Rhode Island's Future News Feed

Protecting the Environment Means More Than Curbing CO2 Emissions

Frank Carini — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:09:05 +0100

We're still squabbling about stolen e-mails that may or may not alter the global warming debate, but it's indisputable that we have been poisoning the land we live on, the water we drink and the air we breath for more than a century.

Last year's toothless Copenhagen CliRead More...

Ethics complaint filed against Governor Don Carcieri

Brian Hull — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:42:10 +0100

On Friday, March 12, I went to the Ethics Commission to file a complaint against Governor Don Carcieri for willful violation of state law, Title 44-48.1 - Tax Expenditure Reporting.

[video:http://vimeo.com/10114683]

Below is the press statement I sent to the Rhode Island media.

Progressive activist and blogger for Rhode Island’s Future, Brian Hull, filed an ethics complaint today against Governor Don Carcieri for willful violation of state law.

Title 44-48.Read More...

Carcieri breaks the law again, ignores deadline for 2010 Tax Expenditures Report

Brian Hull — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:52:06 +0100

Update: On Friday, March 12, I went to the Ethics Commission to file a complaint against Governor Don Carcieri for willful violation of state law, Title 44-48.1 - Tax Expenditure Reporting. You can see the video here.

Original Post: We already know that the Governor was breaking the law when he refused to release the third quarter motor vehicle excise tax payment to cities and towns past the February 1 deadline. We all owe Scott Guthrie a huge thank you for discovering this Read More...

Sen. Harry Reid's letter to Mitch McConnell 11 March 2010

rasputinkhlyst — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:05:03 +0100

I think this letter sums it up very well. This letter is copied from:
The Plum LineGreg Sargent's blog

March 11, 2010
The Honorable Mitch McConnell

Republican Leader

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Leader McConnell:

Eleven months ago, I wrote you to share my expectations for the coming health reform debate. At the time, I expressed Democrats’ intention to work in good faith with Republicans, and my desire that – while we would disagrRead More...

The Mysterious Criteria of Endorsements

Alan Mendelsohn — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:34:31 +0100

Endorsements have been rolling out as election season approaches. However, the campaign is still in an early stage. Many candidates still don't have complete websites and few have substantive policy positions on their websites. The only information you can find about candidates from their websites is the biography they provide. I am generally skeptical of endorsements that are made during such early stages of campaigns, for reasons that I will enumerate. Myrth York recently endorsed Angel TavRead More...

David Cicilline live chat - March 16

Brian Hull — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:13:48 +0100

From the ProJo:

Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline will chat live with readers Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m.

The two-term mayor, who is running to represent Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District in Washington, recently unveiled a plan to rebuild the Providence Police Department after a Rhode Island State Police drug investigation resultRead More...

Patrick Kennedy's political comeback...

Brian Hull — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:50:27 +0100

In a largely sentimental and introspective Washington Post article, Patrick Kennedy alludes to the future possibility of another electoral campaign.

"I consider it taking a sabbatical," he says. He will transfer his roughly $500,000 in campaign money to an interest-bearing account, which he says he might tap if he runs for the Senate someday.

Despite many peoRead More...

Moderate Party secures RI Young Dems board member as field organizer

Brian Hull — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:56:26 +0100

In the Moderate Party’s push to gain legitimacy in a state dominated by Democrats, they recently hired a RI Young Democrats (RIYD) board member. William Pierce, a unsuccessful 2008 Democratic contender against Republican Joe Trillo for District 24 (see below), joined the Moderate Party of RI as a full-time staffer earlier this week. This came as a huge surpriseRead More...

New report highlights a vision for solar power in the U.S.

Brian Hull — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:24:55 +0100

There's a new report out from Environment America talking about the need for increased use of solar power in the country's energy supply.

From Laundromats and baseball stadiums, to homes and cars, solar energy is already enhancing energy security and reducing pollution in America. A new Environment Rhode Island report outlines a vision for using the sun to meet10 percent ofRead More...

New Report Shows Children, Survivors Re-Victimized During Child Custody and Visitation

Wilhite — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:02:44 +0100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 11, 2010
CONTACT: Chris Wilhite, (401) 467-9940 (office); (401) 829-2564 (cell)

New Report Shows Children, Survivors Re-Victimized During Child Custody and Visitation
Twelve Recommendations to End Domestic Abuse in Rhode Island's Child Custody and Visitation System

[Providence, RI] The long-awaitRead More...

Hearing Today: Unshackling Pregnant Prisoners

Bruce Reilly — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:30:50 +0100

Ever wonder what society does with a pregnant prisoner at the ACI and Training School? Probably not. But you may be interested in knowing that a bill will be heard tonight, in Room 313 around 4:15pm, to stop the practice of shackling women and girls during their second and third trimesters. A practice which is particularly dangerous to both mother and child.

Cicillini's only option for the Providence P.D.

Bruce Reilly — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:44:51 +0100

With recent revelations that three members of the Providence Police Department have been arrested for drug dealing, a little perspective is called upon from the Lockdown Lowdown...

Do you honestly believe they caught every dealer or illegal operator in the department? With 700 folks working in an organization, a little malfeasance should be expected from time to time. But inRead More...

Press Mayoral Candidates for Answers on PPD Drug/Cicilline Issues

Arthur Beatini — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:19:28 +0100

To date only one -- count 'em, one -- announced candidate for mayor of Providence has demonstrated the requisite leadership and courage not only to comment on the issues of the PPD drug scandal and the actions and non-actions of David Cicilline and Dean Esserman, but also to propose the ways and means to stop the bleeding and repair the system.

That candidate is Councilman John J. Lombardi.

When, if ever, will Angel Taveras and Steven Costantino weigh in?

As candidatRead More...

Our Oceans are Drowning in a Sea of Pollution

Frank Carini — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:11:29 +0100

Water, water everywhere, but seldom a drop that is plastic-free.

There are about 46,000 pieces of floating plastic per square mile of ocean, according to the United Nations Environment Program.

That's a lot of water bottles, six-pack holders and nurdles — tiny pellets of plastic about the size of lentils that can be melted down and formed intoRead More...

Turning Around Schools in Providence

Keith — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:28:06 +0100

While media attention was (and is) still being showered on the unfortunate situation in Central Falls, Providence Public Schools’ superintendent Tom Brady announced the plans for the 5 schools targeted for reform by the state’s turnaround list. Four of the schools–Charlotte B. Woods Elementary, Lillian Feinstein Elementary @ Sackett St., Roger Williams Middle School, and Cooley Health, Science, and Technology High School–have been slated for a unique approach to the “restart” option.&Read More...

Chris Fierro: Let's repeal the flat tax!

Brian Hull — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:11:25 +0100

Go Chris!!!

Rep. Chris Fierro has been appointed to the House Finance Committee by Speaker Gordon D. Fox.

The Finance Committee is considered one of the most influential assignments in the House, since that committee is largely responsible for shaping the state budget and all other bills that have a potential financial impact on the state. It is alsoRead More...

Myrth York Endorses Angel Taveras for Mayor of Providence

Brian Hull — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:24:43 +0100

Update: Here are Myrth York's prepared remarks. The video can be seen here.

Good afternoon and thank you for being here.

Over the last several weeks, I’ve been both humbled and honored by so many friends and supporters who have enthusiastically encouraged me to consider running for mayor.

I love this city. I raised my family Read More...

Bob Kerr breaks through the Projo Editoral Board's Fog

Pat Crowley — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:14:08 +0100

Thumbs up for Bob Kerr for being a voice of reason against the Ed Achorns and Froma Harrops of the world.

Once, it seemed it might be state workers who were plotting the downfall. They seemed so unyielding.

Then illegal immigrants seemed the greater threat to undermine everything we hold dear with their eagerness to walk the same streets and breathe the same air that we do.

It is now as clear as a babbling brook in springtime, however, just what lies at the heart ofRead More...

Routine Chemical Exposure is Slowly Killing Us

Frank Carini — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:11:03 +0100

Everyday people — even Joe the Plumber — are regularly exposed to 200-plus chemicals. They're percolating in our bodies, and likely compromising our health.

The acronyms DDT, PCB, PVC, PBDE and BPA are the foundations of a toxic alphabet soup that is boiling in our waterways and collecting in our tissue.

Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water and its sources — rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springRead More...

Arts Advocacy Day - March 16

Brian Hull — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:31:00 +0100

Join the RI Citizens for the Arts at their Annual Arts Advocacy Day at the State House. Help raise the voice of the creative sector in the halls and walls of our house of governance! Participants wanted! REGISTER TODAY!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Governor's State Room, State House, 2nd Floor
2:00 - 6:00 pm

Talk is not cheap
Advocating is a way to affect change.
Participate in your legislative procRead More...