7 Tough Decisions Dan McKee Needs to Make Fast
GoLocalProv News Team
7 Tough Decisions Dan McKee Needs to Make Fast
He comes out of a chaotic 2020 as the state’s chief advocate for small businesses.
But now, as the state's presumptive next Governor, he faces a plethora of challenges — massive unemployment, a budget deficit estimated to be $500 million or more, and a virus that Rhode Island has been unable to control.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe state's vaccination program is disorganized and now under statewide criticism for allowing insiders to jump ahead of the elderly and those with pre-existing health issues to receive vaccinations out of turn.
To date, according to the CDC, Rhode Island has deployed less than half of the 127,000 plus doses it has received. McKee will be under tremendous pressure to immediately correct the vaccination program.
Tick...tick...tick.
Outgoing Governor Gina Raimondo is scheduled for a confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on January 26. The Committee’s chair is Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) — a former techie who worked in management at RealNetwork — a bit of a Raimondo clone.
Raimondo, a technocratic Democrat, is not expected to be a controversial pick for Republicans. She could be confirmed by the end of the first week in February.
The Inner Circle
GoLocal has learned that this past weekend McKee hosted a series of calls with his inner circle, fundraisers and key supporters to get their input.
Many on the calls were from supporters from the Blackstone Valley, white and male — McKee knows he needs to make his tent bigger.
Beyond the governing challenges, McKee faces complex political challenges if he does not want to be a 23-month governor.
He faces a complex chessboard -- a Democratic primary in 2022 that could attract three or more significant challengers each with strengths and profound weaknesses.
For McKee, who won the Democratic Lt. Governor's primary in 2018 by less the 2,500 votes over progressive Democratic Aaron Regunberg the days are counting down quickly to raise millions and build a political organization.
Tick...tick..tick.
As Lt. Governor, McKee could pick and choose his issues, but as governor, you don't get to pick when children die in the state's care or when the Department of Labor and Training's computer system is hacked.
Now, McKee needs to make a series of critical decisions in just a number of days.
READ THE MAJOR DECISIONS BELOW
7 Tough Decisions Dan McKee Needs to Make Fast
How to Fix Vaccination Program
The disorganized Rhode Island vaccination program is stacking up failures:
- Insiders improperly jumping the line
- Less than 50% of the vaccine deployed
- As many as 40% of nursing home workers refusing to be vaccinated.
How to Turn Around RI's Economy
The Rhode Island economy is damaged. Getting Rhode Islanders vaccinated efficiently could be the greatest boost to the economy. Somewhere between 1.5 million and 2 million vaccine shots need to be administered (Moderna and Pfizer both require 2 doses).
Presently, Rhode Island has administered 60,000 in the past 6 weeks.
With rumors swirling that Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor could join Governor Gina Raimondo at the U.S. Commerce Secretary, McKee would need to select a new commerce administrator that can hit the ground running.
Who Will Be Chief of Staff
One of the biggest discussion in McKee's circle is who will lead the Governor's office. Long-time McKee loyalist Tony Silva heads the Lt. Governor's staff.
The former Cumberland Police Chief may be needed to oversee the vaccination program. McKee needs leadership that can not only address the growing number of challenges, but also someone to build a significant political organization for a reelection run.
Who Will Be Lt. Governor
The growing list of individuals who have voiced interest in being appointed Lt. Governor is reaching a dozen. Former Central Falls Mayor James Diossa has an online petition supporting his candidacy.
McKee's smartest political decision could be to ask Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and make her a Lt. Governor with a portfolio of agencies to management. She is well-liked, respected and takes a potential rival out of the Democratic gubernatorial primary in 2022 -- if she would take him up on the offer.
How to Address Alviti -- In the Midst of Ongoing Federal and State Investigations
RIDOT Director Peter Alviti is in the midst of ongoing federal and state investigations relating to contaminated soil being dumped in Olneyville as part of the 6/10 construction program.
If McKee keeps Alviti and the controversy continues -- the investigation squarely becomes a McKee problem.
Who Will Be Communications Director
Few of the 40 or so members on Governor Gina Raimondo's personal staff will remain. Most have told McKee's office they do not wish to continue. Some may be interviewed.
One of the critical roles that needs to be filled is communications director, and radio talk show host and close McKee ally Dan Yorke has been under discussion.
Who Will Be Director of Administration
Raimondo's Director of Administration Brett Smiley was already leaving early in 2021 to run for Mayor of Providence regardless of the switch over.
Now, that departure is likely to be imminent. In order to provide the most stability would be for McKee to bring former Raimondo DOA Director Michael DiBiase back. Presently, he leads RIPEC, but a potential leave could be negotiated to provide the state with fiscal stability during a very difficult period.
