Image 01 Image 03
Sign In or RegisterLogout

Rhode Island Tag

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 22, 2011 4 Comments

Former Rhode Island Governor Bruce Sundlun has died at age 91.  Sundlun was a dominant figure in Rhode Island politics, and a true Rhode Island character.  A WWII veteran who was shot down behind enemy lines in Europe, and who joined the Belgian resistence before working...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 09, 2011 1 Comment

Now I can't say bumper stickers never taught me anything. I spotted this bumper sticker in Providence last night, near Thayer Street and Brown University: My first impression was that this was some sort of political statement, but thanks to the miracle of Google, I learned that...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 08, 2011 1 Comment

I've written many times about Rhode Island's public sector pension problem, which is like an albatross hung around the necks of taxpayers.  Although some reforms have been made, retiring at a relatively early age on full or near full salary forevever has created an absurd situation...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on July 04, 2011 12 Comments

Hey, it's a slow news day.  I can't even find a good Stuxnet story to write about. We have extensive hydrangea and hosta gardens at our home in Rhode Island, and I'm particularly happy with the way this Oak Leaf hydrangea is growing.   We bought it...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on June 30, 2011 2 Comments

I reported the other day how RI Gov. Linc Chafee was refusing to turn a murderer over to the feds because the murderer potentially was subject to the death penalty.  The murderer attempted to plead guilty to the murder in state court so as to...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on June 29, 2011 4 Comments

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), who has lashed out repeatedly at Republicans and the Tea Party movement, is up for reelection. Whitehouse has a lot of money in the bank, and surely will use his connections to the White House in the campaign, but is...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on June 24, 2011 2 Comments

There's a very interesting article in The Providence Phoenix (h/t Hummel Report) regarding plans by the Republican Party in Rhode Island to regain relevance: The Rhode Island Republican Party's reputation for ineptitude is, by any reasonable measure, richly deserved. Sure, the party held the governor's office for much of...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on June 20, 2011 7 Comments

This is almost as good as Ann Althouse having the union protests right outside her window. Netroots Nation, attended by all of my very good blog-friends, will be held in Providence! All the nutroots in my home state and not far from my house in the most...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on June 06, 2011 3 Comments

It was surprisingly easy for public sector unions to bust Providence.  Through political influence public sector unions gained a majority on the Providence Pension Board, and helped themselves to unsustainable benefits.The Providence Journal digs bag into the history of the City of Providence pension system,...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on May 26, 2011 0 Comments

David Cicilline (D-RI), the former Mayor of Providence, left city finances in a shambles, despite assuring voters in the November congressional election that the city finances were sound.New Mayor Angel Taveras was confronted with a financial catastrophe on his hands when he took office in...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on May 05, 2011 5 Comments

John J. "Jack" McConnell, Jr. was confirmed by the U.S. Senate yesterday after a struggle by Sen. Mitch McConnell and other Republican Senators to block the nomination by opposing an unexpected cloture petition filed by Harry Reid.A key group of Republican Senators, led by Lidsey...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on May 04, 2011 8 Comments

So reports The Providence Journal regarding the nomination of John J. "Jack" McConnell, Jr. for an open seat on the Rhode Island federal District Court.The reason this has become a "war" is that Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has threatened to block future nominees under Republican presidents, as...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on May 03, 2011 8 Comments

Update - Vote in Senate will be Wednesday at noon.  See updated post, Senate To "Go To War" Today Over Jack McConnell Nomination. ------------------I have posted frequently about John J. "Jack" McConnell, Jr., nominated for an open seat to the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island. ...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 25, 2011 11 Comments

Your Stimulus dollars at work, fulfilling Don Quixote's impossible dream of never being far from a windmill towards which he can tilt.Via Providence Journal (emphasis mine):A Chinese firm will supply three wind turbines that will be installed at the Field's Point Wastewater Treatment Facility on the...

Posted by William A. Jacobson on April 20, 2011 2 Comments

A report commissioned by the City of Providence finds that then Mayor, now Congressman, David Cicilline is responsible for the fiscal mess, which has been the subject of numerous prior posts here.  Most famously, Providence recently was forced to issue preemptive termination notices to every teacher in the Providence...

Accessibility by WAH