Editor’s note: these are the candidate’s responses to questions provided by RIPR. The views expressed are the candidate’s alone, edited only in cases of inappropriate or libelous language. No changes have been made to correct errors of fact, spelling or grammar.
My name is Adam Satchell, I am running for re-election for Senate District 9, West Warwick.
Here are my answers to your questions.
Do you support trucking tolls for tractor trailers on Rhode Island highways?
I did not support the toll legislation when it came up for a vote. I was worried about the detrimental effect that it would have the trucking industry. West Warwick has two large businesses that have trucking components and West Warwick cannot really afford to lose those businesses. I was also very worried about the lawsuit and the state having to pay legal fees. I am not the biggest fan of the DOT as a department either, for a number of reasons. Like a lot of Rhode Islanders, I also worry that we would eventually want to start expanding the toll programs. I was also very worried about that toll money being taken from roads and bridges and thrown into the general fund.
Would you support a state-mandated health insurance program?
I would, but it is going to be a long haul. Right now I support the continuing discussion to see if it would be feasible and to try to figure out where the money would come from. In the meantime, I am fully supportive of the state health exchange and hope to continue to work to ensure that as many Rhode Islanders as possible have health insurance.
Are you in favor of expanding protections against sexual harassment to include domestic workers (such as nannies) and volunteers (such as interns)?
Absolutely, I have co-sponsored workplace rights and safety legislation in the past and would support its expansion. Sexual harassment should not take place anywhere.
If given the opportunity, would you codify the right to have an abortion in state law?
Yes, I have and would support the Reproductive Rights Act that has come before the Senate in past years and support codifying the protections guaranteed under Roe vs. Wade.
Is the state doing enough to help people who have been left behind by the economy? If not, what additional steps should be taken?
I think the state is getting there. We have instituted a number of job training programs. We have also worked to make it easier for people to continue college that they may have started and not finished. We still have more work to do. We need to build more affordable housing. We also need to expand and improve adult education programs. Another thing that we need to work on more is creating job opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities or those that have become disabled.
Does primary education need to be improved statewide? If so, how?
Yes it does. In the six years that I have been in, we have expanded all day K programs. We have also put more money towards early education. I sponsored legislation to encourage high quality afterschool programs. We are headed in the right direction, but still need to do more to expand local pre-K programs as well as expand programming in places like CAPs, libraries, and day care facilities. We also need to make sure that these programs are accessible and affordable for everyone.
Do you support RI’s designation as a sanctuary state? Why or why not?
I am in the middle on this particular issue. I fully support making the path to citizenship easier for people that want to come here. I also support taking people in as refugees. I think that there is a lot of work that needs to be done at the federal level as far as making these processes quicker and easier. These processes are a way to help us document these individuals as living here and then we could let them get licenses, etc. I think that there are a lot of “illegal aliens” that would go through the process if they knew how or were taught how and the government gave them the ability to do so. However, I do support deporting people that are criminal offenders.
