate battle flags to their state flags. Back in the 17th century when it was first used, "plantation" was just a classy way to say colony.

I think that if we're going to go to all the trouble of holding a public referendum on a name change, we ought to change the name to something snappy, like "Baja Massachusetts" or "Little Connecticut" or "Aquidneck Island and Some Other Places". Or we could take a leaf from Family Guy and rename the state Quahog, which would have the advantage of leaving us alphabetically where we are now, between Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

And so, to name change proponents, I say: give me some interesting choices, or don't bother.

St. Sen. DiPalma before the Middletown Town Council

**UPDATE** Darn! All that editing & hours of stuff for naught. I fixed & hopefully link will work now.

This is Sen. DiPalma giving a lege update at the Mon. Council meeting. I missed the first 3? minutes- the State is doing roadwork on W. Main, most of the Charter changes are on the guv's desk waiting to be signed, and the change giving seniors with limited incomes a local tax break is in committee.

Since it was so long (too long- 13 min.), it had to be divided. See Pt. 2.

My totally unsoliticed advice: whoa, Nellie! Stick to a script (less than 5 min.) which would help eliminate the run-on sentences during which we fall asleep wherein you also throw in so much stuff that it's like my kitchen sink and I lose track whereupon the sentence ends and I hear something I'm interested in but I'm so off-track at that point that it takes me by surprise and I'm unsure that I heard it correctly. Got it? KISS.

Rhode Island's Budget Crisis

Event:
Solving Rhode Island’s Budget Crisis: What Should be Done?

Please join us for a discussion about Rhode Island’s current budget deficit and taxation policy. The current fiscal crisis will be reviewed with a focus on how the state’s finances became so out-of-whack. Components of the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget will be explained and an alternative strategy will be presented to ameliorate the ongoing structural deficit. Ample time will be provided for a question and answer period. After the presentation, attendees will be encouraged to contact their state Representatives and Senators.

For more information visit - http://www.ripda.org/

Tuesday, June 02, 2009 6:30 PM - 8 PM

Middletown Public Library 700 West Main Road Middletown, RI 02842 See Map

http://middletownpubliclibrary.org/

Outrage

**UPDATE** And while I'm on a roll for outrages I'll add this one. R.I.'s Board of Regents has decided that the new Edc. Commissioner, Deborah Gist, should receive a raise of $20,000, including a new State pension. She also likely will receive a performance bonus. She also gets the use of a State car or $200/month for her own vehicle & $5000 for moving expenses. Do I even have to say why I am outraged? I weary. All Republican appointees, btw, not that Party allegiance makes a darn bit of differenct. Another, btw; their link for the new proposed B.E.P. still doesn't work. And that's what they think of you, you ignorant slob, you. (Thanks to Projo reporter Jennifer Jordan, 5/12, "Gist signs 3-year pact with salary of $203,870)



A thumbs down, perhaps even the old "flying fickle finger of fate" award needs revival. This one goes to General Assembly leadership: translation: Murphy (House) & Paiva-Weed (Senate) & comes from today's Projo political news column, "Despite tough times, Assembly leaders still d oling out raises." The title says it all really.





And then there is this topper, "However, the head of the legislative business office, Marisa White, refused to disclose how many people are on the legislative payroll." This is the peoples' money and the peoples' house. The same paper also talks about the homeless. What will happen? Nothing.





Arrogance. Because we can & because we say so. And we elect them Time after time. Most people don't even know who they are or what they do on the lege level. They do on the local level though. Loud sigh.

Vote "NO" on E-Verify

**UPDATE** via Crowley at http://www.rifuture.org/. Area legislators voted AGAINST this bill with one exemption- Jackson, who was absent. The bill barely passed, but pass it did, however, with a much CLOSER margin than last year (38-33 versus 53-17). Now on to the Senate where it died last year in committee. A bit THANKS to Reps. Martin, Rice, and Ruggiero. The Republican caucus (all 5) voted in favor. I e-mailed my Rep & Senator & Fox & Murphy (House leaders). Except for Murphy all e-mailed back. Except for Rice, all were non-commital. Why?

"“We’re building racism into a system where there is none now,” said Rep. Arthur Handy, D-Cranston.

Rep. Peter F. Martin, D-Newport, recalled that his grandparents suffered similar obstacles by “Irish need not apply” signs. And while some proponents said immigrants like Martin’s grandparents were not illegally in the country, Rep. David A. Segal, D-Providence, reminded lawmakers that there were no laws restricting immigration until 1921.

Go, Peter! I knew that I liked that guy (NDN)***



Read the article by Rep. D. Segal in http://www.rifuture.com/ on why. Most of my husband's & my family (Azores & Eire) came over legally, but not all. There was the young kid who hid in the hold of a ship...

We have a LOT of immigrants here. They are the ones who mow your grass, work on your house, wash restaurant dishes, etc. Most are legal, and even more came legally, but let their papers lapse. Their kids sit next to yours in school. Many have left or gone further underground with ICE officials now stationed here. Did they have an effect on our local economy? Notice all housing vacancies, the long-time businesses gone or on the verge of leaving? It's not unconnected.

"The Social Security Administration estimates that if E-Verify were mandatory across the country SSA database errors alone could result in 3.6 million workers a year being misidentified as not work authorized, that's potentially thousands of Rhode Islanders."

The lege will be voting on this bill Tues. Let them know you are against it. Click here to do it- EASY!

URI Tuition Hikes

Tuition: $3,727; Required Fees $ 972; Total $4,699.00 (one term)


Of course, parking (a few hundred$), transportation, food, travel, books (figure $600) are all extra.


A recent Projo column contribution bemoaned the State's seemingly lack of interest in URI. "...20% of all Rhode Island residents with a four year degree graduated from URI." In 1970 the State "funded 50% [and] 11 % now."

More and more programs are being targeted to out-of-staters who pay a tuition of $24,776.

"Labor economist Paul Harrington recently told Governor Carcieri's forum on Rhode Island's ailing economy, 'Education is our pathway to economic prosperity.'"

I've blogged on this many times before. We should also be funding research at URI to use for economic stimulus ideas. Instead, we do the opposite- slash URI funding while cutting income taxes for our wealthiest residents. Some message to our students. More trickle down malarky for our public. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I've decided that I keep asking the wrong question: "How stupid do they think we are?" It should be augmented with: "How stupid are they?" Expecting a part-time lege to come up with better ideas than we do is just that- stupid on both sides. Rep. Jackson (D-Newport, Midd.) hit the nail on the head, “... a part-time legislature is not a nimble and creative entity...” Well said. Really, how nimble & creative are you after a full day of work?

While NDN columnist "Politically Incorrect" Joe Baker was hopeful that early lege House Finance hearings would be a "good start" in addressing budget woes, I'm far less optimistic. Says Joe whose former weekly column of Statehouse activities was deep-sixed last year, "...members of the committee spend countless hours in budget hearings, earning every cent of their $14,000 legislative paycheck." I've been to some of these hearings. They were sparsely attended by committee members. In fact, they just made quorum with the Chair (and others) leaving after department heads spoke. Kinda got the impression that it's all decided beforehand with most members just playacting. When Chair Constantino speaks, you'd best listen. And if the NDN doesn't care what happens at the Statehouse, what chance do the rest of us have in keeping informed? But they don't really matter up in Prov., do they?

Yup, expect more tuition raises like this one which is up from the first term. Expecting your son or daughter to be guaranteed a place at our local university? You'd best rethink this strategy along with affordable costs (don't forget those damn fees). It doesn't even work that well now.

The Pro article was signed by URI professors, students, & alumni. Thanks for writing it.

Area Politics

Ah, so much news, so little time.


Rep. Coaty took a hit in his re-election campaign against Peter Martin in Newport this weekend. The "Newport Daily News" had an article regarding a Middletowner who,

"... filed a complaint with the Supreme Court Disciplinary Board against her former attorney, Steven J. Coaty of Newport, claiming his negligence resulted in the dismissal of her injury suit against the city of Newport."


Political? Maybe, maybe not. It's legal-eagle stuff & I leave the highly complex court system to them. Still, if there are undecided independent voters out there, this has to have an effect. No one wants to win an election on "iffy" personal stuff like this. But it's out there.


Rep. Long was scheduled with his challenger Deb Ruggiero to be on one of the local Sun. news interview shows. He was a no-show. Wondering why? Well, there are actual news reporters there & they might ask hard questions like: did you ever pay your business taxes? do you live in the district? were you a drug addict? did you smack your former wife around?


Now, we ALL have life problems. But it is a little different when you're an elected official. Stuff like this matters. The question about living here was asked to Deb. She responded that she'd lived here awhile & that Rep. Long just purchased a home here. The bottom line was that there was no up-side to Rep. Long appearing & plenty of down-side.


Rep. Barney Frank is running a new election commerical in a circus setting- with trapeze fliers & elephants & everything. I'd post it but no link. It's actually- funny!


Sen. Gibbs has a commercial up, too. Top notch, I might add, although a bit deceptive. She's at Sachuest Point (fed'l park) speaking about how this area could have been developed. Please, gimme a break. No sewers there & the fed'l regs were a LOT different then regarding the Navy excessing land. But I digress. Then there is a short narration on how much she'd done for the district, blah, blah. Her next statement concerns how she was able to obtain $100,000 funding for the Aquid. Is. Planning Commission.

Now you're supposed to connect the two statements- developing Sachuest Point combined with $100,000 for a planning commission. Aha! She got the moola so that we could buy that park! What a gal! However, the two aren't related. The moola was a yr. or two ago. Sachuest Point has been there awhile & that $ had nothing to do with it. But still clever. And nicely produced. They even persuaded deer to show up!

Yeah, I'm a bit cynical when it comes to political blurbs and I've seen plenty lately from both sides of the aisle. I'm especially fond of Sen. Gibbs' website (link at left). LOL. Not much effort put into it as her opponent DiPalma didn't bother with one. At least he posted his political beliefs on the Political Courage Test though. Guess he's got it & she don't. But she's certainly not alone there.

In Middletown I keep seeing NDN tiny ads (& large promos) for the Middletown Dems Council "endorsed team." Same old, same old. Bloc voting u-r-us. A real mistake in my book, but what do I know?

So find candidates that you like, talk them up, contribute however you can. Voting matters! Do it! Persuade others to do the same. As they used to say in Chicago (and perhaps still do)- vote early! Vote often!

Family Fun Day- Sun. at Howland Park

Dear Friends, Neighbors & Colleagues:

You are cordially invited to a District 72 Family Fun Day

Sunday, October 26th at Howland Park in Middletown (at corner of Wapping Rd. & Third Beach Rd.)

With Special Guest- U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

and Ice Cream served by Pete “the Ice Cream Guy”

2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Free and open to the public! Fun for all ages!

BRING YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, ANIMALS. NO SPEECHES. I'D APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT! (Donations accepted)

Sincerely,
Rep. Amy Rice

Environmental Economics

Rec'd from candidate Deb Ruggiero who has actually lived in her District for quite awhile (but why let details crowd the arena):

Environmental Economics – An Idea Whose Time Has Come

There is no debate that the Rhode Island economy is in rough shape. We are at a cross roads. I believe that Rhode Island’s business growth is in ‘environmental economics’.

Our economic development efforts must bring biofuel, solar, and wind energy to the forefront of our decision-making. Not only will this plan create renewable energy options, it will deliver ‘green collar’ jobs with high wages, and boost the economy on Aquidneck Island.

We need to re-energize our workforce by building on the capacity of our natural resources and our education systems to create jobs, keep our graduates here, and secure the future of our families and our children.

We must change how we look at Rhode Island, strengthening academia and our research institutions while attracting new companies and creating new jobs in our state to bring relief to the taxpayers.

To accomplish our goal of designing a visionary ‘environmental economics’ plan will require collaboration from all sectors of our state —business, higher education, healthcare, labor, life sciences, and research faculty and facilities. Each must play a significant role in the environmental economic development plan that will weather economic downturns like the one we are in now.

Our coastline and the Narragansett Bay are invaluable assets. Rhode Island has an enviable ability to harness the power of the wind to create renewable energy options like no other state in the nation.

We have the best and brightest oceanographers and scientists at URI’s Coastal Resource Center. We must support their work and recognize the inherent value they bring to our state.

We must not forget that education is economic development. Rhode Island has the highest number of students per capita in the country. Yet, when they graduate they don’t find jobs here. We must stop the ‘brain drain’ and creat jobs that keeps talent on Aquidneck Island and in the state.

Aquidneck Corporate Park in Middletown is a shining example of what’s possible. Now at the end of its 30-year economic life cycle, we must secure private, federal and state funding to build for job growth.

We need education and business working together, developing internships and apprenticeships that give young adults hands-on experience and science skills to matriculate into ‘green collar’ industry. Let’s put our students in the field, on the ocean, and in the eelgrass; no child left inside!

Our state motto is ‘hope’ and that means investing in an environmental economics plan that creates jobs and protects our environment.


Deborah Ruggiero is Director of Community and Business Development at Citadel Radio. She is also the Democratic candidate for State Representative, District 74 Middletown/Jamestown.

How Important are Buses Here?

I can recall appx. 4 yrs. ago when RIPTA was also thinking of cutting local bus routes. Specifically, I recall they were cutting out one to URI. I went & testified here along with many others on the importance of keeping (and expanding) public discussion. As a teen & young adult living in Baltimore & HERE, that was how I got around. It took me to & from school, shopping, activities, AND WORK. It gave me a ride to URI & took me home. I spent lots of time locally & in Maryland sitting in bus depots. They also took me out of state.

I've been to Europe & travelled the glob using PUBLIC transportation- clean, cheap, convenient. I am printing this from Newport Rep candidate Peter Martin due to its importance. I can recall a few years ago seeing if I could obtain public transportation from my home to Roger Williams Univ. for my son. I finally just gave up. He just couldn't get there from here with ANY convenience at all. You needed a car. And that's just a distance of ?20-35 min. Unbelievable.

As a member of Middletown's Econ. Advisory Board, let me assure you that public transportation- esp. to our corporate part- matters. Sidewalks matter, too, but that's another topic for another day.

So comment!

"I am very concerned about the Proposed RIPTA Service Reductions as they pertain to Newport. I wrote the following letter to the editor. It was published in the Newport Daily News. I sent the same letter to RIPTA and the Sierra Club. How will we function without a viable public transportation system? Do any of your subscribers have comments on this issue?

To the Editor:

I have been an advocate of public transit for many years.

Last week, I was able to spend more than 5 hours at the RIPTA public hearings regarding the 'Proposed Service Reductions Statewide'.

During the afternoon session, I was able to listen to the presentation from RIPTA and then to listen to more than 31 citizens express their concerns about how these 'service reductions' will affect their lives.

Many of these people expressed concern that they will be losing the paratransit ADA service that is associated with the cancelled bus routes. Some of them are dependent on this service for dialysis treatments.

Other speakers represented the residents of Harbor House; the residents of Newport Heights and Park Holm; the students of Salve Regina; the Newport Energy & Environment committee; the Rogers High School students; the Community College of Rhode Island; the ATU Local 618; the Sierra Club; and citizens with special needs.

If this plan is accepted as presented, Newport citizens will lose the #62 Thames Street and the #64 URI buses. In addition to the loss of the regular bus routes or route segments, the service will end at 7 pm for many of the remaining routes.

These buses and trolleys are more than moving billboards. They are essential to an economically viable community. Not every one can afford, or would choose to afford, an automobile. Not every one is ‘able’ to drive.

The problem is presented as one of economics. I see it as one of priorities. The formula used to fund RIPTA is contra-productive and needs to be changed. Public transit does not usually cover its own financial needs. By its nature, it requires subsidies. We must work with the RIPTA board to find new sources of funding to keep this system viable.

If you can't move the people, you can't move the economy.Peter Martin
Candidate – District 75
Rhode Island House of Representatives"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 1/2 Willow Street
Newport RI 02840
Phone [401] 847-0651
Visit my website at www.stacyhouse.com

Rep. Bruce Long Purchases District Home.

Bruce Long & his wife, Jane (Westerly resident), purchased on Sept. 29 a home at 1 Winfield Ct. for $325,000. This is off Forest Ave. next to the airport in Middletown.

I suppose this means that he no longer claims his mother's house on Wood Ave. as his home. There's been questions about his actual residence for two years, especially after his remarriage.

It's always a good thing to actually live in your district. His wife's name is not on the voters' list, but I do not have the latest registrants. It's likely a good thing to actually live with your new wife. But absence does make the heart grow fonder, after all. Or it could also be out of sight, out of mine. But he's not my Representative.

Fundraiser for Pete Martin- Newport

Candidate for Rhode Island House of

Representatives, District 75, Sunday, September 21st from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Sardella's Restaurant on Memorial Boulevard, Newport, RI

Suggested Donation: $25.00 / per person.

Committee to Elect Peter F. Martin
Kiki Finn - Treasurer
1 1/2 Willow StreetNewport, RI 02840

For further details check
www.stacyhouse.com

Sen. June Gibbs is a Republican!

File this under: I can't stop laughing! I rec'd a postcard mailer from her campaign today. Why on earth you'd target a house full of Dems escapes me, but what do I know. It's in FULL COLOR yet- a first! Her campaign actually spent some moola. Gee, maybe that 47% vote I got actually lit a fire that some real campaigning may be called for.

Great pic- she's standing in black in front of the Statehouse. Hello, fashion police: needed. Sorry, like I said nice pic for a funeral. My top-notch political advisor (I'm not joking here) said no-go on statehouse pics. Bad connoation; but again, what do I know?

Now last time the fact that she was a Republican was on her logo & her mailings. Not this time. Nary a whisper that 4 yrs. ago she was part of the R.I. Bush re-election camaign and likely just returned with former Rep. & now CFO of the Transit & Bridge Authroity's Christine Callahan. In Projo's article by reporter JOHN E. MULLIGAN, Chris is quoted as a "a self-described “John Chafee Republican.”

Hello! Chafee finally woke up to the new Republican Party & is now an Ind. campaigning for Obama. The Rep. Party left you & June & Eileen Slocum behind a long time ago. They really do not want you. Nor Rep. Bruce Long either. But you're better than the alternative, I guess.

June & I actually agree on many things and are far more alike than disalike. The trouble is that June is ineffective because she's in the minority in the minority.

The front pic refers to her as "a strong, independent State Senator." Now, really, isn't this a bit disingenuous. Yeah, the "I" in "independent" isn't capitalized, but outside of a few English teachers, who's going to notice that? You'd never surmise that she's a REPUBLICAN.

Now I don't want to be picky (well, I actually do) , but June collected $7000 in aggregate contributions. That means that no one contributed $100 or more from individuals. Hope she kept a list of $ givers because I doubt it. Strange as the in-kind contribution from the Atlantic Beach Club owner is only $1000. So how many could you feed there for that kind of $? How much was a ticket? Not much as I recall. Someone enlighten me, please. Now where's the money spent for web hosting on the financial filings? This mailer must have blown about half of your $. Better get out there & fund-raise. Or maybe the Republicans (oops, I forgot), the small "i" independents will fund you. I'll be watching those filings because I know how much these campaigns costs. And because I'd rather do that than housework anyday.

Here is her website: http://www.senatorjunegibbs.com/

Enjoy! But don't bother unless you want to see her old REPUBLICAN logo. There is nothing there. Last time it was just a dupe of her lege website which wasn't much. She does have an actually e-mail address to take the place of her old silly one: June@senatorjunegibbs.com

Now one of her d abullets mystifies me: "Advocating for education." When? Where? I remember when the Guv cut the school budget & awarded the cut funds to charter schools which we didn't have at the time (we now have a small one in Newport). She was all for it. She was also on the recent fair funding for school committee. So how did that work out for you?

She also is "helping you access state gov't." I hope that's working out better than her website. Too bad her own Party's guv (I won't say the Party name) vetoed a recent open access bill.

By the way, the support for good ole George W. Bush- that working out any better? June was also an early McCain supporter this year. Where's the pic with him on the front? Now, I know that you have one, June. I for one would LOVE to see it. The McCain/Paline one, too. Heck, put them up on your website. Why not?

Look, I'm really trying to be fair here. So which part have I got wrong? Keep that sunshine shining! Watch what your legislators are doing (and saying). No one, no matter how nice they are, or what their age or their sex is, get a pass -EVER. This stuff is just too important.

Ruggiero Thanks from DNC

Rec'd this from Deb Ruggiero. She is holding a fundraiser this Thurs. at the Atlantic Beach Club from 6-8. A donation of $35 (more is okay, too) is requested.

THANK YOU for electing me as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. Thank you for sending me to Denver to watch history unfold as the first African American, Senator Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee for president of the United States. He’ll be a voice at the table for so many. Yes, I am disappointed that my candidate, Hillary Clinton, did not win the nomination, but I am proud at Hillary’s graciousness and her unwavering ability to unite the party. I saw her speak several times at events outside the convention and there were moments when you knew from her voice and her eyes this was not easy for her. She had put so much into this campaign over the last 18 months. Her work is not done; the future is still being written for all of us.

The message at the Democratic National Convention was one of HOPE, FAMILY, and CHANGE. If you heard the compelling speeches from Michelle Obama, Senator Hillary Clinton, President Bill Clinton, Senator Jack Reed, Senator Joe Biden, Vice President Al Gore, and Presidential nominee Barack Obama you heard the resounding message of providing a better life for our children. In the words of Michelle Obama, “my blessing is one that came because of those who worked so hard before me.”

In the end there are no blue states or red states just the United States of America. We are all American patriots-- those who know that our leaders must be honest, hard working, and more concerned with public interest than self-interest. We need leaders who help us understand each other, not drive us apart. We need leaders who know that conserving more is better than wasting more. John F. Kennedy’s words still ring true: “the energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world”. God Bless you, your family, our community and our great country.

Warm Regards,

Deb Ruggiero
Democrat for State Representative
District 74 Jamestown/Middletown

Fundraiser for Rep. Rice

Anytime anyone sends me a notice addressed to "cool blogger friends," it gets my attention.

This is a fundraiser for Rep. Amy Rice (Dist. 72, Newport, Middletown, & Portsmouth).

It is: Wed., August 27, 2008 From: 5:30 to 7:30 PM

Sardella's Restaurant, 2nd floor, 30 Memorial Blvd., Newport, RI

Amy was recently endorsed by Clean Water Action, so don't be trying to sneak any dirty water in!

Amy's new campaign manager is Fifth warder Jack Hamblet of Newport. Sorry, don't know him. I don't know everyone, but I try.

The suggested donation is $100 and you'll see a lot of locals, esp. lawyers there. Maybe you can get some free advice.

Amy is my rep & she's always had my vote and my confidence. I'll be there, after all I have a new dress. No, absolutely nothing shallow about me.

Checks are payable to Friends of Amy Rice, 2431 East Main Rd., Portsmouth, RI 02871.
Only individual or PAC contributions are allowed. Corporate contributions are not allowed by law.

Here is her website:

http://www.amyrice.org/

Deb Ruggiero on the Issues

PRESS RELEASE
August 11, 2008
Contact: Deb Ruggiero at 487-6415

Deb Ruggiero, House of Representatives Democratic Candidate for District 74 Questions Timing of Opponent’s Involvement in Underage Drinking

Deb Ruggiero, Democratic candidate for the House of Representatives, (D-74 Jamestown and Middletown) today questions her opponent’s timing of a press conference in light of his lack of leadership for 28 years on the need for underage drinking legislation in the Ocean State.

“Underage consumption of alcohol is a problem faced by more and more families,” said Ruggiero. “Opening the lines of communications between law enforcement and parents and teenagers, and working with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a good start. I question my opponent’s leadership in getting legislation out of committee after 28 years in office; and frankly, the timing of his press conference today is interesting knowing that he’s in a tough election.”

“There are many underlying issues related to teen drinking,” she said. “Underage drinking is a serious and complicated issue. He’s been a state legislator for 28 years and he’s just figuring this out now? That’s why it’s time for change that moves us towards solutions.”

Ruggiero promises that her campaign will be inclusive on this issue and other pressing issues including her 4 E’s Platform:
· Establishing Economic stability
· Prioritizing Educational access and opportunity
· Helping the Elderly
· Protecting the Environment

“After 28 years, it’s time for change,” said Ruggiero. “It takes more than an election year press conference to solve this complicated issue. We need education and communication, not just punitive legislation, to keep our kids from drinking.”

Ruggiero, whose strength is communications and working across boundaries with the business community, the media, and non-profit organizations to realize positive results for the public, will work hard to be the “voice of hope” for individuals and families and the change that’s needed in the House of Representatives, representing her constituency in Jamestown and Middletown.

“As a native Rhode Islander, homeowner in Jamestown and a businesswoman, I understand and share the difficulties facing voters,” she said. “Like you, I am fed up with what’s going on. I entered this campaign because it’s time for change.”

State Senate, Dist. 12 Candidate

By Louis P. DiPalma

As we are all too well aware, Rhode Island faces significant budget challenges. The state’s 2008 budget required a supplemental appropriation and will inevitably result in an ever-increasing deficit. The state’s 2009 budget deficit is expected to be in excess of $425 million and growing.

National economic problems are responsible for some of Rhode Island’s financial woes, but we are significantly worse off than most states. We can, and must, do better.

The state’s unemployment rate is 7.2 percent, second highest in the nation. We should all be outraged. According to “official” estimates, we are not “technically” in a recession. This is small solace for Rhode Island residents who have lost their jobs and are paying more than $4 a gallon for gas. We can only imagine what home heating oil will cost this winter; it is estimated to be around $4 a gallon as well, further compounding an already difficult situation. Where and when will it end? When will Rhode Island emerge from recession and, most importantly, what can be done?

Most assuredly, the $7 billion budget passed by the General Assembly will not help. It is essentially a stopgap measure that avoids a deficit, as required by our state constitution, and it is essentially based on hope — which is never a plan. It does not increase taxes, which is a good thing, but it inevitably will require a supplemental budget in 2009, which is not a good thing.

First, we need more taxpayers. We certainly do not need more taxes. We need to grow our economic base by focusing on the things that Rhode Island does best. A lot has been said about making Rhode Island business-friendly, and we need to do that. But we also need to make it resident-friendly.

A friend of mine recently talked to his financial adviser, and the one piece of advice he was given is: “Don’t die in Rhode Island!” We don’t need to be scaring retirees out of the state. A critical element to achieving this objective is the development of focused, strategic and sustained economic development, including “green” industry and ocean technologies. Rhode Island can certainly lead and reinvent itself as it initially did some 200-plus years ago, led by Samuel Slater, the father of the Industrial Revolution.

Second, we need to focus on good governance. The governor once promised a “great audit” of state government. It never really happened, perhaps because the idea was too ambitious or simply not executable. We need to find a way to review every function of government to make sure it is efficient, well-managed and responsive to the citizenry.

If one examines the budget process over the past 10 years, a common theme quickly surfaces: Every budget was balanced with one-time revenues. Prudent budgeting processes must never incorporate one-time revenue sources to address balancing a budget. We need to be able to say — with a straight face — that Rhode Island is the best-governed state. This is clearly in the realm of possibility, with the appropriate vision, strategy, plan and metrics to measure our progress to achieve the desired end.

Finally, and most important, we need to embrace change as a fundamental way of doing Rhode Island’s business. We cannot afford to continue to do things as we have, simply because “it’s always been that way.” We cannot be afraid to experiment, to innovate and to change. Regional collaboration for common problem-solving is a critical component to addressing this challenge. We need a new perspective and workable solutions to solving complex problems. These approaches can and must be leveraged from what is employed in business on a daily basis. To continue with past practices is a certain prescription for budgetary and governmental disaster.

I, for one, love this state far too much, appreciate its uniqueness too greatly and believe in our future too strongly to allow that to happen. But it will take work and the involvement of our citizens — apathy simply will not do.

What Rhode Island needs now is change — real, transformational change. I am convinced that we cannot hope to solve, or even relieve, an ever-increasing tax burden, education funding inequity, development and environmental pressures and health-care problems by continuing to apply the solutions of yesterday.

We are all in this together — and we will all need to change. Waiting for tomorrow is too late. A new direction is needed now.

Corporate Welfare in Rhode Island

This Projo article caught my eye a few days ago. Capital Properties is now a publicly owned business. This means that it must observe certain public filings regarding its ownership, directorship, and monies. It is now becoming a privately owned company which means- none of the former.

Why should this be of concern? It's important to know what the business does. When the downtown r.r. station was rebuilt, Capital fronted half the monies needed for a new 330 car parking garage with the FRA (Federal Railroad Admin.) putting up the other half. It now owns this property. Sounds like a good deal to me.

The Chair of this company is Robert Eder who is also chair & CEO of the Prov. & Worcester Railroad Co. (a Del. corp.) His wife, Linda, own 53.2% of Capital Properties. Eder bought out the r.r. (1966) that owned much of the land involved in the redevelopment of Prov. It was both public & private funding which financed the "Renaissance City" & is still doing so.

Eder has done quite well with his initial investment (he is a Harvard grad with both R.I. & N.Y. law licenses). He makes over half a mil with the r.r. & a quarter of a mil with Capital Properties. Capital Properties is a spin-off of the r.r., now leasing the valuable real estate upon which many buildings sit. For instance, it leases land to the new Blue Cross building & owns the land under oil refineries- all quite profitable. No wonder my Blue Cross rates continue in their ever upward spiral.

Eder is a frequent campaign/PAC contributer. He contributed both to the Kerry campaign and the Swift boaters (he is a veteran after all). He frequently contributes big bucks to the 2nd largest pro-Israeli Pac in the U.S.

Now Capital Properties is becoming a privately owned REIT (real estate trust investment). This designation "minimizes or eliminates its federal corporate tax liability." (Projo) It may also do so with state taxes., So I'm wondering how many of you individuals or small business owners have had your federal taxes reduced/eliminated recently? I hesitate in even referring to this as corporate "welfare" as its an insult to those individuals receiving barely subsistence level assistance. Rep. Amy Rice intro'd legislation to end this tax loophole in R.I. which shelters income, but I believe that it died.

So thanks to the citizens of Providence and Rhode Island and the federal government, we've made a few investor/owners very, very rich with very, very little cost to themselves.
And now no cost. Ain't life grand? No wonder the local, state, & federal coffers are so low. Feeling the big bucks trickling down yet? BTW, Eder calls a Palm Beach condo his home now after selling a previous Florida property for a cool 2.25. mil. Why not? Plenty of tax shelters there, too.

Thanks to Projo's reporter Timoth8y Barmann for the article.

New Elections, Same Old Legislature

Scott MacKay, Projo's political writer, has an interesting article. "Legislators did little more than approve a state budget and flee the State House for the safer climes of vacations, home districts and the usual rounds of election-year electioneering." Expect the same-old, same-old action despite Fall elections. "Despite the endless rumors, most incumbent lawmakers are running again. Just 2 of 38 senators and 9 in the 75-member House have decided against running for reelection.

And why is this?

The Republicans will hardly try to mount an opposition- except here on Aquidneck Island- and provide candidates. Witness Tiverton gaining a new Rep (D- Jay Williams) without even an opposition candidate after Rep. Amaral's (Republican) departure. Not even a faint discussion of State issues affecting not only district members but ALL of us.

"While everybody complains about the General Assembly, the sad truth is that most Rhode Islanders don’t care enough about what happens on Smith Hill to run for office or get involved in a campaign to elect somebody new." Well said, Scott! And whose fault is that?

One problem are the political parties themselves.

"The result is that at the beginning of the 21st century, the state’s once-robust political and civic culture is wasting away. Republican state Chairman Giovanni Cicione and Democratic state Chairman William Lynch don’t agree on much, but both say that it isn’t easy to get people interested in running for the State House."

That could be because they treat the new candidates they do have so abominably- been there, done that. I've spoken to people from both parties who have run for lege office and the help they obtained from statewide parties was negligible. You're on your own, bud.

Another problem is the lack of coverage for the happenings on the Hill. Even our local papers rarely cover it in any meaningful way. You'll see the ocassional write-up for a local lege sponsoring a bill or actually issuing a comment, but little else. A round-up will be done by the "Daily News" on attendance & number of bills submitted, but with no in-depth coverage. I suggest that not only is attendance in general session important, but also whether or not legislators stay and voted throughout the day. How many votes on bills they miss (you'd be surprised at the numbers), whether or not they attend sessions for committees that they serve on (you'd be shocked), how many substantive bills they actually get passed, etc.

We pay these people little but expect a lot in the name of "public service." They get no office, no phone, no staffing. We term it a part-time job but expect them there at 1 PM for committees, 3 PM for general session, etc. How many people can actually do this for 6 months/yr.? With little remuneration & we even complain about that (e.g.; health insurance coverage).

Mounting a campaign is very expensive and time-consuming. You'd better be wealthy, have friends who are wealthy, and groups with funds and election know-how willing to sponsor you- unless you're an incumbent. State regs passed by the lege make it even more difficult. That's one reason I have little time to write now. I'm running around like many others obtaining signatures for candidacy. And I'm luck in that I have friends & family willing to help. Why are so many signatures needed at all? Talk about "Fair Elections"? Public financing? It was all just
conversation.

We pay far more attention to local council & school board elections than those on the state level. We understand what they do. We know them. We treat them far worse than those on the State level for just those reasons. And we usually give them a kick-in-the-pants on their way our. Oh, and in Middletown we give them a town tile.

I LOVED Scott's ending:

Before you complain next time, look in the mirror. We get the kind of government
we deserve. An apathetic citizenry can expect no more. Government’s failure is the collective responsibility of all Rhode Islanders.
As the bard said, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.”

Legislators Not Voting

Perhaps they just can't make up their minds, perhaps they don't want to vote against their leadership or the Governor, perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. We elect them to vote & make the hard decisions, even if we don't agree.


Thursday the State House of Reps voted on a bill to expunge some criminal records in which a deferred sentence was received. I'm not going to go over its merits, just the resulting vote. The guv, the state police, & the att'y gen'l were all against. The bill brought up some heated debate.

"I mean, as much as I like redemtion, Mr. Speaker, I also have a belief in the freedom of information and a knowledge of history, " argued House Minority Leader Robert A. Watson, R-East Greenwich... "My God, I am not going to do that today. I never will be that irresponsible with my vote. Ever."

So one would assume he voted against the bill. One would be wrong. He voted not at all (he was absent). Neither did Rep. Loughlin (R-Tiverton) nor Rep. Amaral (R-Tiverton & P'mouth). Local legislators voting against it were Rice, (P'mouth & Midd), Long (Jamestown & Midd.), & Coaty (Npt.). Rep. Amaral was also absent. Local supporters were Jackson (Npt. & Midd.) & Gallison (Bristol & P'mouth). Rep. Loughlin asked the lege journal to reflect that if he had voted, it would have been in the negative (closest thing to a mulligan the Lege offers).

The bill now heads to the Senate. BTW, I've said this before- tracking legislators votes is almost impossible. You have to head directly for the legislative journal for the day the bill was voted on. One also can't assume a legislator voted just because they were there. Each vote needs to be checked. Not apple pie easy. Many times the journals (esp. the Senate) can take awhile to post. The "Newport Daily News" no longer provides even weekly coverage of what our legislators are doing. I guess because it just doesn't matter.


Or does it?


Thanks to Projo reporter Katherine Gregg for the heads-up.