What's this? A Book!
Or buy here: Light Publications, Powell's, or Bn, Amazon A look at the lousy situation Rhode Island is in, how we got here, and how we might be able to get out. Featuring
Now at bookstores near you, or buy it with the button above ($14, or $18 with shipping and sales tax). Contact information below if you'd like to schedule a book-related event, like a possibly entertaining talk on the book's subjects, featuring the famous mystery graph. Join the RIPR Mailing List! For a weekly column and (a few) other items of interest, click here or send an email to ripr-list-subscribe@whatcheer.net. RIPR is a (paper) newsletter and a weekly column appearing in ten of Rhode Island's finer newspapers. The goal is to look at local, state and federal policy issues that affect life here in the Ocean State, concentrating on action, not intentions or talk. If you'd like to help, please contribute an item, suggest an issue topic, or buy a subscription. If you can, buy two or three (subscribe here). Search this siteAvailable Back Issues:
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AboutThe Rhode Island Policy Reporter is an independent news source that specializes in the technical issues of public policy that matter so much to all our lives, but that also tend not to be reported very well or even at all. The publication is owned and operated by Tom Sgouros, who has written all the text you'll find on this site, except for the articles with actual bylines. Responsibility: Tom Sgouros
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Wed, 30 Aug 2006
Watch your mailbox.
- Land-use planning and anti-takings referenda in the west, bad planning in the east.
- Peter Asen on Labor law you didn't know about. When does a majority not count?
- Teacher quality. How much does it really matter? (See this exchange.)
Extra bonus: a free statistics lesson. Isn't this a fine time to subscribe?
20:50 - 30 Aug 2006 [/y6/au]
Fri, 25 Aug 2006
In an article last year, RIPR described the Supreme Court Kelo decision as just another battle in the war to make property rights absolute. Now it seems that it has inspired perfectly awful initiatives in ten states, mostly in the west. These initiatives will make it difficult or impossible for the governments in those states to engage in any kind of environmental regulation. See here for more.
This is why it's ok to bemoan the uses to which eminent domain was put in New London, but making a rant about eminent domain itself plays directly into the hands of libertarians who think all regulation is evil.
09:09 - 25 Aug 2006 [/y6/au]
Fri, 11 Aug 2006
Clean Water Action endorses candidates
There's a US Senate endorsement in there, too.
For Immediate Release
August 11, 2006
Contact: Sheila Dormody, (401) 331-6972
Clean Water Action Endorses Charlie Fogarty for Governor and Environmentalists for General Assembly and US Senate
Group cites need for state to take action to prevent global warming
Providence-Clean Water Action announced their endorsement of Charlie Fogarty in the Rhode Island governor's race today.
"Rhode Island voters have a real choice in November," said Sheila Dormody, Rhode Island director of Clean Water Action. "While Gov. Carcieri has neglected to join the groundbreaking plan to cut global warming pollution from power plants and lower energy costs for Rhode Islanders, Charlie Fogarty has pledged to join the plan and lead Rhode Island to a cleaner energy future."
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the first regional climate policy in the United States. RGGI will cap carbon dioxide emissions from electric power plants. The program would be designed to save consumers money and maximize energy efficiency. Seven northeast governors (from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont) signed a memorandum of understanding in December 2005 to move forward with the plan. Maryland has passed legislation that will result in that state joining the program as well. Despite participating in the two-year process to develop the agreement, Gov. Carcieri did not bring Rhode Island into the initiative.
"In the next four years, Rhode Island will need to address major environmental and economic issues ranging from investments in energy efficiency, protecting our drinking water supply and open spaces, and promoting public transportation," said Dormody. "Charlie Fogarty understands that environmental protection is key to maintaining a successful tourism industry, strong economy and high quality of life in Rhode Island. Clean Water Action trusts Charlie Fogarty to protect our right to clean air and water and a healthy environment."
General Assembly Environmental Endorsements Announced
Clean Water Action also announced their endorsements of pro-environment candidates for the 2006 general assembly races.
"In the coming legislative session, we will need to strengthen laws to prevent diesel pollution, promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, and to stop toxic threats from electronic waste," said Dormody. "We need to elect candidates who will pass strong environmental protection laws. These environmentalists have earned Clean Water Action's endorsement."
State Representative Candidates
- 2 David Segal (D-East Providence, Providence)
- 11 Grace Diaz (D-Providence)
- 18 Art Handy (D-Cranston)
- 36 Donna Walsh (D-Westerly, Charlestown, S. Kingstown)
- 22 Peter Ginaitt (D-Warwick)
- 69 Raymond Gallison Jr. (D-Bristol, Portsmouth)
- 72 Amy Rice (D-Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth)
State Senate Candidates
- 3 Rhoda Perry (D-Providence)
- 5 Alexis Gorriaran (D-Providence) (primary endorsement only)
- 18 Paul Moura (D- East Providence)
- 28 Josh Miller (D-Cranston)
US Senate Endorsements Announced
In the U.S. Senate race, Clean Water Action announced their endorsements for Sheldon Whitehouse in the Democratic Primary and Sen. Lincoln Chafee in the Republican Primary.
"Each of the U.S. Senate primaries offers a clear choice for environmental voters," said Dormody.
"Sheldon Whitehouse has long been a champion for the environment in Rhode Island. As the Attorney General, Whitehouse worked closely with the environmental community and initiated the landmark lawsuit against the paint industry to hold them accountable for the lead paint that has contaminated the majority of Rhode Island's housing stock," said Dormody
"Senator Chafee has stood up to the pressure from his party and defeated the Bush administration's "Clear Skies" bill which would have increased power plant pollution," said Dormody. "Clean Water Action members want a U.S. Senator who will stand up to this administration's threats to our basic environmental protection laws."
Membership Mobilization to Get Out the Vote
The grassroots environmental group will be contacting its 10,000 members in communities across Rhode Island by going door-to-door, making phone calls, and mailing letters to urge them to vote for environmental candidates.
Clean Water Action has been working since 1972 for clean, safe and affordable drinking water, prevention of health threatening pollution, and empowerment of people to make democracy work. Clean Water Action has over 1,000,000 members nation-wide.
09:09 - 11 Aug 2006 [/y6/au]
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