>> THIS WEEK ON A LIVELY EXPERIMENT, RHODE ISLAND IS AWASH IN FEDERAL COVID MONEY.

WHILE MUCH ON THE -- MUCH OF THE FOCUS HAS BEEN ON HOW THE STATE WILL SPEND ITS SHARE, WHAT ABOUT THE CITIES AND TOWNS?

THE STATE OPENS A BOOSTER SHOT ELIGIBILITY FOR EVERYONE AS INFECTION NUMBERS TREND UPWARD AGAIN.

OUR KOA LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> HI, I AM JOHN.

FOR OVER 30 YEARS, A LIVELY EXPERIMENT HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL ISSUES FOR BASE RHODE ISLANDERS.

I AM A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS GREAT PROGRAM AND RHODE ISLAND PBS.

>> JOINING US ON THIS WEEK'S PANEL, JIM VINCENT, PRESIDENT OF THE PROVIDENCE BRANCH OF THE NAACP.

BILL LYNCH, FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE RHODE ISLAND DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

AND REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST, LISA POSEY.

-- PALOSI.

WHAT TO DO WITH A WINDFALL FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

SOME HAVE SPENT OR ALLOCATED A GOOD PORTION OF THEIR SHARE, WHILE OTHERS HAVE NOT SPENT A DIME.

-- TO BUILD A SKATING RINK NOT ONLY RAISED EYEBROWS BUT QUESTIONS ON HOW IT SHOULD BE SPENT.

IT IS A LOT OF BUT -- MONEY AND ELECTRIC FOR SOME TOWNS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HOW CITIES AND TOWNS SHOULD HANDLE IT?

>> IN PROCESS -- PROVIDENCE, THERE IS A TASK FORCE.

WE HAD A WEBINAR TO ASK THE COMMUNITY HOW THE MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT.

I THINK PEOPLE WOULD AGREE THAT HOUSING, SMALL BUSINESS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOP AND ARE THE AREAS THAT MOST PEOPLE FEEL IT SHOULD BE SPENT.

I KNOW IT IS 10% OR 1% OR WHATEVER THE PERCENTAGE IS OF THE MONEY.

>> BUT IT GRABS THE HEADLINES.

>> IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THEY WOULD HAVE WANTED TO HAVE DONE LATER.

I THINK IT IS AN ATTEMPT TO APPEASE THE YOUTH ISSUE.

I THINK THE CRISIS IN HOUSING AND SMALL BUSINESS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IS SCREAMING.

MOST CITIES AND TOWNS SHOULD LOOK AT THOSE AREAS FIRST AND GET THE MONEY OUT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

>> I SAW ONE OR TWO COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY HIRED SOMEBODY.

YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

I KNOW THAT IS ANOTHER PERSON AND MORE ON THE PAYROLL.

GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF MONEY, SOMEBODY REALLY FOCUSED ON THIS.

>> I AGREE.

THE TRANSPARENCY IS IMPORTANT.

AS MUCH AS WE COULD USE OUR WEBSITE, STATE WEBSITES AND MONEY FOR THE MUNICIPALITIES FOR THEIRS, TO SHOW TAXPAYERS AND VOTERS WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING.

IT WAS UNFORTUNATE.

MOST OF THE COMMUNITIES YOU SAID ARE RIGHTFULLY LOOKING AT THE MONEY COMING IN.

THE PARAMETERS OF HOW DO YOU SPEND IT, BE IT ON INFRASTRUCTURE OR HOUSING.

REPLENISHING THE MONEY THEY LOST IN THE BUDGET BECAUSE OF THE IMPACTS OF COVID.

IT WAS UNFORTUNATE THAT THEY DID NOT PACKAGE IT RIGHT, EITHER.

THE NEED FOR A RINK MADE SENSE.

WHEN I SAW THE MONEY BEING SPENT FOR CHAIRS IN A CONFERENCE ROOM I WAS THINKING REALLY?

IS THIS THE BEST WAY TO USE THE MONEY?

>> THE MAYOR JUMPED IN AT THE END.

IT DOES NOT HELP WHEN YOU ARE YELLING.

>> NO GOOD DEED GOES ON PUNISHED -- UNPUNISHED.

THEY HAD A TRANSPARENT PROCESS WITH THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL.

ONE OF THE LOUDEST THINGS THEY HEARD, THEY ALSO HAVE A SECOND PHASE COMING THAT ADDRESSES AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUES AND SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THEY HEARD WAS THAT THE KIDS HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.

THEY ARE GETTING IN TROUBLE BECAUSE THEY DN'T HAVE ANY ACTIVITIES.

WHEN HE CAME UP WITH THIS RINK THAT IS GOING TO BE FREE AND AVAILABLE FOR KIDS TO USE, THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENS IS THE SAME PEOPLE THAT WERE COMPLAINING THE KIDS HAVE NOTHING TO DO TURNED ON THE MAYOR AND SAID WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS.

I THINK IT IS A CATCH 22.

I THINK THAT THAT MESSAGING WAS NOT GOOD.

I THINK THE TIMING COULD HAVE BEEN PROBABLY A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

>> THE TIMING SHOULD DEFINITELY HAVE BITTEN DIFFERENT.

-- BEEN DIFFERENT.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT THEY WANT.

HOUSING PRIMARILY.

IF THEY WOULD HAVE COME UP WITH THAT FIRST AND MENTION THE SKATING RINK LATER, I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD HAVE THE HEADLINES.

>> LET'S BE CANDID.

WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IS THE GROUP THAT WAS PUSHING FOR THE RECREATIONAL USE AND THE -- FOR THESE KIDS WOULD SAY WE WANT TO HELP THESE BUSINESSES BUT WE HAVE THESE KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE NOTHING TO DO, NOWHERE TO GO, NO ACCESS TO RECREATION.

IT WAS A LOSE LOSE, EITHER WAY.

>> YOU MENTION ABOUT HIRING PEOPLE, I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A COORDINATED EFFORT BETWEEN THE STATE AND MUNICIPALITIES.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT HOUSING, HOUSING IS AN ISSUE.

WE HAVE MONEY FLOWING TO THE STATE AND MUNICIPALITIES.

WHAT ABOUT A COURT NEEDED EFFORT WHERE THE STATE SAYS LET'S TRY TO HAVE EVERY COMMUNITY MEET A 10% PLAN TO HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

YOU DO THIS MUCH AND THE STATE WILL MATCH.

IT WOULD BE NICE IF THE LEAD -- STATES COULD COME TOGETHER AND MAKE A LONG-LASTING IMPACT IN RHODE ISLAND WITH THIS MONEY.

>> I SAW SOME OF THE LARGER COMMUNITIES.

THEY SAID WE LOST A LOT OF REVENUE.

AND WE ARE GOING TO BACKFILL THAT.

I THINK THAT IS AN APPROPRIATE USE.

I THINK THAT IS PART OF IT.

YOU REMEMBER OBAMA.

I THINK THERE IS CONFUSION, WHAT IS THIS MONEY FOR?

ALLOCATING UNTIL 24.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND IT UNTIL 2020 SIX.

-- 2026.

I READ SOME ARTICLES WERE PEOPLE RECORDED SAYING WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE GUIDELINES ARE.

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE CLEAR.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS, PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED WITH THE DEMOCRATS MESSAGING BEHIND THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND WHAT IT ACTUALLY IS AND WHAT IT ACTUALLY DO, I THOUGHT WAS HORRIBLE.

ALL YOU KEPT HEARING ABOUT WAS THIS INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND THE TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS, ETC.

THAT'S NOT GOOD.

WHAT IS IT?

IF YOU ASK THE AVERAGE PERSON TALKING TO PROVIDENCE, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THE MESSAGING WAS.

I THOUGHT IT WAS, FROM A POLITICAL STANDPOINT, LACKING.

>> I DO AGREE WITH THAT.

>> THEY SHOULD HAVE CALLED BILL FOR ADVICE.

>> GIVE LISA A PASS.

LOU IS WATCHING, YOU KNOW.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

WE SEE THE BROAD CATEGORIES THAT ARE COMING OUT AND THERE IS SO MUCH MONEY THAT WILL BE FLOWING TO THE STATES.

THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE SOME -- SOME MORE PARAMETERS AROUND THAT.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL SEE GOING DOWN THE LINE.

>> THE MESSAGING IS NOT IMPORTANT.

PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

EVERYBODY KNOWS $1.2 TRILLION IN THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL BUT DO THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT TOWARD?

PROBABLY NOT.

THE MESSAGING HAS TO BE BETTER.

>> ON THE LARGER ISSUE, THE STATE MONEY, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS OVER THE COURSE OF THE FALL .

IT LOOKS LIKE THE FALL SESSION IS OUT THE WINDOW.

THAT WAS GOING TO BE ABOUT A VARIETY OF THINGS.

THE GOVERNOR WAS TO GET THE MONEY OUT THE DOOR LEAF FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, AFFORDABLE HOUSING -- QUICKLY FOR SMALL BUSINESS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> NEXT WEEK IS THANKSGIVING AND TO TRY TO BRING THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BACK FOR DECEMBER IS CHALLENGING.

I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE URGENT NEEDS.

YOU WANT TO GET THE MONEY.

YOU HAVE TO DO IT RIGHT.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE.

WE HAVE SEEN WITH THE PREVIOUS MONEY THAT CAME THROUGH, HOW MANY STORIES HAVE WE SEEN ABOUT MONEY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO HELP TENANTS AND LANDLORDS THROUGH THE EVICTION PROCESS AND THEIR WAS NOT A STRUCTURE PUT IN PLACE TO HAVE THAT MONEY FLOW APPROPRIATELY?

WE NEED TO HAVE STRUCTURES PUT IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY IS GOING WHERE IT SHOULD BE GOING AND THE OVERSIGHT IS IN PLACE, ALSO.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE SEEING WHICH I THINK IS GREAT IS THAT UNDER THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP, PRESENTLY, THEY -- THE STATE TAX REVENUES ARE THROUGH THE ROOF.

THE STATE TAX REVENUES WERE $600 MILLION.

>> ARE YOU ATTRIBUTE IN GOT TO THE GREAT DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> IT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SPENDING MORE?

EVERYBODY IS LASER FOCUSED ON THE SURPLUS.

USUALLY DEMOCRATS WANT TO SPEND MORE.

>> WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS, TYPICALLY IN CONJUNCTION, YOU HAVE THE GOVERNOR, SENATE PRESIDENT AND SPEAKER WEIGHING IN.

THEY ARE METHODICALLY MOVING FORWARD.

THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RUSH TO SPEND THIS FEDERAL MONEY.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF PLANNING TAKING PLACE.

THERE ARE PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

I THINK THAT RATHER THAN WHAT PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF, WHICH IS HERE COMES THIS FEDERAL MONEY WHICH WILL GO FLYING OUT THE DOORS, WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN, THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN PUSHING LATELY TO GET SOME OF THE MONEY OUT.

FOR SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

GENERALLY SPEAKING, I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A REAL PRAGMATIC PROCESS THAT PEOPLE ARE FOLLOWING TO MICK SURE THIS MONEY IS SPENT PROPERLY.

>> I TEND TO AGREE WITH THAT.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME PRAGMATISM AND OVERSIGHT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MONEY GET OUT THERE.

THE GOVERNOR'S DESK WILL SPEND $113 MILLION.

54% OF IT WILL BE ON HOUSING.

THAT'S GREAT.

A BIGGER PERCENTAGE SHOULD BE SPENT ON THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

THERE IS ALSO THE OTHER BILLION DOLLARS.

WE HAVE THAT OTHER NEED IN THE STATE.

LET'S GET THAT MONEY OUT THERE.

OUR COMMUNITIES ARE CRYING OUT FOR HELP.

>> LET ME JUST SAY, DURING THE YEARS WHEN WE WOULD HAVE THE NOVEMBER REVENUE ESTIMATED CONFERENCE THAT WE WOULD ESTIMATE OUR BUDGET ON, IT ALWAYS SEEMED THE NUMBERS IN NOVEMBER CAME IN LOW.

THEN, MAY WOULD COME AROUND AND WE HAVE ALL OF THIS MONEY COMING IN.

>> THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL.

>> THIS IS BEYOND EXTRAORDINARY THAT WE HAVE THIS MUCH MONEY COMING IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHEN YOU CITED OVER $600 MILLION OF SURPLUS.

WE ARE FLUSH WITH MONEY RIGHT NOW.

>> IS IT THE CONCERN?

THE BUDGET WAS A LITTLE BIT -- UP 45%.

A LOT OF THAT IS FEDERAL MONEY.

WHERE DO YOU BEGIN?

IT WAS $9.2 BILLION THREE YEARS AGO.

EVERYBODY IS LIKE WE HAVE LOTS OF MONEY, LET'S FUND THIS AND THAT.

AT SOME POINT, -- I'M CONCERNED THE 600 MILLION WILL GIVE US THE IMPRESSION WE ARE IN GREAT SHAPE.

YOU KNOW THE RAIN IS GOING TO COME AT SOME POINT.

DO WE PAY IT BACK FROM THE BORROWING?

YOU CAN ALWAYS USE A LITTLE MORE, LISA.

IS SOMEBODY MORE CONSERVATIVE THAN YOU?

>> THIS IS GREAT.

I LIKE YOUR THINKING ABOUT THIS.

YOU CAN BE MORE CONSERVATIVE.

LOOKING FOR THE LONG TERM, THE LEGISLATURE LOOKS AT LET'S GET THROUGH THIS YEAR.

>> AND GET TO THE NEXT ONE.

>>, TIMES HAVE WE SAID KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD?

I LIKE THE LONG-TERM THINKING ABOUT HOW WE ARE SPENDING THIS MONEY.

I LIKE THE THOUGHTFULNESS THE GENERAL SM LEE HAS BEEN PUTTING FORWARD WITH THE COMMITTEE HEARINGS ALL.

-- COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

>> BREAKING THURSDAY NIGHT, THE GOVERNOR -- IT IS FUNNY THE GOVERNOR IS OUT OF TOWN WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

COUNSEL 94, REPRESENTS A LOT OF UNION WORKERS IN THE PROPOSAL, THEY SETTLED THAT THE WORKERS WOULD GET UP TO $3000 FOR BEING FULLY VACCINATED.

THAT CAUSES A LOT OF PEOPLE TO BE LIKE WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

WE ARE SO HIGHLY VACCINATED.

I KNOW YOU WERE WATCHING THE NEWS ON THURSDAY NIGHT.

WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR HEAD?

>> I WAS READY FOR THE SHOW WITH AN OUTRAGE.

[LAUGHTER] WHEN I SAT THERE AND I HEARD IT, ON A POSITIVE NOTE, I AM GLAD THAT THE AGREEMENT IS TENTATIVE AND NOT FINAL AND THAT THIS CAME OUT.

FOR THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT WATCHING THE SHOW, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO STOP THIS.

THIS IS BAD PUBLIC POLICY TO BE PUTTING FORWARD THIS TYPE OF MONEY TO HAVE PEOPLE, FOR THE NUMBER OF MONTHS, URGING PEOPLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING, GOING OUT AND GETTING VACCINATED, DO IT FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FRIENDS, TO NOW SAY AND -- SAY TWO PEOPLE IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT THAT IF YOU DO THIS, YOU WILL IT MONEY.

IT IS A PLAY CAN MOVE TO GIVE MONEY TO WORKERS BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

I WANT THE DEMOCRAT CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR HOWLING THAT THIS IS SO BAD.

>> IS THERE AN ELECTION NEXT YEAR?

>> CERTAINLY THE OPTICS LOOKED TROUBLING.

HOWEVER, I AM THE KIND OF PERSON THAT, UP UNTIL NOW, HAD ALWAYS SAID WE HAVE TO DO WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE.

IRREGARDLESS OF WHAT THE PERCENTAGE IS.

GET AS MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE.

I AM ALWAYS AIRING IN TERMS OF DOING WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED.

>> I TAKE BACK EVERYTHING I SAID ABOUT YOU, BY THE WAY.

THE WORD THAT CAME TO MY MIND WAS BRILLIANT.

FIRST OF ALL, WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON HERE IS THIS IS A NEGOTIATION, THE NEGOTIATION FOR THIS CONTRACT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS.

THE STATE WORKERS WHO, IN MY OPINION, DESERVE A RAISE THAT WAS PART OF THE NEGOTIATION.

I THINK GOVERNOR MCKEE WAS BRILLIANT IN SAYING YOU WANT A RAISE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GIVING YOU A RAISE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

I WANT PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATED.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN WORK SOMETHING OUT SO THAT YOU GET THE RAISE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR BUT WE GET SOME INCENTIVE TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED.

IT IS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF -- SOME PEOPLE CALL THEM TO MIX TO GET MORE AND MORE -- GIMMICKS TO GET MORE AND MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED.

>> THIS IS MORE THAN SCRATCH TICKETS, BILL.

WE ARE GIVING TO YOUR FAVORITE NONPROFIT.

>> IT IS A RAISE TO STATE WORKERS OF $120 A MONTH.

I THINK THAT WAS PART OF THE NEGOTIATION, ANYWAY.

THAT STATE WORKERS WERE LOOKING FOR AN INCREASE IN PAY.

>> IS THIS A BONUS ON TOP OF THE PAY?

>> IT IS.

>> IT IS PART OF THE NEGOTIATION FOR THE ENTIRE CONTRACT.

>> GOVERNOR MCKEE HAS BEEN OUT THERE FOR MONTHS, SHOTS IN THE ARM, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE HEARD THAT?

TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED TO DO THIS COLLECTIVELY TO PROTECT OUR STATE.

TO GO AND SAY TO THE FOLKS WHO HAVE ALREADY DONE IT, WE WILL GIVE YOU MONEY.

WHAT ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHO ARE MANDATED?

THEY ARE NOT KIDDING PAY.

WHAT ABOUT THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WE HAVE GONE TO TO SAY PLEASE GET VACCINATED?

WHY NOT GIVE EVERY RHODE ISLANDER THE SAME 3000?

>> NOW YOU ARE STARTING TO SOUND LIKE A DEMOCRAT.

>> I AM CONFUSED.

>> I AM CONFUSED, BECAUSE IS THE INTENT TO REWARD THE WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED?

AND TWO, IS $3000, IS THAT REALLY GOING TO ENCOURAGE SOMEBODY IN COUNSEL 94 TO SAY I WANT THAT MONEY, NOW I WILL GET VACCINATED?

IS IT AS A REWARD OR AN INCENTIVE?

THAT IS THE QUESTION I HAVE.

IT IS EX POST FACTO.

>> LOOK AT THE TIMING OF IT, THE DISBURSEMENT OF IT IS RIGHT BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

HERE IS $1500 TO GO OUT AND THINK KINDLY OF GOVERNOR MCKEE.

TO DO IT IN JULY OF NEXT YEAR, TWO MONTHS BEFORE WHAT WE KNOW WILL BE A CONTENTIOUS DEMOCRAT PRIMARY, FOR THE WORKERS TO GET $1500, YOU KNOW HE WILL BE TOUTING IT.

IT IS TRULY A POLITICAL MOVE.

IT IS BAD PUBLIC POLICY.

>> YOU ARE STARTING TO SOUND LIKE THE GRINCH.

>> WHAT WERE THOSE THINGS, YOU PUT MONEY AWAY ALL YEAR AND YOU TAKE IT OUT AT CHRISTMAS, SOUNDS LIKE THAT.

NICE BONUS.

>> THE OPTICS LOOKED BAD.

ANYTHING TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED, I AM FOR IT.

THE FACT THAT PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY BEEN VACCINATED, THAT'S -- >> HE REJECTED THE MILLION DOLLAR LOTTERY THAT MASSACHUSETTS WANTED TO DO.

THEN HE DID THE STUNT WITH THE GIFT CARDS TO GET PEOPLE TO DO IT.

HE'S BEEN TRYING TO FIND DIFFERENT INCENTIVES TO DO IT.

THIS IS FOR A SELECT GROUP OF PEOPLE, STATE WORKERS.

THIS IS SO WRONG.

>> I FIND IT INTERESTING.

THIS IS TO BE CONTINUED BECAUSE WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE CONTRACT.

I DID FIND IT INTERESTING THAT RHODE ISLAND GOT AHEAD OF THE CDC.

WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE CDC ON THE BOOSTER SHOTS.

I WAS IN THAT CATEGORY.

THEY OPENED IT UP TO EVERYBODY.

I'M -- I WAS ABLE TO GET A SHOT.

I WONDER WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT.

RHODE ISLAND HAS BEEN HESITANT TO GET IN LOCKSTEP WITH THE CDC.

THE BOOSTER SHOTS ARE OPEN.

I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA PRAYED I WONDER WHAT FLIPPED THE SWITCH ON THAT.

>> I'M GETTING MY BOOSTER SHOT AT 12:30, TODAY.

THIS IS FRIDAY, AS WE ARE TAPING THIS.

I HOPE EVERYBODY WHO IS ELIGIBLE CAN DO IT.

I THINK THAT THE ONLY THING -- I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE RATIONALE BEHIND PEOPLE WHO JUST ADAMANTLY WILL NOT GET VACCINATED.

I KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT IT AND I HAVE TALKED TO THEM.

I USED TO DEBATE IT.

NOW I DON'T DO THAT ANYMORE.

I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

I THINK WE CAN BE A MUCH BETTER PLACE AND BE SAFER AND GET BACK TO WHERE WE ALL WANT TO GO IF PEOPLE JUST GOT VACCINATED.

>> TOTALLY AGREE.

I GOT THE BOOSTER AS SOON AS I COULD.

I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD GET VACCINATED, GET THE BOOSTER AND WHAT HAVE YOU.

THERE IS SO MUCH MISINFORMATION OUT THERE THAT PEOPLE ARE FALLING OUT FOR -- ARE FALLING FOR.

PEOPLE HAVE CHILDREN WHO ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL AND ARE QUESTIONING THEY SHOULD GET SHOTS FOR MONTHS AND MABEL'S -- MEASLES -- MUMPS AND MEASLES THAT WE HAVE ALREADY DEFEATED.

>> THINGS THEY DID NOT THINK TWICE ABOUT.

>> THEY AND THEIR PARENTS DID NOT THINK TWICE ABOUT IT.

YOU HAVE PARENTS WHO NOT GETTING SHOTS AT ALL FOR THEIR KIDS.

>> MY ONLY CONCERN IS, I GOT A CALL FROM SOMEBODY, HE SAID HE WENT TO GET HIS SHOT AND THE PHARMACIES ARE HANDLING IT, AS OPPOSED TO THE STATE RUN CENTERS.

THEY ROUND UP -- WOUND UP GIVING HIM A FOURTH MR.

DASH BOOSTER INSTEAD OF THE SHING GRID -- SHINGLE SHOT.

WE HAD LIMITED VACCINES IN THE SPRING.

IT WAS TOUGH GETTING THE APPOINTMENT.

I WONDER ABOUT THAT.

>> I DON'T THINK WE HAVE HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THE BOOSTER.

I THINK THERE WILL BE A LIMITED AMOUNT OF PEOPLE.

>> WE WILL SEE.

A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS TO TALK ABOUT.

AN INTERESTING SURVEY FROM THE RHODE ISLAND OUR ASSOCIATION CAME OUT THIS PAST WEEK ABOUT INEQUITY AND RACISM IN THE COURT SYSTEM.

I WILL SAY ONLY 300 PEOPLE OUT OF THE 5000 ANSWERED IT.

THERE WAS A WINDOW INTO THIS.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS CLOSELY.

SUMMARIZE FOR US WHAT YOU READ INTO IT.

>> WHAT I READ INTO IT IS THERE ARE PROBLEMS IN THE COURTS.

WITH RACISM, SEXISM, A LOT OF DIFFERENT KIND OF-ISMS.

IT PUT IT IN WRITING.

IN THE REPORT, IT SAID THERE WERE TIMES WHERE JUDGES THINK CERTAIN LAWYERS OF COLOR ARE THE DEFENDANT AND THEY BERATE WOMEN.

I THINK IT IS A SERIOUS TOPIC.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND CRONYISM INS OF STAFF HIRING IN THE COURTS.

WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY JUDGES OF COLOR AS WE NEED.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE IMPLICIT BIAS IN THE COURTROOM FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.

THAT HAPPENS.

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT IS WHAT I AM INTERESTED IN.

IN TERMS OF MANDATORY TRAINING FOR STAFF AND JUDGES AND WHATEVER, THAT SHOULD HAPPEN.

THAT SHOULD ALWAYS HAPPEN.

LET'S MOVE FORWARD.

I THINK THAT THIS REPORT STATED THE FACTS THAT THERE IS PROBLEMS IN TERMS OF PREJUDICE AND BIAS IN THE COURT SYSTEM, FROM TOP TO BOTTOM AND THERE HAS BEEN FOR A LONG TIME.

>> I'VE BEEN A PRACTITIONER FOR OVER 30 YEARS IN EVERY COURT IN RHODE ISLAND.

AND KUDOS TO CHIEF JUSTICE AS A TELL -- ZATELL, WHO PUT TOGETHER THIS SURVEY TO GET SOME FEEDBACK AND INPUT.

IT WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING THT MORE PEOPLE DID NOT REPLY.

NEVERTHELESS, HE HAS DONE AN UNBELIEVABLE JOB AND IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE BEST CHIEF JUSTICE IS IN THE COUNTRY AT THIS POINT.

I THINK THAT THE SURVEY SHOWS WHAT A LOT OF US KNEW, WHICH IS THAT THERE IS STILL SOME INHERENT RACISM, DISCRIMINATION IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE COURTS.

NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER INSTITUTION, PROBABLY IN RHODE ISLAND.

SO, THE QUESTION AND I THINK THAT JUDGE ZATELL AND THE OTHER CHIEF JUSTICES DESERVE CREDIT FOR RECOGNIZE IT, BEING TRANSPARENT IN RELEASING -- THEY COULD HAVE TRIED TO KEEP THIS IN-HOUSE.

THEY PUBLICLY RELEASED A REPORT AND SAID NOW WE HAVE A ROADMAP OF WHAT WE CAN DO TO ADDRESS THIS, WHICH IS FANTASTIC.

IF YOU GO THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM, WITH COVID IT IS DIFFERENT.

THEY ARE NOT OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY, IN PERSON ANYMORE.

IF YOU DID, THE DIFFERENCE IN THE COURT SYSTEM NOW AS OPPOSED TO 25 TO 30 YEARS AGO IS SIGNIFICANT.

DO WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO?

OF COURSE.

BUT, IT HAS IMPROVED DRAMATICALLY OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

THE DIVERSITY ON THE BENCH, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS FREAK ONLY, IS BETTER THAN IT WAS.

IF YOU WALK THROUGH THE COURTHOUSES AND SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE EMPLOYED, THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF MAKE THE PLACE RUN EVERYDAY.

IT IS MUCH MORE DIVERSE.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS, THAT I HAVE SEEN.

YOU KNOW, IT IS AN ONGOING PROCESS.

>> IF YOU CAN SAY IF ANYTHING POSITIVE CAME OUT OF THE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD LAST YEAR, IT IS THE CONVERSATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING IN THE TASK FORCES THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED BECAUSE OF THAT.

I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF RESPONSE.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS AN ISSUE IN ITSELF.

THE PEOPLE WHO DID RESPOND BROUGHT UP SOME ISSUES THAT REALLY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

YOU LOOK AT THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, THAT, THIS YEAR WAS THE FIRST TIME WE HAD A PERSON OF COLOR APPOINTED TO THE RHODE ISLAND SUPREME COURT SHOWS WE HAVE A LONG WAYS TO GO.

>> I DON'T MEAN TO OUT THE COURSE SYSTEM -- COURT SYSTEM BECAUSE THAT COULD BE SAID FOR A LOT OF APARTMENTS.

I AM AGREEING WITH BILL.

IT IS GOOD THAT THE JUDGE HAS PUT TOGETHER THIS TASK FORCE.

THEY SHOULD BE APPLAUDED FOR TAKING A PRACTICE -- A PROACTIVE STEP.

EVERY DEPARTMENT SHOULD COME UP WITH THAT KIND OF REPORT AND RESPONSE.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT WE HAVE SYSTEM.

HOWEVER, AT LEAST THEY ARE TAKING IT IN.

THEY ARE TAKING THE STEPS TO ALLEVIATE AND ERADICATE THE STEPS THAT HAVE BEEN -- STUFF THAT HAS BEEN PLAGUING US FOR DECADES.

>> LISA, YOUR ORIGINAL OUTRAGE WAS GOING TO BE THE VACCINE BONUS.

WHAT IS IT NOW?

>> HOPEFULLY THIS WILL REDEEM ME.

THIS WEEK, THERE WERE TWO INCIDENTS THAT MADE ME DISAPPOINTED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

IT STARTED WITH THE SECOND TIME IN THE STATE OF WYOMING THAT THE WYOMING REPUBLICAN PARTY DECIDED -- VOTED TO NOT RECOGNIZE LIZ CHENEY AS BEING A MEMBER OF THEIR PARTY.

THEN WE HAVE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RIGHTFULLY CENTER -- CENSURE A REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN FOR POSTING A VIDEO OF HIM ATTACKING THE HOUSE AND ATTACKING PRESIDENT BIDEN.

THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR.

I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT HIS TWO INSTANCES -- THESE TWO INSTANCES OF THE ROOF OF A CAN PARTY THAT I AM DISAPPOINT WITH.

-- REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH.

>> I WAS GOING TO REFERENCE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY MEMBER WHO THOUGHT IT WAS CLEVER TO SHOW A VIDEO OF HIM TAKING A SWORD AND BEHEADING A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS WOMAN.

THAT WAS IDIOTIC.

SO DISAPPOINTING WAS WHEN THE REPUBLICANS HAD A CHANCE TO STATE THEIR OPPOSITION TO THAT, NOBODY VOTED TO CENSURE HIM.

THEY BASICALLY SAT ON THEIR HANDS AND LOOK THE OTHER WAY.

>> THIS WOULD BE A NO-BRAINER UNDER ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.

PEOPLE ARE SO CONCERNED ABOUT TRUMP.

WAS THAT YOUR OUTRAGE?

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY BECAUSE IT IS THANKSGIVING WEEK, THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY OUTRAGE.

EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC, I FEEL LIKE WE ARE STARTING TO MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I THINK IT IS A GOOD TIME TO REMEMBER THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GONE, FIRST OF ALL, WHICH IS HEARTBREAKING AS IT IS.

SECONDARILY, THE PEOPLE THAT GOT US HERE.

THE NURSES, THE DOCTORS, THE FRONTLINE WORKERS, PEOPLE CLEANED THE HOSPITALS PEOPLE CLEANED -- PEOPLE WHO CLEANED THE HOSPITALS TO GET US THROUGH THIS THING.

THEY ANSWERED THE CALL OF DUTY FAR BEYOND WHAT WAS EXPECTED.

THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO APPRECIATE THAT.

>> LAST TIME I HAD MY FIRST KUDOS.

>> BACK TO THE OUTRAGE OR ARE YOU BUILDING ON THE KUDOS THEME?

>> I WILL DO TWO BRIEF OUTRAGEOUS.

THE FIRST HAS TO DO WITH THE TRIAL OF MOTT ARBERY -- AHMAUD ARBERY.

THE JUDGE SAID WE DON'T WANT ANY BLACK PASTORS, NOTE JESSE JACKSON'S OR AL SHARPTON'S SITTING IN THE COURTHOUSE.

I'M TRYING TO MIMIC HOW HE SAID IT.

I THOUGHT I WAS BACK IN THE SOUTH IN THE 60'S.

-- 1960'S.

TO TALK ABOUT BLACK PASTORS IN THE FAMILY IN SUCH A WAVE THAT THEY ARE AN OBJECT THAT COULD INFLUENCE THE JURY, HAVE INVERTED -- HEAVEN FORBID, IT IS OUTRAGEOUS AND DESPICABLE.

THE JUDGE SAID AS MUCH.

THE SECOND ONE HAS TO DO WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

NOT THE MEMBERS BUT THE CONSTITUENTS.

I WILL DEAL WITH SOME OF THE CALLERS AND SOME OF THE MEMBERS -- TALKING ABOUT THE 13 MEMBER'S WHO VOTED FOR THE INFRA-STRUCTURE BILL.

THEY WERE SOME OF THE NASTIEST CALLS I HAVE HEARD VERY THEY WERE CALLED TRADERS -- TRAITORS.

THEY ARE PUTTING MONEY IN THOSE COMMUNITIES AND THEY ARE A TREAT FOR -- TRAITOR.

>> THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

BILL AND LISA AND JIM, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NEXT WEEK IS THANKSGIVING SO OUR CREW WILL BE OFF.

WE WILL RUN A SPECIAL ENCORE PRESENTATION.

IF YOU DID NOT SEE IT EARLIER THIS FALL, WE HAVE THE GOVERNOR AND THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ANY SET.

SEE IF WHAT THEY SAID IN SEPTEMBER STILL HOLDS UP.

FOR THE REST OF YOU, HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING.

WE WILL BE BACK WITH A NEW SHOW, TWO WEEKS FROM NOW.

>> A LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> HI, I'M JOHN.

FOR OVER 30 YEARS, A LIVELY PERMIT HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL ISSUES