Giannini: The Good, the Bad and the Scary
Joanne Giannini, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Giannini: The Good, the Bad and the Scary
Yikes ! notorious drug kingpin "El Chapo Guzman" escaped from a Mexican prison and a massive man hunt is underway. This is the second time he escaped. Now , that's a "bad thing."
The first time he escaped he was at large for 15 years. There is no doubt he had help with this escape. Prison authorities said he apparently crawled through a hole in the shower area of his cell block. Authorities discovered a lighted and ventilated mile long tunnel that stretched from the prison to a half-built house. Can you believe this? Who knows how much this cost to build and how much help he obviously had to accomplish this escape. But one thing is for sure, the Mexican government has a lot of explaining to do. This man is dangerous and Mexico better check their own prison system for corruption. It's a" scary" thought but he could be headed anywhere, even here with that kind of help.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTDonald Trump
Since "The Donald" has entered the race for President he has not been quiet. Let's just say he doesn't care if he's politically correct or not. He made comments about immigrants during his campaign announcement that has caused Univision and NBC Universal and Macy's to break their business ties with Trump.
Trump's original statement was " When Mexico sends its people, they,re not sending their best...They,re sending people who have lots of problems,". "They're bringing, drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists, and some I assume are good people." Since that Trump has reiterated his statements saying he's been very clear about his stand. He makes no apologies and he isn't bothered by the loss of NBC, Macy's or Univision's business association with him. Recent polls show him with a slight lead over Jebb Bush and the crowded field of 14 Republican candidates.
Now with the escape of Mexican Kingpin "El Chapo" his remarks are stronger than ever, with him saying,"I told you so!" He has certainly gained the attention of the media and the people. Whether you like it or not, people want to hear what he has to say. An apathetic America who has gotten tired of politics and voting has finally started to listen regardless if they agree with Trump or not. He's forced America to listen. And that may be a good thing.
Salty Brine Beach Explodes
A mysterious explosion occurred on Saturday at Salty Brine beach at approximately 11:15Am. A 60 year old Connecticut woman, Kathleen Danise, was thrown into the rocks and taken to the hospital for multiple injuries which included cracked ribs, fluid in her lungs and cuts and bruises. Now, that's a "bad thing".
The beach was evacuated and closed for an investigation but we have little answers. Where is the statement from the Governor, as of yet, I have not heard from one elected official on this. That's "bad."
As of date, no one has stated what has caused the explosion but the beach has reopened and the Department of Environmental Management believes it is safe. Okay, so let's get this straight. A woman was thrown from her chair, into the rocks from a mysterious explosion that came from under the sand. But no one knows what it is or where it came from but the beach is safe. The beach is open and people have returned. This story made national news and was even on the NBC Today show Monday morning. I echo the words of the anchors on the today show Savannah Guthrie and Willie Geist, who said "That's scary".
RI General Assembly
On a hot Steamy late June night, both House and Senate chambers recessed when they failed to reach agreement on key bills that were on the table in the General Assembly. For the first time in years, the General Assembly recessed before 11:00Pm, leaving much of the work that had been done during the last several months on hold.
Issues such as the Truck Toll Bill legislation, the Charter School Regulation Bill, the Ballpark Stadium , the I-195 land Bill, Gun control, and legalization of hemp were stalled until further notice.
Now Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed is not committing to going back into a fall session. It remains to be seen if she will agree to bring the Senate back to deal with the items left on the table. But remember the Unions want those tolls and the baseball stadium. To them, they are Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! A fall session may be a "good" thing for unions who want these projects or a "bad "thing for those who do not. A fall session could very well be on the agenda if the unions push for it.
The RI Department of Transportation
Two weeks ago the RI Department of transportation closed the Park Avenue bridge over the railroad tracks in Cranston due to significant deterioration in the bridge's timber deck.
The bridge was inspected on Sunday, June 21, 2015 on Father's Day and closed a few days later amidst the debate over consideration of a bill to charge tolls to tractor trailers that the Senate passed but remained stalled in the House. This toll initiative is being pushed by Governor Raimondo.
There is no doubt that the bridge is in need of repair. But it has been for years. I remember a friend of mine once telling me he would not drive his truck over the bridge because it was unsafe. And that was twenty years ago, leaving us to wonder why this bridge hadn't been fixed over the years. We also wonder how long will it take to repair this bridge and all the others that need repair. The timing of the closure had created suspicion of political motivation and concerns and the Speaker had called for an investigation.
Well things seem to have quieted down now and the bridge is under repair which is a "good "thing. The fact that the bridge was deteriorated so many years and a safety hazard is both a "bad and scary thing." Let's hope all the bridges are inspected and fixed because it is a matter of public safety .
And that would be the right thing to do, something that may not always be easy but owed to the people of this State.
The 10 Biggest Bills of the 2015 RI General Assembly
Trucking tolls
One of the more contentious issues facing the General Assembly at the end of session was that of trucking tolls for the Governor's infrastructure plan -- which having reached a stalemate, will be likely taken up in the fall now, according to the Speaker.
The Senate passed legislation (2015-S 997 Sub A) on June 23 to toll large commercial trucks traveling through the state, but the proposal was a non-starter in the House.
The Rhode Island Trucking Association dubbed the process as moving too quickly -- until now.
“This process is moving entirely too fast and there have been no discussions or analysis on the fiscal impact of the proposed toll plan to the trucking industry or the business community,” said Christopher Maxwell, President of RITA, earlier this month.
Whether RITA will have a seat at the table -- or if a deal brokered between Mattiello and Raimondo will gain approval in the Assembly -- will be seen in the months ahead.
Charter School Slowdown
Another of the session's biggest battles languished in the waning hours of the session - for now.
The House approved legislation (2015-H 5555aa) on June 18 that would require the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education to consider the financial impact on sending districts before any new charter school, mayoral academy or expansion of one can be approved.
However, the struggle surrounding this issue came to a halt Thursday, when the Senate version of the measure was approved by the chamber, but needed further action by the House, which did not happen.
“The General Assembly has an obligation to ensure that we are funding education in a sustainable fashion,” said Rep. Jeremiah T. O’Grady (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket) of the proposed legislation at the time. “It is projected that Rhode Island’s municipalities will be obligated to spend approximately $40 million on charter tuitions in FY16."
195 Tax Jurisdiction
In the battle of city-versus-state over the land that Route 195 formerly occupied, it looks like Providence came out the victor.
Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) had sponsored legislation (2015-S 0997A) approved by the Senate that would have given the state control over tax treaties in connection to the 195 land.
However, on Thursday, Ruggerio, House Majority Leader John DeSimone and the City of Providence announced that they will work together to develop a tax stabilization agreement, or TSA, for companies that locate in the I-195 Redevelopment District.
In a joint statement, they said, “We share a mutual goal of establishing a tax stabilization agreement that encourages development in the I-195 District while protecting the interests of Providence and Rhode Island taxpayers. We will work collaboratively to develop a tax stabilization agreement that can be enacted through ordinance at the city level, then codify the ordinance in statute at the next legislative session.”
Minimum Wage Increases
Speaker Mattiello and Governor Raimondo hosted a bill signing ceremony on June 22 that marked the passage of legislation (2015-H 5074A, 2015-S 0194A) to raise Rhode Island's minimum hourly wage from $9 to $9.60 effective January 1, 2016.
“Putting more money in the pockets of those with the lowest wages helps them buy the basic goods and services their families need, but it also helps the economy, because those workers go out and spend that money locally, supporting local businesses," said Representative Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston).
On Thursday, the Assembly voted to raise the $2.89-an-hour minimum wage for tipped workers, such as waiters and waitresses, by $1, in two steps, starting on Jan. 1, 2016 -- which now goes to the Governor.
"It is difficult to argue from a social policy point of view against increasing the minimum wage in any sector of the economy. However, in a state of predominantly small and family businesses like Rhode Island, an increase in minimum wage could result in (a) passing the increase along to the buyer of the product or service, (b) the employer reducing the number of employees or the number of hours worked, (c) substituting employees by outsourcing or using technology and/or (d) deciding if it is worth staying in business. Increasing the minimum wage by itself does not result in an increase in productivity," said URI Distinguished Professor of Business Edward Mazze.
Narcan In Schools
The General Assembly has approved legislation (2015-S 0154A, 2015-H 5047A) sponsored Rep. David A. Bennett and Sen. Gayle L. Goldin that requires public middle schools, junior highs and high schools in Rhode Island to have Narcan, an opioid antagonist, on their premises.
In February, GoLocal reported on the epidemic surrounding Narcan, stating that EMS gave Narcan over 50 times to those in the under 18 age group. The bill now head's to Governor Raimondo's desk.
“Given the scope of the opioid epidemic in our area right now, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that any high school or middle school could have a student on campus who experiences an overdose,” said Senator Goldin (D-Dist. 3, Providence). “Every second counts when someone is overdosing, so being prepared with a kit and a school nurse teacher who knows how to use it could be the difference that saves that person’s life.”
Murder-Parole Changes
The House and Senate passed legislation (2015-S 0132A / 2015-H 5158A), as proposed by Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis and Rep. Patricia A. Serpa, that requires individuals convicted of murder to spend more time behind bars before being eligible for parole.
“Individuals who commit first or second-degree murder should be expected to serve at least the majority of their sentences, although I firmly believe they should be required to complete the full sentence for these kinds of heinous acts,” said Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich). “At the very least, they should have to serve no less than half of the sentence, which has not always been the case as we saw with the ‘Thrill Killer’ Alfred Brissette’s early release.”
The legislation, which will now go before Governor Raimondo for consideration, contains the following:.
1.) First and second-degree murderers not sentenced to life must serve 50-percent of their prison sentence before being up for parole.
2.) Individuals convicted of first or second-degree murder who are sentenced to life will not be eligible for parole until serving at least 25 years of the life sentence.
3.) A person sentenced to consecutive terms would be required to serve at least 25 years of each sentence before being eligible for parole.
4.) No person sentenced to life for a crime other than first or second-degree murder would be eligible for parole until serving at least 20 years of the sentence.
5.) Individuals sentenced to life for first or second-degree murder and also convicted of escaping or attempting to escape from prison will not be considered for parole until serving at least 35 years in prison.
Uber
Transportation disruptor Uber tried to make a last minute shake-up at the Rhode Island State House.
Uber sent an e-advocacy appeal to riders to call their Senator to oppose legislation (2015-S 1005) that would regulate ride sharing companies such as Uber, as introduced by Senator Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) and approved on June 24 in the Senate.
The bill sought to regulate what it calls "transportation network services". Uber deemed that the bill would make "it very difficult for Rhode Islanders...to access safe, affordable and reliable rides through the Uber platform."
The bill was referred to House Corporations. The battle of Uber vs. taxis continues.
Providence PILOT Payment
As part of the FY16 budget (2015-H 5900Aaa), the General Assembly passed a section that addresses the state’s payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) program. Providence, which was searching for a larger section of money, came up $1.5 million short of their original funding goal.
"We took a slight haircut, but we're still doing better," said City Council President Luis Aponte when asked about the hit Providence took through the PILOT program.
However, Providence has serious and immediate financial realities to face as the possibility of bankruptcy -- according to some -- looms large.
Twin River-Newport Grand
Twin River cleaned up in this year's General Assembly session. It began by getting approval (2015-S 0649) for a hotel for its Lincoln casino, in which a 2005 public law banning the construction of a hotel at their grounds was struck down.
Then, legislation (2015-H 6267) to allow Newport Grand -- now owned by Twin River - to avoid its violation of its Master Contract with the state was incorporated into the budget. The Master Contract required Newport Grand to have 180 full time employees the year preceding renewal of its master contract, with Twin River as able to convince the state to re-write history and make that number only 100, when it became clear Newport Grand was never going to meet the mark.
Budget
The centerpiece of the General Assembly session, the General Assembly unanimously approved the FY16 budget with Senate approval of the House measure on June 23.
The $8.7 billion state budget bill (2015-H 5900Aaa) eliminates state income tax on Social Security benefits for many Rhode Islanders, does away with taxes on utilities for businesses, includes the pension settlement and economic and jobs development initiatives and provides funding for school construction and greater tax relief for lower-income families.
“This budget is an investment in the jobs and economic development that our state’s residents and businesses desperately need and deserve,” said Senate Finance Chairman Daniel Da Ponte (D-Dist. 14, East Providence).
Not everyone was pleased with the quick passage.
Although the Center appreciates that some principles around taxation, regulation, and freedom that we support are at least shuffled into the deck in small ways, with this budget, it is overall a bad deal for Rhode Islanders," said Justin Katz with the Center for Freedom and Prosperity. "The fact that it passed the House so quickly and with such little debate should be seen as terrifying, not encouraging."
