Politics

Bonus Q+A: Smiley on the Next Steps for RI Republicans

Ian Donnis — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

RI GOP chairman Mark Smiley joins us on Bonus Q+A to discuss building GOP ranks in the General Assembly, attempts to rebuild Republicans' presence in New England, and other issues.

RI Senate Votes to Hike Minimum Wage to $8

Catherine Welch — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:00:26 +0000

The Rhode Island Senate has approved legislation that hikes the state’s minimum wage to $8 an hour.

When Rhode Island’s minimum wage jumped from to $7.40 to $7.75 on January 1^st, it was the first raise the state had given minimum wage workers in five years. Now lawmakers are looking at bumping it up again to $8 an hour.

That would match Massachusetts’ minimum wage but come under Vermont’s at $8.60 an hour.

Moderate Party's Ken Block Seeks Governorship Again

Ian Donnis — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:10:39 +0000

Moderate Party founder Ken Block has announced that he’ll be a candidate for governor next year. Block calls himself a problem-solver who can move the state forward.

Block thinks he can significantly improve on his showing in 2010, when he got six and a half percent of the vote for governor. He says he’s running because Rhode Island’s problems are abundantly clear.

Gay Republican Group to Visit Young Rhode Island Republicans

Flo Jonic — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:17:58 +0000

The leader of a prominent Republican gay rights group is coming to Rhode Island Tuesday.

Gregory Angelo, director of the Log Cabin Republicans, will speak to a meeting of the Rhody Young Republicans.

Angelo says he’ll praise Rhode Island Republicans for backing same sex marriage legislation.

Valois Faces Approval of Full State Senate

Ian Donnis — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:16:20 +0000

Governor Lincoln Chafee’s choice to lead the state Economic Development Corporation faces approval by the full state Senate committee Tuesday. The votes comes amid debate over the EDC’s future.

Chafee’s choice, Marcel Valois, was unanimously approved by a Senate committee last week. Valois led the EDC in the 1990s during Lincoln Almond’s tenure as governor. He says Rhode Island needs to do a better job of helping business when it can and getting out of the way when it can’t.

Legislation that Makes School Safety Plans Secret Worries Open Govt' Groups

Catherine Welch — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:20:05 +0000

A handful of open government groups are urging Gov. Lincoln Chafee to block legislation that would shroud school safety plans in secrecy.

Almonte Announces Plan to Run for Treasurer

Ian Donnis — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:07:11 +0000

Former state auditor Ernest Almonte has announced plans to run as a Democrat for state treasurer next year. Former treasurer Frank Caprio has also expressed his intention to run for the post.

Almonte’s decision to run for treasurer marks a switch, since he announced plans last year to seek the governor’s office in 2014. In a statement, Almonte doesn’t explicitly explain his decision to change course. Yet he says he’s listened to input from Rhode Islanders and – quote – “made a decision based on logic.”

Political Roundtable: 2014 Race for Treasurer Heats Up + President Obama's Trio of Controversies

Ian Donnis — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Pablo Rodriguez joins the Roundtable this week as we discuss the 2014 race for treasurer; Governor Lincoln Chafee's recent judicial nominations; lower-than-expected state revenues; and the trio of controversies facing President Obama.

House Finance Committee Holds Hearing on Payday Lending

Ian Donnis — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:28:31 +0000

The outlook for cutting the interest rate charged by payday lenders remains unclear after the House Finance Committee Wednesday voted to hold two related bills for further study. Supporters and opponents describe the issue in completely different ways.

Valois Approved for Economic Development Corporation by Senate Committee

Ian Donnis — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:48:47 +0000

Governor Lincoln Chafee’s choice to lead the state Economic Development Corporation appears on a fast-track to approval, following his unanimous approval Tuesday by a state Senate committee. Marcel Valois is calling for more support for small innovators and entrepreneurs.

Valois says Rhode Island’s business climate doesn’t have to remain the butt of bad ratings in national surveys. Invoking the state motto of “hope,” he says Rhode Island can prosper by bringing a sharper focus and new approach to economic development.