One On One With Ian Donnis

Gubernatorial forum, with Ken Block & Helena Foulkes, Sept. 30, 2026

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 18:16:16 +0000

Two top candidates for governor of Rhode Island squared off at a forum hosted by Ocean State Media's Ian Donnis. It was organized by the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and the League of Women Voters Rhode Island and was produced live at the Roger Williams University School of Law.

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Kim Ahern will likely become RI's next attorney general. What are her top priorities?

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 18:50:40 +0000

She outperformed three rivals in a heated Democratic primary and stands on the verge of becoming Rhode Island's second woman attorney general. On "One on One," host Ian Donnis is with Kim Ahern to discuss her victory over the outgoing AG's preferred successor, her priorities and whether a background in state government will allow her to serve as a truly independent advocate for Rhode Islanders.

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Can RIPTA get back on track?

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:43:22 +0000

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority has been getting Rhode Islanders where they need to go for six decades, but the last few years have been a rough ride.The man responsible for mapping RIPTA’s future is CEO Christopher Durand. He's sitting down with One on One's Ian Donnis to reveal his vision for public transit in Rhode Island, and where the money will come from to pay for it.

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Ken Block makes his case against Helena Foulkes

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:54:58 +0000

Ken Block finally knows who he’ll face in November. After months of waiting for a Democratic nominee, the independent candidate for governor now has his sights set on Helena Foulkes, but her primary victory presents a challenge for a campaign built around government competence. Block sits down with One on One's Ian Donnis to explain how he plans to distinguish himself and chart a path to victory.

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Why Providence painter & activist Jordan Seaberry says authoritarians should fear artists

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 20:36:56 +0000

Jordan Seaberry contends that authoritarian governments are afraid of artists - and should be. Seaberry is a Providence painter, activist and community organizer whose works have gained national recognition. On this episode of One on One, Ian Donnis learns why Seaberry sees political work as part of his artistic practice and the role creatives can play in advocating for government reform.

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“Respect the office!” What was behind the heat of the recent Rhode Island gubernatorial debate?

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:06:40 +0000

It's a race to the finish in the Democratic campaign for governor of Rhode Island, complete with a few outbursts, insults and interruptions. Dan McKee has delivered aggressive debate performances, but polls show challenger Helena Foulkes maintaining her lead. Ian Donnis sits down with both candidates to talk about the fiery debate getting so much buzz and what really separates the two.

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Smiley vs. Morales: Who will be the Democratic contender in the Providence mayoral race?

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 19:58:55 +0000

It's down to the wire and still a close race: who will be the Democratic candidate for mayor of Providence? Incumbent Brett Smiley says he deserves another term but RI state representative David Morales challenges whether people who call Providence home can still afford to live there and feel safe in their neighborhoods.The candidates make final pitches to Ian Donnis on this episode of One on One.

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Ocean State triage: Is Rhode Island healthcare in a state of emergency?

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:57:26 +0000

With crowded ERs, a primary care shortage and threats to Medicaid, are there any bright spots on Rhode Island's healthcare horizon - or is it time to perform triage? On this episode of One on One with Ian Donnis, we hear from an emergency medicine physician about what worries her most right now, whether the Ocean State is prepared to meet the challenges ahead and why she sees reasons for optimism.

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These RI Republicans want Magaziner’s Congressional Seat

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:27:02 +0000

Two Republicans square off in the primary election for Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District. Victor Mellor is a MAGA supporter who made headlines for registering as a foreign agent for Cuba. Stephen Skoly is a physician known for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021. In this episode of One on One, Ian Donnis asks the candidates about January 6, the war in Iran, and more.

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New Bedford faces wind cuts, budget crunch

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:35:50 +0000

The historic port of New Bedford has faced a number of challenges lately: Trump administration moves against wind power and a budget crunch. Yet the city’s mayor, Jon Mitchell, says the Whaling City is still on the rise. In this episode of One on One, Ocean State Media political reporter Ian Donnis sits with Mitchell to discuss New Bedford’s path forward.

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Can Downtown Providence Make Another Comeback?

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Like the waters of its famous tidal rivers, the fortunes of downtown Providence have risen and fallen over the years. After an urban renaissance, the pandemic hit downtown hard. How can the city center make another comeback? One on One's Ian Donnis talks with former mayor and head of Paolino Properties, Joe Paolino and Marsella Development's Chris Marsella, the driving force behind Track 15.

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How will Rhode Island’s New House Speaker Wield His Power?

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:44:51 +0000

Few elected officials have more influence in Rhode Island than the Speaker of the House. On One on One with Ian Donnis, Chris Blazejewski discusses his plans for the job and how he'll take on the most pressing challenges. With growing concerns about state spending, a lackluster business climate and under-performing public schools, will the Providence Democrat usher in a more progressive approach?

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Rhode Island's Next Governor?

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:44:14 +0000

The race for Rhode Island governor is entering a critical stretch. Campaign ads are hitting the airwaves, the Democratic primary is fast approaching, and voters across the state are paying more attention. This week on One on One with Ian Donnis: the Democratic frontrunners’ vision for Rhode Island. Governor Dan McKee and rival candidate Helena Foulkes go beyond the headlines.

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Can Philanthropy Change Rhode Island?

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:30:00 +0000

The Rhode Island Foundation is one of the oldest community foundations in the United States. Created in 1916, the foundation provides grants to support local nonprofit organizations that work in a variety of areas, including education, housing, and health care. In June of 2023, David Cicilline resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives to become president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. He sat down with Ocean State Media political reporter Ian Donnis to discuss his accomplishments over the past three years.

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‘Some people are going to try to cheat’: John Marion on political corruption in Rhode Island

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:04:08 +0000

In nearly 20 years as executive director of the nonpartisan good-government group Common Cause Rhode Island, John Marion has scored a number of victories in his role as the organization’s chief legislative advocate. He spearheaded successful efforts to reform the state’s campaign finance laws, mandate post-election audits, and to restore the jurisdiction of the state Ethics Commission over the General Assembly.

During that time, Rhode Island has gained national attention for several political scandals, which has raised questions about the quality of government oversight. Marion spoke about the state of sunshine at the Rhode Island Statehouse with Ocean State Media political report Ian Donnis.

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R.I. House Speaker Joe Shekarchi on the state budget, economy, and his next move

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 07:58:00 +0000

Though the 2025 General Assembly session is over in Rhode Island, all eyes remain on House Speaker Joe Shekarchi. The Warwick Democrat is a potential candidate for governor, potentially setting the stage for a three-way primary with incumbent Dan McKee and former CVS executive Helena Foulkes. Back and forth between McKee and Shekarchi over the state budget this week may be a preview of more clashes to come. This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi.

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Common Cause of Rhode Island’s John Marion on good government, Trump, and more

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 07:50:00 +0000

The rise of Val Lawson as president of the Rhode Island Senate put questions of conflict of interest front and center at the Statehouse this year. That’s because Lawson also serves as president of one of the state’s largest teachers’ unions. Lawson says she’s capable of policing her own potential conflicts, and the Rhode Island Ethics Commission offered an ok for her dual roles as president. But Lawson’s number two is a longtime former labor official and labor remains an influential special interest at the Statehouse. That’s a place where corporate lobbyists significantly outnumber advocates for nonprofit groups. In related news, efforts to modernize the state’s open records law once again ran into a brick wall on Smith Hill this year. So what did this legislative session show us about the outlook for good government in Rhode Island? How can everyday citizens make their voices heard in the corridors of power? And what can be done about the broader problem of political violence in our polarized world? This week on Political Roundtable, I'm going in depth with John Marion, executive director of the nonpartisan good government group Common Cause of Rhode Island.

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Ashley Kalus on her plans for 2026, President Trump and what’s holding back the GOP in Rhode Island

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 13:08:52 +0000

Republicans run the show in Washington, D.C., these days, but the GOP remains on the margins in Rhode Island. The state hasn’t elected a Republican governor since 2006 and the party holds just 14 of 113 seats in the General Assembly. Back in 2022, Ashley Kalus got almost 39 percent of the vote as the GOP alternative to Democrat Dan McKee. But Kalus faced a handicap since she was a recent transplant to Rhode Island, and her share of the vote was similar to what a generic candidate might receive. Four years later, Kalus is more ensconced in the state and she continues to use social media posts to criticize the status quo. So is Kalus gearing up for another run for governor? What does she make of the Trump administration? And what is Kalus’ prescription for increasing GOP representation in Rhode Island? This week on Political Roundtable, I'm going in depth with former Republican candidate for governor Ashley Kalus.

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State Rep. Jason Knight on the uncertain outlook for banning ‘assault weapons’ in Rhode Island

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 07:44:00 +0000

For people who want to ban new sales of so-called assault weapons in Rhode Island, this is the best of times AND the most uncertain of times. For years, supporters called on lawmakers to take a vote. This week, the House of Representatives put its support behind the bill. The legislation to ban new sales of guns defined as assault weapons is seen as having the support to make it through a vote by the full state Senate. But therein lies the rub. To get to the Senate floor, the bill first has to win approval from the closely divided Senate Judiciary Committee. Senate President Val Lawson could use her power to move the legislation to a different committee with more support. But Lawson’s deputy, Majority Leader Frank Ciccone, is a staunch gun rights supporter -- and it remains unclear if the effort to ban so-called assault weapons will make it to the Senate floor this year. So has the effort in the House been for nothing? If the Senate kills the bill, what comes next? This week on Political Roundtable, I'm going in depth with state Representative Jason Knight, Democrat of Barrington, who sponsored the assault weapon ban in the House.

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R.I. Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos on responding to Trump, food deserts and Providence taxes

Fri, 30 May 2025 07:05:00 +0000

Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos is expected to face competition from fellow Democrats when she seeks re-election next year. That is due to how a signature-gathering controversy dragged down her First Congressional District campaign in 2023. She finished fourth in the 12-way Democratic primary, with just 8% of the vote. But Matos is already staking out the ground to defend her job as lieutenant governor and perhaps one day climb higher in local politics. She’s speaking out about immigrant rights and small businesses, and drawing attention to the problem posed by so-called food deserts. The lieutenant governor in Rhode Island has just a few official functions, and some Rhode Islanders question the value of the office. So is Matos now making more of a difference as the state’s second ranking elected official? And can people like her do more to tackle Rhode Island’s biggest challenges? This week on Political Roundtable, I'm going in depth with Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos.

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Providence Foundation Executive Director David Salvatore on city finances, downtown’s future, and more

Fri, 23 May 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Rhode Island’s capital city of Providence has experienced dramatic ups and downs over time. These days, the city is still trying to bounce back from the loss of office workers and shrinking foot traffic caused by the pandemic. Providence has a lot of assets, including a strong sense of place, a great restaurant scene and […]

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State Sen. Meghan Kallman on Pawtucket soccer, responding to Trump and top legislative issues

Fri, 16 May 2025 07:47:00 +0000

Pawtucket got a recent lift when the city’s newish soccer team, Rhode Island FC, played to a sold-out crowd during the home opener at the new stadium there. There are plans for new housing to be built near the Centerville Bank Stadium and boosters of the stadium hope it will catalyze more growth. But Pawtucket has also wrestled with challenges in recent years, including the loss of the PawSox and the closing of Memorial Hospital. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is causing uncertainty for the state budget outlook as lawmakers approach the end of the legislative session. And the state Senate is working to make up for lost time after a recent change in leadership. Big issues hang in the balance, including a proposed ban on new sales of assault style weapons and a potential tax hike on Rhode Island’s richest one percent. So how’s the outlook amid uncertainty in DC? And does the new soccer stadium signal brighter days for Pawtucket? This week on Political Roundtable, I'm going in depth with Pawtucket state Senator Meghan Kallman.

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Steven Brown of the RI ACLU on civil liberties in the age of Donald Trump

Fri, 09 May 2025 07:57:00 +0000

Standing up for civil liberties tends to be a busy job. That’s even more true with President Trump pushing the bounds of executive power on a variety of fronts. Trump has raised the focus on deportations, cut funding for elite universities and targeted his opponents. A series of court battles will decide the outcome of some of these conflicts. For now, it’s unclear how Trump’s second tenure in the White House will change America and if the president and his allies can succeed in moving the country to the right. One group involved in responding is the American Civil Liberties Union. In Rhode Island, the local ACLU chapter has kept a close eye on the General Assembly for years. So can the civil liberties group still do that while standing up to the Trump administration? And how is the outlook for safeguarding civil liberties and small-d democracy? This week on Political Roundtable, I'm going in depth with executive director of the Rhode Island ACLU Steven Brown.

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RI Young Republicans’ Ken Naylor + Young Democrats of RI’s Autumn Guillotte on organizing, young voters’ concerns + our aging political leaders

Fri, 02 May 2025 07:01:00 +0000

About 47 percent of registered voters ages 18 to 29 cast ballots in the U.S. presidential election last year. That’s less than the overall voting participation of 64 percent, but it shows how young people are playing a bigger role in national elections. At the same time, a recent Harvard Youth Poll found that more than 4 in 10 Americans under age 30 say they’re barely getting by financially, and just 15 percent believe the country is headed in the right direction. Fewer than one-third of these young people approve of President Trump or either party in Congress. Here in Rhode Island, organizing by young political activists has waxed and waned over time. So what role can youth groups play in influencing the direction of politics in the state? And what do activists have to say about the dissatisfaction of young people with both major parties? This week on Political Roundtable, I'm going in depth with chairman of the Rhode Island Young Republicans Ken Naylor and board member of the Young Democrats of Rhode Island Autumn Guillotte.

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RI Housing Secretary Deborah Goddard on what’s next with the new state housing plan

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 07:55:00 +0000

The median price of a home in Rhode Island is now the once unimaginable sum of almost $500,000. State leaders have tried for a few years to address the housing crisis, and tens of millions of dollars have been directed against the problem. But progress has been slow. The housing crisis began a long time ago, so it’s understandable that moving forward takes time. But that offers little solace for people hurt by the high cost and lack of housing they can afford, and the situation restricts efforts to grow Rhode Island’s economy. This week, the state unveiled a new plan for adding 15,000 new housing units over the next five years. But some communities have resisted attempts to add more housing. So does the new state plan have the right stuff, and what will it take to make more progress? This week on Political Roundtable, I'm going in depth with Rhode Island Housing Secretary Deborah Goddard.

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U.S. Sen. Jack Reed on the fight over due process, and how Democrats should respond to Trump

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 07:36:00 +0000

The latest showdown involving President Trump centers on whether the White House violated a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. The court ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” the release of a Maryland man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, after he was mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador. A federal judge criticized Trump officials earlier this week for not following up on the order. Democrats say the standoff raises vital questions of due process, while the Trump administration accuses Abrego Garcia of being part of the violent MS-13 gang. Trump this week said his administration is also examining the possible deportation of U.S. citizens to El Salvador. So where are things headed if the Trump administration flouts the rule of law? With Elon Musk overseeing sharp cuts to government programs, how should Democrats respond? And how can people concerned about the Trump administration make their voices heard? This week on Political Roundtable, I'm going in depth with U.S. Senator Jack Reed.

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RI House GOP Leader Mike Chippendale on Trump’s tariffs, government accountability and more

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 08:28:00 +0000

For now, it's unclear if Trump will be able to deliver on his promise to increase prosperity by bringing more manufacturing back to the US. Rodin was a hub of industry 100 years ago, and state leaders have struggled for decades to bolster the state's economy. So is Trump on the right track by trying to wind back globalization or is his approach a recipe for chaos and uncertainty? Does voter discontent with the status quo offer an opening for Rhode Island Republicans, and is Trump's overall approach good or bad for the state. This week on Political Roundtable, Ian Donnis goes in depth with the Republican leader in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Mike Chippendale.

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RI Management and Budget Director Brian Daniels on Trump’s cuts, looking for waste and fraud, and more

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 07:22:00 +0000

The amount of money used to operate state government in Rhode Island has grown by 5 and a half billion dollars over the last 10 years, to $14.2 billion. Now, President Trump has put a spotlight on efforts to cut government agencies and reduce federal spending. Critics say Trump is dismantling vital services, while his supporters mostly tout this as a way to cut waste and fraud. The chainsaw approach embraced by Elon Musk is being felt here in Rhode Island, since almost $100 million in federal funding has already been cut. That’s a small amount in the context of the state budget. But it renews questions about why Rhode Island’s spending plan has grown so much, and whether the state is making effective use of taxpayers’ dollars. So does state government have enough of a focus on boosting efficiency and cutting waste? And how will cuts from the Trump administration affect Rhode Island? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with Brian Daniels, director of Rhode Island’s Office of Management and Budget.

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Cannabis Control Commission Chairwoman Kim Ahern on licensing, social equity, & more

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:55:00 +0000

It was almost three years ago when Rhode Island became the 19th state to legalize adult-use recreational marijuana. Supporters praised the move as a way to generate state revenue, keep money from migrating to Massachusetts and ensure a safe product for users. Rhode Island’’s approach was touted for including so-called social equity elements to help people hurt by the war on drugs. Three years later, though, the state has yet to move ahead with issuing licenses for 24 new pot shops. There are also questions about the effect of legalizing recreational marijuana. So what does a key state official have to say about driving while stoned? When will Rhode Island actually move ahead with awarding licenses for new pot shops? And will the state’s legalization law really live up to the billing about promoting social equity? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with Kim Ahern, chairwoman of the state Cannabis Control Commission.

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Economic Progress Institute’s Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies on Trump, payday lending, and more

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 07:20:00 +0000

Advocating for low- and moderate-income Rhode Islanders can be an uphill battle during the best of times. Now, with the Trump administration cutting various federal programs, the challenge is steeper. When it comes to promoting economic fairness, progressives have argued for years that the richest Rhode Islanders should pay a little more in taxes. They say their latest proposal would deliver much-needed revenue as Rhode Island once again confronts annual budget deficits far into the future. Executive director of the Economic Progress Institute Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies is among those supporting this approach. But the state budget has grown dramatically over the last 10 years, so should the focus be on finding savings and efficiency before considering new taxes? How will Rhode Island respond if Trump administration policies pose a wallop for low- and moderate-income people? And with legislative leaders unwilling to consider new taxes on the rich, what would it take to convince them to support a change? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with head of the Economic Progress Institute Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies.

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State Sen. Alana DiMario on Trump and what’s next in the Rhode Island Senate

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 09:03:00 +0000

State Senator Alana DiMario of Narragansett is a mental health counselor who first won election in 2020. She’s one of a number of progressive policy-oriented Democratic women lawmakers who have moved the General Assembly a bit to the left over the last decade. But Rhode Island still faces familiar challenges, including an uneven economy, a tough fiscal outlook and underperforming public schools. In the Rhode Island Senate, change will come at some point since the chamber’s president, Dominick Ruggerio, is 76 and recovering from pneumonia. And there’s a lot of uncertainty on the national scene, with the Trump administration promoting tariffs, threatening traditional U.S. alliances and remaking the federal government. So how can Rhode Island make progress on crucial issues amid this instability? And what does the future hold for the Rhode Island Senate? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with state Senator Alana DiMario.

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RI Attorney General Peter Neronha on suing the Trump administration, and what is at stake

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 08:34:00 +0000

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha is among a number of Democratic attorneys general suing the Trump administration. The litigation covers a range of issues: Elon Musk and his leading role in wielding a chainsaw against the federal government; Trump’s attempt to freeze billions in federal funding for the states; and the ability of transgender people to serve in the military. While Neronha is a Democratic elected official, he says these lawsuits are responding to violations of the law. But it’s unclear how courts will ultimately respond in our polarized age, particularly if and when cases reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which moved to the right over the last decade. So what happens to the rule of law in the second Trump administration? Are we on the cusp of a constitutional crisis? And how did Democrats fail to win enough support from Americans to maintain control of the White House? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.

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RI Senate GOP Leader Jessica de la Cruz on Trump, remaking government and Rhode Island Republicans

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 08:49:00 +0000

Republicans are riding high in Washington, with control of the White House, the U.S. Senate and the House. Back here in Rhode Island, the GOP faces a very different situation. The party holds just 14 of 113 legislative seats -- a number that remained unchanged after November’s elections. One bright spot for the local GOP: the Republican leader in the Rhode Island Senate, Jessica de la Cruz. She’s among the most visible members of her party in the state and she offered a sharp response to Democratic Governor Dan McKee’s State of the State address last month. But de la Cruz has not been able to build the Republican presence in the Senate and it’s unclear who will represent the GOP in the fast-approaching 2026 race for governor. So what are de la Cruz’s plans? Can she form her critique of McKee into legislation? And what does she have to say about Democrats’ voluminous criticism of President Trump? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with Rhode Island Senate GOP Leader Jessica de la Cruz.

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Mayor Smiley on Trump’s effect, Providence schools and what’s ailing Democrats

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 08:36:00 +0000

Rhode Island’s capital city, Providence, is overwhelmingly Democratic. But that doesn’t mean the city is beyond reach of the sweeping changes in government being promoted by President Donald Trump and his supporters. Even under the best of circumstances, Providence struggles to generate enough revenue to pay for city government. And despite decades of talk about the need to improve Providence schools, that goal remains elusive. The man responsible for taking on these challenges is Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. He emphasized a so-called back to basics approach when he won election in 2022. But what can Providence do if cuts in Washington, DC, have a big local impact? Does Smiley have a real plan for improving city schools? And what does the first-term mayor think Democrats need to do to raise their national appeal? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with the mayor of Providence, Brett Smiley.

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Brown University Health President/CEO John Fernandez on Trump, RI healthcare

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 08:25:00 +0000

Rhode Island’s largest hospital group, Lifespan, changed its name last June to Brown University Health. The name change and related agreements were billed as a way to improve patient care, medical education and biomedical research in the state. But making headway against Rhode Island’s healthcare challenges is more difficult than changing a name. The state suffers from a lack of primary care doctors. Reimbursement rates for Medicaid and Medicare are lower than in neighboring states, putting Rhode Island at a competitive disadvantage. And the Hospital Association of Rhode Island advocacy group warns that Governor Dan McKee’s recent budget proposal would hurt hospitals and the patients who rely on them. As president/CEO of Brown University Health, John Fernandez is on the frontline of facing these issues. So can Rhode Island improve healthcare while reducing costs? What is the answer for the state’s medical reimbursement problem? And how is the financial outlook for the state’s top two hospital groups? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with president/CEO of Brown University Health John Fernandez.

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Sen. Linda Ujifusa on Trump, RI Senate leadership, and making progress on healthcare

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 08:45:00 +0000

Linda Ujifusa, a Portsmouth Democrat, first won election to the Rhode Island Senate in 2022. As a progressive woman, she exemplifies how the General Assembly has changed over the last 10 years. Ujifusa is a California native and Harvard-educated lawyer. She was among the senators who pushed unsuccessfully during a November caucus for different leadership in the chamber. The concern was that Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, now 76, was dealing with too many health issues to effectively lead the Senate. But Ruggerio maintained the presidency, and some of those who opposed him fell out of favor with his leadership. So can the Senate make progress now on key issues facing Rhode Island? Is there a role for state lawmakers in responding to the Trump administration? And what is the way forward on such issues as healthcare and the environment?

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Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee on Trump, RI’s economy, Washington Bridge & more

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 08:58:00 +0000

A new era in American politics started with the return of Donald Trump to the White House this week. The effect is already being felt across the country due to a volley of executive orders signed by Trump. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, a Democrat, was an early supporter of Joe Biden in 2020 and he now faces the task of leading the state’s response to the Trump administration. During his State of the State address last week, McKee offered a positive message about the future. While it’s true that the state hit an all-time high for jobs last year, Rhode Island still faces persistent challenges with issues like the economy, housing, transportation, public schools and technology. This is an important year for McKee, 73, since he hopes to win re-election next year. So does he have the right stuff to move the state forward? And at what point is McKee willing to stand up to Trump?

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Providence Chamber President Laurie White

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 08:46:00 +0000

Elected officials in Rhode Island have been trying to reinvent the state’s economy practically since the Great Depression -- and it remains a work in progress. During his State of the State speech on Tuesday, Governor Dan McKee cited an upbeat message. He says Rhode Island is flipping the script on outdated narratives about being an economic laggard. But polling shows Rhode Islanders do not share McKee’s optimism about the state being headed in the right direction. The state still lacks the kind of more diversified economy found in Massachusetts. And the possible move out of state by Hasbro shows how unexpected changes can quickly emerge. As president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce since 2005, Laurie White has a front row seat on these issues. So what are the top obstacles to building a better economy -- and does the chamber have any bright ideas for making things better? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce Laurie White.

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Shekarchi on a tough fiscal climate, making progress on housing, and more

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 08:52:00 +0000

Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi starts 2025 in an enviable position. He has overwhelming support from the members who make up the House of Representatives -- and won re-election as speaker this week with 62 of 75 votes. Shekarchi has more than $3 million in his campaign account -- and that gives the Warwick Democrat a lot of flexibility if Governor Dan McKee decides against seeking re-election next year. But Rhode Island faces a tougher fiscal climate due to the end of federal COVID aid. Shekarchi has spearheaded efforts to create more housing, but progress has been incremental and the cost of a home or apartment remains unaffordable for many people. The state faces other challenges with healthcare and the economy, including the potential loss of the storied toymaker Hasbro. So what would it take to make up more ground on these difficult issues, and do state leaders have the right plan for moving forward?

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Sen. Ryan Pearson on what’s next for the RI Senate after a split in calls for new leadership

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 08:47:00 +0000

Ryan Pearson’s term as the second-ranking member of the Rhode Island Senate will formally end Tuesday. During a Democratic Senate caucus in November, Pearson lost a challenge to Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, and Senate Whip Val Lawson won the support to take over Pearson’s role in the legislative session starting next week. More fallout is expected. All this comes as legislators will wrestle with a big budget deficit and thorny issues including housing, healthcare and the economy. Pearson and his supporters say they were motivated by how Ruggerio, now 76, missed large parts of the last session due to various health issues. But was it a smart play to pursue the challenge against Rhode Island’s longest-serving lawmaker, and will that hurt the Senate’s ability to get things done in the new session?

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Housing Network of RI’s Melina Lodge on the housing crisis and how to move forward

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 08:33:00 +0000

Almost 66 percent of Rhode Island voters approved a November ballot question asking if they wanted to borrow $120 million to create more housing. But there are also signs around the state of a housing backlash, with some residents and local officials opposing the development needed to expand the housing stock. And the median price of a home in Rhode Island is now $480,000, about 12% higher than one year earlier. Here we are as the state tries to dig its way out of a housing crisis that developed over many years. As executive director of the Housing Network of Rhode Island, Melina Lodge is on the frontlines of this issue. The network is a membership group for agencies committed to developing affordable housing. How does the high cost of housing affect Rhode Island? And do advocates like Lodge have a strategy for overcoming obstacles? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with head of the Housing Network of Rhode Island Melina Lodge.

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U.S. Rep. Gabe Amo on where Democrats went wrong, what’s next, and his expectations for the Trump administration

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 08:41:00 +0000

Rhode Island’s two-member U.S. House delegation has turned over in the last few years. In the Second District, Congressman Jim Langevin dropped a surprise announcement in 2022 that he would not seek re-election after 22 years in office. Then First District Congressman David Cicilline, initially elected in 2010, made his unexpected departure last year. That latter move opened the door for Gabe Amo, a son of West African immigrants, to become the first person of color to represent Rhode Island in Congress. Along the way, the moderate pro-business candidate beat 10 primary rivals. But Amo now faces being part of the minority party in Washington as Democrats adjust to the new reality of Donald Trump’s second term in the White House. What does this Pawtucket native think his party needs to do differently to find its way back? How does Amo expect the Trump administration to affect the federal government? And what level of responsibility does he assign Democrats for the party’s struggles?

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Save The Bay’s Jed Thorp on climate change, Narragansett Bay, and more

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

The intense downpours causing more street flooding in the region in recent years reflect the impact of climate change. At the other end of the weather spectrum, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee this week issued a statewide drought advisory. But there’s some good news when it comes to the health of Narragansett Bay. Water quality has improved so much that Crescent Park Beach in East Providence will be reopened as a swimmable beach in 2026, after more than a century of non-use. Jed Thorp is on the frontlines of these issues as director of advocacy for Save The Bay. The nonprofit environmental organization was founded in 1970 to protect Narragansett Bay. More than a half-century later, Rhode Island continues to wrestle with myriad environmental issues. So how does Thorp see the outlook, and is Rhode Island prepared for the environmental future? Political reporter Ian Donnis goes in-depth with Thorp on this week’s episode of Political Roundtable.

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Nirva LaFortune on what’s happening at City Year Providence

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 08:23:00 +0000

Nirva LaFortune emerged on Rhode Island’s political scene in 2017. That’s when she won a special election to represent Ward 3 on the East Side on the Providence City Council. LaFortune brought a new perspective and she was the first Haitian-American to win political office in Rhode Island. Five years later, in 2022, LaFortune placed third while running for mayor of Providence. She now serves as executive director of City Year Providence, a nonprofit that recruits young adults for a year of service in the Providence schools. Last year, 24 City Year Providence Americorps members served full-time in six city schools, reaching thousands of students. So what does she think it will take to improve the Providence schools after years of talk? What are LaFortune’s reflections on her time on the City Council? And where does she think Democrats went wrong in taking on Donald Trump, now the president-elect? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with executive director of City Year Providence Nirva LaFortune.

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What’s next for the Institute for Cybersecurity at Rhode Island College and RIC President Jack Warner

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 08:43:00 +0000

Rhode Island voters recently approved $73 million in borrowing to enhance the Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies at Rhode Island College. The 60% vote in favor of Question 2 underscores public confidence in the idea that education can help improve the local economy. Voters also approved $87 million for a life sciences center at URI. At Rhode Island College, the man leading the charge is Jack Warner. He is being inaugurated today as RIC’s permanent president after more than two years as interim leader. Warner takes on the role at a time when many Americans wrestle with college-related debt. And with the Trump administration vowing to eliminate the federal Department of Education, Republicans and some other critics believe colleges in America have moved too far to the left. How will these issues affect Rhode Island? Can Rhode Island College really play a bigger role in the state’s economy? And what is Jack Warner’s strategic vision for RIC? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with president of Rhode Island College Jack Warner.

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How progressive state Rep. Megan Cotter won re-election in a conservative Rhode Island district as Trump rolled to victory

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 08:55:00 +0000

Megan Cotter is a progressive Democratic state representative who first won election by just 32 votes in 2022. Republicans had high hopes this week of winning back Cotter’s seat, since voters in her district in Exeter, Richmond and Hopkinton lean conservative. But Cotter scored an eight-point victory over former Republican Representative Justin Price, winning the race by about 700 votes. She was victorious even though Donald Trump this week had his best Rhode Island performance yet and beat Kamala Harris in the three communities making up Cotter’s district. So what does the outcome tell us about how Democrats can compete more effectively in the Trump era? How did Cotter overcome her challenges as a candidate? And where does she think Democrats should go from here? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with state Representative Megan Cotter.

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How a Trump election would affect R.I., why legislative incumbents maintain an edge, and more

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 07:51:00 +0000

Americans will finish voting Tuesday, although it remains unclear when a winner will be declared in the presidential race. It’s a more low-key election in Rhode Island, where the race for mayor of Cranston is among the top races. But a close vote is expected on ballot Question 1, which could set the stage for Rhode Island to hold its first constitutional convention since 1986. And next week’s election is a prelude to 2026, when Rhode Islanders will vote for governor and other statewide offices. So what do the current political headwinds mean for Governor Dan McKee? How would a Trump administration affect Rhode Island? And even if the state does stage a constitutional convention, would it make a real difference? This week on Political Roundtable, we have an in-depth election preview with two fellow political reporters, senior reporter with the Rhode Island Current Nancy Lavin and politics editor for WPRI-TV, Channel 12, Ted Nesi.

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Gregg Amore on declining confidence in elections, Trump, and what’s next for a state archive

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 07:32:00 +0000

Americans’ confidence in elections has been shaken in recent years -- at least for *some*. Donald Trump’s false narrative about a stolen election in 2020 has led many of his supporters to doubt the integrity of the process. That’s despite evidence given by elections officials and even some members of Trump’s administration that the vote was free and fair. With a looming climax to the tight presidential race, the issue of election integrity is likely to surge front and center in the weeks ahead. As Rhode Island’s chief elections officer, Secretary of State Gregg Amore is on the frontlines of questions involving voting rights and fair elections. So what is he expecting? How should we combat lies and misinformation about elections? And if one man can popularize a phony narrative about the democratic process, what would it mean if that person regains the White House? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore.

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R.I. Attorney General Neronha on Washington Bridge, ILO Group probe and more

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 07:23:00 +0000

Donald Trump has vowed to go after his political enemies if he wins the presidential election. The U.S. Justice Department is part of the executive branch, so if Trump wins, he would have significant influence over what happens. Closer to home, the timeline for rebuilding the westbound Washington Bridge remains uncertain, although it’s likely to take longer than originally expected. And the healthcare landscape in Rhode Island faces a series of challenges, ranging from lower reimbursement rates than in Connecticut and Massachusetts and precarious finances for some hospitals. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha intersects with all of these issues. As a former top federal prosecutor in the state, Neronha previously worked for the Justice Department. He’s been an outspoken critic of Governor Dan McKee and his handling of the bridge. And Neronha has been one of the most vocal officials in the state in talking about the need for more urgency in confronting Rhode Island’s healthcare challenges. So what does Neronha think about what justice would look like in a Trump administration? What would he do differently on the bridge? And since term limits preventing him from seeking re-election in 2026, what is next for the longtime prosecutor? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.

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State Rep. Patricia Morgan on her GOP challenge to U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 07:26:00 +0000

Morgan, a Republican, says she would fight for her constituents and she’s trying to capitalize on issues like inflation and immigration. But Whitehouse has vanquished a series of rivals since first winning his Senate seat by beating Lincoln Chafee, a Republican at the time, in 2006. When former state Supreme Court Justice Robert Flanders ran […]

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Providence Journal columnist Mark Patinkin on violence in the Middle East, RI’s economic challenges and the local mediascape

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 07:54:00 +0000

When Hamas attacked Israel last October 7th, it raised concerns about a wider conflict in the Middle East. This week, Iran fired more than 180 missiles into Israel, in response to Israel’s assassination of the head of Hezbollah. The question now is how Israel will respond … and whether the Middle East can step back from the brink of an intensifying war. Providence Journal columnist Mark Patinkin is no stranger to the region. He traveled to the Middle East after the first intifada in the late 80s and returned this year. His conversations with Israelis and Palestinians became part of Patinkin’s latest book, “The Holy Land at War: A Journey Through the West Bank, Israel and Gaza.” Patinkin has been a columnist at the ProJo since 1979. Forty-five years later, he’s still at it, writing with a mix of humor and outrage about different aspects of life in Rhode Island. So how does Pantikin view the outlook for stepping back from the precipice of wider violence in the Middle East? Does he think Rhode Island politicians are up to the task of building a stronger economy? And how does the longtime columnist feel about the evolving media landscape in the state? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with columnist for The Providence Journal Mark Pantikin.

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State Sen. Pamela Lauria on Rhode Island’s primary care shortage, Washington Bridge and what’s next in the Senate

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 07:37:00 +0000

Rhode Island faces a growing shortage of primary care doctors. Medical specialists make more money than primary care doctors, and the economic conditions for physicians are better in Massachusetts and Connecticut. This is why a legislative panel is studying whether it would help to create a state medical school at the University of Rhode Island. There are a host of other healthcare-related challenges in the state, including the difficult fiscal outlook for some hospitals and Rhode Island’s heavy reliance on public payers like Medicare and Medicaid. State Senator Pamela Lauria, a Barrington Democrat, has a front-row seat on these issues since she’s a nurse practitioner for Coastal Medical, a primary care practice serving more than 100,000 patients. Lauria is also co-chair of the legislative commission studying the potential of a possible state med school at URI. So what is the freshman senator’s prescription for improving healthcare in Rhode Island? As an East Bay resident, how does Lauria assess Governor McKee’s performance on the Washington Bridge issue? And as a Democrat and longtime gun safety activist, what is her explanation for why Donald Trump remains a competitive presidential candidate? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with state Senator Pamela Lauria.

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Jennifer Hawkins of ONE Neighborhood Builders on Rhode Island’s housing crisis, Hasbro’s possible move and what’s next

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 07:01:00 +0000

Rhode Island’s housing crisis is a tough nut to crack. Even though hundreds of millions of dollars have been allocated to promote new housing, progress has been slow and the cost of housing keeps going up. This is a key issue for the future of the state, since Rhode Island needs more housing if the state’s economy is going to grow. There are other worrisome signs on the economic front. The iconic toy-maker Hasbro is considering moving its headquarters and hundreds of jobs elsewhere. And the state’s fiscal outlook suggests a return to the perennial deficits that in the past have typically greeted lawmakers at the start of every General Assembly session. So what can be done to accelerate progress on housing? Why does Rhode Island still lack engines of new job growth? And what does a respected housing advocate make of all this as she prepares to leave her longtime job? This week on Political Roundtable, an exit interview with president/CEO of nonprofit developer ONE Neighborhood Builders Jennifer Hawkins.

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RI GOP Chairman Joe Powers on Tuesday’s primary, Trump, and what’s next for local Republicans

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 07:44:00 +0000

Tuesday’s Rhode Island primary featured a rare spotlight on Republican candidates. Cranston was the scene of a hard-fought mayoral campaign — one of the few places in the state with such high-profile GOP competition. The losing candidate, Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, has been a bright spot for the Rhode Island GOP, but she’s been taken off […]

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Common Cause’s John Marion on 2024 elections, open records, and more

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 08:00:00 +0000

The former Providence Journal reporter Elliot Jaspin once called Rhode Island a theme park for journalists. The same could be said for advocates of good government. Although there have been fewer cases of public corruption in recent years, issues of government accountability and transparency remain front and center. One person closely monitoring these issues is John Marion, who has served as executive director of Common Cause of Rhode Island since 2008. He keeps a watchful eye on state government and spends long hours at the Statehouse monitoring the General Assembly. Over time, Marion and predecessors including Phil West have been an important voice for reform in Rhode Island. But is that enough when many people believe democracy is on the ballot this November? What is the effect when Donald Trump perpetuates a false narrative about crooked elections? And why are we not seeing more robust competition for legislative seats in Rhode Island? This week on Political Roundtable, political reporter Ian Donnis goes in-depth with head of Common Cause of Rhode Island, John Marion.

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U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner on the presidential race, inflation, climate change and more

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner faces a very different election landscape than when he won his congressional seat in 2022. Although Republicans had high hopes, Magaziner beat GOP candidate Alan Fung two years ago by just under four percentage points. This time around, Magaziner faces token opposition, but it's unclear if Democrats will be able to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate may be up for grabs, and polls show a close presidential race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. Magaziner describes Trump and the election deniers who support him as a threat to democracy. So how should Democrats respond if Trump wins in November and their fears come to fruition? What does Harris need to do to overcome voters' concerns about inflation and other issues? And how does Magaziner see the outlook for strengthening democracy in the US and abroad? This week on Political Roundtable, The Public’s Radio political reporter Ian Donnis goes in-depth with the congressman from Rhode Island's 2nd District.

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Lisa Pina-Warren on how the Nonviolence Institute tries to make Providence a more peaceful place

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 07:07:00 +0000

Violent crime in most American cities has generally trended down for decades, except for an uptick during the pandemic. There were 14 homicides in Providence last year, far less than the comparable number in the 1990s and 2000s. The waning of the crack epidemic is part of the explanation for why there’s less violent crime in America than in the past. Providence and some other cities have also seen the introduction of nonprofit groups that send streetworkers to promote peace, disrupt conflicts among young people, and offer a connection between the community and the police. The Nonviolence Institute was formed more than 20 years ago and it has become a vital part of the response in Providence. The founding director, Teny Gross, now leads a similar effort in Chicago. And the first woman director of the Nonviolence Institute, Lisa Pina-Warren, was appointed to that role last month. So how is Providence doing in addressing the roots of violent crime? And what would it take to make a bigger impact? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with executive director of the Nonviolence Institute Lisa Pina-Warren.

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Sen. Dawn Euer on climate change, her political future, Democrats’ hopes for November & more

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 07:53:00 +0000

Keep your eye on Dawn Euer, the Democratic state senator from Newport. She’s a potential candidate for attorney general in 2026, along with state Representatives Jason Knight and Robert Craven. Euer is also someone who may be able to move up in Senate leadership next year. The Newport progressive first won office in 2017, when she got more than 60 percent of the vote in a four-way special election. In the time since, she’s sponsored a series of bills on healthcare, the environment and other issues. Euer is part of a rising generation of younger leaders in the state, and her time in the Senate has coincided with the chamber’s move somewhat to the left. But Rhode Island still faces a host of thorny challenges, from replacing the Washington Bridge to managing a more difficult fiscal outlook. So what does Euer say about the state’s ability to take on tough issues? How does she hope to channel her energy in the future? And are state lawmakers bringing enough urgency to the changes needed to improve Rhode Island? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with Senator Dawn Euer, chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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Dr. Michael Fine on the shortage of primary care docs, misplaced priorities and other maladies afflicting healthcare in Rhode Island

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 13:20:14 +0000

The amount of U.S. spending on healthcare reached four and a half trillion dollars in 2022, or about $14,000 per person. Despite such massive spending, many aspects of American healthcare are marred by problems. There’s the shortage of primary care doctors. An emphasis on treating disease rather than promoting long-term health. Locally, doctors can make more in neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut than they can in Rhode Island. And the state’s hospitals are overly dependent on Medicare and Medicaid, rather than the more lucrative reimbursement paid by private insurers. This adds up to a series of complicated challenges, if not a worsening crisis. State government has started making some efforts to respond, but these remain at an early stage. So what will it take to put healthcare in Rhode Island on a better footing? Does the state have too many hospitals? And is it possible to create a system more responsive to everyday people than insurance companies and healthcare executives? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with author, community activist and former state Health Director Dr. Michael Fine.

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Rep. Justine Caldwell on safe gun storage, choice for prescription drug patients, and why East Greenwich went from red to blue

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 07:59:00 +0000

State Representative Justine Caldwell personifies some of the significant changes that have swept over the General Assembly in the last decade. In 2018, Caldwell, a Democrat, ousted the Republican incumbent in an East Greenwich-based district, Anthony Giarrusso. That change reflects how the legislature has moved a bit to the left and how the former GOP stronghold of East Greenwich now generally elects more Democrats. Caldwell is a fierce supporter of new restrictions on guns. Her time in the General Assembly has coincided with a reduction in the number of pro-gun Democrats. As a result, a series of related measures have become law in recent years, including a House bill sponsored by Caldwell requiring the safe storage of firearms. So how does Caldwell respond to people who believe more laws are the wrong approach? What’s her view on what Democrats need to do differently to win over more working class voters? And can a prescription choice bill she sponsored overcome the monopolistic power of pharmacy benefit managers? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with state Representative Justine Caldwell.

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Steve Frias on why he’s not supporting Trump or Biden, how the RI GOP has to change, and more

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 07:39:00 +0000

Until recently, Steve Frias of Cranston held one of the top posts in the Rhode Island Republican Party -- national committeeman. Frias decided to not seek re-election for that role because he does not support Donald Trump, now the GOP nominee for president. Frias is among a small number of Rhode Island Republicans who have publicly repudiated Trump, and he’s been more outspoken than most in calling out the former president’s false claims about a stolen election in 2020. So does Frias share Democrats’ concerns about Trump’s possible return to the White House? What about Trump’s pick of JD Vance as his running mate and the theatrics at the RNC in Milwaukee this week? And does the Cranston Republican have any bright ideas for how to improve the meager GOP legislative representation in Rhode Island? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with local historian, past legislative candidate and former Rhode Island GOP National Committeeman Steve Frias.

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Brown professor Corey Brettschneider on the presidents who have threatened democracy and the citizens who fought back

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 07:21:00 +0000

Presidential threats to democracy are nothing new. Our second president, John Adams, outlawed dissent and tried to prosecute his critics. Andrew Johnson’s presidency featured threats against his perceived opponents, and Richard Nixon engaged in a criminal conspiracy. But there are some key differences in our current moment. In a recent decision, for example, the U.S. Supreme Court expanded presidential power, and groups aligned with Donald Trump, like the Heritage Foundation, have ambitious plans for remaking the federal government. As Democrats wrestle with doubts about President Joe Biden, what is the outlook for American democracy? Are the traditional checks and balances of our system out of whack? And does the way in which Americans responded to overreaching presidents in the past offer clues for the future? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with Brown University political science professor Corey Brettschneider, author of “The Presidents and the People: Five Leaders Who Threatened Democracy and the Citizens Who Fought to Defend it.”

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Reporters discuss the top Rhode Island stories so far in 2024

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 12:15:17 +0000

Rhode Islanders are among those celebrating the Fourth of July this week with cookouts, fireworks and family get-togethers. But politics rarely takes a day off, and July Fourth marks a line between the end of the General Assembly session last month and the start of campaigns for the legislature and other offices. In short, it’s a good time for a few political reporters to consider the top Rhode Island political stories so far in 2024. Has anger dissipated over the Washington Bridge fiasco? Does a low unemployment rate mask weaknesses in Rhode Island’s economy? And hey, since we reporters are people too, we’re also revealing our favorite summer food and most eagerly anticipated summer activity in the Ocean State. This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with the senior reporter for the Rhode Island Current, Nancy Lavin, and politics/economics editor for WPRI-TV, Channel 12, Ted Nesi.

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RI Senate Democratic Whip Val Lawson on Washington Bridge, East Providence and the future of the Senate

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 08:13:00 +0000

Valarie Lawson has enjoyed a rapid rise in the Rhode Island Senate. Lawson was first elected in 2018 and she is now the third-ranking member in the chamber. The East Providence Democrat may climb even higher. Senate president Dominick Ruggerio is 75. If he wins re-election this year, Ruggerio is expected to pass the Senate […]

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House Speaker Joe Shekarchi on state spending, housing and his future plans

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 07:23:00 +0000

Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi holds what is often called the most powerful job in state government. That’s because the speaker controls the legislation in the House of Representatives and has broad influence over the state budget. The $13.9 billion spending plan approved by lawmakers earlier this month won praise for including more money for healthcare and education. And Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat, wins kudos even from some Republicans for keeping an open door and having a consensus-oriented approach. But Rhode Island’s budget has grown by 50% since before the pandemic and the state’s fiscal outlook has grown more challenging. Can Rhode Island afford the growth in its state budget? There are also familiar and persistent difficulties in housing and other areas. What can be done to make more progress on housing? And what does the future hold for the man who leads the House of Representatives? This week, we're going in-depth with House Speaker Joe Shekarchi.

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RI ACLU’s Steve Brown on police accountability, open records and the 2024 General Assembly session

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 07:15:00 +0000

Many of the hundreds of bills passed by the Rhode Island General Assembly each year raise issues involving civil liberties. That’s why Rhode Island ACLU executive director Steve Brown pays close attention to the legislature. As is often the case, the results from Smith Hill this year are something of a mixed bag. Lawmakers approved the first significant overhaul since 1976 of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, or LEOBOR. But an attempt to update the law governing open records, the Access to Public Records Act, fell flat in the face of opposition from state government. So how did lawmakers do in conducting the public’s business? What would it take to make the General Assembly more accountable to the public it serves? And how is the outlook for the rule of law when millions of Americans dispute the winner of the 2020 presidential race? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with the head of the Rhode Island ACLU, Steve Brown.

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URI President Marc Parlange on RI’s economy, boosting research, and academia under fire

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 07:43:00 +0000

It’s not an easy time to be a university president. Academia faces criticism from across the political spectrum. Many campuses have been divided by the war between Hamas and Israel. And student debt remains a burden for many young people. But Marc Parlange, who became president of the University of Rhode Island in 2021, seems to be holding his own. URI recently completed a $300 million fundraising drive ahead of schedule. Parlange says Rhode Island’s flagship public university has turned a corner in attracting more robust state support. And last year, he unveiled an ambitious four-pronged 10-year strategic plan. The goals include making URI a hub for innovation and a more powerful economic catalyst. Are these goals realistic, and what will it take to realize them? How much promise is offered by the blue economy? And what does the university president make of the gripes about academia? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with URI President Marc Parlange

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US Attorney Zachary Cunha on his probe of DCYF, safe storage and the rule of law in our polarized moment

Fri, 31 May 2024 07:48:00 +0000

Problems related to the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families have persisted for years. But when U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha recently unveiled the findings of a probe into DCYF, state officials stood up and took notice. Cunha is the top federal prosecutor in the state, and his office has enormous power. After being nominated by President Biden in 2021, Cunha has pursued federal prosecutors’ standard approach in zeroing in on crimes involving drugs, fraud, guns, and violence. But these are not normal times. If Donald Trump retakes the White House in November, he is expected to remake the Justice Department, and Trump says he’d consider pardoning people who rioted at the capitol on January sixth. So what’s it like pursuing the rule of law in the time of Trump? And how much difference can federal officials make in improving the lives of vulnerable kids? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island Zachary Cunha.

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Sabina Matos on bouncing back from an election loss, policy priorities, and what’s next

Fri, 24 May 2024 07:22:00 +0000

Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos was the early favorite in the race for an open seat in the First Congressional District last year. But a signature-gathering scandal took on a life of its own, and undermined Matos’ hopes of landing in Congress. Her boss, Governor Dan McKee, shows how a lieutenant governor can move up if they’re in the right place at the right time. But some Rhode Islanders continue to question the value of the lieutenant governor’s office. So what does Matos say about that? What has she done to overcome the disappointment of her performance in last year’s congressional race? And what does Matos say about Democrats losing support among Latinos? This week on Political Roundtable, Ian Donnis goes in-depth with Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos.

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Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera on housing progress, what’s next for schools, and why more Latinos are voting Republican

Fri, 17 May 2024 07:07:00 +0000

Maria Rivera made history in Central Falls when she won election in 2020 as the first Latina mayor in Rhode Island. Rivera does not yet face any announced opponents for re-election this year and she’s an up and comer in Rhode Island politics. During her time in office, Rivera has led the charge to build more housing, with a goal of completing 300 new units. Central Falls broke ground on a new high school last month and millions of dollars have been raised for a new community center. But the one square mile-sized city, like the rest of the state, still has a way to go in addressing its need for housing, better jobs and higher performing schools. Can Mayor Rivera make more progress in delivering these needs? Does she plan to run statewide in 2026? And what does this Democrat say about how more Latinos are voting Republican? This week on Political Roundtable, we're going in-depth with the mayor of Central Falls, Maria Rivera.

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Rhode Island House Majority Leader Chris Blazejewski on the housing crisis, state revenue, pensions and more

Fri, 10 May 2024 07:58:00 +0000

Rhode Island has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to address the state’s housing crisis. Despite that, there are few tangible signs of progress so far, and there’s pushback from some cities and towns and even from some Democratic lawmakers. At the same time, the gusher of federal COVID aid that enabled consecutive state budget surpluses has dried up. Because of that, large deficits once again loom ahead in future fiscal years. And Rhode Island continues to struggle with issues like underperforming schools and the quest for a more vibrant economy. So what will it take to make more progress on key issues like the housing crisis and the state’s fiscal outlook? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with the number two official in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Majority Leader Christopher Blazejewski.

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Brown professor Tricia Rose on how views of a colorblind America inhibit efforts to fight racism

Fri, 03 May 2024 07:36:00 +0000

As someone who grew up in Harlem and the Bronx, Brown University professor Tricia Rose has had a front row seat on the racial fault lines in American society. Her latest book is Metaracism -- How Systemic Racism Devastates Black Lives -- And How We Break Free. Rose’s book offers a new view of structural racism, how it works, and what is needed to make change. So are Americans ready to acknowledge the persistence of racism and how it affects our country? And how is the outlook for improving the situation in the heat of a high-stakes political year? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with director of Brown University’s Center for the Study and Race and Ethnicity in America Tricia Rose.

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‘Our safety net really has started to fray’: Darlene Allen on what’s behind growing child fatalities in Rhode Island

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0000

The Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families recently sounded an alarm about a growing number of deaths and near deaths involving young children. The coalition is calling on Gov. Dan McKee and state lawmakers to take action to address the crisis. This situation has quietly developed over years and a number of different factors are responsible. So does Rhode Island have the will to do a better job in protecting the state's most vulnerable children? And what other steps are needed to improve the lives of young people in the state? This week on Political Roundtable, Political Reporter Ian Donnis goes in-depth with Darlene Allen, chairwoman of the Rhode Island Coalition for Children and Families.

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RI Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor on local pushback, how long progress will take, and whether it should move faster

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 07:36:00 +0000

Rhode Island has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years to produce more housing. But relatively little new construction has happened so far, and some cities and towns resist attempts to get them to welcome more residents. The median price of a single-family home in Rhode Island was $440,000 in February, an almost 15 percent increase from a year earlier. The high cost of housing leaves many people on the outside of home ownership, looking in, squeezing out those with less money. So what will it take for the state to make more progress, and how long? I’m Ian Donnis, and this week I’m going in-depth with Rhode Island Secretary of Housing Stefan Pryor.

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United Way’s Cortney Nicolato on what it takes to make progress on housing, racial equity and more

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Cortney Nicolato became president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island in 2018. It was a homecoming for the Pawtucket native and URI grad who had worked in the nonprofit sector in Texas for the previous 13 years. Nicolato took the helm of one of Rhode Island’s top nonprofits in the run-up to the pandemic. She helped introduce 401Gives, now Rhode Island’s largest philanthropic effort, which this year raised more than $3.7 million for almost 600 different organizations. Nicolato has also emerged as a leading advocate for confronting the state’s housing crisis. But what will it take to build a stronger economy in Rhode Island and to make more progress on other key issues? This week, political reporter Ian Donnis goes in-depth with United Way of Rhode Island President/CEO Cortney Nicolato.

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State Rep. Jennifer Stewart on housing, improving schools, Washington Bridge & more

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 07:24:00 +0000

Jennifer Stewart won election as a state representative from Pawtucket in 2022. She ran on the idea that lawmakers should do more to help everyday Rhode Islanders with key needs like healthcare and housing. But these are complex issues that defy easy solutions. Stewart is one of a number of progressive lawmakers who have joined the legislature over the last decade, moving the General Assembly a bit more to the left. But Rhode Island still faces familiar challenges in building a stronger economy and improving public schools. What will it take to make more progress? And do progressive lawmakers have the vision to make it happen? I’m Ian Donnis and this week I’m going in-depth with state Representative Jennifer Stewart.

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Ken Block on disproving 2020 election fraud — and how to improve American elections

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:53:00 +0000

Ken Block was surprised to get a phone call from an unfamiliar number one day after the 2020 election. It was a lawyer for Donald Trump’s campaign, and he wanted to know if Block would search for evidence of fraud in the election. Block ran as a third party candidate for governor in 2010 and as a Republican in 2014. But he’s also an expert in database technologies and data analytics -- and that’s why the Trump campaign reached out to him. Block details his findings in a new book. So why has Trump not backed away from his lie about a stolen election? How can Americans move ahead when so many people disregard facts? And what needs to be done to strengthen the election process? I’m Ian Donnis and this week I’m going in-depth with Ken Block, author of “Disproven: My Unbiased Search For Voter Fraud For The Trump Campaign, The Data That Shows Why He Lost, And How We Can Improve Our Elections.”

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Providence Mayor Brett Smiley on Washington Bridge, tax deals, city schools and more

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 12:48:32 +0000

Providence is the business, political and cultural capital for the state. But it faces some of the same hurdles as other cities, including the question of how to maintain a vibrant downtown when more of the people who used to fill offices are now working remotely. After decades of talk about the importance of public education, is there a plan for improving Providence schools when the city regains control of them from the state in the next year or two? Our guest for Political Roundtable this week is Providence Mayor Brett Smiley.

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AP reporter Michelle Smith on Middletown native Michael Flynn’s role as an evangelist for Christian nationalism

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:55:00 +0000

The military career of Middletown native Michael Flynn hit a high point when he was named as Donald Trump’s national security adviser in 2016. But Flynn resigned after being in the role for just a few weeks, and he’s better known now as a leader of Christian nationalist movement. The Christian right embraces Trump, and according to Politico, an influential think tank plans to infuse Christian nationalist ideas in the White House if Trump wins in November. What does this mean for democracy? Is the U.S. moving closer to a theocracy? And how did a high-ranking former military official become a conspiracy theorist and a central figure in this movement? I’m Ian Donnis and this week I’m going in-depth with a Providence-based reporter on the investigations team for The Associated Press, Michelle Smith, who has reported extensively on Michael Flynn. She was the correspondent for an October 2022 PBS Frontline documentary on Flynn.

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RI House GOP Leader Mike Chippendale on the Washington Bridge, McKee’s budget, immigration & more

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 08:55:00 +0000

This week, Ian Donnis talks with Republican leader in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Mike Chippendale of Foster.

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U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse on the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the economy and presidential politics

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 08:55:00 +0000

The global scene is marked by violence and uncertainty, with wars in Israel and Ukraine. Closer to home, many Americans are dissatisfied with their choices amid a likely showdown between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Congress remains sharply divided, and paralysis prevails on issues like immigration. Many Americans feel jittery about the economy, even with a soaring stock market and low unemployment. Can politicians make a positive difference on the issues that matter most? Is there a path for less suffering in Gaza and a more robust defense of Ukraine? And is 81-year-old Joe Biden the guy to lead America into the future? I’m Ian Donnis and this week I’m going in depth with U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.

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State Rep. June Speakman on Washington Bridge, the fight for affordable housing, and a political scientist’s view on 2024

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:30:00 +0000

This week we'll hear from House Oversight Committee member state Representative June Speakman. Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti faced four hours of questions during a legislative Oversight hearing earlier this week. But after it was over, some key questions remained unanswered -- including how the westbound Washington Bridge passed an inspection last summer and is now considered so damaged that it may need to be replaced. More insight into what happened is expected when additional engineering information becomes available within the next few weeks. So for right now, did the Oversight hearing really accomplish anything? Is Alviti the right person to lead the response to the crisis involving the Washington Bridge? And do state lawmakers have the technical expertise to run an effective Oversight process?

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RI Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson on Washington Bridge, McKee’s budget, RIPTA and more

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 13:45:11 +0000

Legislative Oversight committees plan to hold a joint hearing Monday to examine the crisis involving the Washington Bridge. For now, motorists continue to wrestle with congested traffic at peak times and the ripple effect sometimes extends beyond Interstate 195 into the streets of Providence, East Providence and other communities. If the westbound Washington Bridge needs […]

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Black Lives Matter RI PAC President Harrison Tuttle on police accountability, Washington Bridge, and equity in cannabis

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 01:40:00 +0000

Conservative activists and academics in some states are attacking efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Here in Rhode Island, the Providence City Council and General Assembly reflect the makeup of the state much more so than they did 15 years ago. And the two largest police departments here, Providence police and the State Police, […]

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RI GOP National Committeewoman Sue Cienki on Trump’s wins, the stakes for 2024, and what’s next for Rhode Island Republicans

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 03:31:00 +0000

Donald Trump moved closer to securing the Republican presidential nomination by winning the New Hampshire primary this week. Many voters dread a rematch between Trump and Democrat Joe Biden, but here we are. Suffice it to say, the November election has huge implications for the future of the country. Closer to home, Republicans continue to struggle to win political office. The GOP is locked out of federal and statewide posts, perhaps because of the image of the national party’s direction under Trump. At the Statehouse, Republicans hold just 14 of 113 seats in the General Assembly. Can the GOP rebound to play a bigger role in Rhode Island politics? Why do Republicans by and large continue to line up behind Donald Trump? And what does one of the top GOP officials in Rhode Island have to say about all this? I’m Ian Donnis and this week I’m going in depth with Rhode Island Republican National Committeewoman Sue Cienki.

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RIPEC’s Michael DiBiase on RI’s tougher budget climate – and the fallout for schools, housing, healthcare and transportation

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 15:24:00 +0000

The gravy train is over. That sums up how Rhode Island’s fiscal landscape is in transition. In recent years, a gusher of federal COVID aid fueled consecutive budget surpluses. Now, however, the state is returning to a time of bigger disparities between needs and available money. Governor Dan McKee yesterday unveiled his budget proposal for the fiscal year starting July first. The General Assembly will now spend months reviewing the governor’s plans and incorporating its own changes. Among those closely following the process are the business-backed fiscal watchdog group, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, and RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase.

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Former RI Rep. Claudine Schneider on Trump getting knocked off the Colorado ballot, what’s next for the GOP, and women in politics

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 20:53:00 +0000

Claudine Schneider made history in 1980 when she became the first woman elected to Congress from Rhode Island. Forty-three years later, Ocean State voters still have not sent another woman to the U.S. House or Senate. But Schneider is still making news. She is one of six plaintiffs behind a lawsuit that knocked Donald Trump off the Colorado ballot last month. The top state court there ruled Trump engaged in insurrection by trying to overturn the 2020 election.

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State Sen. Jake Bissaillon on General Assembly hot topics, R.I. economy, and reducing RI’s ‘brain drain’

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 08:54:00 +0000

Jake Bissaillon of Providence is the newest member of the Rhode Island Senate. He won a special election last year to fill the vacancy created by the death of Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin. Bissaillon cut his political teeth as a student organizer for Barack Obama at Providence College in 2008, and he later worked as chief of staff for the Providence City Council and for state Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. So why did Bissaillon want to make the transition from political staffer to political candidate? How does the 36-year-old Providence Democrat think Rhode Island can keep more young people from leaving the state? And what does he think can be done to improve Rhode Island’s economy? I’m Ian Donnis and this week I’m going in depth with state Senator Jake Bissaillon.

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Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore on voting, state archives, and the traffic this week in East Providence

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 15:45:00 +0000

Rhode Island’s top official with responsibility for voting-related issues is Secretary of State Gregg Amore. So how does he feel about the outlook for small-d democracy as America hurtles toward 2024? What can be done to boost confidence in elections and dispel misinformation? And how did Amore, an East Providence resident, fare amid the traffic nightmare caused this week by the closing of the westbound part of the George Washington Bridge?

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R.I. Senate GOP Leader Jessica de la Cruz on how RI Republicans can gain ground, whether Trump is holding them back, and the war in Israel

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Jessica de la Cruz is one of the most high-profile Republicans in the state and she’s flirted with the idea of running for higher office. But the landscape for Republicans is pretty bleak here. The last Republican governor to win office was Don Carcieri in 2006. A GOP candidate has not won any of the four other state general offices since 1994. And Republicans hold just 14 of 113 seats in the General Assembly. What does de la Cruz make of all this? Is Donald Trump damaging efforts to build the GOP in places like Rhode Island? And does de la Cruz plan to seek higher office in the next state general election in 2026? This week, Ian Donnis goes in-depth with the Republican leader in the Rhode Island Senate, Jessica de la Cruz.

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R.I. Attorney General Neronha on healthcare, gun violence, and his criteria for a possible gubernatorial run in 2026

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 10:59:02 +0000

The Public's Radio Political Reporter Ian Donnis goes in-depth with Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha on this week's episode of Political Roundtable.

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Marc Crisafulli on what’s next in the I-195 District, RI’s development climate, and the ubiquity of gambling

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 08:45:48 +0000

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee named Marc Crisafulli as chairman of the I-195 District Redevelopment Commission last January. The thinking was that a seasoned lawyer and business executive like Crisafulli could help nudge forward development in the acres once covered by Interstate 195. The process has been unfolding for more than a decade and it remains a work in progress.

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Political Roundtable: Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies on RI’s economy, how to reduce poverty, and the next General Assembly session

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In this week’s episode of Political Roundtable, Ian Donnis goes in depth with the executive director of the Economic Progress Institute, Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies.

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Gabe Amo on his run in CD1, the war in Israel, and Biden’s less than stellar approval rating

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 07:48:20 +0000

Gabe Amo may be poised for a long career as an elected official in Rhode Island. For that to happen, Amo first has to defeat Republican Gerry Leonard in the off-year election Tuesday in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District.

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CD1 Republican candidate Gerry Leonard on his campaign, the war in Israel, and disarray in the U.S. House

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 08:48:32 +0000

Gerry Leonard calls himself a John Chafee-style Republican. But hard-right lawmakers who struggled for weeks to elect a new speaker typify the club that Leonard wants to join, the GOP caucus in the U.S. House.

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RI AFL-CIO’s Pat Crowley on organized labor’s current moment, meager progress on schools, and what to do about income inequality

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 07:31:03 +0000

One familiar face in Rhode Island's labor movement, Pat Crowley of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, is poised to take over the leadership of that union. So can labor maintain its local relevance?

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Political Roundtable: U.S. Sen. Jack Reed on Israel at war, disarray in the House, and Gina Raimondo’s political future

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 08:32:48 +0000

Jack Reed’s first term in the U.S. Senate coincided with the so-called “vacation from history.” That was the period between the end of the Cold War and 9/11, a time marked by a lack of conflict on the world stage. Now, things are very different. The state of war between Hamas and Israel raises concerns […]

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Rep. David Morales on fighting for the working class, being pragmatic and what to do about income inequality

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 08:14:39 +0000

David Morales was 22 years old when he was elected as the state representative for Providence’s Mount Pleasant, Valley and Elmhurst sections. Morales was raised by a single mother in a rural town in California and in 2019, at age 19, he became the youngest person to ever graduate from Brown University’s master’s program in public affairs.

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Dr. Ashish Jha on promoting public health, curbing COVID, and more

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 07:50:46 +0000

Dr. Ashish Jha believes that an ounce of data is worth a thousand pounds of opinion. He makes that observation in his bio on X, formerly known as Twitter, where Jha has more than 320,000 followers. That shows how Jha, dean of the School of Public Health at Brown University, has emerged as a leading voice on pandemic preparedness and an array of other health-related issues.

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Scott Avedisian on RIPTA’s financial challenges, transit improvements, and what’s next for a downtown transit center

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 07:36:04 +0000

In a small state like Rhode Island, you might think it would be easy to create a good public transit system. But RIPTA has wrestled with a lack of funding virtually since its establishment in the 1960s.

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