Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - June 29, 2018

HOT

Candidates

Welcome to Democracy. This was the week to declare for elected office in Rhode Island and hundreds of Rhode Islanders stepped forward to run for office.

They're of all ages, all political persuasions, but at the end of the day, they want to serve.

There are big names and surprises. There are perennial losers. And to all, they want to compete in the arena.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat,” Theodore Roosevelt.

HOT

Newcomers

The New York Times headline on Thursday read, “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Emerges as a Political Star.” On Wednesday, Governor Gina Raimondo’s campaign likened the Governor to Ocasio-Cortez.

“Not unlike Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Gina Raimondo had an a-typical path to Rhode Island politics. She brought the fresh perspective of a successful businesswoman and young mom to a State House notoriously governed by special deals and an old boys club,” said spokeswoman Emily Samsel of the Raimondo campaign.

Everyone wants to be the 28-year-old Ocasio-Cortez!

HOT

Ken Wagner

It is great to see education priorities align with educational needs.

Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Ken Wagner joined GoLocal LIVE where he spoke to RIDE awarding $6.9 million in grants to support adult education programs across the state. 

“We know that by 2020, at least 70 percent of Rhode Island jobs will require some form of postsecondary education. If we are going to meet the needs of employers and grow our state’s economy, adult education needs to be a priority,” said Wagner. “We’re working across government, with our partners in industry at the table, to support programs and services that empower our adult learners and put them on a successful career pathway.”

HOT

Bobby Nardolillo

Bobby "The Rep" ran for the United States Senate with great energy. When he realized he could not win, he graciously stepped aside and endorsed his GOP rival, Bob Flanders.

A lost art.

HOT

Robert Bailey V

Some talk and some do. Robert Bailey does it all.

He will host a volunteer and membership drive for the Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network.

Bailey was diagnosed with cancer in 2015.

MAKE A DONATION HERE

“We all know someone, whether it be a mother, father, child, coworker, friend, aunt or neighbor who has heard the three words “you have cancer” and had their lives forever changed. In 1975, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. At that time she underwent a radical mastectomy. In 2015, I heard those three words. Since then, my father-in-law, my mother-in-law, and a number of my childhood friends have lost their fight against cancer. It inspired me to stand up, and fight back,” said Bailey.

The event will take place on Sunday, July 15 at the Providence Firefighters Memorial Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

NOT

Diocese of Providence

According to Diocesan documents secured by GoLocalProv, the pension fund for a large number of teachers and staff at Catholic schools in Rhode Island is economically unstable.

“The unfunded liability of the Lay Employees’ Retirement Plan will continue to grow and will become untenable in the near future,” states a recent Diocesan document. 

The document, entitled, “Recommendation of Finance Council Subcommittee Regarding the Law Employees’ Retirement Plan," dated October 2017, paints a bleak future for the fund, outlines the causes of the fund’s tenuous structure, and calls for immediate action to stabilize the fund.

The Diocese refused to respond to questions.

A second document also secured by GoLocal, which was prepared by the Diocese top financial officers -- Monsignor Raymond Bastia and Chief Financial Officer Michael Sabatino -- is to be considered by top Diocesan officials at a meeting scheduled for this week with Bishop Thomas Tobin.

NOT

Supreme Court

The decision on the Trump Administration's Muslim "travel ban" by the United States Supreme Court may be "legal" but looks and feels un-American.

NOT

Nick Mattiello

A bill for a Cranston insurance man who is a close political supporter of Speaker Nick Mattiello and Representative Scott Slater is coming under fire from the specialty insurance  industry who warn that the legislation that passed the House earlier in the session and was jammed through the Senate on Saturday will have an adverse impact on everyone from homeowners within 5 miles of the coastline to those who own three-deckers.

The bill has just one supporter -- Paul Damiano, who has funneled $4,500 to Mattiello and $7,200 to Slater.

While Mattiello and Slater defend the bill as being pro-consumer, it allows for the payment of certain forms of insurance to be delayed in payment — up to 85 days.

Slater said it should not matter Damiano lives or who he donates to. He said the legislation will help people and businesses.

Specialty Insurance Industry Says the Adoption of the Legislation Will Be Devastating

Tom DeCotis, CEO of Rhode Island firm DeCotis Specialty Insurance warns some Rhode Island agencies like his will be forced to close and that many insurance companies will simply stop writing insurance in Rhode Island.

“There are about a half-dozen firms like ours — and combined we employ about 100 to 150 people — this bill will crush our industry,” said DeCotis in a phone interview.

DeCotis also warns that the industry writes more than $150 million in business and is subject to a 4 percent tax. DeCotis warns that Rhode Island could lose the $6 million in revenue.

NOT

Wrong Track

A new poll conducted by Public Policy Polling finds that Rhode Islanders continue to believe that the state is going in the wrong direction.

Generally speaking, would you say things in Rhode Island are heading in the right direction, or are they off on the wrong track?

Headed in the right direction 39%

Off on the wrong track 52%

Not sure 9%