Meet the Candidates: Sen. Louis DiPalma
GoLocalProv News Team
Meet the Candidates: Sen. Louis DiPalma
Senator Lou DiPalma is running for State Senator in District 12 as a Democrat.
1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island?
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTI believe the biggest political issues are (1) growing our economy/jobs, (2) continuing the targeted investments in education, and (3) addressing the needs of those most vulnerable in our state.
2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?
To improve RI’s economy, we need to address the following areas: (1) growing our economy/jobs, (2) continuing the targeted investments in education, and (3) addressing the needs of those most vulnerable in our state.
From a jobs/economy perspective, I plan to continue to build upon targeted investments in jobs/economy, including workforce development initiatives, innovation in our economy by leveraging higher education to create 21st century jobs, the R&D tax credit, the creation of the First Wave Closing Fund to catalyze development, expanding the Innovation Voucher program to partner businesses with academic researchers, the $30M cut in unemployment insurance taxes, reduction of the corporate minimum tax, the elimination of the commercial sales tax on energy to make it easier and cheaper to do business in RI
From an education perspective, I plan to continue to build upon the increased funding for all District 12 school districts, free PSAT AND SAT for all 11th and 12th graders, PrepareRI offering free college courses for students while they’re in high school, Pathways in Technology Early College High (P-TECH) School Initiative, affording students the ability to earn a high-school diploma AND associates degree, ultimately leading to an initial job, the creation of the RI Promise Scholarship program - making it more affordable for Rhode Islanders to pursue a postsecondary degree or credential, the creation of the Wavemaker Fellowship program offering tax credits to defray student loans to college graduates who live and work in Rhode Island, and the Computer Science for Rhode Island (CS4RI) Initiative making Computer Science education available to every student in all of Rhode Island’s schools.
Addressing the needs of those most vulnerable in District 12, including those with intellectual/developmental disabilities, those living in nursing homes as well as children in the care of the state would be my third priority. It is imperative we ensure all supported by the state receive the right services, in the right setting, at the right time and most certainly for the right reason. Only when these conditions are met can we ensure our investments in those most vulnerable in our state are receiving the best care possible, which they most definitely deserve. As I have in the past, as the Co-Chair of the Senate Task Force on DCYF, I plan to continue my legislative oversight and vigilance role ensuring all are receiving the right services, in the right setting, at the right time and for the right reason.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
From my continued and frequent interaction with constituents during my terms in office and from visiting the thousands of homes and multiple thousands of residents in District 12, during the last few months, what I frequently hear as the most pressing issue facing the District is the state’s fiscal climate which impacts us all. Typically the conversation centers on our state’s annual budget and our state’s economy/jobs climate.
It is critical we continue to proactively address our state’s structural budget deficits, which we have done over the last several years, while at the same time making critical, targeted investments in jobs/economy and education, specifically Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
With respect to addressing our structural deficits, which we have effectively done over the last 5 years, we have expended significant effort with re-inventing Medicaid, where we’re now saving greater than $70M annually, while maintaining eligibility criteria and associated rates for necessary services. It is paramount we ensure government is running efficiently and effectively. Only then can we ensure that we are getting the most out of our precious, collective tax dollar.
While we have proactively addressed this and progress is being made, more remains to be accomplished. Growing our economy will afford us the ability to lessen the tax burden on all the residents of District 12. Additionally, working toward achieving municipal shared services will allow us to ultimately lower property taxes, which benefits all the residents of District 12.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
I believe I bring the requisite legislative experience, both from my years of service in the RI Senate, from 2009 – present, serving as the 1st Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and Member of the Education Committee, Co-Chair of the Joint Commission on Shared Municipal Services, Co-Chair of the Defense Economy Planning Commission, Co-Chair of the Senate Task Force on DCYF, Chairman of the Special Senate Commission to Study the DMV, Co-Chair of the Senate Study Commission on Sustainable Transportation Funding, member of the Special Legislative Commission to Study the Funding for the East Bay Bridges where I championed the effort to eliminate the toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge, member of the Governor Raimondo’s Commission to Re-Invent Medicaid and the Career Readiness Workgroup, and from my years of service on the Middletown Town Council (2004 – 2008).
Additionally, my legislative experience is augmented and complemented by my 34 years of engineering/business acumen where I continue to solve complex and complicated, vexing challenges associated with developing critical solutions addressing our national defense needs.
In 2008, when I first ran for the Senate District 12 seat, I promised the following: working towards Fiscal responsibility – real solutions to solving our structural budget problems, Addressing educational excellence and education funding equity, Focusing on Strategic and Sustained Economic Development, including “Green” industry, Regional collaboration for common problem solving, and New perspective and workable solutions to complex problems. To that end, I believe I have proactively worked to fulfill that promise and I reaffirm that promise moving forward.
5. Who is your inspiration?
My inspiration is my parents - my dad, as first generation American, and my mom, who emigrated from Canada. Coming from a blue-collar, middle-class family from Bridgeport, CT, they instilled in my brother and me a strong work ethic, strong sense of family and associated traditions, a deep Catholic faith, value of education, the need for volunteerism/community service, a focus on and caring for those less fortunate in society, a treatment of all with fairness and equity, as well as not using profanity and derogatory language. While the both of them have passed many, many years ago, there’s not a day goes by that I don’t think of them and they remain an inspiration to me in all that I do.
15 RI General Assembly Races to Watch in 2016
#15
House District 27
On the ballot
Incumbent: Rep. Patricia Serpa (D)
Challenger(s): Mark Bourget (I)
Serpa, who is seeking her sixth term representing District 27 in West Warwick, Warwick, and Coventry, turned back Progressive challenger Nicholas Delmenico in the Democratic primary in September.
As Chair of House Oversight Committee, Serpa has been front and center — and vociferously so — at the General Assembly hearings into the state’s botched UHIP rollout. Back in August, however, Serpa was asked to subpoena the 38 Studios investigation interview documents from the Rhode Island State Police. (GoLocalProv has since sued Governor Raimondo and the State Police to get them).
Now, Serpa remains in the hot seat as she faces Independent Mark Bourget.
Pictured: Rep. Patricia Serpa
#14
Senate District 17
On the ballot
Incumbent: N/A - outgoing Sen. Edward O'Neill
Challenger(s): Gina Petrarca-Karampetsos (D); Thom Paolino (R)
The race for former State Senator Edward O’Neill’s seat in Lincoln and parts of North Providence and North Smithfield is taking another interesting twist.
O’Neill, prior to announcing he would not be running for the seat he had held since 2008, switched his party affiliation from Independent to Republican.
Only one Republican candidate emerged to follow O’Neill — Thom Paolino — but a crowded Democratic primary saw Petrarca-Karampetsos emerge from a four person field.
Lawyer Petrarca-Karampetsos practices alongside her bother Peter Petrarca, who is often before the Providence Board of Canvassers.
Pictured: Petrarca-Karempetsos (and brother Peter Petrarca).
#13
House District 1
On the ballot
Incumbent: Rep. Edith Ajello (D)
Challenger(s): Ray Mathieu (I)
The twelve-term Representative for District 1 on the East Side of Providence is facing a strong opponent in 2016.
Democrat Rep. Ajello, who was first elected in 1992, is being challenged by Independent businessman Mathieu, who had been Managing Director and Chief Financial Officers at Prov Equity, the $23 billion private equity firm.
“I am not looking for a career in politics (I’ve already had two successful careers in banking and private equity) or to serve any special interest groups other than the RI taxpayers,” said Mathieu, who cites John Chafee and Bruce Sundlun among his political inspirations.
Ajello had been at the forefront of the marijuana legalization front in Rhode Island for years, has been known for her support of legislation protecting civil liberties.
Pictured: Rep. Ajello
#12
House District 16
On the ballot
Incumbent: Rep. Robert Lancia (R)
Challenger(s): Christpher Millea (D)
In 2014, Republican Lancia beat beleaguered Rep. Peter Palumbo 52.4% to 47.4% — after Palumbo found himself at the center of a Democratic party scandal and an ethics complaint .
(As GoLocal reported in 2014, “Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Block chastised Democratic Party Chair David Caprio and Palumbo for ‘rigging the game’ and ‘serving their own financial interests’, citing an NBC 10 I-Team investigative report that revealed Palumbo was the high bidder on a contract to operate concession stands at state beaches but then backed out, and the contract was awarded to the second highest bidder, Caprio, who then hired Palumbo to manage the operation,”
Lancia, who has been a strong champion of veterans issues at the State House while facing questions of his own veterans’ effort, is squaring off against Democratic lawyer Millea, who just received the endorsement of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Care Professionals.
Pictured: Christopher Millea
#11
House District 32
On the ballot
Incumbent: Rep. Robert Craven (D)
Challenger(s): Mark Zaccaria (R)
Incumbent Craven, a lawyer, was first elected to District 32 in North Kingstown in 2012. In 2014, he defeated Republican Sharon Gamba 51.9% to 47.8%.
Now, Craven faces former RI GOP Party Chair Mark Zaccaria, who in 2014 squared off against Senator Jack Reed and garnered just under 30% of the vote.
Zaccaria has been a visible figure with his show “Common Sense RI” on politics in the state; Craven has been hard at fundraising, garnering over $17,000 in the last quarter alone from top party officials and PACs.
Pictured: Mark Zaccaria
#10
House District 72
On the ballot
Incumbent: N/A - outgoing Rep. Dan Reilly
Challenger(s): Ken Mendonca (R); Linda Finn (D)
The race for Republican Dan Reilly’s District 72 seat finds former Democratic Rep. Finn (who had beat Reilly in 2012 before losing to him in 2014) being challenged by Republican Mendonca.
Former member Finn faced a particularly difficult Democratic primary, which saw Democratic party chair Joe McNamara endorse Finn’s opponent instead, as reported by the Providence Journal.
Staunch gun-control candidate Finn was endorsed however by the Portsmouth and Middletown Democratic committees - and recently refused to take part in the Portsmouth Concerned Citizens debate against opponent Mendonca.
Pictured: Ken Mendonca
#9
House District 59
On the ballot
Incumbent: Rep. Jean Philipe Barros (D)
Challenger(s): Lori Barden (I); Jonathan Vallecilla (I)
The politics of Pawtucket finds incumbent Rep. Jean Philippe Barros, who was first elected in 2014, facing two Independent names on the ballot, Lori Barden and Andrew Maguire.
in 2014, Barros defeated John Arcaro in the district’s Democratic primary, 804 votes to Arcaro’s 582.
Now, Arcaro is squaring off against Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien — and both Arcaro and Barden were at the recent protest at Hope Artiste Village where former tenants and community activists came out in opposition to controversial California developer getting $3.6 million from the state.
Photo: Barden/Twitter
#8
Senate District 21
On the ballot
Incumbent: Sen. Nick Kettle (R)
Challenger(s): Margaux Morisseau (D)
Another race that is repeat of 2014 — that saw Kettle prevail with 54.9% of the vote to Morisseau’s 35.6% (with their party candidate Zachary Farnum garnering 9.3% of the vote), Progressive Morisseau is slated to challenge Kettle once again.
Kettle, who was first elected to the Senate in 2010, said on the record he did not plan on holding the seat this long, however.
In July, GoLocal reported Kettle had pledged to quit after two terms.
Pictured: Morisseau/Twitter
#7
House District 29
On the ballot
Incumbent: Rep. Sherry Roberts (R)
Challenger(s): Lisa Tomasso (D)
The 2014 rematch pits incumbent Republican Roberts against Democrat Tomasso — who had been elected to represent the district in 2010 and 2012 before being defeated last cycle.
Roberts, who topped Tomasso at their 2014 head-to-head 2805 votes to 2558, questioned Tomasso’s involvement in 2015 in a town DEM issue.
Tomasso, meanwhile, has been putting forth legislative proposals, ranging from pledging to introduce legislation to phase out the motor vehicle tax, to calling for veterans pensions to be 100% tax exempt.
Photo: Tomasso/Twitter
#6
House District 47
On the ballot
Incumbent: Rep. Cale Keable (D)
Challenger(s): David Place (R)
All politics is local, and perhaps no where in Rhode Island are local politics more heated right now than in Burrillville, as they pertain to the Invenergy power plant proposal.
Democratic lawyer Cale Keable was first elected to District 47 in 2010 — and faced no opponent in the last general election in 2014. Since then, Keable has been in the middle of the local control issue as far as the Invenergy power plant is concerned — this past year he introduced an ill-fated measure to give Burrillville residents control over the proposal, which approved overwhelmingly in the House but failed to make it out of committee on the Senate side.
Republican Councilman David Place — who along with the town body voted to opposed the power plant in September — has been running a campaign opposed to RhodeWorks and truck tolls, among other issues. Keable voted for truck tolls.
Photo: Cale Keable/FB
#5
Senate District 11
On the ballot
Incumbent: Sen. John Pagliarini (R)
Challenger(s): John Seveney (D)
It’s deja vu all over again. In January, Republican Pagliarini won the special election against Democrat Seveney to fill the seat vacated by Republican Senator Christopher Ottiano, when he left to take a job at Neighborhood Health Plan.
Despite getting the endorsement of Ottiano — and the Newport Daily News — Seveney was unsuccessful on his first attempt.
Now, the staunch anti-truck toll Pagliarini and Seveney are squaring off once more. Seveney refused to take part in the recent Portsmouth Concerned Citizens forum.
Photo: Pagliarini
#4
House District 75
On the ballot
Incumbent: Rep. Lauren Carson
Challenger(s): Mike Smith
The 2014 challenger to Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed has set his sights on a new target — Representative Lauren Carson.
Smith, who ran as a Republican against Paiva Weed last election and lost with 44.9% of the vote to Paiva Weed’s 54.9%, is battling with Carson, who beat Peter Martin in the 2014 Democratic primary and ran unopposed in the general election.
Carson has been front in center in the oversight of the state’s botched tourism campaign rollout, Chairing the House special commission on tourism. Smith took issue with Carson’s public position on 38 Studios however, pointing out that when she called in September for the State Police to release the interview notes, that she had voted in June against a bill calling for the appointment of an independent investigator.
Picture: Lauren Carson
#3
House District 26
On the ballot
Incumbent: Rep. Patricia Morgan (R)
Challenger(s): Anthony Paolino (D), Vincent Marzullo (I)
One of a number of three-way races pits Deputy Minority Leader Morgan facing two opponents once again — in 2014, she turned back Democrat Nicholas Denice and Moderate Paul Caianiello — whose combined 49.7% of the vote were ultimately bested by Morgan’s 50.1%.
Now, Morgan, who was first elected in 2010, faces veteran Paolino on the Democratic side, and Independent Marzullo, who is known for his long-term work in the state’s service community, having overseen the AmeriCorps VISA program.
Morgan had put her support — unsuccessfully — behind GOP candidate Shawna Lawton in the GOP primary in Cranston with Steve Frias. Morgan recently decried the Raimondo administration’s botched UHIP rollout. Marzullo demanded Morgan denounce Trump, and Paolino has appealed to those “tired of the business as usual politics and ineffective career politicians.”
Photo: Marzullo
#2
House District 5
On the ballot
Incumbent: Rep. John DeSimone*
Challenger(s): Marcia Ranglin-Vassell (D), Roland Lavallee (R)
The two-way turned three-way-race in District 5 in Providence could be one of the most intriguing battles of 2016.
Progressive Ranglin-Vassell beat incumbent John DeSimone in the Democratic primary, only to have DeSimone toss his hat back in the ring with a write-in campaign — to create a cross-cutting general election among three candidates.
While the Democrats have a Progressive and more conservative candidate, Republican Lavallee is making the case for being outside the Democratic machine. “The one party rule has led Rhode Island in a race to the bottom for every major metric that would determine livability, freedoms and business friendly climate,” said Lavallee.
Photo: Ranglin-Vassell
#1
House District 15
On the ballot
Incumbent: Speaker Nicholas Mattiello
Challenger(s): Steve Frias (R), Patrick Vallier (I)
Undisputedly the top legislative contest this election season, the battle between Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello, Republican challenger and Republican National Committeeman Steve Frias, and independent Patrick Vallier in District 15 is the race to watch in 2016.
In June, GoLocal looked at a number of the issues between incumbent Mattiello and Frias, (Vallier, who filed his notice of organization in July, reports having no cash on hand, contributions, and has no discernible campaign presence online).
Since then, developments including Donald Trump’s mounting problems — and Frias’ reluctance to talk about the GOP nominee, despite being the national committeeman, as well as campaign issues ranging from line-item veto to car tax repeal — have entered the race, with both candidates continuing to pound the pavement in Cranston.
OSTPA’s Pam Gencarella wrote for GoLocal that Mattiello is feeling the heat — while GoLocal’s Russ Moore wrote that a defeat of the conservative Mattiello would be a “hollow victory” for the GOP.
