Ian Donnis

The amount of money used to operate state government in Rhode Island has grown by 5 and a half billion dollars over the last 10 years, to $14.2 billion. Now, President Trump has put a spotlight on efforts to cut government agencies and reduce federal spending. Critics say Trump is dismantling vital services, while his supporters mostly tout this as a way to cut waste and fraud. The chainsaw approach embraced by Elon Musk is being felt here in Rhode Island, since almost $100 million in federal funding has already been cut. That’s a small amount in the context of the state budget. But it renews questions about why Rhode Island’s spending plan has grown so much, and whether the state is making effective use of taxpayers’ dollars. So does state government have enough of a focus on boosting efficiency and cutting waste? And how will cuts from the Trump administration affect Rhode Island? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with Brian Daniels, director of Rhode Island’s Office of Management and Budget.

It was almost three years ago when Rhode Island became the 19th state to legalize adult-use recreational marijuana. Supporters praised the move as a way to generate state revenue, keep money from migrating to Massachusetts and ensure a safe product for users. Rhode Island’’s approach was touted for including so-called social equity elements to help people hurt by the war on drugs. Three years later, though, the state has yet to move ahead with issuing licenses for 24 new pot shops. There are also questions about the effect of legalizing recreational marijuana. So what does a key state official have to say about driving while stoned? When will Rhode Island actually move ahead with awarding licenses for new pot shops? And will the state’s legalization law really live up to the billing about promoting social equity? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with Kim Ahern, chairwoman of the state Cannabis Control Commission.