Political Profile: Allyn Meyers, Candidate for RI State Senate District 10
GoLocalProv Political Team
Political Profile: Allyn Meyers, Candidate for RI State Senate District 10
1. What is the most significant political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island?
The economy is the common thread I am confronted with as I canvass the communities of District 10 (Bristol, Tiverton, and Warren). The nationwide recession, insecurity of the future of their employment, and crippling cost increases for fuel, utilities, taxes, and food prices are causing distrust of our politician’s ability to act on their behalf. The constant barrage of stories about special interest groups controlling policy at the statehouse by a runaway “one-party” supermajority in the General Assembly and a Governor that has never seen a partisan bill that he didn’t love (and sign).
2. What do we need to improve Rhode Island's economy?
There are short-term and long-term solutions the legislature can embrace to bring relief to the citizens of Rhode Island. We can temporarily eliminate the gasoline tax in the short term until prices stabilize. We can increase funding for the LIHEAP Program. This will help low-income families cope with the skyrocketing energy cost and help mitigate the recent 50% increased energy cost planned for November 2022 by Rhode Island Energy. We should reverse the Democrat cuts to the Minority Accelerator Program to help small businesses devastated by the recent pandemic. Restore Small Business Access to Capital Fund. Federal money was allocated to this fund, and the Governor advocated for it. We must rectify the state’s broken promises to retirees by contributing to state pensions / COLAS. Current state employees received a $3000 Covid bonus while Retirees on fixed incomes received nothing. Long-term solutions start with an investment in our infrastructure. Our roads and bridges need work. Our first responders (police, fire, medical) need access to the tools to serve their community. School safety programs need to be initialized statewide to protect our children. State ethics officials need to review “special interest” handouts by our legislature.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
After canvassing the voters in my district, I realized the most significant challenge facing Rhode Islanders is distrust of our elected officials. Propagandized information through radio, television and social media has left the people in a state of fear for our future. People have “disconnected” from the flood of rhetoric they are exposed to daily and have tried instead to do their best to raise their families, maintain relationships and care for their future. Unfortunately, this has created a paradigm where politicians, enjoying a supermajority in both houses of the General assembly, have acted like spoiled kids, left alone at home without oversight, feeding their interests rather than doing the job of representing their districts. Members of the General Assembly must be reminded that they serve “at the pleasure of the voters” and not special interests. Hopefully, November 8th will remind them of this fact.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
The General Assembly comprises people who put their talents and time into the melting pot of experiences and ideas to serve the People of Rhode Island best. As a Systems Analyst and Computer Engineer, I hope to add those talents to that storehouse of skills. I have been married for thirty-two years to my amazing wife, and I have raised a wonderful daughter and grandson who are both adults living and contributing to Rhode Island. As a troubleshooter by trade, I see problems as they exist and develop strategies to resolve them. I have developed professional and personal relationships across a broad spectrum of society, bridging both private and public sectors. I’ve worked as a counselor, mediator, and President of AFSCME Local 2511.
5. Who is your inspiration?
My inspiration is my wife. She is my partner, my cheerleader, and my motivator. Although physically disabled 30 years ago in a workplace accident working with the disabled community, she tirelessly raised our family, cared for her aging parents, inspired everyone who knows her and supported me in all my endeavors.
BIO
Allyn and his wife, Lori, of 32 years, live in Tiverton, RI. They have one daughter, Tracy (a registered nurse at a RI Hospital), and a grandson, Luke (College Student). Allyn is a Network Engineer / Systems Analyst and has owned his company for 23 years. Formerly a high school teacher and AFSCME Local President, Allyn has experience in the private and public sectors.
Campaign Info:
Email:
Allyn Meyers: [email protected]
Website: www.meyersforri.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083308780601