The Labor/Left Strategy: Shore Up Revenue

RI’s unions are behind efforts to increase state revenue through gambling and “taxes on the rich” in an apparent effort to counter the effects of Massachusetts casinos, but the state will have to decide whether the consequences are worth the attempt.

04/16/12 – Don Watkins at Brown

Justin writes live from Don Watkins talk to the Brown Republicans on entitlements.

Kennedy Describes “Quid Pro Quo” White House

Former district 1 congressman Patrick Kennedy tells the New York Times that big donations from special interests is how the business of politics works, with implications for local campaign finance initiatives.

04/11/12 – Romney Town Hall

Justin writes live from Mitt Romney’s town hall in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Legacy Media Woes Point to Larger Political Dynamics

Reason’s Matt Welch measures cutting-edge media against legacy media worries about the death of their industry, and reviewing the local playing field, Justin gives an example of how public policy can give them a cudgel (even inadvertently).

04/05/12 – House Floor Session & Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Justin writes live from the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources hearing, including (for one thing) creation of a new public consortium with powers of eminent domain.

Unabridged Video of Sen. Pres. Paiva Weed’s Short Presser; DUI Victim & Candidate Keith Anderson Goes Beyond “No Comment”

Sen. President Teresa Paiva Weed and Sen. Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio have issued releases insisting that we move on from the latter’s DUI and its aftermath. GA candidate Keith Anderson, victim of a drunk driver’s poor judgment, expresses disappointment.

Paiva Weed on Senators’ Misconduct; the Rhode Island Way; and National Popular Vote

Justin reacts to Sen. President Paiva Weed’s latest Ruggerio statement with an explanation of the end-all-be-all of political consequences, which don’t exist in Rhode Island.

Video for 04/02/12 Central Coventry Fire District Meeting

“On the go” video from the Central Coventry Fire District special meeting on 04/02/12.

Rep. Trillo: Casino Research Should Seek Equal Revenue, Include Allens Ave.

Rep. Joseph Trillo supports a casino ballot question, but he has submitted legislation for a broader study of ways to increase RI’s gambling revenue, possibly including a casino on Allens Ave. in Providence.

Loans for Kindergarten, Another Middle Class Bubble

Justin sees a trend for private-school loans, even at the kindergarten level, as an indication of a staggering civic society, not a faddish excess of the 1%.

03/29/12 – David Carlin on Christianity and Party Politics in 2012

Justin writes live from a speech talk by David Carlin on Christianity and Party Politics.

The State Table Games Corporation Nears Reality

Justin notes the movement of Newport Grand casino gambling through the General Assembly and suggests that a government-run casino may not benefit the people of Rhode Island.

House Labor Committee Calls Out Ocean State Tea Party in Action… Again

Reps. Williams and Guthrie opened yesterday’s House Labor hearing with an objection to a legislative alert from the Ocean State Tea Party in Action that inferred legislators’ opinions on teacher-related issues. Reviewing the transcripts allows readers to decide who is misrepresenting what.

RI on a Spree of Losing Jobs and Giving Up

Unemployment only “ticked” up, this month, but the overall labor force dropped more from December to February than it has since the dot-com bust. Public officials looking for a turnaround should consider the power of their message.

House Labor Chairwoman Williams Vents to Tea Party in Action

House Labor Committee Chairwoman Anastasia Williams paused a hearing, on Tuesday, to criticize an email that she had received, but sender William B. Palazzo disputes her description of the content.

Council Ratification Foes Layer on Technical Objections

Technical objections raised to legislation that would give town/city councils authority to ratify employment contracts appear to have been overstated or incorrect.

Keith Anderson, Teacher and Right-to-Work Advocate, also Candidate for General Assembly

East Providence High School teacher Keith Anderson is running for the district 29 House seat, from Coventry.

03/20/12 – House Committee on Labor

Justin writes live and extemporaneously from the House Committee on Labor, addressing teacher layoff notifications, right-to-work for teachers, city/town council approval of school labor contracts, and others.

Bringing the Right Lesson from Chelsea, MA, to Central Falls

Even with the direct comparison of Chelsea, MA, with Central Falls, Justin finds that Rhode Island learns the wrong lesson.

03/08/12 – House Labor on Binding Arbitration: Carnevale Provokes Nadeau

Video of Rep. John Carnevale provoking Warwick School Committee Member Eugene Nadeau during House Labor’s hearing on binding arbitration.

Video of 2012 RISC Winter Meeting

Video of RISC’s 2012 Winter Meeting, featuring Central Falls Receiver Robert Flanders, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, Woonsocket Mayor Loe Fontaine, Providence advisor Gary Sasse, and Rep. Larry Ehrhardt.

03/10/12 – RISC Winter Meeting

Justin writes live from the RISC Winter Meeting at the Radisson Hotel.

RNC Co-Chair: Optimism, Work, and Tools, but No Money

On a visit to Rhode Island, RNC Co-Chairman Sharon Day promises local Republicans tools, access, and optimism, but not money.

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