John Robitaille, the endorsed Republican candidate for Governor, today released the following statement regarding Frank Caprio’s comments on the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation’s recent approval of a $75 million loan guarantee supporting retired Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling’s video-game venture, 38Studios. General Treasurer Caprio made outrageous anti-business statements when he said that the state of Rhode Island should own part of Studio 38 by holding an equity position, and also have the right to attend the company’s board meetings.
“Frank Caprio’s suggestion that government must own part of a private company in return for economic development assistance proves his pro-business rhetoric is a fraud. This is not a question of whether this particular loan guarantee should have been approved. It’s about a reckless statement being made by gubernatorial candidate, Frank Caprio that could further damage our state’s economic development efforts. The state’s innovative loan guarantee program designed to attract new employers to Rhode Island will certainly fail if businesses think that the government will own and control a part of the company as a result,” said Robitaille.
“Mr.Caprio is a career politician so it’s no surprise that he thinks the state government should own and run our businesses. I’ve worked in the real world, owned a small business, and employed workers right here in Rhode Island, so I know what government should and should not do to create jobs,” said Robitaille.
“Rhode Island’s economy doesn’t need more government, it needs less. It certainly doesn’t need government running our businesses. We must lower taxes for all businesses, so they can invest,innovate and grow – providing more jobs for Rhode Island families. We must reduce wasteful spending and live within our means. Less spending leads to lower taxes. Lower taxes leads to more jobs. If we follow Frank Caprio’s plan, pretty soon government will be the only employer in our state. Caprio’s plan is not good for businesses or Rhode Island families.”
Press Release: Robitaille for Governor
Reponse to Post at RI Future re Joseph Larisa
At least if you’re going to drag me into this, spell my name right… RICCI.
“Little Noticed” — By? It was published in the newspaper, wasn’t it?
“Republican” — Joseph Larisa has not been a registered Republican since 2006.
“Central Falls Receivership” — The only “debacle” is how that small city has been run into the ground by a thoroughly corrupt Democratic political machine. The receivership was requested by an all Democrat city council who weren’t willing to make the tough decisions necessary to right their ship on their own; unlike in East Providence, where tough decisions needed to be made, and were made for the good of the city.
“Civil War in East Providence” — Unlike the U.S. Civil War of 1861-1865, “the union” in this case, has yet to win a single (court) battle.
As for the issue of Mayor Larisa’s pro bono (that means at no charge, for the Latin impaired) representation of a member of the Board of Canvassers before the city council — during a time while he was a private citizen — he is convinced he was in the right and that the law, as currently being interpreted, is invalid. Time will tell if that is the case, since the law cited in the complaint against him does not address the issue of pro bono representation.
Larisa will be appealing this latest ruling to the Rhode Island Supreme Court. It’s clearly not about the money; the fine was only $500. He’s already spent thousands of his own money to defend his principled position. He could have paid the fine and made it go away quietly (like a number of Pat’s Democratic friends). It’s purely a matter of principle for him. I expect this to last well into his next term as Mayor.