Meet the Candidates: Rep. Eileen Naughton

Meet the Candidates: Rep. Eileen Naughton

Meet the candidates this election year. GoLocal is featuring all the candidates for General Assembly, those running for Mayor in cities across the state, and the Congressional candidates. This feature allows each candidate the opportunity to express their views on the issues. Meet Representative Eileen Naughton. She is running for re-election in House District 21.​

1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island? 

One of the state’s biggest hurdles is the economy. While Rhode Island has improved its economy over the last couple of years, more work needs to be done. I firmly believe that in order to further increase job growth, lower taxes and stimulate the economy—we must make more of an investment in education.
 

2.  What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy? 

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

We need to close the skill gaps and develop our talent pool by allowing pubic high school students to earn college credits for free, keep tuition low and reduce student loan debt. Education is the key to the state’s success. A more educated population attracts businesses and fosters growth. We need to invest more resources into education and helping our children succeed.
Also, we need to make sure that students graduating from higher education are not burdened with sky rocketing student loans. We made progress in that area recently by providing tools to students to refinance and consolidate student loan debt.
Additional steps include keeping taxes low, building our infrastructure and marketing Rhode Island. As residents, we know Rhode Island is the smallest state, yet it features amazingly diverse cuisine, stunning beaches and great people. We need to make sure the rest of the country and world knows that too.   
 

3.  What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?

Improving our business climate and achieving educational excellence. Despite strides, there is still too much red tape and bureaucracy pertaining to starting and growing a business. I have heard from small business owners in Warwick firsthand about the struggles of starting a business and I have helped many constituents navigate through the paperwork. We need to streamline the process and encourage small businesses rather than burden them.
While testing scores have demonstrated improvement—Rhode Island must do better. We need to provide the right resources to our schools, teachers and students. Besides funding, we need to make sure all students are equipped with the resources needed to succeed in school and life.

4.  Why are you running for office?  

I am seeking reelection because I truly enjoy helping people and I want to make Rhode Island a better state. During my tenure, I consistently voted to lower taxes, enacted a tax exemption for Social Security recipients, reduced the minimum corporate tax to help small businesses, slashed beach fees, provided screening to students with dyslexia, increased the minimum wage and gave cities a voice on charter schools. I supported stronger ethics laws and better campaign finance reporting. Most recently, I worked to protect our drinking water in our communities and schools.
In public relations, it is recommended that one boasts their successes. Yet, I have always been uncomfortable touting mine. I much prefer to work quietly behind the scenes and get results for my constituents and those who need it the most. I have a history of helping people effectively work together to solve tough problems. Whether it is tackling issues that help foster children, the developmentally disabled, breast cancer survivors, the deaf and hard of hearing, etc, I use my experience, the research I do on an issue and relationships I have built over the years--and I keep at it until the right thing happens.
 

5.  Who is your inspiration? 

My grandchildren—Billy, Bryan, Colin, Eileen and Caitlyn—ages 9-14—fill my life with endless curiosity and joy. They provide me with enormous amounts of inspiration and promise. Moreover, I have always considered Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, as an idol and tireless champion.