Keeping an Eye on Rhode Island Politics
This is a brilliant parody of the recent pro-Obamacare “PSA” which was made by several Hollywood celebrities, including Will Ferrell, on “Funny or Die” on behalf of Moveon.org. We’re not sure who produced it, but it’s good enough that it should make it around the Internet pretty fast.
Something terrible is happening… Overpaid celebrities don’t have a big enough voice when it comes to health care reform.
Today’s word is: TAXES. What is a tax? Seems simple enough, right? Noooo.
Taxes. Hundreds of Billions in New Taxes. Taxes on your health plan, penalties for not buying one, and taxes on all sorts of health care services — all passed on to you, the patient. Read more at http://barackobamaexperiment.com.
There’s been a lot of political chatter, as well as several non-denial denials this afternoon regarding a rumor that four-term RI House Speaker William Murphy will not be seeking a fifth term in January, when the House reconvenes for the next session.
The news of Speaker Murphy’s soon to be lameduckedness appears to have been broken [at least in print] by Matt Jerzyk over at Rhode Island’s Future, so congratulations to him on getting the scoop over the Projo and the others, of only by a matter of minutes. It only proves that you don’t need big buildings and overpaid staffs to get a good news story.
Just within the last hour, other confirmations have appeared on the Projo 7 to 7 News Blog:
In an interview with The Journal Wednesday, the West Warwick Democrat said he conveyed his decision at a chairmans’ dinner at the Capriccio restaurant last Wednesday, along with his endorsement of House Majority Leader Gordon Fox to succeed him.
“I will not be seeking reelection in 2011,” he said.
…as well as on WJAR’s website via the Associated Press.:
A source close to Murphy told The Associated Press that the Democratic leader does not intend to run for another two-year term as speaker in January 2011.
This should set up a hotly contested race between House Majority Leader Gordon Brown, who apparently has Speaker Murphy’s backing, as well as Rep. Greg Schadone (who recently made news by asking that the House come back into session to deal with the financial crisis) and Rep. Steve Ucci (who has long expressed interest in the position). There may be others interested in the position, as well.
If there are 3 or more Democrats in the running, I would surmise that the House Republican Caucus, which currently numbers 6 of the 75 House members, could be a factor… of course, assuming they all vote for the same person!
Maurice “Moe” Green, Republican candidate for State Representative in District 10, today asked the 7 Democratic candidates to sign the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” designed by Americans For Tax Reform (ATR). The request came at the candidates debate at the Met School, 362 Dexter St., from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, September 30. Green was present, but was excluded from the debate (as were the 3 Democrats who are running as Independents in order to bypass the October 6 Primary). Green made the request in the form of a written question from the audience.
The “Pledge” promises taxpayers that “I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes”. ATR (www.atr.org) designed the “Pledge”, and they work with taxpayer groups and activists around the country, to ask all candidates and elected officials to make this commitment. Moe Green signed the “Pledge” on September 10 in front of Grover Norquist (national President of ATR), who was in Providence that day to speak to the Ocean State Policy Research Institute (OSPRI).
Moe Green explained, “Signing the ‘Pledge’ makes perfect sense. Higher taxes drive away businesses and jobs that are badly needed by people in my District. I want to provide more opportunity for residents of Providence’s south side to have a better life.”
Green added, “I think every Legislator should sign the ‘Pledge’.” In fact, 5 current legislators have signed. They are: Sen. Michael Pinga (D-West Warwick); Sen. Lou Raptakis (D- Coventry); Sen. Frank Maher (R – Exeter); Rep. John Loughlin (R – Tiverton); & Rep. Joe Trillo (R-Warwick).
Moe Green is running in the November 10 special election to replace the late Rep. Thomas Slater. Green has been a Providence police officer for 20 years (a Detective for 11 years). He has investigated homicides, and worked as an undercover narcotics Detective. He previously worked for 4 years with the city Traffic Engineer’s office.
News Release: Moe Green for State Representative
RI Young Republicans,
Don’t (aka – do NOT) miss our October Event
AFTER PARTY w/ the YOUNG REPUBLICANS
Expected Guests Include:
RI Governor Don Carcieri
VT Governor Jim Douglas
RNC Chairman Michael Steele
RNC Chief of Staff Ken McKay
RIGOP Chairman Gio Cicione
Congressman Aaron Schock (IL)
Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (MI)
920WHJJ’s Helen Glover
630WPRO’s John DePetro
And Congressman Barney Frank (kidding!)
With hundreds of Republicans arriving in Newport for the 2009 RNC Northeast Conference (Oct 2nd – 4th), we have wasted no time in designing the party of the year.
After normal conference hours on Saturday, October 3rd, we will be at the Brick Alley Pub in Downtown Newport with other YRs from across New England, as well as many other conference attendees.
Important! This is the event that is going to take the RI Young Republicans to the next level, allowing us to make numerous contacts from throughout the region, while also raising the funds we’ll need to effectively support RIGOP candidates in 2010. So please show your support on October 3rd!!!
8:00pm – Midnight
Fully Catered All Night
Silent Auction Items
Cost – $15 in PayPal Advance / $20 at the Door
(Go to our website for the PayPal link)
Travis Rowley
Chairman, RI Young Republicans
We are working on some formatting changes to the site, in order to give this newest incarnation of The Ocean State Republican a more unique look.
In addition, in order to make better use of the space on the front page, the posts have been moved over to the left side.
Everything else should still function “normally,” but may be in a different location.
One improvement that has recently been activated, is that we are now using the “AddToAny” plug-in, which allows visitors to easily share or e-mail individual blog posts, as well as to utilize social networking to share posts much more easily.
In addition, there will be a few more technical improvements coming shortly.
PS As a reminder, you no longer need to be a “registered user” to comment on posts.
Congressboy Patrick Kennedy’s likely Republican opponent, State Representative John J. Loughlin, will be holding a health care “town hall” style meeting later tonight.
Loughlin’s town hall is scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM at Brantal’s Restaurant, 91 Crandall Road, in Tiverton.
This is not a “political” event. It’s actually going to be a real discussion, with real questions and answers from the audience, about health care reform. This is something that Rep. Patrick Kennedy thus far has not found the time to do with his constituents in the First Congressional District.
Rep. Loughlin indicated that he will mail a DVD to Rep. Patrick Kennedy, since he’s very busy attending fundraisers and other events, including several in other states.
There will be a fundraiser for Erik Wallin, Republican Candidate for Rhode Island Attorney General, on Wednesday, September 30th, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
It will be held at the Home of Christopher Gontarz, Esq, 32 Crestview Drive, in Portsmouth, RI.
$100 per person suggested contribution (Checks payable to: Committee to Elect Erik Wallin, PO Box 5638, Wakefield, RI 02880)
For Inquiries, call 575-2633, campaign [at] erikforag [dot] com or http://erikforag.com
Dress is Business Casual.
Rhode Island’s largest conservative organization (and sponsor of this blog), the RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY, will hold its next general meeting on Thursday, October 8th, 2009.
The meeting will be held in the lower-level of the Tri-City Elk’s Lodge No. 14, at 1915 West Shore Road, in Warwick. For those wishing to eat before the RIRA meeting, a pasta buffet dinner is available between 6:00pm and 7:00pm. The cost for dinner is $7.50 per person. It is “all you can eat” and generally includes pasta, meatballs, soup, salad, and dessert. There is also a Cash Bar available. The RIRA business meeting starts promptly at 7:00PM, and generally lasts until around 9:00PM.
The guest speaker for the meeting will be Rhode Island Right to Life Executive Director Barth Bracy, who will be discussing pro-life legislative initiatives, amongst other things.
The RIRA is the Rhode Island affiliate of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, a thoughtful national organization of GOP conservatives working to grow and strengthen the Republican Party in the tradition of President Ronald Reagan. This is a dinner meeting, and if you want to eat, you pay for your own meal. Any like-minded conservative Republican is welcome to attend.
For more information, please contact RIRA President Ray McKay at president [at] ri-ra [dot] org or NFRA Northeast Region Vice President Will Ricci at NEVP [at] ri-ra [dot] org or visit the RIRA web site at http://www.ri-ra.org.
This tentative agenda is subject to change.
Marriott Hotel, Newport, Rhode Island
October 2nd, 3rd & 4th (Friday – Sunday)
Friday, October 2nd
2:00 – 6:00 PM Check-in and Registration
4:00 – 6:00 PM Training by RNC staff
Voter Vault Training will continue on Saturday
Program Begins at 5:00 PM
5:00 PM Welcome Comments Jody Dow – MASS GOP National Committeewoman
5:00 – 5:30 PM Governor Jim Douglas of Vermont
5:30 – 5:45 PM Former Congressman Rod Simmons – Republican Candidate for US Senate, Connecticut vs Chris Dodd
6:00 – 8:00 PM Welcome Cocktail Party
Off-site at the Newport Harbor Hotel, one block from the Marriott.
All Registered Attendees Invited with 2 Drink tickets – Given at time of Sign-In
(Dinner on your own)
Saturday, October 3rd
RNC – Training Sessions Continue
8:00 – 9:00 AM Breakfast @ Marriott
Conference Co-Chairman Louis Pope & Jody Dow
9:00 AM Governor Donald L. Carcieri of Rhode Island
9:30 AM Ken McKay – Republican National Committee Chief of Staff
Update on 2009 Election and beyond
10:00 AM Panel of Congressional Candidates from Northeast (approx 45 minutes)
(8-10 minute speeches – 10 minutes questions)
Candidate – Justin Bernier 5th District Connecticut
Candidate – John Loughlin 1st District Rhode Island
Candidate – Charles Lollar 5th District Maryland
10:45 AM Congressman Thaddeus McCotter 11th District of Michigan
Update on Legislative Issues from Capitol Hill
11:15 AM Former New Hampshire Governor and White House Chief of Staff
Governor John Sununu – Chairman of NH
Overview of Issues Facing Candidate & State Parties in Northeast
Question & Answer Period – Discussion of Issues & Challenges
12:30 PM Lunch – in Marriott Atrium (Plated lunch tables of 10)
Lunch Speaker: Tony Blankley
Quick Break
1:45 PM Curt Anderson – Campaign Strategist & Media Advisor
Jim McLaughlin – Pollster & Campaign Strategist
Discussion on Issues & Trends and Strategy
2:30 PM Conference Adjourns – Guests explore & tour Newport
BREAK TIME
6:00 – 8:00 PM Rhode Island Republican Party Invites Registered Attendees to a Reception at “Christie’s” Restaurant & Lounge. Within walking distance from the Marriott Hotel.
Registered Attendees Welcome with RED Ticket Given at Registration
Dinner 15% off with Christie’s Flyer given at Registration
(Dinner on Your Own)
8:00 PM – Midnight Late Night Party & Fundraiser – Sponsored by: “Young Republicans of
Rhode Island”
$20.00 cover charge & cash bar at the Brick Alley Pub across from the Marriott Hotel.
Sunday, October 4th
9:00 – 10:00 AM Sunday Brunch at the Marriott
9:45 AM Grassroots Programs and Successful Registration Ideas
#1 Attleboro Massachusetts Republican Central Committee
#2 Additional Grassroots Programs TBA
10:30 AM Former Lt Gov. Kerry Healy of Massachusetts
11:00 AM Panel Discussion of Young Republican Leaders throughout Northeast
YR State Leaders (5 minutes each) discussion on how to attract young voters
11:30 AM Conference Adjourns
Conference Registration of $125.00 includes: 2 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch & tickets into both Receptions.
Dear Friend,
Are you ready to reclaim our government from out-of-control spending, ever escalating taxes, and a federal take over of health care? I know I am! That’s why I decided to challenge Congressman Kennedy.
I pledge to bring back responsive representation to the First Congressional District. That’s why I am hosting a Health Care Town Hall meeting.
Health Care Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Brantal’s Restaurant
91 Crandall Road
Tiverton, RI 02878
Sure, Congressman Kennedy held a forum, but it was sponsored by special interests and for special interests, public not invited. I invite all who feel they have questions, and need to get answers, to attend my meeting. After all, this is your town hall meeting. In fact, we’ll create a DVD and mail it to the Congressman’s Washington, DC office so he can see what you think about healthcare.
Wednesday also marks the end of fundraising quarter and soon after, we will report how we did. If you can make a small contribution before Wednesday on-line, we will cross that finish line very strong.
Thank you for all your support and help – together we will restore responsive leadership to the First Congressional District.
All the best,
John Loughlin
P.S. You can make a difference for our State and our Nation. Contact John at (401) 523-9700 or rep-john [at] cox [dot] net to volunteer.
Source: State Representative John J. Loughlin II
The state GOP has filed an ethics complaint against Atty. Gen. Patrick C. Lynch that accuses him of violating the state’s $75 gift cap by accepting a roundtrip plane ticket worth $428.50 from the National Cable and Telecommunications Association for a trip to New Orleans last year.
The complaint, filed late last week by state Republican party chairman Giovanni D. Cicione, marks the second time the state GOP has asked a state regulatory agency to call Democrat Lynch to task for his frequent out-of-state trips, and the way he has accounted for them on his public disclosure filings. Lynch has announced his intention to run for governor…
The complaint that Cicione filed with the state Ethics Commission zeroes in on a different issue: A state regulation prohibiting public officials from accepting any gift valued at more than “$25 per instance and up to $75 per year from each interested person.”…
Read More: Projo 7 to 7 News Blog
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