Editor’s note: these are the candidate’s responses to questions provided by RIPR. The views expressed are the candidate’s alone, edited only in cases of inappropriate or libelous language. No changes have been made to correct errors of fact, spelling or grammar. 

What are the three most important steps for improving Rhode Island’s economy?

We want Rhode Island to be the land of startups, strong small businesses, and an attractive place for companies to expand into.  To start, we’re going to lower taxes. 

In my first term, we want to responsibly lower the sales tax each year to end up at 5%, or the lowest in New England of any state that has one.  Let’s keep Rhode Islanders shopping in Rhode Island.  I want to see East Providence and Cumberland with as much economic activity and development as Seekonk and Attleboro.

While reducing taxes, we are also going to cut the cost of doing business via my low fee guarantee. In the first six months we are going to comb through every single occupational licensing, permitting, and business incorporation fee we charge and make them the lowest in New England.  Additionally, in order to make it easier for startups, we will waive all fees for their first year in business.   Look at it through the eyes of an entrepreneur… Rhode Island charges you $230 just to file articles of incorporation, but in New Hampshire, it’s only $100, in Maine $145.  Let’s get even more specific, in order to get an Auto Body Repair shop permit, it costs $900 in Rhode Island, but only $450 in Massachusetts.  All this does is foster stronger border towns in Massachusetts at the expense of Rhode Island businesses.

Finally, we need to dramatically shake up the RI Commerce Corporation.  We are going to stop giving away millions to out of state corporations for only a few jobs. Governor Raimondo’s Johnson & Johnson deal cost taxpayers $80,000 per job, for a mere 75 jobs.  We can absolutely do better than that by focusing on helping our local companies and business owners who have vested interests in our state to grow and expand. 

Some economists think a recession is likely in 2020. What should the state do to prepare for the next downturn?

Despite the recent national economic boom, Rhode Islanders aren’t feeling much of an uptick, which should really worry local leaders when preparing for an inevitable economic recalibration.  We still have the second highest unemployment in New England, we still have the 9th highest cost of living according to CNBC, and we are between the second and sixth worst states for business on recent scales (CNBC, WalletHub).  Manufacturers are leaving the state in good times – look at Hodges Badges in Portsmouth who had been a landmark on East Main Road for almost a century; they cited high energy costs as a major factor and are now packing up and moving to the midwest.  Amazon-related Pinnacle Logistics is leaving RI for CT for a better business climate, and Alexion closed it’s Smithfield plant citing that Rhode Island was “not optimally suited to accommodate our future pipeline.”

When it arrives, you need to have the political will to do some unpopular things to help the state get through it.  We’ll need the ability to rein in spending like I have in Cranston, and second, to minimize the stressors on businesses by fundamentally changing our tax and fee structures.  Families and businesses will be in full protectionist mode, and are likely to tip in the wrong direction if government makes unreasonable demands of them. 

Is the state doing enough to help people who have been left behind by the economy? If not, what additional steps should be taken?

Rhode Island government is not helping those being left behind – in fact, Raimondo’s continued failures in the social services system only stresses families out more.  In her arrogance, she launched UHIP when the Feds told her it wasn’t ready, and now we have a nearly two-year debacle on our hands. Worst of all, she’s running away from it! When was the last time she was down at DHS?  Now there is a federally appointed special master trying to get people food stamps and despite working with DHS for almost a year, it still hasn’t been successful.  Real leaders would be down at DHS every single day to get this fixed – and if UHIP cannot be fixed – we need to go back to pen and paper until we can properly service Rhode Islanders with a new system.  We cannot have elderly women and young children in line every month going without food and medications.  Under my administration, we will take care of every Rhode Islander who needs help. 

Does primary education need to be improved statewide?

For public school, I wanted to dramatically expand STEM educational opportunities across all grade levels.  I want to appropriate more money to upgrade technology in schools and expand career and technical opportunities statewide.  School bonds are important to help hasten the pace of school repairs but we absolutely must distribute them in a fair and equitable way.  The kids in Johnston, Cumberland, and Coventry need to have great schools just as much as the kids in Providence do.  This cannot be a bailout for some cities that have ignored maintenance for years.

Would you continue with RI’s designation as a sanctuary state? Why or why not?

As the American born son of courageous Chinese immigrants, I am particularly keen on making sure people from all over the world feel welcome in our state.  But when people come to this country, and Rhode Island, they need to do so legally.  My parents did it, and likely someone in your family can tell stories of waiting years to finally get their sponsors to come live the American dream. Rhode Island will not be a sanctuary for those who do not honor our laws and commit violent crimes under my watch.