I was asked to write about the three primaries I find most interesting. I am not the person to be writing about primaries because 20 years ago I filed a federal suit asking that primaries be either eliminated or paid for by the parties instead of the taxpayers. My primary bitch, then and now, relates […]
It’s hardly any secret that the Rhode Island economy is in bad shape. In the most recent monthly data from June 2014, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 7.9 percent – a tie for worst in the nation between Rhode Island and Mississippi. It has been a lot worse, and Rhode Island improved since June […]
I’ve been lamenting the representation of women playwrights on the American stage since I learned that only 17 percent of all plays produced in the U.S. are written by women. And women playwrights are lamenting as well. In a 2008 New York Times article, playwright Gina Gionfriddo protested the lack of women’s plays produced in […]
As we enter the final stretch of the Rhode Island Gubernatorial primary races, we are faced with four viable Democrats and two viable Republicans. I will immediately eliminate one of the Democrats involved in the contest. Sorry Mr. Giroux. You are an interesting man. But, barring a catastrophic event that vaporizes the three other Democrats […]
RI Governor Todd Giroux (D): I am in favor of legalization of cannabis for adult use. The “let’s wait and see” attitude is going to result in watching other states create the revenue while RI falls further behind. The momentum is very strong. I believe it will pass within the next two years Gina Raimondo (D): It […]
RI Governor Todd Giroux (D): I think there’s a number of arts and non-profit supporters who understand the issue enough to design executive committees to bring action to the problem. For example, the mobile trolleys. I believe they can work with the busing authorities, for example, to promote destination-based community events. Gina Raimondo (D): I think, generally […]
RI Governor Todd Giroux (D): I want RI to be the Amsterdam of the East Coast. I want to have the most welcoming atmosphere of business, culture and lifestyle. Not every leader understands that lifestyle is a consumer choice. Gina Raimondo (D): I think, generally speaking, we need to do a better job of helping our artists […]
RI Governor Gina Raimondo (D): Absolutely. We are already home to some great shared spaces and incubators, and as governor I will work to highlight and expand these wonderful resources Clay Pell (D):I welcome the opportunity as governor to promote the arts statewide and ensure artists have access to the space they need for their work. I […]
RI Governor Todd Giroux (D): I would enhance school arts programs if it were a choice. The art programs that are always underfunded is the place where we need to invest the most. When you bring in the arts model, you have role models from the community who show the pathways to the career, such as […]
RI Governor Todd Giroux (D): The economy is in prolonged recession in RI, the crimes of opportunity are up. People are the eyes and ears of the community; they see it and aren’t okay with it. Elections are naturally the most effective time to bring them to light. Gina Raimondo (D): Crime has a major impact on […]