Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - June 19, 2015
Russell J. Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - June 19, 2015
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - June 19, 2015
HOT
Nicholas Mattiello
The House Speaker (Democrat-Cranston) clearly had a good week in the news after the state budget passed the House of Representatives with unanimous support and in record time. Yet the amount of support and swift passage mean there's little in the way of controversy--not that it's a great budget. Here's hoping it really is a "jobs" budget and not just a status quo budget that was marketed that way.
HOT
Patricia Morgan
If Morgan wasn't a state representative (R-West Warwick, Coventry), there wouldn't have been any debate on the budget. Morgan proposed taking away $500,000 in marketing money that the state pays to Newport Grand's wealthy owners to market the slot parlor and using it to implement lean government initiatives. The House voted it down, of course, but at least someone is thinking outside the box and for herself instead of just going along to get along with leadership.
HOT
William Walaska
The Senate passed legislation that would change the revaluation schedule in Rhode Island from every 3 years to every five years, which would save the state's municipalities millions over the next decade. The revaluations have little to do with property taxes since when the values collectively rise, or fall, the tax rates are adjusted correspondingly, so this is good common sense, pro-taxpayer legislation from the Warwick Democrat.
HOT
Jennifer Barrera
The Director of Lucy's Hearth, a homeless shelter for women in Middletown, was voted to receive the 2015 Harlequin More Than Words award for her tireless work at the shelter. The shelter will receive a $15,000 donation thanks to Barrera's victory.
HOT
Jorge Elorza
The Providence Police Department has rounded up 30 alleged gang members in an undercover sting called "Operation Zombie". The defendants were charged with drug related charges, and much credit goes to the Providence Police Department, as well as Elorza for working to make the streets safer.
HOT
Emily Sisson
Providence College's standout long distance runner didn't merely win the national championship in the 5,000 meter race; she dominated and humbled the competition at the legendary Hayward Field in Oregon, winning by the whole stretch. It was the perfect way to end her stellar collegiate career for the Friars, but here's hoping we haven't seen the last of Sisson. Could the Missouri native be representing the red, white, and blue at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil? Let's hope so!
NOT
RI Republicans
The Republicans knock on doors during campaign season telling their neighbors (and the media) that they're the opposition party with different ideas, which would fix Rhode Island. The Democratic leadership, they argue, has steered the state in the wrong direction. How can they continue to make that argument when they've all supported the state budget?
NOT
Michael Stephens
The new Recreation Director has a big job on is hands, as he inherits a department that is in utter chaos--with crumbling infrastructure and recent accusations of sexual assault against a former coach who committed suicide shortly after. Can Stevens bring the department into line considering the fact that he'll be on the road so often during the winter refereeing collegiate basketball games?
NOT
Dominick Ruggerio
The Senate Majority Leader has resurrected the proposal to place tolls on highways across the state that will (initially, at least) only toll trucks. Ruggerio is actually calling the proposal an effort to stimulate the economy, as if increasing Rhode Island's cost structure benefits the economy.
NOT
34th:
According to WalletHub.com, the state of Rhode Island has just the 34th strictest laws against Driving Under the Influence. There is no excuse for drinking and driving, and if this study is accurate, it is time for the state legislature to begin looking at strengthening our laws against this senseless irresponsibility.
HOT
Nike
GoLocalProv reported this week that Nike is currently surrounded by controversy across the globe. The company funds champion track coach and running legend Alberto Salazar, who has come under allegations of doping his runners, is alleged to have made payments to the Brazilian soccer team that seem more like bribes and kickbacks according to the US Justice Department, and recently saw a trade deal in Congress that it was heavily backing go down in flames. Yikes, what a bad week!
NOT
Boston Red Sox
Safely in last place, the Boston Red Sox, and their roster of high overpaid and underachieving players are clearly only good at once thing: losing. Maybe Larry Lucchino should be focused more on his day job-leading the Boston Red Sox--instead of trying to get Rhode Island taxpayers to fund a stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox, which he and a group of investors bought this year.
