News

The start of June has done nothing, naturally, to stop the breakneck flow of news in the Land of The Gift That Keeps on Giving. So welcome back to my weekly column. You can reach me at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) com, and (please) follow me on Twitter. Let's head in.

Governor Lincoln Chafee is applauding the contract extension granted to state Education Commissioner Deborah Gist on Thursday. But the state’s largest teachers’ union remains upset about the decision to keep Gist as commissioner.

The state Board of Education voted, 7 to 3, to continue Gist’s contract for another two years. In a statement, Governor Chafee says he’s pleased by the agreement. The governor says he looks forward to continuing what he calls a productive and positive relationship with Gist.

If there is one government service most Rhode Islanders take for granted, it’s the drinking water that flows from our faucets. RIPR political analyst  Scott MacKay says that may not be the case in the future.

One of Rhode Island’s grand assets is the millions of gallons of water that flows every day from the Scituate Reservoir to the sinks, bubblers and bathtubs that serve 60 percent of our state. In a state with a serious inferiority complex about so much, our water is the boast of a small state.

The idea of creating a parking garage near the Garrahy Judicial Complex has been periodically batted around for a quarter-century. Now, Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio is proposing a special legislative commission "to make a comprehensive study and issue findings regarding building a structured parking facility in downtown Providence, specifically at the Garrahy Judicial Complex."

The commission would be charged with reporting its findings by January 7, 2014. Via news release:

On today's podcast, Education commissioner Deborah Gist has received a two-year renewal of her contract, and visiting the SVF Foundation in Newport where endangered livestock breeds are being preserved.

Plus this week's Political Roundtable with the executive director of the state's largest teacher's union, Robert Walsh.

Governor Lincoln Chafee said he remains strongly opposed to the idea of defaulting on moral obligation bonds related to the failure of video game maker 38 Studios. On Thursday, an investment expert  analyzed the pros and cons of default for the House Finance Committee.

The Department of Environmental Management is asking Rhode Islanders to keep their eyes out for wild turkeys. The call is intended to track the health of the state’s turkey population.

After hours of deliberation … and discussion with Rhode Island Education Commissioner Deborah Gist … the state's education board approved a new 2-year contract for Gist. The vote was 7 -3 with one abstention. Rhode Island Public Radio's Catherine Welch was there and has this report.

Robert Walsh, executive director of the National Education Association Rhode Island, joins Bonus Q+A for a discussion of pensions, President Obama, public education, and the Democratic field in next year's race for governor.