Moore: Cynicism Dominates RI Politics
Russell J. Moore MINDSETTER™
Moore: Cynicism Dominates RI Politics
There's really no other conclusion after pondering last week's turn of events.
I don't think I'll ever forget the spectacle that was last Tuesday night's legislative session.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFirst, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello stood up scolded the Providence Journal for its editorial that criticized the legislative grant process.
As GoLocal reported last week, the Providence Journal did make a significant error. The Journal berated Representative Carlos Tobon for missing a the legislative hearing over the grant process. Tobon, however, was busy with his commitments to the U.S. Coast Guard. Of course he shouldn't be criticized for failing to attend that hearing. And of course the Providence Journal should have apologized for that mishap.
Here's the thing: although the Journal made some mistakes in their editorial, their main point couldn't have been more correct. Yes, the legislative grants go to some worthwhile causes, initiatives, and non-profit groups.
To listen to Mattiello, you'd think that because the Journal made some mistakes in their editorial that it means that the legislative grant process is perfectly fine and that there's nothing to see there.
First of all, that's illogical. Getting one detail incorrect does not discredit the crux of someone's argument.
Secondly, if that were true, Mattiello would have no credibility, since he's made plenty of mistakes of his own during his tenure as a member of House leadership. (He voted for the loan guarantee plan that paved the way for 38 studios, which he claims he knew nothing about. Mattiello also appointed Ray Gallison as Chairman of House Finance, despite having been under investigation by the RI Ethics Commission in 2007, which he later settled with.)
The process by which legislative grants are doled out--merely at the discretion of statehouse leadership, creates perverse incentives. The grants are a way to punish legislators who vote against statehouse leadership and reward the legislators who act like obedient mindless drones instead of thoughtful leaders looking out for the best interests of their constituents. In the end, the legislative grant fund is really just a glorified slush fund.
That's why Mattiello's cynical stunt, to deflect away from the real issue by criticizing the Journal, isn't going to fool Rhode Islanders. It's only anecdotal evidence, but just the vast majority of the people I've spoken to about the situation as well as most internet commenters believe the grant process is corrupt, and that Mattiello is playing games by criticizing the media.
The hearing itself was just as cynical. Instead of delving into how to make the process more transparent and fair, the committee just invited in some grant recipients to talk about how lovely it is to get the money. It was a complete dog and pony show.
But it wasn't just Mattiello. Representative Anastasia Williams criticized channel 12 for reporting that she made mistakes on her ethics report filing. (She explains away the situation by noting that she was "multi-tasking" when she filled it out.)
So apparently, the media should just quit snooping around so much. Why do the citizens of Rhode Island need to know which legislators are screwing up their ethics filings anyways? Ethics? We don't need no stinking ethics!
And Representative Eileen Naugton suggested that the media needs some ethics reform. (Naughton came under criticism for the way she conducted the hearing on the grants.)
Don't get me wrong: the media in RI isn't perfect. I'll be the first to admit that your's truly has also made mistakes in the past. But for Mattiello and his lackeys to suggest that the problem in Rhode Island is the media, is downright laughable. It was downright nauseating to have to listen to.
Rhode Island's problems weren't caused by the media. They were caused by the legislature. In other words, it's not us, Speaker. It's you!
Raimondo and Mattiello - Friction Going Into the 2016 Session
1)
HealthSource
Mattiello has long questioned why little Rhode Island has its own health exchange. His questions center around scale, cost and long-term viability. Raimondo had been defending the Chafee initiative, but the move of Anya Rader Wallack from her leadership position at HealthSource to Medicaid (right when open enrollment started, to boot) is one of the indications of Raimondo’s walk away.
As GoLocal reported in January, Walack’s program in Vermont ended up failing under her leadership
Now the question is, will Raimondo make the policy change in her budget or make Mattiello do the dirty work?
2)
Tolls
Raimondo has been the champion of an ever-changing funding scheme to rebuild Rhode Island’s infrastructure.
No one questions the need to rehab Rhode Island’s failed bridges and roads, but most everyone has raised questions about the constantly changing funding structure and the corresponding lack of disclosure.
Raimondo’s request to legislative leaders has been to pass legislation - and to trust her and her administration. Last session of the General Assembly the Senate functionally went along with the plan and the House held firm on wanting to see the numbers.
Now, it is six-months later and much of the plan has not been disclosed to legislative leaders, the public or the media.
3)
Irony of Transparency
For decades, Rhode Island Speakers have been wildly criticized for being all powerful, Machiavellian, and highly secretive, but in this unusual situation it is often that Mattiello is the open, responsive and proactive communicator.
In contrast, Raimondo less than two months ago came under fire from the media and civil rights groups for secrecy, failing to respond to media inquiries, and non-responsiveness to public information requests.
As GoLocal reported in October:
Five organizations, including ACCESS/RI, American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Press Association, New England First Amendment Coalition,and League of Women Voters of Rhode Island, sent sharply wordedletter to Governor Gina Raimondo on Tuesday asking her to issue an executive order which calls on state agencies to "adopt a strong presumption in favor of disclosure in addressing public information requests.
Mattiello, unlike his predecessors, has been the voice of the voter asking for information and requesting greater transparency.
4)
Election Year
The Democratic Governor enjoys a four-year term, but she needs the support of a legislature who is up for re-election with an electorate that is wildly dissatisfied with the direction of the country, the direction of the state, the performance of Congress. It is a Presidential election year which will only add to the volatility.
The Governor who only won the Democratic primary with 40% of the vote and then was elected last November with 40% off the vote hardly has the most powerful bully pulpit to speak from.
For many legislators the smart political step maybe to show independence and raise questions rather than to lock step with her.
For Mattiello, this means he may need to give far greater latitude to legislators to vote freely.
5)
Raimondo a Lawyer and Venture Capitalist
Raimondo is trained as an attorney and worked nearly her entire professional career as Venture Capitalist. Lots of Non-Disclosure Agreements, “paper the deal” with agreements and little disclosure.
This training is great for confidentiality as it relates to high stakes venture, but those skills become obstacles to governing in a Democracy during a period when the public demands transparency.
6)
“I am better than you”
There is a growing sentiment among Democratic legislators that the Governor has a “I am better than you” attitude. Raimondo who was educated at Yale, Harvard and Oxford seems to intentionally or unintentionally exude superiority.
As one legislator told GoLocal at the request of anonymity, “The only thing worse than her being pompous is when she tries to act like she is ‘just like everyone else.’ It is insulting.”
The ramifications of the Governor and her staff’s tone is not lost on legislators. Top Raimondo confidant Representative Joe Shekarchi can only do “Shuttle-Diplomacy” so much.
7)
Guns
Raimondo has announced a series of initiatives to restrict gun ownership in Rhode Island. A corresponding pro-gun control campaign is being funded by Democratic heavy weight Mark Weiner and former Hasbro CEO Alan Hassenfeld.
Raimondo uses the issue of gun control as a fundraising trigger with her supporters. The initiative may be good political fundraising, but will put her at odds with Mattiello, who is a strong gun rights supporter who has received high scores for his voting record on from the gun rights organization.
