Political Profile: Joe Shekarchi, Candidate for RI House District 23
GoLocalProv Political Team
Political Profile: Joe Shekarchi, Candidate for RI House District 23
1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island?
The lack of available housing at affordable prices is the biggest issue facing our state. The path to economic opportunity begins with safe and affordable homes. I have made this issue one of my highest priorities and have taken a number of steps in the past two years since I became Speaker to address it. We made an unprecedented investment of $250 million in the current budget, including down payment assistance for homebuyers and help for the homeless, and we passed a comprehensive package of 10 housing bills, including the creation of a new state department solely responsible for housing issues. I am committed to continuing to work with housing advocates, municipal officials, and all others involved to develop equitable, sustainable solutions to this crisis. I am committed to breaking down local barriers preventing the development of more affordable housing opportunities in every community.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?
We must continue to expand the economy without raising taxes to the middle class. It is imperative to make sure that my home city of Warwick, which I am so proud to represent, and the State of Rhode Island are places where people can expect to have an opportunity for a good life. In the three budgets that I have crafted as Speaker, with the collaboration of my partners in state government, we have not raised taxes and, in fact, have lowered or eliminated some taxes. The current budget permanently eliminated the car tax one year ahead of schedule, which puts more money in the pockets of Rhode Islanders. We also provided tax credits for working families with children, did away with the state tax on military pensions, and raised the amount of pension income that is exempt from state taxation for all retirees. To help businesses and to prevent increases in business taxes, the budget we passed also included $100 million to the Unemployment Trust Fund.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
The biggest challenge is overcoming the polarization that is all too common in our state today. Unfortunately, the negativity prevalent in national politics has seeped into Rhode Island. I have been working hard to bring people together – a lot of good things have happened through collaboration. As an example, the state budget that passed the House this year with bipartisan approval contained elements that will improve the lives of every Rhode Islander, from assisting children to helping our elderly. These accomplishments could not have been made without working together with people from all ideologies.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
I am running to serve the great people of Warwick, who I have been so proud to represent these past 10 years. As a lifelong resident of this great city, I love our beautiful beaches and parks and our fantastic restaurants and shops. Warwick is a community where working families can afford to buy a good home, send their children to quality schools, and access good employment. I will always fight for the necessary resources on behalf of my community. We added $45 million in federal recovery funds for hospitals this year, which enabled Care New England to keep its facilities – including Kent Hospital in Warwick – independently owned. Warwick is near and dear to my heart and these resources will enable Kent to continue providing quality health care and will protect the jobs of 3,000 dedicated professional staff. In addition, Warwick has 39 miles of coastline, making our community particularly susceptible to the impact of sea rise and climate change. That’s why I am so proud that we passed the Act on Climate, one of the most influential bills approved by the legislature in decades.
5. Who is your inspiration?
My parents are my inspiration. My late mom, Esther, inspired me to live my life to help others the way she always did, and she taught me about the importance of kindness, acceptance, and compassion. My dad, Dr. Khalil Shekarchi, is 96 years old and I visit with him regularly at his home in Lincoln. An accomplished surgeon, he is the reason why I am so dedicated to improving the quality of health care and supporting our dedicated providers and caregivers. He was an immigrant who came to our country to create a better life for our family, and he has taught me by example the values of hard work and dedication. Both my parents instilled in us the importance of education, which is why my brother John, my sister Mary, and I all attained law degrees. We work to help others the way our parents always taught us.
Website: www.JoeShekarchi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakerJoeShekarchi
Twitter: @JoeShekarchi