Scott MacKay

For once Rhode Island politicians have a chance at being part of the solution. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay says even a small State House change on gun violence would resonate with voters.

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee delivers his annual State of the State Speech this week. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay on why the governor’s words are crucial.

Lincoln Chafee has been governor for two years, but can any of  his constituents honestly point to an accomplishment or speech that addresses our state’s crying need: a better economy that generates needed jobs.

(PROVIDENCE, RI) Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee delivers his annual State of the State Speech this week. The governor’s words are crucial.

Lincoln Chafee has been governor for two years, but can any of  his constituents honestly point to an accomplishment or speech that addresses our state’s crying need: a better economy that generates needed jobs.

(PROVIDENCE, RI) RIPR Political Commentator Scott MacKay analyzes why the state does not have a functioning Board of Education.

We’ve all heard that old New England adage, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. When it comes to education in Rhode Island, RIPR’s Scott MacKay has this collorary: if it is broken make sure you fix it before you change it.


At the end of the last General Assembly session, when nobody was looking, Rhode Island lawmakers decided to junk the state’s boards that oversee education. Without any hearings or studies, the Assembly, in its infinite wisdom, abolished both of the boards that made policies for higher education and kindergarten through grade 12.

PROVIDENCE, RI – The past often provides a roadmap to the future. This is the case with Rhode Island political predictions. Every election cycle one candidate or another becomes  "the lock,’’ the overwhelming favorite to become the next governor or senator or congressional representative.

What we are here to tell you as the new year dawns and election cycle speculation accelerates is to beware the pollsters, pundits, political science professors and politicians. And don’t put stock in predictions from Democrats, Republicans or moderates.

You just have to wonder what  John Robitaille is thinking? He decides to drop out of  the running (not that he was ever in) for governor in 2014 with a blast at voters. "Voters in Rhode Island seem to want bigger government. Higher taxes don’t seem to bother them. We’re always at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to business friendliness.’’

Amnesty International holds its 25th annual Write-A-Thon on Sunday (Dec.16th) between 1 and 5 p.m. in the Parish House at the First Unitarian Church in Providence. The church is located at the corner of  Benefit and Benevolent Streets on the city’s East Side.

The Write-A-Thon is organized to help the public write letters on behalf of prisoners of conscience and people at risk.

One of the reasons President Obama won a convincing victory was the overwhelming support he got from Latino voters. But Providence Mayor Angel Taveras tells RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay that Republicans could have a future with Latino voters.

Rhode Island has long been shaped by the ethnic ballet of  immigration. Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, our capital city’s first Latino mayor, was reminded of that recently when he went to a holiday party with a crowd of elderly Italian-American constituents.

Old friend (and former ProJo reporter) Mike Corkery of the Wall Street Journal has broken a very interesting Rhode Island pension story. As first picked up by the sharp-eyed Ted Nesi of WRPI_TV, Corkery’s story reveals that a Texas Enron trader billionaire is a hefty contributor to the Engage Rhode Island pension overhaul advocacy group that has been championed by State General Treasurer Gina Raimondo.