GoLocalProv Voter's Guide - Lieutenant Governor: Robert Healey
GoLocalProv
GoLocalProv Voter's Guide - Lieutenant Governor: Robert Healey
Robert Healey
Independent Candidate for Lieutenant Governor
in 1957. Providence, RI.
(photo courtesy Steven Senne)
Education:
Rhode Island College (BA)
Boston University (Ed.M)
Northeastern University (MA)
New England School of Law (JD)
Columbia University (PhD candidate)
Career Highlights:
• Is a practicing lawyer for his own legal practice that serves the public (he often works pro bono or at a reduced fee)
• Founder of the Cool Mouse Party, a grassroots movement to breakup the bipartisan nature of Rhode Island politics
• From 1982 to 1986, served on the Warren School Committee and was chairman all four years
• Businessman: Co-owned Global Horizon, Inc., a RI liquor wholesaler and owned The Cheese Plate, a wine and cheese restaurant.
Personal Information:
Healey has repeatedly run for the office of Lieutenant Governor with the sole purpose of dismantling the position. If elected, he would not take on the salary or staff associated with serving as LT Governor and would work to eliminate it completely.
Views on Key Issues:
• Do you favor the expansion of casino gambling in RI to include table games in Lincoln and Newport?
Gambling is a tax on the mathematically challenged. I am not opposed to gambling, but I find the issue is often confused with the amount of tax revenue gambling brings to the state. In 1994 I ran for Governor urging the people to use gambling funds as a rainy day type of fund instead of relying on it for budgeting. As a libertarian, I have no problems if people want to lose their own money gambling.
• Do you think RI is culturally too accepting of public corruption?
Ya think? There is a pervasive sense of corruption that engenders further corruption. In order to change this, there must be open government, solid ethical values, and a general sense of fairness. Until people think they can live in a fair and honest society, they will never be able to change their mentality to allow it to occur.
• Do you support the Deepwater Wind Project as a way of helping RI become a hub of the new energy industry? Do you think it is a viable method of economic development here?
Corporate welfare is still government welfare. I have long spoken against projects that bring in the state as a partner/collection agent/loan guarantor/you name it. Government cannot exist as a partner to an entity it is to regulate. Business should be given a free environment in which to thrive, but should not be in bed with the very entity society expects to serve as regulator. The concept of a new development is great, but the implementation leaves much to be desired.
• Do you think RI effectively spends its education dollars?
Is youse kiddin' me?
• Do you favor a state law to allow gay marriage?
Aside from Eighth Amendment concerns, why not? My only reservation is that I would oppose any form of law or regulation that would require religions to recognize these 'marriages.' To paraphrase Jefferson, I don't really care if my neighbor has one spouse or ten as long as he or she doesn't force me to participate.
• Do you think RI should enact restrictive immigration legislation?
Honestly, if I had even the slightest clue as to what this question was asking me, I would attempt to answer it. "Restrictive immigration legislation" is a meaningless series of words calling for an answer that would be equally as ridiculous. I have outlined my immigration plan in an article that I would gladly forward to you for publication or you can ask for an e-copy at [email protected].
• Do you think municipal government has done enough to cut spending?
Definitely not, but the blame is not totally set at their doorstep. The General Assembly's half-assed method of funding, mandating, and general oblivion as to matters of local government are about as bad as the wild spending habits of local governments. Additionally, local governments, by design of the legislature, have never really been forced to meet their day of reckoning. It will be soon.
• What specifically do you propose to change in the state pension system, and how much will your changes save in annual costs to the pension system?
The Lieutenant Governor has zero authority over this area (much like the Lt. Governor has over all other areas of state governance). If I were to be forced into the role of Governor due to death or incapacity, I would clearly review the pension system to make it more aligned with the private sector. State employees have contributed to their pensions with a belief the General Assembly would do the same. They have a right to be angered by the assault, but they also must understand that just because the store Santa had promised them the toy they wanted, it doesn't mean they are sure to get it.
• What is your strategy to address the state's budget deficit? Please be specific, i.e. what cuts or revenue enhancements you are proposing.
The state has a requirement to balance a budget. It has no power to print money. It could borrow, but such a plan is insane. There are only three ways to manage a budget. The state could tax, cut spending, or grow the economy. I think that Rhode Islanders are over-taxed and would look to spending cuts and economic growth to solve the problem.
• What specifically will you do to improve employment for Rhode Islanders?
Rhode Island must gussy itself up if it wants to put off a scent that will attract business. No one who is successful in business is stupid in life. They actually use stuff like "risk analysis" and "cost benefit ratio" in their daily life. Without a business climate to attract them, they are not going to come. This is not to say we need to give them incentives, they are perfectly happy to exist where a positive business atmosphere exists (they actually believe in their own ability). As for what to bring to Rhode Island, I have long favored choosing a particular "need" and use every state tool to that end. Cure cancer? Find the Fountain of Youth? You get the idea, or at least you should if Rhode Island is ever to get out of its own way.