11 to Watch in 2011: Lincoln Chafee

11 to Watch in 2011: Lincoln Chafee

Governor-elect Lincoln Chafee was elected with just over a third of the vote. He is Rhode Island's first independent Governor and faces an overwhelming Democratic majority in both houses of the legislature.

Moreover, like House Speaker Gordon Fox, he faces a vicious array of difficult challenges: 

• Unemployment at nearly 12%
• Public education system in conflict
• Cities, towns and the state with significant budget shortfalls
• Unfunded liabilities for the public pensions
• Central Falls in chaos

Chafee was somewhat brilliant in his Senate career for identifying solutions to complex issues - often thought to be wrong - but, ultimately, he was proven to be correct. 

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In his first few weeks post-election he has surprised many by appointing a collection of prominent Democrats to key positions - particularly Richard Licht, Charlie Fogarty, and Steven Costantino.

2011 will be the greatest challenge of his political career, which started in the 1980s when he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Circumstances may force the new Governor to take bold action to wrestle with budget issues and find a credible and effective solution to job creation. Today, nearly two-thirds of voters are disappointed in the election outcome and look to Chafee to prove them wrong - for Rhode Island's best.

Lincoln Chafee and RI's budget woes are one of the 11 to watch in 2011.