>> THIS WEEK ON "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT," PAR ANNUAL ALLEGES THAT IF LEADERS SHOW.

WHAT WILL BE THE ISSUES FACING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS AND HOW WILL WHAT THEY DECIDE AFFECT YOU?

>> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> HI, I’M JOHN HAZEN WHITE, JR. FOR OVER 30 YEARS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS TO THE POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

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

JIM: JOINING US, CHRISTOPHER BLAZEJEWSKI, JESSICA DE LA CRUZ, MICHAEL CHIPPENDALE, AND SENATE MAJORITY WHIP VALARIE LAWSON.

HELLO AND WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S "LIVELY."

MOST OF THE TIME YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT THEM, WHO DECIDE WHAT LEGISLATION MAKES IT AND WHAT DOESN’T.

BEFORE THE FINAL GAVEL COMES DOWN IN EARLY SUMMER.

THIS WEEK WE GET TO SEE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE LEADERS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CHAMBERS ABOUT THE ISSUES AND PROPOSALS THAT MAY FLY UNDER THE RADAR.

FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT YOU WHEN YOU ARE NOT HERE, BUT CHRIS, LET ME BEGIN WITH YOU.

AS MAJORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO BE YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

CHRISTOPHR: AS IN MANY YEARS, IT IS GOING TO BE THE BUDGET.

WE HAVE HAD THE SUPPORT OF FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT HAVE COME IN, RESCUE DOLLARS THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT HAVE HELPED US INVEST IN MANY THINGS RHODE ISLAND WAS NEAT HOUSING, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AREAS WE NEED TO WORK ON TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE RHODE ISLAND TO BE A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK.

THIS YEAR WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE SAME DOLLARS.

WE HAVE TO LIVE WITHIN CONSTRAINTS OF OUR BUDGET.

IT WON’T BE THAT HIGH THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE ARE NOT APPROPRIATING FEDERAL DOLLARS.

WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON LIVING WITHIN OUR MEANS WHICH MEANS LOOKING AT CRACKED PROGRAMS, WAYS WE CAN IMPROVE THOSE PROGRAMS WITHIN THE STRUCTURE OF THE DOLLARS WE HAVE AVAILABLE.

JIM: ON THE SENATE SIDE, VALERIE, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES?

VALARIE: THE BUDGET IS ALWAYS A DRIVING FORCE.

HEALTH CARE IS A BIG ISSUE AND WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF HOW WE ADDRESS THAT IN THE BUDGET.

HOUSING ONCE AGAIN WILL BE ANOTHER ISSUE AS WELL AS EDUCATION.

JIM: THE BUDGET HAS GONE FROM 9.4 BILLION DOLLARS TO $14 BILLION.

I DID A STORY OR SO AGO AND THE PACE WAS EVERY FOUR YEARS THE BUDGET GOES UP $1 BILLION.

IT CANNOT CONTINUE THAT WAY.

VALARIE: IT CANNOT.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT AND HAVING AN INSPECTOR GENERAL CAN HELP US BY FINDING WAYS WHERE THERE IS FRAUD.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS TO HAVE ZERO-BASED BUDGETING AND LINE ITEMS IN OUR BUDGET.

ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, CAN WE BREAK DOWN THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, SEE WHAT WE RE SPENDING IT ON?

THAT IS WHEN WE CAN GO ABOUT IT.

JIM: MIKE?

JESSICA: -- MICHAEL: IF WE LOOK AT THE GROWTH OF PROSTATE’S BUDGET AND APPLY THAT TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY, WE ARE AT $14 BILLION.

WE SHOULD BE AT $11.5 MILLION IF THE JUICE OF PRIOR GROWTH WERE TO STILL BE IN EFFECT.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE AREAS WHERE WE ARE SPENDING, MAKE SURE WE ARE SPENDING WISELY.

FRANKLY, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE AREAS WHERE WE CAN CUT.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET THE SAME CONSIDERATION FROM THE FEDS THAT CHRIS POINTED OUT.

WHILE WE ARE SHORTER INVEST THEM IN ONE-TIME EXPENDITURES, WHICH WAS THE BEST WAY TO SPEND THEM SO YOU ARE NOT CREATING PROGRAMS THAT NEED FUNDING IN PERPETUITY, THOSE STILL HAVE TO BE SPENT.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THEM GOING ON AFTER THIS.

JIM: THE SPEAKER TALKED MANY TIMES ABOUT INVESTMENT.

WHAT IS THE RESISTANCE TO AN INSPECTOR GENERAL?

I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS STORY EVERY YEAR FOR 10 YEARS.

IT HAS BEEN POSED SOMETIMES AS A REPUBLICAN PROPOSAL BUT IT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

WHAT IS THE RESISTANCE IN DEEP LEADERSHIP?

CHRISTOPHER: FROM THE LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE IS STUPID IF OF OTHER AGENCIES.

JIM: BUT THE AUDITOR GENERAL WORKS FOR YOU.

THE AUDITOR GENERAL IS UNDER YOUR WING.

MORE PEOPLE.

HE IS NOT GOING TO GO LOOKING AT FRAUD UNLESS THERE ARE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES.

1% DEDICATED TO LOOKING AT POTENTIAL -- WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR REVENUE IF YOU DON’T WANT TO DO SPENDING CUTS, WOULD THIS PAY FOR ITSELF?

CHRISTOPHER: I STILL THINK IT IS DUPLICATIVE.

THE AUDITOR GENERAL DOES SCOPE WITHIN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUT EXERCISES THEIR AUTHORITY IN KEEPING WITH THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER STATUTE.

TO SAY IT IS JUST AN ARM OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOT ACCURATE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS ROLES TO PLAY IN FRAUD.

LET’S LOOK AT THE HOUSE AND SENATE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES HAVE HAD AN INTERESTING STATE GOVERNMENT.

OUR HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT THE SESSION.

THE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET WILL COME IN NEXT WEEK AND THEN THERE WILL BE HEARINGS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

THE SPEAKER AND I ARE ALWAYS AYING THE FINANCE TEAM IS THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY.

THEY DO A FANTASTIC JOB MAKING SURE WE ARE USING OUR STATE DOLLARS AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.

THAT PROPOSAL IS DUPLICATIVE OF EXISTING STATE AGENCY STRUCTURES AND WOULD AT COST AND NOT SAVE MONEY.

JESSICA: I DO AGREE AT TIMES WE HAVE ROBUST OVERSIGHT HEARINGS IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

WE ARE A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE.

I SPENT A LOT OF TIME DOING WHAT I DO AT THE STATEHOUSE BUT WE ARE PART-TIME LEGISLATORS AND HAVING A FULL-TIME INSPECTOR GENERAL FEELS IN THOSE GAPS.

WE HAVE SEEN WASTE AND FRAUD AND IT IS TIME WE GET IT DONE.

JIM: THOUGHTS ON THAT?

VALARIE: I AGREE WITH CHRIS.

[LAUGHTER] I THINK IT IS A DUPLICATION OF EFFORTS.

WE HAVE THOSE MECHANISMS IN PLACE.

WHAT RHODE ISLANDERS WANT AND DESERVE IS TO FOCUS ON THOSE PRESSING ISSUES LIKE HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, EDUCATION.

WE DON’T NEED TO CREATE ANOTHER LEVEL OF P.R.C.. JIM: IF WE HAD AN INSPECTOR GENERAL RIGHT NOW, HOW WOULD YOU SEE THAT PLAYING OUT WITH THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE?

IS IT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, INSPECTOR GENERAL, OVERSIGHT?

I KNOW THE FEDS ARE PROBABLY INTERESTED.

MICHAEL: IT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED HAD INSPECTOR GENERAL BEEN IN PLACE, OVERSIGHT OF THE BEST PRACTICES OF DOT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THAT DK THAT DID NOT -- DECAY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

FOR EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON INSPECTOR GENERAL, WE SAVED $21.

THE ONLY AREA, TO CHRIS’S POINT WHERE THERE IS DUPLICATION, IS THE INDEPENDENCE -- THE ONLY THING NOT DUPLICATED IS THE INDEPENDENCE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS BUILDING TO THE VOTERS.

THE OUTER GENERAL IS BEHOLDING TO THE JCLS.

THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IS BEHOLDING TO NO ONE.

WHEN YOU HAVE A MAJORITY, IT MAKES SENSE YOU WOULD NOT WANT AN INDEPENDENT BODY OUT THERE.

WE NEEDED.

THE PEOPLE NEED IT.

A MAJORITY OF U.S. STATES HAVE EMBRACED IT.

THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS FANTASTIC.

THAT IS WHERE WE NEED TO BE LOOKING.

JIM: THE DISCUSSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BILL OF RIGHTS ORIGINATED IN THE SENATE.

YOU PUT TOGETHER A PANEL.

I DID A STORY TWO YEARS AGO, BOTH CHAMBERS WERE ON THE CUSP AND IT HAS CONTINUED TO FALL APART.

WHAT I HAVE HEARD FROM YOUR LEADERSHIP UNDERSIDE IS WE ARE CLOSE, WE THINK SOMETHING WILL GO THROUGH.

FOR THE PEOPLE PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS, HOW DO YOU SEE THIS PLAYING OUT?

VALARIE: WE PASSED THE BILL LAST YEAR, WE ARE GOING TO INTRODUCE A SIMILAR BILL.

I THINK WE MADE STARK IMPROVEMENTS, EXPANDED THE PANEL , ADDED A NEUTRAL, INCREASED THE DISCIPLINE.

WE WILL INTRODUCE THE LEGISLATION, WE WILL GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND LET IT PLAY OUT EARLY IN THE SESSION.

JIM: WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE?

CHRISTOPHER: THIS FIGURE HAS SAID SEVERAL TIMES WE CONGRATULATE DESCENDANT ON THEIR WORK LAST YEAR GETTING THIS DONE.

IT CAME OVER LATE ON THE LAST DAY OF SESSION, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS ADEQUATE TIME FOR THE PUBLIC, OUR CHAMBER AND COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT THE BILL AND SEE IF IT IS THE RIGHT THING OUR CHAMBER WAS TO DO.

THE SPEAKER SAID HE HAS MADE IT A PRIORITY.

I EXPECT THE HOUSE WOULD HAVE A BILL, WHETHER THEY PERFECTLY MATCH OR NOT, I’M NOT SURE.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE SENATE ED WHITFIELD THE SENATE DID A FANTASTIC JOB -- AND WE FEEL WILL THE SENATE DID A FANTASTIC JOB.

JIM: YOU THINK IT NEEDS CHANGING?

MICHAEL: I COME FROM A FAMILY WITH DEEP INVOLVEMENT IN LAW-ENFORCEMENT.

I LOOK AT THE RECENT CASE WITH THE PAWTUCKET POLICE OFFICER AND I BELIEVE THE PROCESS FAILED TO VICTIMS IN THAT CASE.

I SUPPORT THE POLICE AND I THINK WE NEED A FORM OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS IN PLACE.

I DO NOT THINK THE SENATE’S PROPOSAL LAST YEAR WAS OUTRAGEOUS.

WE HAVE TO GIVE MORE POWER TO THE COMMAND STRUCTURE INSIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT SO THEY CAN ACT MORE QUICKLY WHEN A PROBLEM ARISES.

IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT CAREER OR WHAT PROFESSION YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, THERE WILL BE BAD ACTORS.

WE NEED TO EMPOWER THE ADMINISTRATORS AND THE BRASS TO ACT IN LITTLE MORE QUICKLY WHEN SOMETHING GOES DOWN.

JESSICA: WHEN WE LOOK AT LEGISLATION, THE THING THAT STUCK OUT IS WE HAVE SUPPORT FROM CITIES AND TOWNS MAYORS AND ADMINISTRATORS, FROM POLICE UNIONS AND THE POLICE CHIEF ASSOCIATION.

THERE IS BROAD SUPPORT.

WHEN THERE IS BROAD SUPPORT, I THINK THIS IS A GOOD PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD.

JIM: THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT CHANGING THE PANEL.

POLICE ALWAYS, YOU CANNOT SAY ANYTHING, BILL OF RIGHTS.

I DO THINK THE DEVIL WILL BE IN THE DETAILS ON THE NUMBER OF DAYS A CHIEF CAN SUSPEND.

IT IS TWO NOW AND FOR SOMETHING MORE EGREGIOUS, THEY THINK THAT IS NOT ADEQUATE.

SHOULD IT BE SEVEN, SHOULD IT BE 14?

I KNOW THE POLICE SAY THAT IS SERIOUS BUT I WONDER WHERE THAT FITS INTO THIS DISCUSSION, THE LEEWAY TO SUSPEND SHORT OF GOING TO A HEARING OR TRYING TO FIRE.

JIM: I AM SURE -- CHRISTOPHER: I AM SURE THESE ARE THE ISSUES THAT WILL COME INTO PLAY IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE VERSIONS.

ONCE THEY GET INTRODUCED, WE WILL LOOK AT THAT AND GET FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC AND VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS.

WE WILL BE IN TO MEDICATION WITH OUR SENATE COUNTERPARTS.

WE ALWAYS ENJOY WORKING WITH WITH LAWSON -- WHIP LAWSON.

JIM: BEFORE THE END OF THE SHOW, YOU ARE GOING TO CALL HER VAL.

WHAT WE ARE FINALLY WITH SOME OF THE RESISTANCE IN SOME TOWNS THAT ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL.

OUT IN A RURAL AREA, I WONDER WHAT YOU THINK AS YOU SAW THAT PROCESS GO THROUGH.

WE NEED MORE HOUSING STOCK AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, $250 MILLION AND THE HOUSING SECRETARY WANTS ANOTHER BOND MIGHT NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

AS YOU LOOK AT THIS FROM LEADERSHIP AND WHERE YOU LIVE, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT?

MICHAEL: ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL.

IF WE LOOK AT THESE DATES ACROSS THIS NATION THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLANS, THEY HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT AND ADJUSTED.

WE ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED BETWEEN BOSTON, NEW YORK CITY, AND THE SOUTHERN COAST OF CONNECTICUT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD HIGH-PAYING JOBS.

REGRETTABLY, WHAT WE ARE SEEING NOW WITH THE UBIQUITY OF TELECOMMUTING AND HYBRID WORK IS THESE FOLKS ARE WORKING AT HIGH-PAYING MARKETS BUT DECIDING TO BUY THEIR HOMES IN A LOW-COST LOCATION WHICH IS RHODE ISLAND.

JIM: USED TO BE A LOW-COST.

MICHAEL: RELATIVE TO WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM, IT IS STILL LOW-COST.

40% OF ALL HOME SALES WERE TO MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS LAST YEAR.

25% WERE TO FOLKS OUT-OF-STATE MOVING INTO RHODE ISLAND.

THEY ARE PURCHASING UP THE STOCK WE HAVE AND THAT IS DRIVING UP THE COST.

WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE MAKING A BOSTON SALARY, WITH CASH AND SAY I AM GOING TO OUTBID YOUR HIGHEST BIDDER BY 10% AND DO IT IN CASH, RHODE ISLANDERS DO NOT STAND A CHANCE.

I GREW UP IN A STARTER HOME.

THOSE DAYS ARE GONE.

THAT DREAM OF COMING UP TO THE STARTER HOME AND WORKING UP IS NOT WORKING.

WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE NEED MORE HOUSING.

WE ARE IN A DIFFICULT POSITION.

VALARIE: WE ARE IN A HOUSING CRISIS.

WE HAVE APPROPRIATED A LOT OF MONEY BUT WE STILL NEED TO ADDRESS ISSUES.

WHEN I WAS KNOCKING ON DOORS, WHETHER IT WAS SOMEONE WHO WAS A HOMEOWNER CONCERT ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN OR FINDING SOME WAY TO LIVE OR JUST SOMEONE FACING HOUSING AND SECURITY.

I SPONSORED A RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATED $28 MILLION FOR AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT IN MY DISTRICT.

I THINK THAT IS THE WAY WE NEED TO GO.

IT IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT FROM GREAT PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY, NONPROFITS, NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDERS, FROM THE SERVICE RHODE ISLAND, CROSSROADS, IT WILL HAVE WRAPAROUND SERVICES.

IT WAS A VACANT PROPERTY.

IT IS AN IDEAL PLACE AND WILL PROVIDE 70 UNITS.

140 AND A TOTAL, 70 UNITS ON THE COORDINATED HOUSING LIST.

20 UNITS FOR PEOPLE PLACING OUT OF FOSTER HOMES AND THE REST TO LOW MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES.

THOSE ARE THE DIRECTIONS WE NEED TO DO.

THAT WILL HELP RHODE ISLANDERS.

JESSICA: WHEN I READ ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THAT WERE HAPPENING, THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES AROUND THE STATE BUT WE HAVE TO REALIZE THIS IS AN INSTANT ROLE/IS NOT AN INSTANT RESULTS SITUATION -- THIS IS NOT AN INSTANT RESULTS SITUATION.

IT IS GOING TO TAKE TIME TO MOVE INTO THOSE NEWLY BUILT STRUCTURES.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO FIX A PROBLEM OVERNIGHT.

AS FAR AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IT IS NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACH.

GLOUCESTER DOES NOT HAVE SEWER AND PLUMBING.

UNIT NEED SEPTIC AND YOU NEED A WELL.

ONE OF THE DEVELOPERS WANTED TO PUT IN ALL OF THESE UNITS BUT NOT GIVE THE RESIDENTS ACTUAL PLUMBING.

HE WAS WERE TO GIVE THEM COMPOSTING TOILETS.

JIM: HOW IS THAT GOING TO GO?

JESSICA: I DON’T KNOW.

JIM: CALL ME AND YOU AND I WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.

JESSICA: WHEN I THINK COMPOSTING TOILET, I THINK A SHED IN THE MIDDLE OF MAIN BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING HUNTING.

JIM: IS THAT WHAT GOES ON IN GLOUCESTER?

JESSICA: IT DOES.

IF WE ARE GOING TO DO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, LET’S DO IT RIGHT.

CHRISTOPHER: I KNOCKED AT THE DOORS AND IN MY DISTRICT THIS FALL AND I HEARD HOUSING COST IS A MAJOR ISSUE FOR PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT.

IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THAT THE HOUSE AND CAUCUS MADE A PRIORITY FOR YEARS.

WE PASSED A PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION INCLUDE RESOURCES TO BUILD MORE HOUSING.

SPEAKERS ARE ALWAYS SAYING PRODUCTION, PRODUCTION, PRODUCTION AND THAT IS HOW YOU CAN BEING COST DOWN -- BRING COSTS DOWN BY PUTTING MORE UNITS.

A BILL BE PASSED ON ANY HOUSE WE HOPE OUR FRIENDS IN THE SENATE WILL PASS IS A LEGISLATION WITH TOP PRIORITY OF AARP INSPIRED BY SENIORS TO MAKE SURE AS WE AGE WE CAN H IN THE COMMUNITY COME STAY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, PERHAPS WITH AN ACCESSORY UNIT.

JIM: MY FAVORITE PHRASE, GRAINY FLATS -- GRANNY FLATS.

I HEARD HESITATION FROM THE SENATE PRESIDENT, WE PASSED A LOT OF MONEY LAST YEAR.

IT IS A TOP PRIORITY, IT IS A CHIP THAT GETS DEALT.

AT THE END OF THE SESSION, YOU TRADE ME.

IS THAT ON THE SENATE’S PRIORITY LIST?

VALARIE: THERE WERE A LOT OF CONCERNS FROM COMMUNITIES.

WE NEED TO WORK TO THE PROCESS AND SEE IF WE CAN COME TO SOME RESOLUTION ON THAT.

JIM: WHAT ABOUT THE ADU’S?

JESSICA: WE ALREADY HAVE ADU’S IN THE STATE, IT NEEDS TO BE ATTACHED TO YOUR HOME AS OPPOSED TO THE CURRENT LEGISLATION.

I HAVE LOOKED AT OTHER STATES AND COUNTRIES, TORONTO HAS A SIMILAR ADU WHERE YOU CAN BUILD A GRANNY FLATS AND THOSE APARTMENTS ARE CRAZY EXPENSIVE.

VERY EXPENSIVE.

IT IS NOT LIKE MOVING GRANDMA INTO THE BACKYARD, THEY ARE RENTING FOR $3000 A MONTH.

JIM: WE ARE GOING TO GET YOU HEALTH CARE.

TAX CUTS, I SEE THIS IN CONNECTICUT AND MASSACHUSETTS.

YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE CUTTING.

I AM NOT SURE THAT IS GOING TO GO OVER WITH LEADERSHIP.

VALARIE: WHY NOT?

IF WE ARE GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE, WE HAVE TO MAKE IT WORTHWHILE FOR PEOPLE TO CROSS THE BORDER.

LOWERING OUR SALES TAX FROM 7% TO 6.5% IS NOT GOING TO CUT IT.

IT HAS TO BE BOLD.

WHEN I WENT GROCERY SHOPPING A YEAR AGO, I WOULD SPEND $100.

NOW THAT IS $200.

BEFORE I WAS ONLY PAYING SEVEN DOLLARS IN TEXAS ON THOSE GOODS -- IN TAXES ON THOSE GOODS.

NOW I AM SPENDING $14.

THE STATE HAS MORE REVENUE, THEY CAN GIVE SOME OF THAT BACK TO RHODE ISLANDERS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A STUDY DONE.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL ATTRACT BUSINESS FROM OTHER STATES.

THEY WOULD COME OVER TO RHODE ISLAND TO BUY GAS, THEY WOULD STOP AT THE STORES.

I THINK IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL.

JIM: AREN’T YOU WORRIED ABOUT THE FINANCIAL STORM CLOUDS THE NEXT YEAR AT THE FOLLOWING YEAR?

WE SAW THE MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR DO TARGETED TAX CUTS BUT THEN SHE SAID WE HAD TO CUT $750 MILLION OUT OF THE BUDGET.

IS THAT THE CONCERN?

CHRISTOPHER: WE HAVE HAD TARGETED TAX CUTS AND THAT IS PART OF THE ROLE THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAS PLAYED A KYU CHO WE ARE NOT CREATING RECURRING EXPENSES DOWN THE.

WE ELIMINATED THE CAR TAX.

THE CAR TAX.

WE CUT TAXES FOR VETERANS, PEOPLE ON SOCIAL SECURITY, WE ELIMINATED THE TANGIBLE TAX WHICH IS A BURDEN TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

WE ARE FRIEND AND WAYS TO MAKE TARGETED TAX CUTS THAT CAN HELP PEOPLE IN THEIR POCKETBOOK, GROW OUR ECONOMY, AND BE SUSTAINABLE.

WE ARE ATTRACTED TO BOTH.

WE ARE MAKING SURE WE ARE LOWERING THE TAX BURDEN WHILE MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES PEOPLE NEED.

JIM: WHAT WOULD BE YOUR RESPONSE?

MICHAEL: WHEN WE SPEAK OF TAX CUTS, THE FIRST REACTION IS IT IS A LOSS OF REVENUE.

LOOK AT THE 1980’S AND 1990’S WHEN RHODE ISLAND DECIDED TO REMOVE THE BOAT ATTACKS.

WE WENT FROM A STATE WITH U-BOATS THAT WERE PART -- WITH FEW VOTES THAT WERE PARKED HERE AT ABOUT 30 INDUSTRIES SERVING NAUTICAL FOLKS.

ONCE WE GOT RID OF THAT, WE HAD ALSO TOOK PEOPLE COMING IN.

WE HAD JOHN KERRY’S YACHT IN NEWPORT.

JIM: WAS IT REALLY JOHN KERRY’S?

I HEARD THAT WAS A RUMOR.

MICHAEL: WHO KNOWS, BUT THEY WERE SPENDING MONEY IN OUR RESTAURANTS, TOURING OUR TOWNS, TOURING OUR STATES.

THE NUMBER OF BUSINESSES SERVING THAT INDUSTRY WENT INTO THE SEVERAL HUNDREDS.

THE ECONOMY GREW.

THAT WAS A NET PLUS IN REVENUE IN THE LONG RUN.

IT IS HARD FOR FOLKS TO SAY IF WE GET RID OF THIS REVENUE, WHAT DO WE DO?

IF WE DO IT SMART, WE GET WAY MORE OF A RETURN.

IT IS ALWAYS WORTH THAT.

JIM: YOU HAVE TO PLAY THE LONG GAME.

MICHAEL: YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO PLAY THE LONG GAME.

JIM: HOW DO WEPLUG THIS HOLE NOW?

VALARIE: I AGREE, WE HAVE TO DO TAX CUTS, BE MINDFUL OF THE BUDGET, AND PROVIDE SERVICES RHODE ISLANDERS NEED.

LIKE EVERY OTHER STATION -- EVERY LEGISLATION, IF THERE IS LEGISLATION BEFORE US, WE WILL GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.

JIM: I HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS I WANT TO GET TO, BUT I ASKED EACH OF YOU TO BRING A PIECE OF LEGISLATION YOU ARE EITHER SPONSORING OR KEEPING AN EYE ON THAT WE MAYBE WANT TO BE TALKING ABOUT FOR HIS FLYING UNDER THE RADAR.

JESSICA: EDUCATION FOR ME.

THERE ARE TWO BILLS AND THEY WERE TOGETHER.

ONE WAS BECAUSE OF THE PPSD COMMISSION WHICH IS LETTING SCHOOLS BECOME -- ZONES.

A SCHOOL COULD CONDITION TO BECOME AN ANIMATION ZONE.

THEY PETITION TO SUSPEND REGULATIONS SURROUNDING EDUCATION.

THESE DISTRICTS WOULD BE INNOVATIVE IN EDUCATION AND HOW THEY APPROACH IT.

WHAT WE’RE ARE DOING NOW IS NOT APPROACHING.

THE NUMBERS ARE DISMAL WHEN IT COMES TO PROFICIENCY.

CENTRAL FALLS, IT WAS NOT RATED ON THIS COURSE BECAUSE IF WE DID PROVIDE THOSE NUMBERS, THE STUDENTS -- JIM: HASH MARKS, RIGHT?

JESSICA: YEAH.

IT WOULD VIOLATE STUDENT PRIVACY.

HOWEVER, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AS A WHOLE, WE ARE NOT DOING WELL.

WE ARE NOT EVEN TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

WHAT I KEEP TELLING VOTERS AND ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN HIS CHILDREN DON’T HAVE 10 YEARS FOR THE PROBLEM.

IF THAT IS SCHOOL CHOICE WHICH MEANS YOU WANT TO GO TO A DIFFERENT PUBLIC SCHOOL IN A DIFFERENT DISTRICT, YOU SHOULD HAVE THAT OPTION.

IF YOU WANT SCHOOL CHOICE, YOU SHOULD HAVE THAT OPTION.

VALARIE: -- JIM: VALERIE, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

VALARIE: ONE SENATE PRIORITY IN MY BILL IS TEMPORARY CAREGIVERS INSURANCE.

IT WOULD EXTEND THE WEEKS FROM SIX TO 12, WHO QUALIFIES AS A RECIPIENT.

YOU CAN CAREGIVER FOR SIBLINGS, GRANDCHILDREN, AND A RECIPIENT ADDS ONTO THAT.

JIM: THIS IS PAID LEAVE?

VALARIE: RIGHT.

WE WERE ONCE A LEADER IN THIS.

WE HAVE FUN BEHIND.

JIM: IS THAT AN EXTENSION OF TBI?

VALARIE: YES.

IT IS TO CARE FOR AN INFANT, A LOVED ONE WHO IS ILL.

THIS WOULD PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

WE ARE GIVING RHODE ISLANDERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT THEY CAN HAVE.

IN 12 WEEKS, THIS IS THE MINIMAL BONDING FOR A PARENT IN NEWBORN.

WE SHOULD SERIES THE TAKE THIS UP.

IT IS GOOD POLICY.

IT COULD HAVE A HUGE IMPACT FOR RHODE ISLANDERS.

CHRISTOPHER: I WENT TO HALEP THE WORK OF OUR STUDY COMMISSIONS.

WE ARE A PART-TIME LEGISLATURE BUT WE WORK YEAR-ROUND.

JIM: THIS FIGURE WILL TELL YOU THERE IS NO OFFICES OR NATIONAL OFF-SEASON.

-- THERE IS NO OFF-SEASON.

CHRISTOPHER: YES.

PEOPLE BELIEVE STUDY COMMISSIONS ARE WHERE IDEAS GO TO DIE.

WE CHANGED THAT.

THE LEGISLATION PACKAGE THAT CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE CAME OUT OF A STUDY COMMISSION.

THE FIRST WAS LED BY -- REPRESENTATIVE STATEMENT.

WE HAVE STUDY COMMISSIONS ARE SHORT-TERM RENTALS, AGING AND INTO, FORCED MANAGEMENT, MANY STUDY COMMISSIONS WORKING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

ON THOSE COMMISSIONS ARE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OF THE UBLIC VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME FOR FREE.

NO ONE IS GETTING PAID BUT GIVING THEIR TIME TO CREATE BETTER POLICY FOR OUR STATE.

MICHAEL: MY COLLEAGUE FROM SMITHFIELD HAS A BILL THAT WE ARE SEEKING TO ADD CONSUMER PROTECTIONS IN THE ROOFTOP SOLAR INDUSTRY.

THERE HAS BEEN AN EXPLOSION IN THAT AREA.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME UNSCRUPULOUS PLAYERS WHO HAVE COME INTO THE MARKET.

PARTICULARLY WITH ELDERLY CONSTITUENTS, THEY ARE FINDING THEMSELVES WITH DUBIOUS CONTRACT PROVISIONS IF THERE PEOPLE -- IF THEY ARE EVEN ABLE TO FIND CONTRACT PROVISIONS.

WE HAVE HEARD CONCERNS FROM THOSE IN CONSTRUCTION, FIRE SERVICES, THE REALM OF ELECTRICITY AND PROPER CODE.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT MORE PROBLEMS CROPPING UP AND WE WANT TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM UNSCRUPULOUS PEOPLE.

JIM: WE HAVE ONE MINUTE LEFT.

WE COULD DO A HORSCHEL ON THIS.

RIPTA.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

VALARIE: -- MICHAEL: WE COULD INVEST AS MUCH IN RIPTA AS OUR NEIGHBORING STATES.

MASSACHUSETTS INVESTS 12 TIMES AS MUCH, CONNECTICUT INVESTS FIVE TIMES AS MUCH.

OUR RIDERSHIP IS SO LOW.

IT IS A MINDSET THING.

RHODE ISLANDERS DON’T USE PUBLIC TRANSIT EXCEPT FOR AREAS WHERE IT IS COMPACT.

I DON’T KNOW HOW WE OVERCOME THAT.

I DON’T BELIEVE IT IS A MONEY ISSUE WHEN YOU HAVE A RIDERSHIP PROBLEM.

I THINK YOU NEED TO REINVENT IT.

JIM: THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

WE APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING IT WITH US.

LEADER, LEADER, LEADER AND WITH -- AND WHIP, THEY KEEP THEM WITH US.

WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR LEGISLATION NEXT WEEK.

IF YOU DON’T CATCH US FRIDAY AND SUNDAY, YOU CAN SEE OUR SHOWS ARCHIVED AT RIPBS.ORG, FACEBOOK, X, AND YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST, WHERE EVER YOU GET THAT.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK AS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" CONTINUES.

♪ [CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] >> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> HI, I’M JOHN HAZEN WHITE, JR. FOR OVER 30 YEARS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS TO THE POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

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