On Politics

Kudos and congrats to Dan McGowan, news editor at GoLocalProv, who is headed to a new gig writing for the Web site of WPRI.

McGowan has emerged as one of the best young reporters in Rhode Island, with a strong nose for news. He's expected to focus on covering Providence politics and crime, among other topics, starting in mid-January.

As the two sides in Rhode Island's pension lawsuit prepare for court-ordered mediation next month, Governor Lincoln Chafee says the authority to approve a settlement rests largely with him and the General Assembly.

State Treasurer Gina Raimondo doesn't want to completely close the door on the possibility of changing her party affiliation.

During an interview today, I asked the the treasurer whether there's a chance she might switch parties for a campaign in 2014. Here's her response:

George Caruolo has asked Governor Lincoln Chafee to withdraw his name from consideration as the nominee to chair a controversial new combined state Board of Education.

Via statement:

A lot of news in the run-up to Christmas; debate over how to reduce school shootings; mediation ordered in the pension case; and the march is on toward our next RI campaign season. Happy holidays to all my readers, and thanks for checking in. Lets get to it.

While the meltdown of 38 Studios is certainly Rhode Island's top story for 2013, Swipely -- the company started by Angus Davis -- is showing how a smart entrepreneurial company can thrive in the Ocean State.

A survey of recent press:

Gigaom:

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.’’

Providence Mayor Angel Taveras says he plans to join other mayors across the state in staging a gun buy-back program on a yet-to-be-determined date in January.

"If we can avoid just one accident, one instance, it's well worth it to me to have the buy-back," Taveras said in an interview. "I've seen violence and what it can do to a community -- obviously seen it first-hand here in Providence."

As high unemployment continues to plague Rhode Island, Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed says her chamber will focus in the 2013 session on economic development and trying to turn around the state's troubled economy.

John Robitaille, who came close to edging Lincoln Chafee in the 2010 gubernatorial race, has used Facebook to announce he won't be a candidate in 2014: