Donkey Brawl: Rhode Island Democrats Fire Charges and Counter Charges at Each Other
GoLocalProv News Team
Donkey Brawl: Rhode Island Democrats Fire Charges and Counter Charges at Each Other
Where it all began is unclear. The genesis may be the Rhode Island Democratic Presidential Primary a year ago, when the entire state Democratic machine endorsed Hillary Clinton and the majority of Democratic primary voters supported Bernie Sanders. Gina Raimondo, Jack Reed, Sheldon Whitehouse, Nick Mattiello, David Cicilline , and Jim Langevin all went big for Clinton.
But, the crowds – 7,000 at Roger Williams Park, and the voters -- went for Sanders.
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Budget Battle
This week, Progressives criticized the budget crafted by Governor Gina Raimondo and conservative leaning Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello.
That drew the fire of Democratic party special advisor and spokesman Bill Lynch, who said in a statement to GoLocal, “They (Mattiello and Raimondo) accomplished these (budget) goals without having to raise any broad-based taxes, which I know disappoints the Progressive Democrats of RI, who offered the solution of raising taxes as part of their alternative ideas. Instead, the responsible Democrats in the General Assembly closed the gap by spreading out dozens of smaller cuts, delaying some new initiatives, and limiting new hires to essential personnel in customer-service operations to better serve our residents.”
The Progressives Democrats' spokesperson fired right back at Lynch - the $4,000 a month Democratic Party spokesman.
Capri Catanzaro of the Progressives said, “We were surprised and disappointed by Mr. Lynch’s statement attacking progressives who support our national Democratic Party’s values and platform. His attack on Democrats who want a budget for the 99% instead of the 1% is inexcusable and incoherent with the values of Rhode Island Democrats. In a state that decisively sided with Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Primary, Mr. Lynch is confused about what our state’s voters want and expect their elected officials to do.”
And while Lynch defended the two year phase-in of the minimum wage, Progressives blasted the budget provision."In another example of mainstream Democrats helping our hard-working residents, the budget includes a 90-cent raise in the minimum wage over two years. By hiking the wage to $10.50 an hour by Jan. 1, 2019, Rhode Island’s wages will become more competitive with neighboring states," said Lynch.
“Mr. Lynch also praised Mattiello’s budget for phasing in a 90-cent raise in the minimum wage over the next two years—a disappointing retreat from Governor Raimondo’s original proposal of a 90-cent increase by 2018. We stand with the Rhode Island Democratic Party platform’s call for a $15 minimum wage, and we stand with the business community by tying the wage to inflation which supports business planning,” said Catanzaro.
Lynch on GoLocal LIVE -- But Big Battle Remains
By the end of the week, Lynch was more conciliatory. In his appearance on GoLocal LIVE, he talked about the big party and the need to be united.
One of the biggest issues still remains, however. Progressives have been pushing for a earned sick time legislation, a bill has drawn fire from numerous business interests. John Simmons from RIPEC appeared on GoLocal this week and said it was a business killer. Many believe that progressive legislators voted for the budget in exchange for the passage of the sick-time bill. And the Democrats voted lock step in the House to approve the budget on Thursday night.
By Friday afternoon, rumors were swirling that the now-watered down sick-time legislation is "take it, or leave it" - and pro-sick-time legislators may be forced to swallow the compromise or kill their own initiative.
FY18 House Finance Budget
WINNER
CCRI
The state's community college is poised to be the sole beneficiary of the Governor's Promise scholarship program.
It would make Rhode Island the fourth state to have tuition-free community college, allowing every resident the opportunity to earn an associate's degree tuition free. There is no means testing for the program and few standards.
The cost would be roughly $3 million in the FY18 (for the first cohort of students) and then $6 million the following year there are two classes.
LOSER
State Government
As part of negotiations -- and the fiscal realities facing Rhode Island with a nearly $140 million shortfally, the Speaker announced Thursday that $25 million will be cut in general spending.
"It's something we discussed with the Governor and she thinks she can make [it] work," said Matteillo.
Also on the chopping block -- funding for the legislative office to the tune of $2 million.
WINNER
Elderly and Disabled Bus Riders
After levying fares on some of the most needy RIPTA bus riders (the elderly and disabled) for the first time this past year, which resulted in strong public outcry, the House Finance budget contains just over $3 million -- for each of the next two years -- to refund the program this coming year.
WATCH: Opponents of RIPTA Fare Hikes to Rally at RI State House Wednesday Afternoon
Mattiello noted that after the two years is up, it is up to the Governor to find the funding.
TIE
Governor Raimondo
On Thursday, Raimondo learned she is poised to get a piece (jCCRI) of her free college tuition proposal, which had been a major focal point of her budget proposal - and political strategy.
On the flip side, she is tasked with finding $25 million in government spending to cut, in order to balance the budget.
Unlike the May estimating conference, where Rhode Island revenues were found to be off nearly $100 million plus, the Governor can't say she didn't see this coming.
LOSER
Medical Marijuana Expansion
In June, Raimondo called for an increase in medical marijuana dispensaries and an increase in licensing fees to generate $1.5 million in revenue for the state.
She called for "no less than six licensed compassion centers."
On Thursday, Mattiello said it was not in the budget, due the proposal's late timing.
WINNER
Davies High School
The House finance budget contains additional help for manufacturing, including $3.6 million to upgrade facilities at Davies Career and Tech.
LOSER
Commerce Corporation
While Mattiello made scant mention of cuts in the briefing Thursday - save for the $25 million out of government spending -- the question was raised as to where the rest of the $140 million shortfall will come from.
"Millions in cuts came from the Commerce Corp budget. The budget kept the Rebuild RI funding, but money for several other Commerce programs were reduced," said Larry Berman, spokesman for Mattiello.
TIE
Mininum Wage Hike
Workers will be happy, employers might not.
The FY18 budget proposal calls for a $.50 minimum wage increase as of January 1, 2018, and then an additional $.40 the following year.
Business owners have continuously fought against such hikes.
