Archive for the 'The Missing Linc' Category

RIGOP Response to State of the State Address

Posted on February 1, 2012 by The Ocean State Republican

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

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Filed Under: Republican Party, Rhode Island and The Missing Linc Closed

‘Give Governor Chafee Heck’ Rally | Wednesday

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Rhode Island Red

Want to show Governor Chafee that you’re mad as heck and won’t take it anymore? Here’s your chance!

There will be a rally at the Rhode Island State House, on Wednesday, October 5th, starting at 5:00 PM, concerning the Chafee administration’s position on rewarding illegal immigration. Gov. Chafee has usurped his role as our state’s leader by positioning certain people to do his bidding, instead of doing the will of the people of Rhode Island, as recently witnessed at a Board of Governors meeting, which granted illegal aliens in-state tuition.

Although this rally will mainly concern Chafee’s stance on illegal immigration, please feel free to invite anyone who is upset with Governor Chafee for any reason (we know there are plenty of reasons!). Feel free to bring signs. John Depetro will be the emcee; Helen Glover will be there, too, as well as Terry Gorman from RIILE, plus some General Assembly members, such as event organizer Rep. Doreen Costa and Senators Maher and Cote. The new Ocean State Tea Party In Action, and a few other good government groups will also be participating. It should be fun!

RSVP on Facebook

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Filed Under: Coming Events, Immigration Reform, Reformers and The Missing Linc Closed

Weekend at Chafee’s! (Hope You Brought Your Wallet)

Posted on March 18, 2011 by The Ocean State Republican

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

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Filed Under: Economics, Rhode Island, The Missing Linc and Young Republicans Closed

Ken McKay: The Difference between R’s and D’s

Posted on March 9, 2011 by The Ocean State Republican

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’

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Filed Under: Commentary, Rhode Island and The Missing Linc Closed

Path to Prosperity, or the Road to Double Dip Recession?

Posted on March 9, 2011 by The Ocean State Republican

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

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Filed Under: Press Releases, Rhode Island and The Missing Linc Closed

Chafee Robs Rhode Island of Top Cop

Posted on March 4, 2011 by The Ocean State Republican

The RI Young Republicans are in disbelief after yesterday’s resignation of Colonel Brendan Doherty, the state’s top law enforcement officer. “While we are disappointed, the Colonel’s resignation obviously comes at a time when our Governor would not support the Colonel with regard to the Secure Communities Immigration Program, an initiative firmly opposed by the Governor’s liberal base,” said Travis Rowley, Chairman of the RI Young Republicans. “This seems to be the latest in a series of leadership blunders on the part of our new governor.”

Member of the Young Republican Board of Directors and candidate for RIGOP Chairman Patrick Sweeney commented, “It’s disappointing that the Governor is playing politics here. Colonel Doherty is a great law enforcement leader who was trusted and well respected throughout the State. It goes without saying that Rhode Island will feel a void without the Colonel’s leadership, principles, and hard-working mentality.”

In regards to the Secure Communities immigration program, Sweeney stated, “We are a nation of laws. First and foremost the citizens of Rhode Island should be protected. Colonel Doherty always did that to the best of his ability.”

The Young Republicans will support Colonel Doherty in any facet of public service that he wishes to embark upon in the future, and wish him all the best.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2011

Contact: Travis Rowley
travis [dot] rowley [at] rhodeislandyr [dot] com
401.225.5629

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Filed Under: Commentary, The Missing Linc and Young Republicans Closed

For Chafee, The Question Is: Did Father Know Best?

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Rhode Island Red

“THE OPPOSITE OF RIGHT PART IX”

On February 14, 2010, the Providence Journal reprinted a letter by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to a federation of government employees dated April 16, 1937 in which President Roosevelt declared: “All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service. It has its distinct and insurmountable limitations when applied to public personnel management.” While Rhode Island Democrats try to figure out whether they should agree with the patron saint of their party, President Franklin Roosevelt, or with their modern day masters, the public employee union bosses, the RIGOP has searched the archives and has found an interesting letter about state employees unions that may be of interest to at least one current gubernatorial candidate.

On April 28, 1966, then Governor John Chafee sent a letter to the Rhode Island Senate explaining why he vetoed a bill that gave Rhode Island state employees the right to collectively bargain as a union. Governor John Chafee saw the “organizational problems inherent where the machinery designed for private industry is imposed on State employees”. He explained that “since wages, hours and practically all working conditions are now established by laws enacted by the General Assembly … or regulations”, collective bargaining for state employees will “inevitably” lead to “bad relationships between …employees and the State” resulting in “the public [being] the loser.”

Unfortunately, the would-be Governor Lincoln Chafee won’t follow the sage advice of the former Governor John Chafee when it comes to state public employee unions. Candidate Lincoln Chafee wants “the endorsement of organized public sector unions” (Warwick Beacon 1/5/10) and has “urged” the House Finance Committee “to leave benefits alone” for public sector union employees (ProJo 1/13/10). Said Republican Party Chair Giovanni Cicione: “Despite a recent WPRI 12 Poll that shows voters think labor has too much power by a margin of 57% to 31%, Linc Chafee ignores this enduring warning from his father and embraces the same public employee unions that his father fought against.” “I wonder who Linc will defer to on this question,” asked Cicione – “his respected late father or his more recent benefactors – the fat cat public employee union bosses.”

News Release: Rhode Island Republican Party

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Filed Under: Big Labor, History, Republican Party and The Missing Linc Closed

Chafee Goes for the Triple Crown of Tax Hikes

Posted on January 22, 2010 by The Ocean State Republican

“THE OPPOSITE OF RIGHT PART VI”
CHAFEE GOES FOR THE TRIPLE CROWN OF TAX HIKES

We live in historic times indeed. Mr. Chafee, the former horse farrier, knows how difficult it is to win the triple crown of horse racing. It hasn’t been done in three decades. Based on the latest position taken by Mr. Chafee on eliminating the flat tax option, it is clear that Mr. Chafee is determined to accomplish the triple crown of tax hikes: property, sales, and income taxes.

The Rhode Island Republican Party noted today that when he was mayor in Warwick, Mr. Chafee was able to achieve the first leg of the triple crown by raising property taxes nearly every year as mayor (ProJo 5/11/94, 5/24/94, 6/14/94, 5/25/95, 6/14/95, 5/31/96, 6/18/96). In fact, he was so determined to raise property taxes he was willing to go to court to raise taxes (ProJo 6/18/96, and Sullivan v. Chafee 703 A.2d 748 (R.I.1997). “Chafee has proven that he is willing to leave the taxpayers in the dust,” said Republican Party Chair Giovanni Cicione.

At his announcement for governor – right out of the gate, as it were – he made it clear that he wanted to raise sales tax on groceries, clothes, and medicine (ProJo 1/5/10). “With this regressive proposal Chaffee now has a plan to leave the poor and middle class working families in the dust as well,” Cicione continued.

Now, less than a month into the race Mr. Chafee says he “will have to consider … repealing the flat tax” (ProJo 1/19/10), which would have the effect of raising income taxes. “Chafee is apparently even willing to throw jobs and small business into the mud to secure his victory,” Cicione added.

“If Mr. Chafee succeeds in raising both sales and income taxes after he has already raised property taxes as mayor, his apparent aspiration to make history by winning the triple crown of tax hikes will be accomplished.” “Of course, he’s betting our money and our future, but this is of no consequence to Mr. Chafee,” said Cicione

Mr. Chafee will have made history in the vain hope that we can then “leave benefits alone” for public sector union employees (ProJo 1/13/10). “As the horse race for Governor begins,” concluded Cicione, “taxpayers should place no bets on Mr. Chafee.” “The only winner in this race would be Mr. Chafee and of course, the horse he would ride to victory- the public employee unions.”

Source: Rhode Island Republican Party

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Filed Under: 2010 Elections, Republican Party and The Missing Linc Closed