On Politics

House Speaker Gordon Fox and Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed cruised to re-election in their leadership positions Tuesday while pledging increased legislative attention to trying to boost Rhode Island’s underperforming economy.

As the General Assembly starts a new session on Tuesday, one legislative constant will remain unchanged -- a lot of the 113 lawmakers on Smith Hill are lawyers.

The ProJo's Political Scene says there are 24 lawyers in the legislature -- 15 in the 75-member House and nine in the 38-member Senate:

We’re offering a slight break from TGIF’s usual format this week with a look back at how 12 of the big questions of Rhode Island politics played out in 2012. As always, feel free to share your thoughts and comments on the blog or by email: idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org.

Question 1. Will Governor Lincoln Chafee offer a more coherent message that helps lift his slumping approval rating?

Cumberland Mayor Dan McKee appears headed toward a run for lieutenant governor in 2014.

Governor Lincoln Chafee is declining to talk specifics about whether his next budget will include revenue increases – a.k.a. tax hikes.

The governor offered this comment during an interview last week (excerpts of which will be broadcast on RIPR Thursday morning):

“The budget will come out in January … we’re still putting it together.”

January 1 is all about new beginnings, and that’s when the swearing-in has been scheduled for James Diossa, the mayor-elect of Central Falls.

Probate judge Bruce Sawyer will administer the oath of office during a 6 pm ceremony at Central Falls High School.

Diossa won decisive victories in a two-step mayoral election process. He succeeds Charles Moreau, who pleaded guilty to corruption and is due to be sentenced February 12.

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: