Political Profile: Capri Catanzaro, Candidate for State Representative in District 21

Political Profile: Capri Catanzaro, Candidate for State Representative in District 21

Capri Catanzaro is running for State Representative in District 21 -- here's why. 

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

The biggest political issue this campaign season is urgency. Rhode Island was the last state in New England, and the 43rd state overall, to begin allocating its share of federal American Rescue Plan funds, leaving struggling workers and families waiting for the help that they desperately needed. And to be honest, they are still waiting. Our legislature has prioritized spreading the money around to special interests over making generational, material investments in the areas of healthcare, housing, and education – all of which are facing crises that negatively impact everyday residents. I bring a sense of urgency that the State House is sorely lacking. We still have hundreds of millions of federal dollars set aside for future budget years that we can reallocate to make a stronger impact. Let’s spend it wisely.

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

To help lower costs for our local businesses, we can remove the corporate minimum tax and change the tax style so that wealthier corporations pay their fair share without stifling small business. A progressive tax has lower rates for lower income, thus encouraging market growth for the local businesses that we know and love. Federal loan programs must be better promoted so that business owners can get the working capital they need, and RI needs to do a better job delivering these resources to our state. A lesser-spoken issue is the cost of benefits to employers - namely healthcare. For local companies to compete in this economy, we must urgently enact the RI Comprehensive Health Insurance Program. RICHIP is a single-payer system that costs a fraction of traditional health insurance contracts, and is progressively assessed so that small businesses can offer jobs with great benefits that are competitive in the current market. The monthly savings from these initiatives allows business owners to invest in growing their business with a stable workforce, so owners can focus more on their customers than making ends meet. Additionally, making substantial investments in clean energy infrastructure and building affordable housing will create good, union jobs. There are plenty of low-wage jobs out there, but we need to foster the growth of middle-class wages with benefits, and local businesses are a great place to begin.

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

Our economy does not work for everyone, but it must. My plan has five major parts: 

1.) Remove the corporate minimum tax. 

2.) Raise the bar for public schools to prepare our kids for college and the workforce. 

3.) Enact single-payer healthcare so RI jobs are more attractive to skilled workers and local companies can offer better compensation packages.

4.) Transition to clean energy technology and infrastructure to lower energy costs and provide long-term, high-wage union jobs.

5.) Build affordable housing to encourage our college grads to stay and work in RI.

A progressive corporate income tax and single-payer healthcare allows local companies to provide staff with better compensation packages, making RI jobs more attractive to skilled workers and ensuring that health coverage is not tied to employment. Our graduating high school students are not well-equipped to take advantage of the higher education offered here. We need a constitutional amendment that guarantees every child the right to a quality education, which would allow the courts to enforce and mandate the state to remedy school inequality. Investing in clean energy and affordable housing will create long-term employment and replenish the housing stock, making housing more affordable across the board.

4.  Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?  

I am running for office out of urgency. It has been a rough few years and we need relief now. Our elected leaders have not had the urgency to help Rhode Islanders struggling in this economy. Since 2015 I have worked behind the scenes with legislators, candidates, and residents to push for policies that represent our shared values. I graduated URI Summa Cum Laude, I am a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and I am certified in Early Childhood Education and Education of Young Children. As a community organizer with 7 years of policy expertise, experience as an educator in Warwick schools, and the personal character to do what is right the first time, I am uniquely qualified to represent my district at the State House. The enthusiasm of the voters in Warwick has been tremendous and I look forward to starting my new role as a Representative in House District 21 for the neighborhoods of Hoxsie, Pilgrim, Conimicut, Spring Green, Coles, and Lincoln Park.

5.  Who is your inspiration?  

Every day I meet someone new who shares their own unique story with me. Hearing these stories - some are lighthearted, some are serious and heavy - inspires me to strive for more. We do not have to agree on every issue, but we always have common ground. We connect on our similarities in personal circumstances and our shared values of happiness, independence, and family. Whether these conversations happen while I am bundled up in snow pants struggling to write with a semi-frozen pen - or while I am holding my clipboard over my head in a sudden rain shower - or while I am melting on a neighbor’s doorstep in the summer heat, the connections are powerful and inspire a mutual feeling of “Let’s Win This!”

 

Biography

Capri was born and raised in Rhode Island and has spent the last two decades living in Warwick. She left the Automotive Technology program at NEIT to work in the RI political scene. Capri was the campaign manager for State Senator Jeanine Calkin’s initial 2016 campaign and then her 2018 re-election campaign. In between, Capri recruited and trained candidates to run for office, was an advocate for a better PawSox stadium deal, and was a field organizer for the Earned Sick Days campaign which guaranteed paid sick leave for most Rhode Islanders. 

While still active in RI politics, Capri enrolled at URI where she graduated Summa Cum Laude as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. While at URI she was an assistant teacher at Oakland Beach Elementary School and organized the “Books for Kids” campaign that provided young readers with material for the summer months. Following graduation, Capri became certified in Education of Young Children and Early Childhood Education.

Read more about her campaign here.