Editor’s note: these are the candidate’s responses to questions provided by RIPR. The views expressed are the candidate’s alone, edited only in cases of inappropriate or libelous language. No changes have been made to correct errors of fact, spelling or grammar.
If elected, what will be the candidate’s top three priorities?
1) First to be a conscience for the state of RI. Too much happens in RI that most people never find out about. Secret investors, a movie project that certain people know about,, that requires an increase in tax credits, But for whom? Are they connected to someone? No bid contracts? To the extent that I can I will try to expose this information so everyone can see.
2) Put forward the Pension crisis that exists in Providence and other towns and even the state. the Hospital nurses who will lose most of their pensions should be the canary in the coal mine. Is this the fate of all pensioners in Providence and RI? Providence is unsustainable, they had 0% tax increase this year, do they plan the state to bail them out? how much will that cost everyone? Are there insider deals on investments to get fees for donors that adversely affect the pension funds? I hope to bring this front and center
3)Clean affordable water. Having served four years as the finance chair of Bristol County Water authority, I saw how precarious the water supply in RI is. From a lack of redundant supplies, to outdated pipes on the Bay floor to a large unprotected reservoir, our water is at risk. Add to that that providence wants to solve it’s pension problem by raising water rates to a majority of the state, and not have it under the PUC control. Providence water has tried to raise water rates double digits for years. Only the PUC has stopped it. Water is the most important commodity to all humans in RI.
How would the candidate support small businesses in Rhode Island?
As a small business owner for over 40 years, owning dozens of businesses, the most important thing is a level playing field. It is all fine and good to raise the minimum wage to $15.00, but it would be disastrous to many small businesses. but worse, the big businesses like Amazon , Lyft and Uber have all set up “independent contractors” so they don’t have to obey minimum wage laws. Or farm out workers to Pakistan or even other states that have a lower minimum wage and no TDI or as onerous workman’s comp. Small businesses cannot avoid the system like large businesses can. And this idea that big business needs tax credits to come to RI is wrong. I always resented paying taxes to support my competitor who had more money than I did. Small business is the job creator and needs to be on a level playing field
