Birth date: 1/12/1962

Education: Juris Doctorate Western New England College School of Law (1989), Bachelors of Arts, University of Rhode Island, Kingston (1984)

On the Issues

How can you create jobs in Rhode Island?

The government can do so directly where valuable projects need to be performed but most have to come form improve economic conditions. This flat economy needs some confidence. A better foreclosure mitigation process stops the downward drag, an improved domestic fuels supply line that keeps Rhode Island at lower national average gasoline prices,, and a "keep at it" attitude towards healthcare reform and creation of a nationwide marketplace should continue to reduce serious premium inflation. Solving these three worries will create savings and confidence for consumers and business without exacerbating concerns over another worry, the Federal debt.

 

Social Security/Medicare:

I oppose raising the retirement age, acting as soon as recovery allows us to raise payroll taxes will allow the lowest possible increase. I think the President's plan with respect to medicare made sense: he and Ryan agree on the cut. Like legal services, medical expenses are best kept reasonable by prevention, so applying the future savings to prevention is a sensible choice. If Doctor's truly abandon new patients because of dissatisfaction with reimbursements, then we will respond appropriately and try and do better. I thought a belly ache I read that a doctor got paid less than a plumber call was laughable. A doctor doesn't come to your house with a truck full of tools and lay on your cramped bathroom floor wrestling with your rusted old toilet bolts. Doctors work is valuable. But others work hard and have high costs to.

 

Affordable Care Act:

Let's keep at it. Some good things have happened, but much has not gone into effect. Both parties and the President must be cooperative and flexible and head off things that will hurt employment and embrace things that will work. We can't go on spending near 17% percent of GDP when we should only be spending maybe 11% of GDP. I f we can maintain high quality care and reduce the cost of healthcare, we will have resources to meet challenges to entitlements and see our economy lift off.

 

Abortion:

Pro Choice, ever advocating a mother herself choose life, and ever looking for the best way to protect the most life without invading the the rights of the mother.

 

Same Sex Marriage:

I support same sex marriage and would sponsor the repeal of DOMA.

 

Afghanistan:

I have no argument with the President's timetable to end the war.

 

Energy & the Environment:

We need to improve the Domestic supply line so we can get Rhode Island on a Domestic and North American supply line for Petroleum fuels. Petroleum products still provide the muscle we need, so lets keep it affordable. An economy that is humming produces more money for every green innovation. An economy bogged down by high energy prices will not provide I am interested in setting some standards in Renewable energy to make upgrades and maintenance of wind and solar projects affordable. Good standards lead business to produce in a way that works best for end users and avoid waste. Renewable holds lots of promise but as a small business guy who has gone through the upgrades of technology, I know that you can waste your savings if your time is consumed on some new gadget, and that upgrades means lots of throw-away, so lets put in some common practices standards and pathways to avoid the huge cost of everyone having a completely different experience on their own.

 

Illegal Immigration:

While the laws must be enforced and administered responsibly, if people want to come to America and share our American Dream, we should provide pathways, not give-aways, but pathways.

 

DREAM Act:

Support it so long as administration will be competent.

 

Do you support right-to-work?

It's a state issue. The debate should be given full flower in each state. I can see merits to both sides. My bias is toward right to work. An engaged populace and legislature can always "try it out" and then deal with shortcomings or alter course, and we can look to the experience of other.

How can you defeat Jim Langevin in the general election?

Yes. Jim Langevin is over-ripe. He has lost credibility;ity in accepting an executive order in exchange for the stupak amendment and for failing to support a sound voter ID law that had the support of many in his own party. In a Langevin versus Gardiner contest the incumbent will be facing a reasonable alternative with new energy and new ideas and who may well be in the majority party. We will speak smartly and carry a big sign, building on earned media from the spring, our high visibility now, and putting local folks near the polling places to remind everyone that this year there's a reasonable homegrown lawyer who will put put his constituents interests and Rhode Island's needs first.

 

Who is your favorite member of the opposite party?

Bill Clinton nationally. Locally, I have been treated with great courtesy by many Democrats.