Scott MacKay's Commentary

What to Do With Providence's Empty Dynamo House

Scott MacKay — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:23:37 +0000

The Dynamo House, the century-old onetime Narragansett Electric power station, now sits as a forlorn reminder of what once thrived along Providence’s downtown waterfront. And as Rhode Island Public Radio political analyst Scott MacKay notes, it now stands as a guard to the old Jewelry District that state and city officials are trying to rebrand as a Knowledge District.

Remembering Roger Williams and 350 Years of Religious Freedom

Scott MacKay — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:31:20 +0000

Rhode Island hasn’t had enough to celebrate lately. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay brings us an anniversary all Rhode Islanders can take pride in next month.

Three hundred and fifty years ago, Rhode Island struck a blow that would reverberate around the globe when England granted the colony a charter that for the first time in the modern world put in place a government that granted absolute religious freedom to its people.

Will the Superman Building go Dark?

Scott MacKay — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:49:13 +0000

Providence already has too many underused office buildings. Rhode Island Public Radio political analyst Scott MacKay, has some thoughts on what can be done to prevent the Superman building from going dark.

Maybe you were driving home from a night Celtics, Bruins or Red Sox game. Perhaps you visited friends in Boston or were returning from summer vacation on a lake in Vermont or New Hampshire.

Perspective on Upcoming Same-Sex Marriage Vote

Scott MacKay and Paul Zengare — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:46:51 +0000

The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to weigh in on same-sex marriage on Tuesday. Rhode Island Public Radio Political Analyst Scott Mackay talks with us about the significance of the scheduled vote, and what to expect from legislators.

Forever Boston

Scott MacKay — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:51:17 +0000

After the mourning comes the reckoning. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay on why Boston will not only survive, but thrive.

The year was 1976 and Boston, the nation’s birthplace, was celebrating the American bicentennial with paeans to liberty, equality and justice. But the city that spawned the abolition movement and women’s rights was riven by racial division.

The image of Boston that flashed around the world that year was a photograph of a black man being assaulted by an angry white man using as a spear a staff with an American flag.

Is EngageRI Secrecy Hurting Raimondo?

Scott MacKay — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:11:56 +0000

In politics, as in pensions, assets can turn into liabilities. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay wonders if an advocacy group for pension overhaul that doesn’t need to disclose its members has become state Treasurer Gina Raimondo’s Achilles heel.

Weighing Chafee's Proposal for Staff Pay Increases

Scott MacKay — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:07:06 +0000

Governor Chafee has proposed rewarding top state officials with pay raises. RIPR analyst Scott MacKay parses the pros and cons of the governor’s plan.

Governor Lincoln Chafee says his cabinet members have been doing a good job and deserve raises of three percent in June and another three percent in December. It’s no surprise that the governor has been roundly criticized and not just by the talk radio peanut gallery.

Spring and Baseball Return to Rhode Island

Scott MacKay — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:02:12 +0000

After a long winter, spring officially returns to these parts this afternoon.

Historic Preservation Tax Credit Would Benefit Rhode Island

Scott MacKay — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:24:07 +0000

Rhode Island lawmakers have spent a lot of time recently searching for ideas to jump-start the state economy. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay suggests they head back to the future.

Time to change our attitude in RI

Scott MacKay — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:44:41 +0000

Another week passes with the usual talk from the Rhode Island political and business elite on economic development. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay says its time for some changes in the way Rhode Islanders view our state and ourselves.