On Politics

NY Mayor Bloomberg switches from Chafee to Raimondo

Scott MacKay — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:11:14 +0000

It appears that New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a billionaire media mogul, has switched his affinity from Gov. Lincoln Chafee to RI General Treasurer Gina Raimondo in the 2014 Ocean State campaign for governor.

Moody's Downgrades 38 Studios' Bonds; Chafee "Confident" on Payment

Ian Donnis — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:56:56 +0000

Moody's Investors Service isn't taking lightly debate about whether to pay back bonds issued to fund the state's investment in 38 Studios. The agency has downgraded the 38 Studios' bonds and warned Rhode Island of other possible action:

The new Rhode Island: Gambling is us

Scott MacKay — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:02:00 +0000

There’s an old chestnut in banking: If you owe the bank $10,000, the bank owns you. If you owe the bank $100 million, you own the bank.

That’s pretty much what has happened in Rhode Island state government’s quest to regulate the state-sponsored gambling emporiums at Newport Grand and at Twin River (aka Twin Rivahs in Vo Dilundese) in Lincoln.

Compromise Will Preserve Voter ID in Rhode Island -- Without Photo ID

Ian Donnis — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:01:56 +0000

Voters will still have to show identification to vote in Rhode Island -- but not a photo ID -- under a compromise ticketed for passage in the House of Representatives.

TGIF: 11 Things to Know About Rhode Island Politics + Media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:55:09 +0000

Welcome back to my weekly column. You can find me on Twitter. Let's head in.

The Republican Party's huge New England Problem

Scott MacKay — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:41:23 +0000

Rhode Island and the rest of New England have become foreign territory for Republicans. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay explains why.

Just about every state in New England, and especially Rhode Island, could benefit from robust two-party political competition. Our state’s General Assembly has 113 members. Only 11 caucus with Republicans.

New RI Courts Social Media Policy Still in the Works

Ian Donnis — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:54:47 +0000

The long-sought trial of James "Whitey" Bulger in US District Court in Boston offers a great example of how Twitter can carry the drama of legal action to a far bigger audience. Tweets from a bevy of top crime reporters, including WPRI-TV's Tim White, have offered a minute-by-minute account of the scene as the former fugitive mobster faces justice.

Is Debate Over Paying Back Bonds for 38 Studios Holding Up the Budget?

Ian Donnis — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:29:55 +0000

House Minority Leader Brian Newberry believes debate over whether Rhode Island should pay back moral obligation bonds for 38 Studios explains why the House version of state budget has yet to emerge.

Chafee using new Democratic label to raise campaign cash

Scott MacKay — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:58:26 +0000

Gov. Lincoln Chafee is busy embracing his new party. The RI governor was in Massachusetts with President Barack Obama on the campaign circuit to boost the Senate candidacy of U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, D_Mass.

Newly minted Democrat Chafee is also ramping up his fundraising for a 2014 reelection bid. The governor has scheduled a fundraising event for Tuesday, June 25^th at the University Club on Benefit Street in Providence. It is a two-tier fundraiser with suggested contributions of $500 and $1,000.

Gannett Buying Belo's TV Side; ProJo Not Part of the Deal

Ian Donnis — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:07:59 +0000

The Gannett Company is buying the Belo Corporation, the Dallas-based entity that owns 20 television stations, for $1.5 billion. Belo Corporation became a separate company in 2008 from A.H. Belo, the owner of the Providence Journal.

The AP reports: