The Republican Strike Force is a group of grassroots Republicans whose mission will be to assist Republican candidates running for Rhode Island General Assembly seats. Michael Napolitano, who serves as the Lincoln Republican Town Committee Chairman and Communications Director for the RI GOP Chairmen’s Caucus will serve as a co-chair of the group. Eileen Grossman, the Rhode Island GOP Volunteer Coordinator will also serve as a co-chair. They will report directly to Republican Chairman Mark Zaccaria.

Said Napolitano, “This army of grassroots volunteers will assist candidates with much needed help in key areas. We currently have approximately 70 individuals and expect to double that number by the summer. The RI GOP has not seen a force of volunteers for Rhode Island General Assembly candidates this large in years. This group has decided to get involved to help take back our state from the Democrats who have crippled it with their one party dominance and policies for seven decades. Many of the individuals in this group have a wealth of experience they will bring to the table.”

State Chair Mark Zaccaria is excited at the prospects this newly organized team presents. “Everyone understands we need a new Rhode Island.” He said after the meeting. “In my opinion the best way to get one is to first get a new General Assembly.” The vestigial off-year staff of the RI GOP is now to be quickly enhanced with experienced, dedicated volunteers who can easily shoulder a growing number of election year tasks. “The emergence of the Rhode Island Republican Strike Force promises to multiply our capacity to sponsor and support General Assembly Candidates,” Zaccaria concluded.

The group consists of several Republican Chairmen and many individuals who have served on other campaigns. Said Napolitano, “We feel that Rhode Island is on the brink, and we must get candidates elected to bring balance to the Rhode Island legislature. The democrat plan of high taxes and big government has brought us to the point we are at and it will take a strike force to counter it.”

The Rhode Island Republican Strike Force will be one leg of a multi-pronged approach. The RI GOP is already in the process of recruiting candidates and securing funding to assist them.

The state party is now in a far better position to demonstrate to prospective candidates the substantive nature of the support it can offer to help them win in November.

The Rhode Island Republican Party sponsors and supports Republican candidates for seats in the state and federal legislatures. As with all state GOP organizations the Rhode Island Republican Party has three seats on the Republican National Committee. Please visit the state party’s web site www.rigop.org.

Press Release: Rhode Island Republican Strike Force

Michael Napolitano, the official spokesperson for the John Loughlin campaign, issued a statement today regarding an upcoming event to support the troops in Afghanistan. Said Napolitano, “We are elated that the troops are coming home from Iraq but we still have thousands of troops deployed in Afghanistan and other locations all over the world who need our support. We will be collecting items and assembling care packages to ship to our soldiers in Afghanistan.”

The event will take place on Saturday December 3, 2011 at the Manville Sportsmen’s Rod and Gun Club, 250 High Street, in Manville. From the hours of 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. John Loughlin for Congress campaign volunteers will be collecting items such as snacks, toiletries, batteries, T-shirts and socks, just to name a few. Free coffee and donuts will be provided.

Said Napolitano, “We have fantastic group of campaign volunteers and many of them have family and friends deployed overseas and thought this would be an excellent idea especially with the upcoming holiday season. The care packages are great morale boosters for our troops.”

John Loughlin is assigned to the Iraq Training & Assistance Mission – Army Aviation Division. He is expected to return sometime in December.

Source: Friends of John Loughlin

WASHINGTON — Yesterday, it was reported that in 2008 as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke privately warned Congress of a looming economic meltdown, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse allegedly took this sensitive information and made trades on the stock market with it.

As WPRI-TV Providence Reports:

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse is one of several prominent Washington lawmakers mentioned in a new book that accuses them of potentially making investment trades based on information they received as government officials. The book, “Throw Them All Out,” by former Bush administration official Peter Schweizer, alleges that Whitehouse made a flurry of trades in September 2008 as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was warning members of Congress about a possible financial collapse after Lehman Bros. filed for bankruptcy. (Book accusing Congress names Whitehouse, WPRI-TV , 11/15/11)

“It’s shocking that Senator Whitehouse would take sensitive information from Chairman Bernanke and then immediately use that information and adjust his financial portfolio,” said Rhode Island GOP Chairman Ken McKay. “Rhode Islanders deserve to know from Sheldon Whitehouse if he regularly leverages his position to gain inside information to increase his net worth or if he only does it when America’s economy is on the verge of a meltdown.”

Press Release: Rhode Island Republican Party

RIGOP Batting .857 In 2011

In Woonsocket, Chris Roberts was voted into the school committee, John Ward into city council, and Mayor Leo Fontaine ran unopposed maintaining his seat. In Jamestown, however, Lowell Thomas lost a close bout for school committee by some 41 votes.

Chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party Ken McKay exclaimed “This was a great night for the RIGOP. The voters of Rhode Island have successfully placed a conservative candidate in 6 of the 7 special elections this year. It just goes to show that our message of lower taxes, smaller government, and a better education for our children is resonating with the voters of Rhode Island.”

“We want to thank all our candidates and especially Chairwomen Sara Bourget (Woonsocket) and Amy Gallagher (Jamestown) for all their hard work they put into their respective races. The future looks bright for the RIGOP” ended McKay.

Press Release: Rhode Island Republican Party

We are thrilled to announce our two newest NFRA Vice Presidents: Ambassador Ken Blackwell and former U.S. Senate nominee Sharron Angle!

These heroes of the conservative cause are longtime supporters and members of the Republican Assembly movement. But today, they take their places in the formal leadership of the NFRA, America’s only conservative group dedicated entirely to reforming the Republican Party and taking it back for its overwhelming conservative majority.

That is why Ken Blackwell has joined the NFRA leadership as Executive Vice President.

Ken Blackwell served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission, Undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Mayor of Cincinnati and Ohio Secretary of State before running for Ohio Governor in 2006. He is currently Vice Chairman of the Republican National Committee’s Platform Committee and Senior Fellow for Family Empowerment at the Family Research Council. He serves on the boards of the Club for Growth and the National Taxpayers Union and is a member of the National Rifle Association’s public affairs committee. Amb. Blackwell is a noted columnist, commentator, and leader of the effort to reform the Republican Party.

Tea Party hero Sharron Angle is joining our team as Western Region Vice President.

Sharron Angle, a lifelong educator, is most recognized for her 2010 campaign to oust Senator Harry Reid. She began her career in public office on the Nye County School Board, and fought to protect the Constitution as a member of the Nevada State Assembly, for which she received the Claremont Institute Ronald Reagan Freedom Medallion. Sharron is dedicated in her outreach to the Tea Parties, and recently completed a tour with the Tea Party Express “Reclaiming America Presidential Tour”. She is a longtime member of the Republican Assembly movement, and we were among her first endorsers for U.S. Senate.

Ken and Sharron have worked side by side with us for years. Now they have stepped forward to help lead us to victory in 2012 and beyond. A new day — and a new conservative Republican Party — begins here.

For Freedom,

Rod D. Martin
President, National Federation of Republican Assemblies

http://RepublicanAssemblies.org

(FYI: The NFRA is the national parent organization of the RIRA)

“Unless your name is Stephen Iannazzi, there is no hope for Rhode Island’s younger generation if this is the best that we can do,” Rowley said, referring to the union-connected 25 year-old collecting an $88,000 salary while working as a staffer for the State Senate.

Rowley expounded on his objection: “My generation has been fleeing the Ocean State in droves. We simply aren’t free to pursue our dreams here anymore. We can’t prosper in this tax climate, this horrid business environment. And this budget does nothing to address these issues. It simply balances the books with more taxes, and the smallest of cuts to the welfare and public labor community. That’s not good enough. We need a drastic change in direction. We need to cut taxes, reform pensions, and shrink the overall size and scope of state government. Democrats seem incapable of offering us any significant fundamental change.”

Rowley added, “We remain one of the highest taxed and most regulated states in the country. We still have one of the highest rates of public sector unionization, one of the most generous welfare systems, and one of the worst business climates imaginable. The Democrats’ budget proposal addresses none of this.”

Rowley also objected to the methods of the Finance Committee. “Republican legislators were entirely locked out of the process. This budget was designed by the Democratic leadership behind closed doors with zero Republican input. The process is a disgrace. I feel bad for our elected Republicans, who have been the only consistently responsible legislators on Smith Hill. Yet, they were denied access to the most basic of their legislative duties. You would think that after 70 years of abject failure, Democrats would have wanted some Republican advice. Instead, we were shut out.”

Press Release: Rhode Island Young Republicans

To no avail, the Democrats in the General Assembly have been asked repeatedly to fix the pension problem in Rhode Island. Now we are looking at $9.4 billion unfunded liability, with the taxpayers of Rhode Island projected to have to contribute $621.8 million to keep the fund afloat next year. It is apparent that the 150 public employee pension systems are the anchor around the neck of Rhode Island taxpayers.

Since 1995, on three separate occasions, when confronted with the choice of reform or status quo, Democrats in the General Assembly abdicated leadership and instead forced the creation of study commissions. In 1995, Governor Almond advocated for pension reform and instead got a study commission. In 2003, Governor Carcieri advocated for pension reform and had to settle for a study commission. In 2008, when pension costs started ballooning again, the House leadership created a study commission to deflect attention. Now, once again, we have the democratic leadership calling for a “special study group.” After a decade and a half of study commissions on pensions, and a few incremental changes to the pension system, we still have a pension crisis. “The time for study is over. It is time to get to work,” said Ken McKay, Chairman of the RIGOP. (Attached is a listing of the last three study commissions and membership.)

It should come as no surprise that these study commissions have gone nowhere. All you have to do is read the quote from one prominent Democrat and labor boss to know why Democrats like to study the pension system rather than reform it. Marcia Reback, Assistant Treasurer of RI Democratic Party and former President of the AFT, said the following to a Rhode Island taxpayer and job creator when she served on the 1995 Study Group:

. . .Stanley Davis, a vice president at (recently sold) Triangle Wire & Cable Co., asked American Federation of Teachers local state president Marcia Reback: “Who’s going to pay” for these pension expenses. Ms. Reback replied, “Guys like you.” He shot back: “Guys like me are leaving the state,” and, “more guys are leaving than coming in.” (Providence Journal, 12/8/1996)

“The Democrats expect the taxpayers to pay for these generous pension benefits. Many businesses have gotten the message and have left the State, while the rest of us are left to figure out the Democrats’ mess. The only solution is to fire the leadership in the General Assembly and hire a Republican Majority.”

“Today’s General Assembly Democrats are content debating civil unions and binding arbitration. Meanwhile, they claim not to have time to fix our current pension problems as reported again and again in the Providence Journal.”

“Putting our state’s financial house in order is the Republican’s top priority. Once we get our fiscal house in order, we can then implement the necessary policies to reduce the cost to businesses so we can create jobs and keep people from fleeing the great state of Rhode Island.”

The RIGOP calls upon Speaker Fox and President Paiva-Weed to keep the session open until we have concrete, fundamental, structural changes to the pension system. “The time for talk is over. Put pen to paper. The taxpayers deserve better” McKay finished.

Press Release: Rhode Island Republican Party
Patrick A. Sweeney, Esq. psweeney [at] rigop [dot] org

“I could really use the job right now,” said one applicant. “Even at age 27, my college loans from four years at Duke are still pretty hefty.” Another applicant said, “It seems like a good job. You know, one of those errand-boy jobs. I have a degree in political science, so I’m sure I can handle all the stress. Plus, I’ll be saving the taxpayers some money.” Another promising member of the Young Republicans said, “I feel like I have a decent shot at getting the job. I’m a hard worker, and I graduated with a 3.7 GPA from URI. I can make a pretty good cup of coffee, too.”

Chairman of the RI Young Republicans Travis Rowley elaborated on the situation, “When word got out about Iannazzi’s outrageous salary, I began receiving dozens of resumes from the Young Republican membership, asking me to forward them to Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed on their behalf.”

Young Republican board member Patrick Sweeney spoke practically about the situation: “It seems that there are dozens of Young Republicans who are unemployed, well qualified, and more affordable to the taxpayers.” Sweeney gathered information from www.salary.com regarding comparative salaries in Providence. He discovered that an Office Services Assistant on average makes $37,559, and an Executive Assistant makes on average $52,998. “If you average those two salaries together, that’s $45,287. And that’s basically what our members are willing to work for,” Sweeney stated.

“Government jobs should always go to the lowest bidder among qualified applicants,” Rowley explained. “So this is a no-brainer. Sen. Ruggerio and Sen. Paiva-Weed will have to reconsider Iannazzi’s hiring.”

When asked about the fact that Stephen Iannazzi is the son of Donald Iannazzi, the business manager for Local 1033 (an affiliate of the Laborers International Union), Rowley expressed only slight concern. “We realize that Senator Ruggerio’s 30-year-old son, Charles, works as a lawyer for a union that sustains the Democrats’ political power in Rhode Island. But all of our applicants have college degrees, and are willing to work for much less money.” Rowley added, “There are also a lot of Young Republicans with law degrees, who will be applying for Charles Ruggerio’s job as well. This is a good week for us.”

Regarding political influence, Sweeney said, “It’s true, very few of our members have fathers who are politically connected labor leaders. But if you look at some of their resumes, it’s clear that plenty of our applicants have some pretty solid credentials in that respect as well.”

Sifting through stacks of resumes it’s evident that Sweeney is correct. Not only do all of the applicants have college degrees from various schools, but many of the resumes make assertions such as “My dad knows your dad” and “My dad voted for your brother’s wife.” Others boast of job qualifications such as “My dad hired your son, so you should hire me.” And perhaps the most convincing qualification found among stacks of resumes was “My grand-pappy was a member of Local 1033.”

“Our membership isn’t naive,” Rowley explained. “Most of them have lived in Rhode Island their entire lives. So they know what type of qualifications State House employers look for. The ‘Family and Labor Connections’ portion of their resumes may have been beefed up a bit before they were submitted.”

Press Release: RI Young Republicans

The agenda includes several prominent representatives from the business community who will share how these new job-killing taxes will effect all Rhode Islanders. This family friendly event will also feature a live band, local musicians, activities for children, and a MUST SEE Media Moment at the 5PM and at the end of the rally. Don’t Miss This MUST ATTEND event!

The RI Tea Party is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with so many other groups and associations who will be represented at this years Rally in saying NO MORE! We are Taxed Enough Already!

What: Tax Day Rally

Date: Friday, April 15, 2011

Time: 4PM-6PM

Where: State House, city side

Parking available at Providence Place Mall and in some parking lots adjacent to the State House.

Press Release: Colleen Conley 401-585-8766

RIRA to GA – Stop Fiscal Irresponsibility – Binding Arbitration – Never Ending Contracts

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly, like just about every other person and organization concerned about the solvency of the State of Rhode Island, adamantly opposes binding arbitration. Monetary issues in public-sector union contracts should not be decided by unelected individuals, who cannot be recalled by the election process if they saddle the taxpayers with budget-busting contracts. It is the responsibility of our elected representatives to make decisions in the public interest for the general welfare. Appointed bureaucrats should not be making decisions that are going to financially affect the taxpayers who then have no ability to reward or punish those decisions at the ballot box.

As the state and local cities and towns all struggle with out-of-control spending, the last thing we need is to permit binding arbitration which would allow our elected representatives to continue to avoid the hard fiscal decisions which must be made.

In a recent Projo article, it was pointed out that “…subjecting monetary issues to the binding-arbitration process would allow for quicker resolutions of contract disputes.” Perhaps so, but faster is not necessarily better. It is always faster to surrender than to fight, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the right decision.

In that same Projo article, Daniel Beardsley, Jr., executive director of the League of Cities and Towns was quoted as saying that allowing binding arbitration “…would put another half-dozen communities on the precipice of bankruptcy.” Agreed, and if bankruptcy were to be avoided, it would put such an increased burden on the taxpayers that more Rhode Islanders would be forced to leave the state in self-defense.

Another aspect of House bill 5700, in addition to the binding arbitration provision, is that contract benefits would automatically continue until a new agreement is reached. This is absurd! The taxpayers cannot afford what we have now, as evidenced by the red ink flowing everywhere. This continuation of salaries and benefits after a contract has expired renders it virtually impossible to ever reduce the pay and benefits of public-sector union workers. There is a business cycle, and labor is one component of the production of goods and services. If the cost of labor is only allowed to go one way – up, regardless of the economic environment, the inevitable consequence will be fewer goods and services. In the current economic environment, many private-sector workers have taken pay cuts, lost their health insurance coverage, or even lost their jobs. If we are all going to “share the sacrifice,” then workers in the public sector are going to have to make downward adjustments in their expectations as well.

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly urges, in the strongest possible terms, that the R.I. House, the representatives of all the people of RI, vote against House bills 5700, 5817, and 5961. Their passage would be a disaster both for the state and for the people.

Conservatively yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, RIRA

Press Release from the Rhode Island Republican Assembly
Media Contact: president [at] ri-ra [dot] org or (401) 487-2514