Gordon Fox

Political Roundtable: Newberry on the Budget, 38 Studios, and Economic Development

Ian Donnis — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:00:00 +0000

House Minority Leader Brian Newberry (R-North Smithfield) joins the Roundtable this week to discuss his expectations on the budget; whether the state should pay back moral obligation bonds related to 38 Studios; what the General Assembly will accomplish this year to boost the economy; and more.

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.

Edwards Says Sakonnet Tolls Will Hurt More Than They'll Help

Ian Donnis — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Residents and merchants in the East Bay are sharply opposing tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge. Local lawmakers have joined them in asserting the tolls will hurt the economy in communities near the bridge.

Political Roundtable: Walsh on Gist, 38 Studios, Economic Development + more

Ian Donnis — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Robert A. Walsh Jr., executive director of the National Education Association Rhode Island, joins the Roundtable this week to discuss state Education Commissioner Deborah Gist; conflicting views on economic development; the debate over defaulting on bonds for 38 Studios; and Council 94's hiring of a prominent critic of state Treasurer Gina Raimondo.

Future of the EDC Remains Unclear as Economic Bills Pass in the House

Ian Donnis — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:21:45 +0000

By overwhelming margins, the Rhode Island House of Representatives Tuesday passed a half-dozen bills to change the state’s approach to economic development.

One bill would try to create a more streamlined effort through a new Executive Office of Commerce. Another bill replaces the state Economic Development Corporation with a Commerce Corporation headed by a secretary of commerce.

It is not yet clear precisely how the state will move forward.

Lincoln Chafee and Gordon Fox at Odds Over EDC

Ian Donnis — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:26:31 +0000

The Rhode Island House of Representatives is expected, this Tuesday, to approve a package of bills reshaping the state’s approach to economic development. House Speaker Gordon Fox and Governor Lincoln Chafee differ on how to move forward.

One of the House bills would replace the state Economic Development Corporation with a Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. It would establish a secretary of commerce, with the idea of making one person responsible for pursuing economic development.

TGIF: 11 Things to Know About RI Politics + Media (Chafee Switch Edition)

Ian Donnis — Fri, 31 May 2013 20:26:34 +0000

While Lincoln Chafee's move to become a Democrat might be utterly unsurprising to some, the governor's move nonetheless scrambled the landscape for what already looked like a riveting election fight next year. That's why Chafee leads my weekly column. Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to drop me a line at idonnis (at) ripr (and) org and to follow me on Twitter. Let's go:

Political Roundtable: O'Neill on Chafee's Change, Economic Development + the House

Ian Donnis — Fri, 31 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

State Representative J. Patrick O'Neill (D-Pawtucket) joins the Roundtable this week (along with guest panelist Dan McGowan of WPRI-TV, Channel 12) to discuss Governor Lincoln Chafee's move to become a Democrat; the way forward for economic development, and legislative questions.

Bonus Q+A: O'Neill on Being an Outsider in the RI House of Reps

Ian Donnis — Fri, 31 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

State Representative J. Patrick O'Neill (D-Pawtucket) joins us on Bonus Q+A to talk about his split with House Speaker Gordon Fox's leadership team and other legislative issues.

For Third Year, Advocates Press Their Case Against Payday Lending

Ian Donnis — Tue, 28 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Margaux Morisseau became a leader in the fight against payday lending after seeing its impact in the Constitution Hill neighborhood of Woonsocket. She works there as a community advocate for a nonprofit agency. This blue-collar neighborhood was once full of boarded up homes, and it has seen a comeback in recent years. But a payday lending shop moved in about three years ago and Morisseau says things have taken a turn for the worse.