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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.While Chafee and the Democrats are getting ready to raise our taxes there are people at the State House and beyond who are trying to stop them: the Republicans. House Minority leader Bob Watson has said, “It’s no secret that I oppose tax increases as a budgetary solution. … I made that a reelection pledge last year.” Also, it was reported that Senate Minority Leader Dennis Algiere has said, “Certainly, my caucus and I have concerns about any new taxes.” “Taxes, pensions top Chafee’s list.”ProvidenceJournal,http://www.projo.com/news/politics/content/ri_budget_advance_03-08-11_NLMSF51_v33.1caea90.html At the local level, Cranston’s Republican Mayor, Alan Fung noted, “[u]nless you start dealing with scaling back those [public pension retirement] benefits, its just going to be a continuing problem. Providence Journal, “First look at Chafee budget draws tempered response”, http://www.projo.com/news/content/BUDGET_REACT_03-09-11_IOMT86E_v37.18666f0.html

How can we stop the tax hikes? How can we protect our wallets, jobs, families and our children’s future? Simple, elect more Republicans.

Governor Chafee and the State House Democrats will claim that more of our money is needed as an investment to build a better Rhode Island, a Rhode Island that will grow. But do not believe it. The proof is in the record. The state has grown in all the wrong directions with their theories, higher taxaes, more public paid benefits, a bigger unfunded pension liability, and more unemployment too. The way to grow in our direction is to shrink Government drastically.

Their “Tax and Spend to Grow” policies have failed, our house is the house that Democrats built. More of the same at this point is simply more disrespect for the taxpayers. It will not help our business coommunity employ more of us. I hope the business community is watching. Supporting Rhode Island Democrats does not work. Republicans have courage and Democrats will use the next few months to see exactly what they can get away with, or more appropriately, how much of your money they can get away with.

Source: Press Release, Ken McKay for RIGOP Chairman

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

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):

Sue Berge, small business owner; student of the U.S. Constitution
Kaitlyn Burchett, high school sophomore
Timothy Burchett, RI 10th Amendment Center; citizen sponsor of H7030; candidate for RI Representative, District 34
Christopher Carlozzi, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Boston
Timothy Dionisopoulos, Rhode Island College Republicans
William Felkner, founder of the Ocean State Policy Research Institute
Terry Gorman, founder and executive director of Rhode Islanders for Immigration Law Enforcement
Robert Healey, attorney; small business owner; candidate for Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor
Brian Loftes, founder, RI Fisherman’s Alliance; 3rd generation commercial fisherman
Honorable John Loughlin, RI State Representative, District 71;candidate for U.S. Congress, District 1
Honorable Francis Maher, RI State Senator, District 34; sponsor, 10th Amendment resolution
Reverend Roman R. Manchester
Keven McKenna, attorney; candidate for Rhode Island Attorney General
Victor Moffitt, candidate for Rhode Island Governor
Marina Peterson, East Bay Patriots
John Robitaille, candidate for Rhode Island Governor
David Sullivan, small business owner, real estate broker, candidate for State Senate, District 14
Steven Wright, Rhode Island Voter Coalition
Mark Zaccaria, candidate for U.S. Congress, District 2

The Founders provided the means to prevent the federal government from overstepping its Constitutional limits. It’s the Tenth Amendment, and the public is invited to learn more about it and celebrate the 10th on August 21st. Free parking is available in the state administration parking lots on Smith Street across from the State House.

News Release: Rhode Island Tenth Amendment Center