The Blog of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly
Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be in Rhode Island for a “town hall” style event on Wednesday, April 11th. The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, beginning at 6:00 PM. If you would like to attend, RSVP at TeamRI [at] MittRomney [dot] com or by calling (401) 484-7605. Flyer is below:
RIGOP RESPONDS TO STATE OF THE STATE
Governor Chafee gives us more of the same.
“I think the governor missed an opportunity tonight by delivering a political speech aimed only at those in the chamber when he could have really connected with the real men and women of Rhode Island who are having increasing trouble paying the taxes Gov. Chafee relies on to fund all the spending he proposed” said Mark Zaccaria, Chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party.
“I am highly suspicious that the Governor’s Cabinet on Jobs, as proposed in last night’s speech, is to be headed by Director Fogerty. Why call it the Governor’s Cabinet if the governor, himself, is to have nothing to do with it?”
Zaccaria noted that the budget, as proposed, summarily attaches cost burdens – through new taxes – to the overhead calculations of every business in The Ocean State. “Unfortunately, not one word of cost justification is offered, The Governor simply needs the money to fund the spending growth he wants so he’s jacking up fees and taxes to do it. I foresee substantial unintended consequences. This budget only proposes more short and long term spending without any suggestion that expenses must be cut. I count that as living in a dream World” Zaccaria exclaimed.
“The Bad News is that this proposed budget is ample proof that our Governor just doesn’t understand the problem. The Good News, sadly, is that this proposal will be Dead on Arrival when it gets to the House and Senate. Yet isn’t it a shame that we go through all this Kabuki theater with no thought to what’s best for the real working taxpayers of our state?” said Zaccaria.
“The Governor spent more than half his speech citing Assets available to make Rhode Island better, but these all turned out to be just his senior staffers getting a shout out from their boss. That’s politics, not substance. When the Governor got to C for Corruption he spent barely one minute saying it’s bad and we should do something about it. In neither of these cases did Gov. Chafee make a case for how he was going to exploit the assets or resolve the corruption. Again Politics not Substance” continued Zaccaria.
“The only way we can get Rhode Island back on track is to elect more fiscally conservative Republicans. While the Governor is looking to spend more of your money, we are the only ones looking out for your pocketbooks” ended Zaccaria.
Press Release: Rhode Island Republican Party
The East Providence Republican City Committee will be hosting a multi-city GOP Presidential Candidate Signature Party and “Florida Primary” Straw Poll this Tuesday, January 31st, 2012. The event will be held at the Santa Maria Cultural Center (Holy Ghost Brotherhood Mariense), at 846 Broadway, in East Providence from 7:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. This location is easily accessed via Exit 6 (Broadway) off of Route 195.
Registered voters from EAST PROVIDENCE, PROVIDENCE, PAWTUCKET, or BARRINGTON are invited to stop by this FREE event to sign the nomination papers for all of the GOP candidates for President (Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, etc.). To get on the ballot in RI for the April 24th primary, each candidate must obtain at least 1,000 valid signatures by the February 2nd deadline. Please note that you are not required to be a registered Republican to sign the candidates’ nomination papers, just a currently registered voter.
Those attending may also “vote” for their favorite GOP presidential candidate in our Florida Primary Straw Poll ($1 per vote), as well as watch the results of the Florida Primary as they come in. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the GOP candidates, local campaigns, and our city committee. Speakers include new R.I. Republican Party Chair MARK ZACCARIA and U.S. Senate candidate BARRY HINCKLEY. There will be a Cash Bar, as well as complimentary snacks and desserts available.
This event is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact EPGOP Chair Bob Carlin at chair [at] epgop [dot] org or 345-6608 or visit our website at www.epgop.org. RSVP is not required.
Sincerely,
Robert S. Carlin, Jr.
Chairman, East Providence Republican City Committee
P.S. Even if you’re not from one of the above towns, please feel free to stop by!
David Cicilline’s staff is actively engaged in changing the Congressional District maps to favor him for the 2012 election. According to Channel 12, “Common Cause Rhode Island, and the campaigns of Republicans Doherty and John Loughlin, have seized on the fact the map would move roughly 125,000 people between Cicilline’s and Langevin’s districts when the latest Census required that only about 7,200 be moved.”
No matter which candidate you are supporting for Congressional District 1, the Redistricting Committee appears to be close to recommending “Map E,” that will hurt any Republican challenger to David Cicilline. With this in mind you are urged to attend the next Redistricting Committee meeting which will be held on Thursday night at 6:00pm at the Rhode Island State House in Room 313 to voice your opposition to this proposal. You are also urged to address the Committee and ask that they not recommend a map that will assist David Cicilline with reelection in 2012.
Please come and show your support.
Source: RIGOP
Since 1995, the Democratic Super-majority in the General Assembly and Their Labor Bosses Have Used Three Pension Study Committees to Block Dramatic Pension Reform
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.) Continue reading ‘GOP Prediction: No Pension Reform Again’
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
The Rhode Island Young Republicans want to outline for Rhode Islanders the true impact of the proposed Chafee taxes. “Chafee is just another tax and spend liberal. Instead of making cuts to the public sector pensions that will cost us 335 million this year, he decides to tax Rhode Islanders to death,” says Travis Rowley, Chairman of the Young Republicans. Patrick Sweeney, candidate for RIGOP Chairman echoes Rowley’s sentiment: “The Governor couldn’t be more out of touch with the average Rhode Islander. And I think Governor Chafee is disingenuous when he says he hasn’t received any push back on the proposed budget. Because I haven’t spoken to anyone who likes it.”
Sweeney continued, “Governor Chafee failed to address the structural deficit which is plaguing our great state. Making only $20 million in cuts within a $7.661 billion dollar budget is not going to cut it. I’s a drop in a bucket.”
Rowley added, “Rhode Islanders will pay a net $165 million in additional taxes if Chafee’s budget is passed. In order to illustrate the impact the Governor’s proposal will have, we’re offering this preview of a ‘Weekend at Chafee’s.’”
Press Release: Rhode Island Young Republicans
Travis Rowley, Chairman of the Rhode Island Young Republicans, stated his displeasure with the Governor’s budget proposal: “The man sitting at the helm of one of the highest taxed states in the country has just decided that the solution to our problems is more taxes.”
Rowley continued, “Liberals always have a list in their pocket of things they can tax whenever their reckless policies run their course. Until progressives and Democrats decide to attack the state’s structural overspending habits, the root of Rhode Island’s problems, we will continue to sink further away from economic recovery.
Patrick Sweeney, board member of the Young Republicans and candidate for RIGOP Chairman was also extremely disappointed with the Governor’s budget: “While Rhode Islanders are suffering from the 4th highest unemployment rate in the nation with over 65,000 people out of work, they are also forced to deal with a governor who finds it prudent to raise taxes on clothing, heating oil, textbooks, and water. Chafee just increased the tax burden on Rhode Islanders struggling to keep their jobs and save their homes from foreclosure.”
“Rhode Island doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem,” Sweeney explained. “Before the Governor starts raising taxes, he should take a hard look at the fraud, waste, and duplicative programs within the bloated and inefficient government that the Democrats have constructed for us.”
Rowley had more to say concerning public employees: “Everyone knows that Governor Chafee is in the pocket of the public unions, so we knew any knock public employees were going to take would be minimal. Governor Chafee’s call for public employees to contribute more to their pensions seems to be a smokescreen of fiscal responsibility, as it only requires the contribution for one year. This is another one-time fix, which is really just a desperate effort to heal a pension plan that has been raided and unfunded for decades.”
Source: Travis Rowley | travis [dot] rowley [at] rhodeislandyr [dot] com | 401.225.5629
A clarion call is a powerful request for action or an irresistible mandate. It derives from the sound of a clarion, a medieval trumpet… Used in a political context, it issues a challenge for action from the public.
Voter frustration and anger remains at an all-time high. Congress continues to turn a deaf ear to constituents, passing sweeping legislation it hasn’t read: bank bail-outs, stimulus packages, mandatory health insurance, car company bail-outs. Administrations rely more and more on executive orders to circumvent the system of checks and balances. The net result is an unprecedented, over-reaching federal power grab far beyond the limits set by the United States Constitution.
But there is a remedy. And courageous states around the country are invoking it. It’s the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
On Saturday, August 21 at 1:00 P.M., Rhode Islanders are invited to the front plaza (Smith Street side) of the State House in Providence to celebrate The Clarion Call – The Tenth Amendment Rally.
Around the country, there has been growing interest in – and much misinformation about – the Tenth Amendment, states’ rights, and nullification. The purpose of the rally is to put the Tenth Amendment into accurate historical and contemporary context, and will feature speakers from community, business, and government watch-dog groups. Presentations will include description of federal policies and mandates that exceed constitutional authority, and how states are under no obligation to abide by unconstitutional federal legislation.
Christopher Carlozzi, member support manager and activism coordinator from the Boston office of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), will speak about the lawsuit filed by 20 states – and joined by NFIB – to challenge the constitutionality of the federal health care bill. Mr. Carlozzi will highlight some of new health care mandates and the effects they will have on small businesses.
Using events in other states as examples, other speakers will describe how legislatures around the country are successfully exercising their rights under the 10th Amendment to challenge or nullify over-reaching federal mandates. Locally, asserting Rhode Island’s sovereignty under the 10th Amendment can be key in improving Rhode Island’s economic health and restoring more local, constitutional control. Speakers will note examples of federal encroachment on Rhode Island’s rights and how it directly impacts the state’s financial condition in areas of business, education, the commercial fishing industry, and illegal immigration.
Adam “Maverick” Muccino, producer of the Matt Allen Show on radio station 630 WPRO-AM, will be the master of ceremonies for the event.
Speakers include (in alphabetical order, not order of appearance): Continue reading ‘The Clarion Call: Tenth Amendment Rally | Saturday’
Ken McKay: The Difference between R’s and D’s
SLIPPERY-SLOPE
The Difference between R’s and D’s — You Pay More
During the campaign, in at least one broadcast debate, then Candidate Lincoln Chafee, promised that his proposed sales tax hike would be limited to a one percent (1%) tax on currently tax exempt items. After being pressed at the debate on WPRI Channel 12 as to whether his proposal would simply open to the door to taxing these now tax exempt items at a higher rate than his 1 percent proposal, Chafee promised that through “leadership” he would control the General Assembly, which is run by Democrats, and stop them from raising the tax further. WPRI-TV (go to the 7 minute mark to begin listening to the exchange)
Last night we saw just how far promises go. Unfortunately, it does not appear that the slope was slippery at all. It appears that he has no intention of stopping the Democrat-controlled General Assembly from raising our taxes more than one percent on currently exempt items. In fact, he now proposes it himself.
According to the Providence Journal, “The plan under consideration late last week would impose the new 1-percent sales tax that candidate Chafee proposed to levy on some of the items that are currently tax-free, such as home heating oil. It would then apply the suggested 6-percent sales tax to a long list of other items and services that are now tax-free, such as dry cleaning, hair cuts and landscaping. (emphasis added) It is not yet known what other currently exempt items might also be taxed. The list is long, and it includes: newspapers; auto, furniture and television repairs; car washes; tickets to movies and sporting events; club dues, employment agency fees and tax-return services.” “Clues emerge to RI Governor Chafee’s first budget proposal”, Providence Journal
This is the real problem with tax and spend liberals, whether they are independents or Democrats. Once they open the door on taking more of our money to solve their problem it is easy to take more and more from us — even while many of Rhode Island’s working families are one pink slip away from personal financial calamity. Continue reading ‘Ken McKay: The Difference between R’s and D’s’