>> WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THIS YEAR'S GENERAL ASSEBLY SESSION?

IT IS OUR ANNUAL SIT DOWN WITH LEADERS IN EACH CHAMBER TO GET A ROADMAP ON WHAT TO LOOK FOR [CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> WSBE IS -- "LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENERALLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> "LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT.

I'M A GREAT SUPPORT OF THIS PROGRAM AND PBS.

>> JOINING US WITH TEIR PERSPECTIVE, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MICHAEL MCCAFFREY, SENATE MINORITY LEADER DENNIS ALGIERE AND HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER CHRIS BLODGETT DO SKI.

HELLO, EVERYONE.

IT IS GREAT TO BE BACK WITH YOU FOR OUR FIRST PROGRAM OF 2022.

WITH THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP FROM THE RHODE ISLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

MOST OF THIS SESSION, WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE DECISIONS THEY AND OTHERS MAKE UP AT THE STATEHOUSE.

TODAY, WE GET TO SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH THEM.

GENTLEMEN, WELCOME.

ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE YOU ON.

CHRIS, THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME.

WE PUT YOU IN THE MIDDLE SO YOU COULD GET IT FROM ALL SIDES.

YOU GUYS KNOW HOW TO BREAK IT.

BEFORE WE START, I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW, YOU MAY NOTICE WE ARE MISSING THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER, RHODE ISLAND PBS FOLLOWED THE GOVERNORS RECENT EMERGENCY ORDER REQUIRES EVERYONE WHO COMES INTO OUR BUILDING EITHER WEAR A MASK OR SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT SHOW THE WAY WE DO IT, UNMASKED AROUND THE SET, ALL OF OUR PANELISTS HAVE BEEN SHOWING THEIR VAX CARD UPON ENTRY INTO THE BUILDING.

THAT BEGAN IN DECEMBER.

THE REPRESENTATIVE DECLINED TO DO THAT SAYING IT IS PRIVATE MEDICAL INFORMATION AND THAT IS WHY HE IS NOT WITH US TODAY.

HAVING.

YOU GUYS GOT OFF TO A BANG THE FIRST DAY OF THE SESSION.

THE AUTO BILL, THERE WAS MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS.

YOU DECIDED TO OVERRIDE THE VETO.

WHAT CHANGED?

THAT BILL WENT DOWN CONSISTENTLY.

WHAT WAS DIFFERENT?

MIKE: THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE OVERWHELMINGLY IN THE SESSION AND THE GOVERNOR VETOED IT.

JIM: BUT COMPARED TO YEARS BEFORE WHEN THE CRITICS THAT IT WOULD RAISE INSURANCE RATES.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN ON BOARD?

MIKE: I HAD ALWAYS BEEN O BOARD.

THIS WOULD ALLOW SOMEONE IN A BODY SHOP AND IF THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO THE WORK, THEY COULD GET IT DONE.

PROTECTION OF THE CONSUMERS WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT THAT LEGISLATION.

OBVIOUSLY, IT IS BIG CORPORATE AMERICA INSURANCE VERSUS THE LITTLE MOM-AND-POP WORKING THE AUTO BODY SHOPS.

JIM: WHAT ABOUT THE WORD THAT COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO HIGHER INSURANCE RISKS.

>> IT IS ABOUT CONSUMER PROTECTION.

WE HAD ROGUE ACTORS WHO DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR CERTAIN CLAIMS BEING MADE BASED ON PREMIUMS THAT WERE ALREADY PAID.

THIS IS A TESTIMONY FROM THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

THEY SAID THESE WERE USUAL AND CUSTOMARY CHARGES PAID IN THE REGULAR COURSE.

THOSE WERE THEIR WORDS.

IF IT OUT WANT TO PAY FOR SOMETHING PEOPLE ALREADY PAID FOR PREMIUMS, THAT IS A REAL CONSUMER PROTECTION PROBLEM.

JIM: CERTAINLY, THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE.

>> RHODE ISLAND HAS THE HIGHEST RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

THAT IS ALWAYS A CONCERN.

CERTAINLY, THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO THE COUNTY AND LOOKING AT THE LEGISLATION, THERE WAS A CONSUMER PROTECTION ASPECTS.

THE LEGISLATION WAS VETTED.

WE HAD PUBLIC HEARINGS AND THE END OF THE DAY, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CHOSE TO OVERRIDE THE VETO.

JIM: A LOT OF THE SO-CALLED OFF-SEASON WAS SPENT DISCUSSING HOW DO WE SPEND THIS BIG CASH OF FEDERAL MONEY.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, WE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT A $250 MILLION STRUCTURAL DEFICIT.

AS YOU LOOK AT THIS AND YOU ARE HEARING FROM THE RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION DO HAS WEIGHED IN AND OTHERS, WHAT IS YOUR FEELING AS WE APPROACH THIS ARC OF MONEY TO BE DISTRIBUTED?

WHAT IS THE LARGER VIEW YOU ARE LOOKING AT?

>> WE TAKE SERIOUSLY OUR ROLE IN THE BUDGET.

THESE DOLLARS PRESENTED A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST.

IN THE 1ST AVENUE SESSION, WE INVESTED $119 MILLION IN HELPING RHODE ISLANDERS TO RECOVER ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS.

AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE BILLION DOLLARS THAT IS LEFT, WE WANT TO BE DELIBERATE, WE WANT TO FOCUS ON IMPACT AND EQUITY, TRANSPARENCY, SUSTAINABILITY.

WE HAVE BEEN TAKING TESTIMONY AND IDEAS FROM ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

YOU MENTIONED THE RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION.

ON OUR PORTAL WEBSITE, WE HAVE OVER 40 IDEAS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED ALREADY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE INVESTED THESE DOLLARS, IT IS TRANSFORMATIVE BECAUSE THIS IS A TRULY ONCE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY.

>> A LOT OF TIME HAS BEEN SPENT ON THE FIRST $150 MILLION MAKING SURE DOES THE RIGHT THINGS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, ADDRESSING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, INSURANCE, CHILDCARE DEVELOPMENT, ALL THE RIGHT THINGS.

A LOT OF TIME WAS SPENT BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS LOOKING AT WAYS AND WORKING WITH NONPROFITS AND MANY OF THE CONSTITUENCIES WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES ON HOW TO SPEND THE MONEY.

THERE'S A LOT MORE LEFT AND CERTAINLY, WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GET BACK TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

ALSO, THERE IS ANOTHER COMPONENT IN MAKING SURE THAT WHEN WE DO SPEND IT, WE CAN SUSTAIN THAT.

IF WE FIND A PROGRAM, IF WE FIND POSITIONS, CAN WE SUSTAIN THAT IN THE OUTGOING YEARS WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THAT FEDERAL MONEY?

I'M VERY CONFIDENT WITH THE DELIBERATE PROCESS THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND WILL DO SO ACCORDINGLY AND RESPONSIBLY.

AT THE SAME TIME, ADDRESSING THE MANY ISSUES THAT MANY OF OUR CONSTITUENCIES FACE RIGHT NOW ESPECIALLY DURING COVID, UNEMPLOYMENT, CHILDCARE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, INSURANCE, THERE'S A NUMBER OF WAYS WE CAN MEET THOSE NEEDS OF OUR CONSTITUENCIES.

>> I AGREE THE LEGISLATURE, ONCE THERE HAS BEEN A DELIVERED PROCESS, WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER WE SPEND THE MONEY ON, WE ARE NOT CREATING DEFICITS.

JIM: THERE IS SOME IRONY BECAUSE I YOUR AGO, THE GOVERNOR -- THE LEGISLATURE BASICALLY SAT ON THE SIDELINES AND YOU GOT SOME BEEF FOR THAT.

I UNDERSTAND WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC AND THERE REALLY WAS NOT A ROADMAP, BUT SOME OF THESE GROUPS LIKE FOR A PART OF A HOUSING ON SMALL BUSINESS SAYING NOW THE LEGISLATURE WANTS TO BE DELIBERATE.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

IT STARTS WITH THE GOVERNOR GIVING US A PROPOSAL WE CAN START TO STUDY READ THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE SPENT OVER 48 HOURS LETTING THIS PROPOSAL THAT THE GOVERNOR CAME UP WITH AND AMENDED IT.

>> BUT NONE OF THAT HAPPENED A YEAR AGO.

THE GOVERNOR BASICALLY CALLED ALL THE SHOTS.

>> IT STILL WENT THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, THE BUDGET PROCESS TO GET APPROVAL THERE WAS A LOT OF WORK GOING ON BETWEEN THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND ADMINISTRATION TO COME UP WITH THAT.

ONE OF THE ISSUES PEOPLE ARE SAYING, WHY DID THE BUDGET GO UP SO MUCH LAST YEAR, UNEMPLOYMENT RUNS THROUGH THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

IT WENT UP SUBSTANTIALLY.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY COMING INTO THE STATE RATE ALSO SOME INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY COMING INTO THE STATE.

ALSO, A BIG CHUNK OF MONEY THAT WENT TO CITIES AND TOWNS.

FOR THE PAST YEAR OR SO, WE RECEIVED QUITE A BIT PLUS REVENUES ARE PRETTY STRONG.

A STRONG REVENUE GROWTH IN THE STATE, A FEW HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.

I THINK IT IS VERY CRUCIAL THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PLAY IS VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN HOW THE MONEY IS TO BE SPENT.

>> I THINK THERE'S ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK AT THIS.

BY BEING DELIBERATE, WE HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEM -- PROGRAMS GOING THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW.

AS A RESULT OF US BEING DELIBERATE, ONE AREA WHERE WE HAVE SEEN THE BENEFIT IS THE HEALTH LAB.

THERE WAS A PROPOSAL LAST YEAR TO USE $87 MILLION OF THE BILLION DOLLARS IN THE HEALTH LAB.

FORTUNATELY, WITH LEADERSHIP, WE WERE ABLE TO GET A SEPARATE RANT APART FROM THOSE DOLLARS TO BUILD A NEW HEALTH LAB AREA THAT FREED UP AN ADDITIONAL 87 MILLION DOLLARS WE CAN USE ON OTHER THINGS SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES, SOME FOR SOCIAL SERVICES THAT ARE CRITICAL FOR THE RECOVERY HERE IN THE STATE RATE >> AND THE SAME FOR TRANSPORTATION.

NOT THAT LONG AGO, THE STATE BUDGET WAS $9.2 BILLION.

MOVING PARTS THAT ARE SOMETIMES HARD TO KEEP TRACK OF, NOW, IT IS UP TO 13 AND YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THE FEDERAL MONEY PLUS A LITTLE BIT OF THE SURPLUS GOING FORWARD RATE AT WHAT POINT DO YOU REACH A POINT -- YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE IT WHERE THESE PROGRAMS ARE GOING TO BE ON YOUR HEAD READ THAT IS A 40% INCREASE.

DOES THE BUDGET BASELINE, ONCE THE FEDERAL MONEY GOES BACK, DOES IT STAMP 13, COME BACK TO 12, 11?

>> WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THAT.

I DID VOTE AGAINST THE BUDGET.

THE INCREASE IN THE SPENDING WAS A LITTLE TOO HIGH >> IT IS KIND OF HARD TO KNOW WHAT IT IS.

>> THERE WAS MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I UNDERSTAND THAT, THE POINT THAT I BROUGHT IT EARLIER WAS IF WE DO SPEND MONEY TODAY, FREE MONEY COMING -- MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, NOTHING IS FREE, WE ARE TAXPAYERS AND PAY, MONEY COMING IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT ANY PROGRAM WE FIND OUR POSITIONS WE FIND, WE CAN SUSTAIN THAT IN FUTURE YEARS BECAUSE THE MONEY PROBABLY WON'T BE THERE.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT, BUT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE DOES A THOROUGH JOB BUT -- VETTING THE BUDGET AND SPENDING THE MOMENT -- MONEY AS WE SEE APPROPRIATE.

ARE THERE PROGRAMS IN THE FUTURE THAT MAY HAVE TO BE CUT BACK?

I'M SURE THERE WILL BE BUT WE HOPE THEY ARE NOT PROGRAMS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO THE CHILDREN OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND FAMILIES AND WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO PROCEED WITH THOSE.

>> WHAT YOU MAKE OF THE SPEAKER WHEN HE SAID INVESTMENT NOT SPENDING?

THAT IS THE WORK HE HAS USED.

IS THAT THE APPROACH YOU ARE LOOKING AT TO MAKE POTENTIALLY ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS BUT THAT WON'T BIND YOU IN FUTURE YEARS?

>> WE WANT TO BE SUSTAINABLE.

I THINK RHODE ISLANDERS, THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE NOT ONLY TODAY BUT IN THE FUTURE I THINK THAT IS ABOUT SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE IN OUR STATE NEEDED THE MOST BUT ALSO, LOOKING AT IMPACT.

I THINK THE SPEAKER HAS BEEN CLEAR HE WANTS THESE DOLLARS TO BE USED IN A WAY THAT WILL BE IMPACTFUL AND FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE HEARINGS LEADING UP TO THE USE OF THE FIRST 10% OF THE DOLLARS.

WE EXPECT TO HAVE MORE HEARINGS ONCE THE GOVERNOR UNVEILS HIS BUDGET AND WE LOOK AT NOT ONLY THE BUDGETARY PROPOSALS BUT PROPOSALS IN THE UPPER DOLLARS SO WE ARE BEING TRANSPARENT AND TAKING TESTIMONY FROM RHODE ISLANDERS ON WHAT THEY WANT THIS MONEY TO BE SENT -- SPENT ON.

>> >> NO OFF-SEASON ANYMORE.

>> COUNTLESS HOURS WERE SPENT AND COMMITTEES DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT.

THE EXPERTS COME IN AND THE PROCESS WAS OPEN, PUBLIC INPUT, EVEN DURING COVID.

NO QUESTION.

I DO TOTALLY AGREE THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND IN WAYS WHERE WE GET THE BEST IMPACT WHETHER IT BE DEALING WITH SMALL BUSINESSES, CHILDCARE, WORK DEVELOPMENT, WHATEVER IT IS.

WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD HANDLE ON THAT WORKING WITH PARTNERS IN OUR COMMUNITIES THOSE PARTNERS ARE EITHER NONPROFITS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND I THINK THAT PARTNERSHIP SO FAR HAS WORKED.

>> WHAT DO YOU VIEW AS THE TIMETABLE?

SOME OF THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SPENT UNTIL TWO OR THREE YEARS OUT.

HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE AND THEN LONG-TERM?

>> ANOTHER SENATE PRESIDENT AND THE SPEAKER BOTH ANTICIPATE IT WILL BE LETTING THE MONEY OUT IN DIFFERENT FORMS ALONG THE WAY DEPENDING ON WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST, WHAT PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE AND WHAT THEY CAN USE IT FOR AND GET THE BEST FOR THEIR BUCK.

>> A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH.

FOR EACH OF YOU, WHAT DOES AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOOK LIKE?

YOU TALK ABOUT IT HERE.

IS IT CONSTRUCTION, RENT SUBSIDIES, HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY USE THOSE DOLLARS?

>> I THINK IT IS EVERYTHING.

RENT, NEW CONSTRUCTION, HELPING THOSE THAT ARE IN EXISTING HOMES BEING ABLE TO AFFORD.

INFLATION IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

BUILDING MATERIAL IS UP.

FUEL IS UP.

THOSE WHO PRESENTLY LIVE IN A HOME ARE HAVING TROUBLE AFFORDING LIVING IN A HOME.

PEOPLE WHO WANT A HOME FOR THEIR FAMILIES ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME ESPECIALLY NOW THAT PRICES HAVE SKYROCKETED.

I THINK IT IS RIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD AND THERE ARE PEOPLE IN RHODE ISLAND THAT NEED HELP.

>> WHEN THE SPEAKER BECAME SPEAKER A YEAR AGO, WORKING WITH OUR CAUCUS, WE CAME TOGETHER AND TALKED ABOUT HOUSING.

ANNA HAS BEEN A PRIORITY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

>> WE HAVE MADE INROADS IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

WE STARTED OFF WITH A $65 MILLION HOUSING BOND.

WE BANNED DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SOURCE OF INCOME.

NOW, WE ARE LOOKING AT PRE-FUNDING $25 MILLION IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION.

ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HOUSING FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THAT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE A PLACE TO STAY THAT IS WARM AND SAFE AND DRY BECAUSE THAT IS CRITICAL TO HAVING A JOB, RAISING A FAMILY AND AGING WITH DIGNITY.

>> I AGREE ESPECIALLY WITH RESPECT THAT WE SHOULD BE DOING MORE WITH RESPECT TO CONSTRUCTION, MAY RETROFITTING A LOT OF OLD MILLS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

ANOTHER TALKING ABOUT REDOING ONE OF THE HOTELS TO MAKE IT -- THE PRICE IS NOT SO HIGH FOR RENTAL IN THAT AREA.

IN ADDITION, WE HAVE TO HELP ASSIST PEOPLE.

I GO TO COURT ONCE IN A WHILE AND YOU SEE IN THE SECOND AND THIRD FLOOR, THEY HAVE A PROGRAM RIGHT THERE TO HELP PEOPLE ASSIST THEM TO GET RENT RELIEF SO THAT THEY DO HAVE MONEY AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE AND THEY ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT.

THERE IS USUALLY A LINE OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR THE ASSISTANCE.

>> YEARS AGO, THE STATE SENT OUT THE HOUSING STOCK.

IS THAT 10% A REALISTIC GOAL?

>> I THINK IT IS A NUMBER THAT WAS COME UP WITH AND WE HAVE TO STOP -- STRIVE FOR THAT NUMBER AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN REACH IT READ THE CLOSER WE GET TO THAT NUMBER, THE BETTER IT IS.

>> COVID, WE ARE 15 MINUTES INTO THE SHOW AND WE HAVEN'T REALLY TALKED ABOUT IT.

YOU AND I WERE TALKING OFF CAMERA.

EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO KEEP THE CLASS SCHOOL AND TRYING TO MAKE GOING TO A RESTAURANT NOT AS ONEROUS.

WHAT IS THE STATE HOUSE GOING TO LOOK LIKE THIS SESSION?

I KNOW THERE COULD BE OTHER VARIANTS, BUT AT THIS SNAPSHOT IN TIME, WHAT ARE WE THINKING?

>> WE ARE FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE COMING OUT OF THE GOVERNORS I SENT -- OFFICE AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THE LOSS OF DR. NICOLE IS A HUGE LOSS TO THE STATE.

SHE WAS A TREMENDOUS LEADER IN A TIME OF CRISIS.

SHE WAS JUST FANTASTIC AT HER JOB.

I THINK WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO DO WAS ANALYZE THIS ON A DAY-TO-DAY TO WEEK BASIS.

WE ARE HOPING TO HAVE COMMITTEE HEARINGS THAT ARE BOTH GOING TO BE REMOTE AND IN PERSON AND WILL BE GUIDED BY THE GUIDANCE WE GET FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> WHERE DID ALL THE PLEXIGLASS GO?

THE $166,000 OF PLEXIGLASS?

>> WE REMOVED THAT LAST YEAR BECAUSE -- >> IS AN OPTION IF YOU BRING IT BACK?

IS THE GOAL TO TRY TO STAY IN SESSION AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE?

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALT DID NOT SEE THAT AS ADDING VERY MUCH.

THERE ARE SOME MEMBERS THAT HAVE REFUSED TO BE MASKED.

BUT WE ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO COMPLY WITH THESE ROLES AND GET THROUGH THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

HOPEFULLY, THE NUMBERS WILL COME DOWN AND WE CAN ADJUST.

>> I KNOW THE SPEAKER IS TRYING TO USE THE CREDIT -- CARET RATHER THAN THE STICK.

>> WE HAVE WORKED WITH MEMBERS THAT ALSO WANT TO BE SEPARATED FROM THOSE THAT DON'T WANT TO WEAR A MASK BY ALLOWING THEM TO VOTE WITHIN THE ROOM OR OFF TO THE SIDE.

WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO USE MONEY DIFFERENT WAYS TO ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE AND MAKE SURE WE ARE MAXIMIZING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR MEMBERSHIP AND THE PUBLIC.

>> WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE IN THE SENATE THAT EVERYONE HAS BEEN MASKED UP AS WELL AS THE SENATE PRESIDENT IS OFFERING EVERYONE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO A RAPID TEST BEFORE WE GO INTO SESSION.

I BELIEVE MOST MEMBERS HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

SOME MEMBERS HAVE GOTTEN TEST RESULTS AND LEFT THE BUILDING AS A RESULT.

OBVIOUSLY, IT IS WORKING.

>> I KNOW HE SAID HE IS NOT WILD ABOUT THE VENTILATION.

HE SAID SOMETHING ALL OF US HAVE KNOWN FOR YEARS.

IT IS NOT GREAT VENTILATION.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF HOT AIR UP THERE.

>> THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH WE CAN DO ABOUT THAT.

ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT GOING BACK OR -- >> ANOTHER SENATE PRESIDENT IS LOOKING AT THAT OPTION, BUT HIS INTENT THIS YEAR IS TO STAY IN THE STATEHOUSE AS LONG AS IS POSSIBLE.

SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT COVID, WE REALLY SHOULD THINK ABOUT THE TEACHES -- TEACHERS AND NURSES THAT GO TO WORK EVERY DAY AND WHAT THEY GO THROUGH AND WE SHOULD REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

THEY DOING A LOT MORE THAN US GOING TO THE STATEHOUSE.

THEY ARE DOING IT EVERY DAY.

>> NONE OF US HAVE EVER BEEN WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH WITH THE PANDEMIC AND COVID.

THE BORDER IS UNCHARTED -- THE WATER IS UNCHARTED AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, NURSES, TEACHERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, MANY PEOPLE AND CERTAINLY, OUR HATS GO OFF TO THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED.

>> AND YOU ALREADY ABOUT BURNOUT.

>> PEOPLE HAVE LEFT THEIR JOBS, RETIRED EARLY, IT IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE.

THESE ARE UNCHARTED WATERS.

WE HAVE TO HELP THEM AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

THEY PROVIDE CRUCIAL SERVICE ON THE FRONTLINE.

THE THING IS, THERE ARE A LOT OF UNKNOWNS OUT THERE.

IT IS UNCHARTED WATERS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT HIS POTENTIAL LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR NURSES AND TEACHERS AND THAT IS A GREAT INCENTIVE.

THAT IS A NICE WAY TO USE THE MONEY.

CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THAT WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE?

>> I THINK TRYING TO SEE HOW WE ARE GOING TO DO IT.

THERE IS A NEED FOR NURSES AND THE SCIENCE AND MATH FOR TEACHERS.

IF WE WANT TO GET PEOPLE TO STAY IN RHODE ISLAND AND GO TO SCHOOL IN RHODE ISLAND, THEY WOULD GET SO MUCH OF THEIR LOANS FORGIVEN OVER TIME.

WE SEE IT AT HOSPITALS, THE CRITICAL NEED FOR NURSES.

THEY ARE OFFERING NURSES BONUSES OF 20 -- $20,000 AND $25,000 JUST TO SIGN ON.

>> THOSE WHO CARE FOR THE ELDERLY AND DEVELOP UNTIL HE DISABLED FACING THE SAME PROBLEMS.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE SITUATION?

AND THERE ARE TWO THINGS GOING ON, BUT THE IMMEDIATE WITH KIND OF THE BURNOUT, I KNOW PEOPLE COMING FROM FEMA, BUT IN TERMS OF THE HOSPITAL MERGER, I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED, BUT WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AS YOU LOOK AT THE LIFESPAN AND CARE NEW ENGLAND PROCESS GOING FORWARD?

>> THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION IS TAKING A LOOK AT THAT.

WE HAVE HEARD AND THE NEWS IS BEING REPORTED THAT THEY EXPECT SOME DECISION TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

I KNOW SPEAKER MCCARTHY PRIORITIZES PATIENT CARE, COST, MAKING SURE THE NURSES AND DOCTORS ARE SUPPORTING THEM.

WE PRIORITIZE THAT AS A LEADERSHIP TEAM BECAUSE WE HEAR THAT FROM OUR MEMBERS RATE AS IT MOVES FORWARD, THERE MAY BE A NEXT STEP WE WANT TO GO THROUGH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

MANY PEOPLE WITH A ROLL BEFORE YOU EVER GET TO THE LEGISLATURE.

SO THERE IS REALLY NOT MUCH TO COMMENT ON AT THIS TIME.

>> ONE THING WE SHOULD KEEP IN MIND IS THE LANDSCAPE OF HEALTH CARE CHANGED IMMENSELY.

20 YEARS AGO, WE HAD INDEPENDENT THE LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED.

IMMENSELY AND IT IS GOING TO KEEP ON CHANGING, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR OUR PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.

AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE.

>> THE ONE ISSUE THAT IS GOING TO BE BIG AND IT WAS POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE IN THE FALL SESSION, MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION.

DO YOU REMEMBER BACK IN THE MID-90'S WHEN THEY TALKED ABOUT THE CASINOS?

REMEMBER THEY WERE LIKE A GAMBLING IN CASINOS AND NOW IT IS HO-HUM?

YOU REMEMBER THE THOUGHT OF EVEN LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA, LET ALONE THE MEDICAL STUFF, NOW, EVERYBODY IS KIND OF LIKE, LET'S GET GOING.

THE MAIN DIFFERENCE NOW IS HOW YOU LICENSE IT AND CONTROL THE PROVIDERS READ -- PROVIDERS.

>> DURING THE OFF-SEASON OR DURING THE FALL -- >> NO OFF-SEASON.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, WE HAD NUMEROUS MEETINGS WITH THE SPEAKER AND SENATORS AND STAFF TO DISCUSS THE BILL AND GO THROUGH THE BILL AND COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, BASED ON WHAT THEY TOLD US AND WENT THEY HAVE INDICATED TO US IS THEY HAVE A CONCERN WITH CREATING A COMMISSION TO OVERSEE THE MARIJUANA.

>> AND THAT IS OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT WANTS.

>> HE FEELS IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE INDEPENDENT OF A STATE AGENT THE, HE ALSO FEELS IT IS IMPORTANT THAT IT NOT BE -- THE NEW DVR DIRECTOR COULD COME IN AND CHANGE THE WHOLE DIRECTION OF MARIJUANA WHEREAS IF YOU SET UP A COMMISSION AND HAVE COMMISSION MEMBERS COME IN A DIFFERENT TIME FRAMES AND TERMS, YOU ARE CREATING CONTINUING STABLE GROUNDS.

IN ADDITION, ANOTHER HAS BEEN DISCUSSIONS AS TO WHAT THE COMMISSION DOES, MAYBE HAVE A HYBRID WITH DBI.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE WILL MAYBE LOOK TOWARDS RIGHT NOW.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL THE GOOD THINGS IN THE BILL, CREATING SOCIAL EQUITY LIES SAYS, CREATING LICENSES IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE ALLOWING FOR PEOPLE TO EXPUNGE CERTAIN CRIMINAL RECORDS CRIMES FROM THEIR RECORDS TO MAKE THEM BE ABLE TO GET INTO THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

WE ARE NOT PUTTING ANY IMPEDIMENTS ON PEOPLE COMING OR IF THEY HAVE A HISTORY WHERE THEY MAY HAVE A CRIMINAL PAST ON THEIR RECORD, THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE AN IMPEDIMENT, THAT WILL BE SOMETHING REVIEWED AND IF THEY MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS, BE APPROVED FOR A LICENSE.

>> I WANT TO COMMEND LINDA MCCAFFREY AND SENATOR MILLER RATE -- MILLER.

OUR MEMBER WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED THERE WAS ONLY A HANDFUL OF US THAT WOULD SIGN BILLS TO LEGALIZE CANNABIS.

IT IS GREAT TO SEE HOW THE SOCIETY -- >> I THINK PEOPLE HAVE JUST UNDERSTOOD THIS IS SOMETHING IN OUR SOCIETY READ IT IS ACROSS THE BORDER, A 10 MINUTE DRIVE MANY OF THE URBAN LOCATIONS IN RHODE ISLAND THAT LIVE ON THE BORDER OF.

EITHER MASSACHUSETTS OR CONNECTICUT THE SPEAKER ALWAYS SAYS WE MAY NOT BE THE FIRST TO DO IT, BUT WE WANT TO DO IT THE BEST ONCE THE FRAMEWORK IS INTRODUCED, THEY WILL BE ROBUST HEARING, CANNABIS TOUCHES MANY DIFFERENT BASES.

IT TOUCHES THE JUDICIARY, HEALTH, LAW ENFORCEMENT, THERE IS MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS TO IT AND WE EXPECTED TO BE VERY ROBUST HEARINGS.

IT IS GREAT TO SEE HOW THIS HAS CHANGED OVER TIME.

>> HAVE YOUR VIEWS CHANGED?

>> YES, LIKE MANY ISSUES.

I WAS OPPOSED TO IT, I HAVE AN OPEN MIND GOING IN AND OF THE END OF THE DAY, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE FINAL BILL, A LOT OF WORK HAS BEEN PUT IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND ULTIMATELY, WHAT IS IN THE BILL AND HOW IT IS PRESENTED READ >> THE SENATOR AND I LAST YEAR VISITED A COUPLE OF PLACES IN MASSACHUSETTS.

THEY DID NOT OFFER US ANY FREE SAMPLES BUT IT WAS AMAZING THE NUMBER OF RHODE ISLAND CARS COMING INTO THE PARKING LOT TO PICK UP PRODUCT.

THAT IS TAX MONEY GOING OUT OF STATE.

NOT THAT THE REASON WE ARE DOING IS TAX REVENUE, WE THINK IT IS.

>> I KNOW WHEN THEY STARTED IN MASSACHUSETTS, IT WAS SO HEAVILY TAXED THAT WE JOKED ABOUT ON THIS FACET THAT YOU COULD JUST GO TO YOUR DEALER AND GET IT FOR HALF PRICE AND THERE WERE THESE LONG LINES OF THREE AND FOUR HOURS OR WHATEVER.

YOU HAVE TO REACH THE SWEET ON PRICING, RIGHT?

>> YOU HAVE TO DO THAT WITH ANYTHING IN THE STATE.

CIGARETTES, GASOLINE.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT OTHER STATS -- STATES ARE DOING AND WE WILL BE COMPETITIVE READ >> I WILL KEEP AN OPEN MIND ON THIS AGAIN.

I'M GOING INTO THIS WITH AN OPEN MIND AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE FINAL LEGISLATION.

>> QUICKLY, IS THERE ANYTHING FLYING UNDER THE RADAR.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE BIG ISSUES, LEGISLATION YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THAT MAYBE YOU WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE KNOW ABOUT?

>> I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE MOST IMPORTANT CLIMATE BILL IN THE HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.

THE NEXT STEP IS A LIMITATION.

THIS IS CRITICAL.

2021 WAS THE WARMEST DAY IN THE HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.

IT BEAT THE PRIOR YEAR OF 2020.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING AND IT IS HERE AND RHODE ISLAND HAS GOT TO BE A LEADER.

A WAY TO LOOK AT THAT IS GREEN AND HEALTHY SCHOOL INITIATIVE THAT WOULD INVEST IN REBUILDING OUR SCHOOLS, OUR SCHOOLS THAT ARE 50 OR -- YEARS OLD ON AVERAGE.

>> PROBABLY MANAGING THE FLOOR DEBATE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE AND FOCUSING MORE ON WOMEN'S ISSUES.

THERE IS A LOT OF PROGRAMS THAT WE CAN EXPAND ON.

>> I REMEMBER US TALKING ABOUT THAT SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND THAT IT WAS NICE TO SEE THAT WITH GROUP.

>> I WILL WORK WITH MICHAEL AGAIN ON SOME OF THAT LEGISLATION.

>> YOU GET THE LAST 30 SECONDS.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD THINGS HAPPENING.

MAKE SURE WE GET THE BIGGEST BANG FOR OUR BUCK AND WE DO SO AND IT HITS THE CONSTITUENCIES AND HAS FULL IMPACT.

TAKING A LOOK AT EXECUTIVE POWERS AS IT PERTAINS TO EMERGENCY POWERS.

WE ALL RECOGNIZE THE FACT.

>> WE DID NOT EVEN GET TO THAT.

>> WE RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR NEEDS THE POWERS DURING CERTAIN EMERGENCIES.

THE QUESTION IS, WHEN SHOULD NOT END BECAUSE WE HAVE A LEGISLATIVE PROCESS THAT IS OPEN .

REPUBLICAN INPUT IS SOUGHT AND THE QUESTION IS, WHERE DOES THAT END?

THAT PARTICULAR EXECUTIVE POWER?

ALSO, WHERE CAN WE HELP SMALL BUSINESSES AND OTHER TYPES OF BUSINESSES WITH PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH TAXES NOW THAT WE HAVE A PRETTY STRONG TAX REVENUE.

>> IT IS A QUICK 30 MINUTES.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

CHRIS, WELCOME.

WE WILL HOPEFULLY SEE YOU NEXT YEAR UNLESS THERE IS SOME COUP AND YOU ARE NO LONGER MAJORITY LEADER.

IT IS GOING TO BE A VERY INTERESTING 2022.

WE WILL BE HERE EVERY WEEK TO COVER IT AS IT DEVELOPS.

WE HAVE YOU HAVE A GOOD WEEK AND COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

[CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.

VISIT NCICAP.ORG]