providence politics

Raymond DeLeo, central figure in notorious 1983 Cianci incident, dead at 89

Ian Donnis — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:42:11 +0000

Raymond S. DeLeo, a central figure in a 1983 incident that became a storied part of Rhode Island's political history and that led to Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci Jr.'s first departure from City Hall, has died at age 89.

Solomon’s war chest towers over council colleagues ahead of big Monday fundraiser

Ian Donnis — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:00:00 +0000

As he prepares for a possible mayoral run in 2014, Providence City Council President Michael Solomon has a big fundraising edge over his 14 council colleagues.

Solomon’s war chest was reported at almost $114,000 in a third quarter filing with the state Board of Elections — up from $84,923 at the end of Q1.

Doherty commercial attacks Cicilline’s 2010 remark about Providence’s “excellent” condition

Ian Donnis — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Campaign watchers have long anticipated a spot criticizing Congressman David Cicilline’s 2010 evaluation of Providence’s supposedly “excellent” fiscal condition. Republican challenger Brendan Doherty has now launched such a commercial, entitled “Cover Up.”

Via news release, the Doherty campaign says:

Brown survey: Providence voters bullish on Taveras, less so on schools

Ian Donnis — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 17:22:41 +0000

Brown University’s Taubman Center is out with a new Providence-based survey. Some highlights:

– Mayor Angel Taveras has a 60 percent approval rating in the survey of 425 registered voters, up 10 points from last year, according to Brown. (MoE is just under five percentage points.)

– President Obama’s approval rating in Providence is 68 percent.

Who’s the next mayor of Providence, Part II

Ian Donnis — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:55:35 +0000

A few updates since we last month floated 16 names to consider for the 2014 Providence mayoral race (assuming Angel Taveras runs for another office).

Who’s the next mayor of Providence? 16 names to consider

Ian Donnis — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 19:18:56 +0000

Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and state Treasurer Gina Raimondo could be headed for a seismic clash in the 2014 Democratic primary for governor. If that happens, who will be in the hunt to suceeed Taveras at City Hall?

Taveras: “It’s a question of how you resolve your differences”

Ian Donnis — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:53:09 +0000

Providence Mayor Angel Taveras is understandably downplaying dissension on the City Council, and he denies that he’s losing support among the majority of councilors who’ve backed him since he took office.

More City Council chaos in Providence; FinCom meeting scrapped

Ian Donnis — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:56:20 +0000

Here’s a tangible sense of how things are going sideways with the Providence City Council: a Finance Committee meeting with a litany of important items, originally scheduled for 5:30 today, was cancelled at 9:32 this morning.

Providence City Hall slams council faction’s plan for allocating road repair money

Ian Donnis — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:06:40 +0000

Providence Mayor Angel Taveras is “completely opposed” to a plan by some city councilors to use a ward-based approach in allocating money for road repairs, says spokesman David Ortiz:

Ortiz says the council proposal would claim half of the money from a planned $40 million money road-repair bond “to break into pots of money they can spend at their discretion.”

He adds:

Providence council pushing for ward-based approach to road repairs

Ian Donnis — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:09:13 +0000

A special meeting at 6 pm today will take up a push by some Providence City Councilors to use a ward-based approach in making $40 million in envisioned road repairs.

Ward 12 Councilor Terry Hassett says councilors plan to review the bonding authority for the improvements: