Lincoln Chafee

Political Roundtable: 2014 Race for Treasurer Heats Up + President Obama's Trio of Controversies

Ian Donnis — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Pablo Rodriguez joins the Roundtable this week as we discuss the 2014 race for treasurer; Governor Lincoln Chafee's recent judicial nominations; lower-than-expected state revenues; and the trio of controversies facing President Obama.

Valois Approved for Economic Development Corporation by Senate Committee

Ian Donnis — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:48:47 +0000

Governor Lincoln Chafee’s choice to lead the state Economic Development Corporation appears on a fast-track to approval, following his unanimous approval Tuesday by a state Senate committee. Marcel Valois is calling for more support for small innovators and entrepreneurs.

Valois says Rhode Island’s business climate doesn’t have to remain the butt of bad ratings in national surveys. Invoking the state motto of “hope,” he says Rhode Island can prosper by bringing a sharper focus and new approach to economic development.

Gov. Chafee's Pick for EDC up for Committee Vote

Ian Donnis — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:28:54 +0000

Gov. Lincoln Chafee’s choice to lead the state Economic Development Corporation faces approval by a state Senate committee Tuesday. The vote comes amid debate over whether to reorganize the EDC.

Chafee’s choice, Marcel Valois led the EDC back in the 1990’s during Lincoln Almond’s tenure as governor. Valois is the vice president of an economic foundation. He was previously chief operating officer of the Penske Automotive Group.

RI Hands Out $60K in Workforce Training Grants

Catherine Welch — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:00:44 +0000

Twenty businesses in Rhode Island received grants from the state to help pay for employee training.

The Governor’s Workforce Board doled out $60,000 worth of matching grants to help businesses pay for training. Employers can either match the $5,000 grants or provide an approved internship to cut their match in half.

This round of grants will help pay for training in such areas as medical billing, software training and welding technology. The governor calls the grants ideal for small businesses.

Montalbano Nominated for Superior Court; Chafee Hands the Senate two Magistrate Vacancies

Ian Donnis — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:02:04 +0000

In a move that will be interpreted as a kiss to the leadership of the state Senate, Governor Lincoln Chafee on Friday unveiled his nomination of former Senate president Joseph Montalbano as a Superior Court judge. Chafee is also nominating Patricia Asquith as associate justice of the Family Court.

Via statement:

RWU kicks off 350th RI Colonial Charter Celebration

Scott MacKay — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:13:46 +0000

Roger Williams University kicks off the state celebration of the 350^th anniversary of the Rhode Island Colonial Charter tomorrow with a panel discussion about the 1663 charter on campus.

Five members of Governor Lincoln Chafee’s Rhode Island 1663 Charter Commission will bring their perspectives to a discussion of the landmark document and how the ideas of Roger Williams influenced American constitutional development and indeed, resonate to the 21^st century.

TGIF: 14 Things to Know About Rhode Island Politics + Media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:22:45 +0000

May rolls in with history being made in Rhode Island. Welcome back to my weekly column. As always, your thoughts and tips are welcome at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org. Let's head in:

Can RI keep Superman Building from going dark?

Scott MacKay — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:45:50 +0000

Providence already has too many underused office buildings. RI political analyst Scott MacKay 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. Or perhaps you visited friends in Boston or were returning from summer vacation on a lake in Vermont or New Hampshire.

Driving down Route 95, at the crest of a hill near the Attleboros, you see the blue beacon beckoning you home from atop the Industrial Trust Building in Providence, known universally in Rhode Island as the Superman Building.

Same-Sex Marriage is Law in Rhode Island

Ian Donnis — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:30:39 +0000

After a 16-year-fight, Rhode Island yesterday (Thursday) became the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage. As Rhode Island Public Radio political reporter Ian Donnis reports, supporters hailed the development as a victory for grassroots democracy.

Governor Lincoln Chafee signed two companion bills into law shortly after they were approved, 56-to-15, during a final vote in the House of Representatives. Chafee told an audience of hundreds of people in front of the Statehouse that gays and lesbians have been seeking equality for a long time.

Centenarians Honored at Annual Brunch

Flo Jonic — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:31:09 +0000

Rhode Island has the nation’s highest concentration of individuals over the age of 85. So, it should come as no surprise that we also have a lot of centenarians. Some of them were honored today at the Governor’s Annual Centenarian Brunch. Rhode Island Public Radio's Flo Jonic was there.