JIM: THIS WEEK ON "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT TOM, A POLITICAL BOMBSHELL VISIT ONCE IN A CENTURY CONGRESSIONAL SEAT OPENS.

THE GOVERNOR DELIVERS THE STATE OF STATE ADDRESS DELIVERS HIS BERBER DUST IS BUDGET PROPOSAL -- DELIVERS HIS BUDGET PROPOSAL.

>> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR YEARS, "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED ADEQUATE INSIGHT FOR RHODE ISLANDERS.

I'M A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS PROGRAM AND RHODE ISLAND PBS.

JIM: JOINING US, ANGEL TAVERAS.

POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR, SCOTT MACKAY.

FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE, NICK GORHAM.

WHAT A WEEK IT HAS BEEN.

IT IS HARD TO KNOCK A STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH AND BUDGET REVEAL FROM THE HEADLINES.

THAT IS WHAT CONGRESSMAN JIM LEGER VENTED.

HE SAID AFTER 11 TERMS HE WILL BE LEAVING HIS CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.

THAT HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE CONSIDERING JUMPING INTO WHAT IS NOW AN OPEN RACE.

ANGEL, YOU ARE THE GUY WHO RAN ALONG WITH A COUPLE OF OTHERS AGAINST THE CONGRESSMAN.

WE WILL GET INTO THE HISTORY AND ALL OF THAT.

WERE YOU SURPRISED?

ANGEL: NO I WAS NOT IN ONE WAY.

THAT WAS BECAUSE SOME OF THE CHANGES I SAW AND HIS STAFF AND PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPER LOYAL TO THE CONGRESSMAN.

THAT DID NOT SURPRISE ME IN THAT SENSE.

WHEN YOU START SEEING MORE SENIOR PEOPLE LEAVE, THAT DID NOT SURPRISE ME.

CONGRESSMAN LANGEVIN HAS A GREAT RECORD IN RHODE ISLAND.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH RESPECT I HAVE FOR HIM BECAUSE IN 2000 HE WAS THE BEST-KNOWN, BEST FUNDED FRONT-RUNNER.

HE WOULD DEBATE ANYWHERE, ANYPLACE WHEN HE HAD NO INCENTIVE TO DO THAT.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE LESSER-KNOWN ON ITS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK THE TALK BUT HE WALKS THE WALK.

GOD BLESS HIM AND THANK YOU FOR HIS SERVICE.

HE HAS BEEN AN OUTSTANDING CONGRESSMAN AND I THINK HE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

JIM: IT IS NOT EASY TO BE IN CONGRESS THESE DAYS.

I FIND IT AMUSING BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE DISCUSSING.

IT IS NOT AN EASY ATMOSPHERE.

IT IS DIFFERENT THAN WHEN HE ARRIVED 21 YEARS AGO.

>> NOT A GREAT INDUCEMENT FOR PEOPLE TO RUN.

CONGRESSMAN LANGEVIN, A TRUE GENTLEMAN AND A WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING.

HE WAS ALWAYS CORDIAL WHEN YOU WOULD BUMP INTO HIM.

HE WOULD ALMOST ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR NAME.

I DID NOT ALWAYS AGREE WITH ALL OF HIS POLITICS, BUT THAT IS SECONDARY TO THE KIND OF PERSON HE IS.

HE IS A GREAT PERSON.

THERE IS A RUMOR THAT HE WILL BE RESIDENT OF RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

JIM: THAT IS A RUMOR AT THIS POINT.

>> WE LOVE RUMORS.

[LAUGHTER] JIM: WE TALK A LOT ABOUT RUMORS HERE.

SCOTT, WERE YOU SURPRISED?

SCOTT: MODERATELY -- MINORLY BECAUSE HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A FAVORITE POP REELECTION.

I KNOW NOT EVERYONE AGREES WITH HIS POLITICS, BUT IF YOU DO OR NOT, HE WAS A GUY WHO HAD OF THE TOUGHEST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN TO ANY OF US AS A TEENAGER.

YOU HAVE TO ADMIRE A MAN WHO HAS MADE HIS LIFE IN SERVICE TO THE STATE.

HE WAS OVER -- HE WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME A HORRIBLE THING.

IT TAKES HIM TWO OR THREE HOURS TO GET DRESSED IN THE MORNING.

ALL OF THE TRAVEL AND ALL OF THE STUFF, I THINK HE DECIDED HE DID NOT WANT TO BE TED KENNEDY OR SOMEBODY WHO GOES TOES UP IN CONGRESS.

HE WAS A DECENT RETIREMENT.

PRESIDENCY WOULD BE GOOD FOR RICK BECAUSE THEY NEED SOMEONE WHO IS HIGH-PROFILE, WHO CAN RAISE SOME MONEY, AND WILL HAVE JUICE WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS -- IT IS A GREAT PLACE AND PROBABLY THE BEST BANK FOR THE BUCK IN RHODE ISLAND AS FAR AS HIGHER EDUCATION.

SINCE THE GOVERNOR'S DEAL WITH THE COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND, GIVING FREE TUITION THERE, IT HAS LED PEOPLE TO NOT GO TO REAGAN.

THAT IS JUST NOT GOOD.

JIM: IT IS A NICE STORYLINE.

A GRADUATE COMES HOME.

I TALKED WITH THE CONGRESSMAN ABOUT THIS, WE DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS SOMETHING HE WAS TO JUMP INTO.

THAT IS A VERY DEMANDING JOB.

SCOTT, IF YOU COULD THREW UP A PICTURE.

MIKE DELANEY FROM "THE JOURNAL" WAS GOING THROUGH THE ARCHIVES AND CAME UP WITH A PICTURE.

I DID A LOT OF TELEVISION IN WASHINGTON.

I WAS THERE THE DAY JIM LANGEVIN WAS SWORN IN AND THE JOURNAL GOT THIS PICTURE OF ME INTERVIEWING HIM.

WHAT I REMEMBER IS THEY HAD TO MAKE ACCOMMODATIONS BECAUSE HE IS A QUADRIPLEGIC.

THAT WAS THE DAY HE OVERSHADOWED BECAUSE THE SENATOR FROM NEW YORK NAMED HILLARY CLINTON WAS BEING SWORN IN.

THAT WAS HER FIRST DAY.

I WILL NEVER FORGET STROM THURMOND GIVING HER A KISS AS SHE COMES ONTO THE SENATE FLOOR.

THE CHIEF -- HE WAS WHIPPING AROUND IN THAT WHEELCHAIR.

THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR US IN THE ELEVATOR AND HE SAID I WILL SEE YOU ON THE SECOND FLOOR.

I THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID, JUST EVERYDAY WHAT IT TAKES.

WE ROLLED OUT OF BED RELATIVELY QUICKLY, BUT WHAT IT TAKES FOR HIM TO DO HIS JOB.

>> IT IS HARD, BUT HE NEVER COMPLAINED ABOUT IT.

WHAT -- ONE PERSON SAID WE ARE GOING TO SHOW CHROME ALL OVER THE STATE.

I REMEMBER SOMEBODY SAYING SOMETHING NASTY ABOUT HIM ON THE AIR AND IT BACKFIRED.

THE ONE THING HE DID, EVERYBODY WHO CHALLENGED HIM, YET THIS IMPREGNABLE FACE IN WORK.

ANGEL LEARNED THAT THIS REALLY WHEN HE RAN AGAINST HIM.

THOSE FOLKS CAN BE LOYAL FOR HIM WHEN HE RAN FOR STATE REP, SECRETARY OF STATE, AND CONGRESS.

I LOOK AT IT AS THE CRANSTON-WARWICK AXIS.

IF YOU CAN HANDLE THOSE TWO CITIES, YOU HAVE A GREAT BASE IN THAT DISTRICT AND I THINK YOU AGREE.

ANGEL: I DO.

I WANT TO SAY ONE THING ABOUT THE CONGRESSMAN.

LET'S NOT OVERLOOK THE FACT THAT HE IS A CYBERSECURITY GROUP -- CYBERSECURITY GURU.

CONGRESS IS LOSING A CYBERSECURITY STALWART.

I WANT TO FOCUS ON THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS BECAUSE HE IS FOCUSED ON ELSIE AND MOVING FORWARD AND RECOGNIZING HE IS A SYMBOL OF HOPE TO SO MANY PEOPLE.

I WANT TO FOCUS ON THINGS HE HAS DONE AND THE LEGACY HE LEAVES BEHIND.

WE ARE LEARNING MORE AND MORE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THE OTHER DAY AND HOW IMPORTANT CYBERSECURITY IS.

JIM: SO ANGEL TAVERAS IS NOT A CANDIDATE?

ANGEL: ABSOLUTELY NOT.

[LAUGHTER] JIM: THAT DISTRICT HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND I WONDER IF THERE IS ROOM FOR EVER BUT CANNOT.

YOU KNOW BOB LINDSAY IS IN ALREADY BUT HE IS A SECOND-TIER CANDIDATE.

WHAT IS THE PATH OF VICTORY FOR A PUBLIC AND CANDIDATE?

NICK: IT HAS BEEN 32 YEARS SINCE A REPUBLICAN HAS BEEN IN THAT SEAT.

CLAUDINE SCHNEIDER IN 1990.

JIM: AND SHE SERVED 10 YEARS?

NICK: YES, 1980 TO 1990.

ANYONE UNDER 32, MAYBE YOU SHOULD CONSIDER RUNNING FOR THAT SEAT SINCE IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT ONE ALREADY SINCE 1990.

THE PATH FOR A REPUBLICAN -- THIS MAY BE THE BEST YOU TO RUN -- THE BEST YEAR TO RUN IN A LONG TIME AS A REPUBLICAN FOR THAT SEAT.

THERE IS A LOT OF DISSENT IN THE DEMOCRAT PARTY.

IT IS AN OPEN SEAT.

MANY OF THE PRIME CANDIDATES ARE IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

THE SPEAKER HAS PULLED OUT.

MY ADVICE IS IF YOU WANT TO RUN IN A YEAR AND IN AN ENVIRONMENT YOU MIGHT HAVE THE BEST CHANCE YOU HAVE, WE SHOULD RUN.

AS A REPUBLICAN.

>> IT IS A NONPRESIDENTIAL YEAR WHICH IS ALWAYS -- IF YOU COULD FIND A MODERATE -- THE PROBLEM IS ANY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE WILL NATIONALIZE THIS RACE QUICKLY, THE SAME WAY SHELDON WHITEHOUSE DID.

JIM: REMEMBER THE ASCENDNT WAS IN BOUNCEBACK.

THEY SAID I DON'T WANT THE SENATE TO GO REPUBLICAN.

SCOTT: PRECISELY.

THAT IS THE WHOLE THING.

PEOPLE IN NEW ENGLAND LOOK AT A PERSON LIKE MCCARTHY OR THESE CRAZIES.

IN ALABAMA, THEY HAD A CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE WITH MO BROOKS AND SOME FOLKS.

THE WHOLE THING WAS ABOUT THEM SAYING THEY WANT DONALD TRUMP TO BE THE NEXT SPEAKER.

THERE ARE SOME CRAZIES IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, IN THE TRUMP CULT.

IF YOU FOUND A MODERATE TO COULD GET TO A PRIMARY, YOU COULD PROBABLY HAVE A GOOD CHALLENGE FOR THAT SEAT.

AS AN EXCESS, THIS IS A GOOD ENVIRONMENT REPUBLICAN.

JIM: WHAT IS THE PATHWAY DEMOCRAT?

ANGEL: IT IS GOING TO BE A COMPETITIVE MEMORY AND A COMPETITIVE ELECTION.

FOUR DEMOCRAT -- SCOTT TALKED ABOUT IT, CRANSTON AND WARWICK IS A BIG PART OF THAT DISTRICT.

YET JOHNSTON, SOME OF PROVIDENCE, AS WELL.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF OTHER TOWNS PART OF IT.

ANYONE WHO CAN DO WELL IN WARWICK AND CRANSTON IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

TAKE A LOOK AND KEEP OUT FOR -- KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ED PACHECO.

THEY MOVED THEIR FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND IS WHERE THAT IS HE LIVES IN WARWICK NOW SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING.

JIM: DO YOU SENSE THAT DISTRICT IS MORE CONSERVATIVE NOW.

>> IT DEFINITELY IS AND THE DATA SHOWS THAT.

PART OF THE REASON THEY MOVED IT WAS TO HELP CONGRESSMAN CICILLINE.

DISTRICT ONE IS MORE DEMOCRATIC THAN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TWO.

SCOTT: IT HAS PRETTY MUCH ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY.

IT DEPENDS WHO DOES THE REAPPORTIONMENT.

IT HAS BOUNCEBACK AND FORTH.

I DO THINK THE REPUBLICANS COULD HAVE A MODERATE.

SOMEONE LIKE SENATOR DE LA CRUZ, IF SHE WAS NOT SO RIGHT WING, WOULD BE A DECENT CANDIDATE.

I DON'T SEE THAT PERSON OUT THERE.

A DENNIS ALGIERE'S -- A DENNIS ALGIERE, SOMEONE WHO WANTED THE JOB.

SOMEONE LIKE CLAUDINE SCHNEIDER WOULD BE A VIABLE CANDIDATE.

>> WHAT ABOUT --?

NICK: HE WOULD BE A VIABLE CANDIDATE FOR ANY OFFICE.

HE HAS GREAT RECOGNITION.

THAT IS $500,000 OUT OF THE WAY.

JESSICA DE LA CRUZ, SHE WOULD BE A GREAT CANDIDATE.

SHE IS YOUNG, SHE HAS GOT A LOT OF QUALITIES.

SHE IS A SENATOR, SHE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB.

WHEN SHE SPEAKS SHE IS VERY CLEAR AND CRISP.

WE WILL SEE.

I AGREE IT HAS TO BE SOMEONE IS MORE OF A MODERATE.

THIS IS A GREAT YEAR.

I THINK IT IS UNFAIR TO NOT MENTION BOB LANCIA WHO SAID HE WAS GOING TO RUN.

DID HE BREAK 40%?

SCOTT: YES HE DID.

JIM: AND YOU WONDER IF CONLEY WHO HAD TAKEN ON LANGEVIN WOULD GET ANY TRACTION.

WE WILL BE KEEPING TRACK OF THAT.

WHAT GOT BUMPED OF THE HEADLINES IS WE HAD A STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH AT A BUDGET PRESENTATION IN THE SAME WEEK IN THE THIRD WEEK OF JANUARY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE WORLD BECAUSE THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS IT HAD BEEN PUT OFF.

GOVERNOR MCKEE HAD A 40 MINUTE ADDRESS.

WE HAVE SOME HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOU.

HERE'S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU, RHODE ISLAND, I CAN STAND HERE TONIGHT BEFORE YOU WITH CONFIDENCE AND SAY THAT THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IS RESILIENT AND FULL OF OPPORTUNITY.

[APPLAUSE] TOMORROW WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING 100 PROJECTS VALUED AT $2.1 BILLION THAT WE ARE ABLE TO SPEED UP BECAUSE OF THESE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS BECAUSE OF OUR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP.

THIS INITIATIVE WILL CREATE SAFER ROADS, BRIDGES, AND BIKE PATHS, AND WILL PUT MANY MORE TRADESMEN AND TRADE WOMEN TO WORK.

WE MUST ADDRESS THE AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY OF OUR HOUSING.

WE ARE GOING TO WORK WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO MAKE SURE OUR SCHOOLS GET THE FUNDING THEY NEED.

MY BUDGET WILL CALL FOR KEY SMALL BUSINESSES SUPPORT, MORE FUNDING FOR SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE SEVERELY AND ACTED INDUSTRIES LIKE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY.

MY PROPOSED BUDGET WILL INCLUDE MILLIONS OF FUNDING LIFTED TO CLIMATE CHANGE INVESTMENTS WITHOUT IMPACTING GENERAL REVENUES.

JIM: THE GOVERNOR FOLLOWED THIS UP THURSDAY NIGHT WITH A $12.8 BILLION.

IT IS HARD TO KEEP TRACK WITH THE FEDERAL MONEY IN IT.

THERE IS AN EMPHASIS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THERE ARE VARIOUS CHARGES OF MONEY.

YOU HAVE THE ARPA MONEY AND THEN THE BUDGET AND THEN A SURPLUS.

YOU WOULD HAVE KILLED TO HAVE ALL THIS MONEY IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WEREN'T YOU ALWAYS FACING DEFICITS?

NICK: DURING THE END OF MY TENURE.

I WAS IN FROM 1998 TO 2008.

I LIKE THE 2.1 POINT DOLLARS FOR ROADS, BRIDGES, PATHS, AND SCHOOL.

THAT IS GREAT.

I EXPECT MOST OF THAT TRANCHE, TO USE THAT WORD, IS GOING TO FIND A LOT OF GOOD OBJECTS.

WE ARE STILL LONG OVERDUE FOR FIXING THE ROADS, BRIDGES, BIKE PATHS, AND SCHOOLS.

A LOT OF THE OTHER THINGS -- IT IS HARD TO SAY ANYTHING BAD OR GOOD YET BECAUSE WE NOT -- BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE DETAILS.

THE GENERAL FORM THAT HAS TAKEN, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT GETS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS THAT WE TAKE THESE PROGRAMS WERE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE GOVERNOR GET TO HAND OUT ALL THE MONEY TO ALL OF THE CAUSES THEY LIKE.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ONE OF THEM.

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS PROPERTY TAXES AND SO FORTH ARE SO HIGH THAT IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO BUILD OR RENT HOUSING THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR PEOPLE.

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING, NOT GETTING A LOT OF MONEY TO MAKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING MORE AVAILABLE.

JIM: WHAT STRUCK ME IS THE GOVERNOR WENT OUT OF HIS WAY -- INVESTMENT INSTEAD OF SPENDING.

WHAT'S THAT FEDERAL MONEY RUNS OUT, WE WILL NOT BE ON THE HOOK.

HE DID NOT ADDRESS ALL OF IT, I WONDER, IT LOOKS LIKE A MODERATE BUDGET TO ME.

SCOTT: IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR BUDGET BY A GUY WHO INHERITED THE GOVERNORSHIP AND NOW HE HAS TO RUN FOR REELECTION.

YOU LOOK AT IT LIKE POTS, PORTS, AND PROSPERITY.

WHAT DO YOU ARGUE WITH?

THERE IS A BIG CHRISTMAS TREE WITH A LOT OF ORNAMENTS AND HE DOES NOT HAVE TO CUT THE BUDGET.

THIS IS THE MOST FLUSH ECONOMIC TIMES SINCE ALLMAN WAS A GOVERNOR.

ONE THING HE DID WAS CUT TAXES.

HE GOT THE INCOME TAX BY 10% AND CUT THE CAR TAX.

EVEN NOW, GOVERNOR MCKEE CAN CONTINUE THE CAR TAX PHASEOUT.

JIM: ISN'T IT FUNNY THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THAT?

IT WAS JUST A GIVEN THAT WAS GOING TO CONTINUE WITH A SURPLUS.

ANGEL: IT IS ONE OF THE SMARTEST MOVES.

THAT CAR TAX UPSET PEOPLE MORE THAN ANY OTHER TAX.

JIM: BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE $76 PER $1000.

ANGEL: THEY DID NOT LIKE THE VALUATION.

THEY TOLD ME I COULD SELL THE CAR WHAT IT IS VALUED.

THEY DID NOT LIKE THE TAX RATE EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS AN EXCEPTION.

THE CORTEX IS ONE PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE DO NOT WANT.

I THINK NICK IS RIGHT ABOUT ONE THING WHICH IS THE DETAILS WILL BE IMPORTANT IN HOW THESE INVESTMENTS ARE MADE.

I THINK AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS IMPORTANT.

I LIKE THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE TO HELP PEOPLE PURCHASE HOMES.

WE SAW TODAY THAT THE REALTORS ASSOCIATION IS SAYING THERE'S ONLY ONE MONTH OF SUPPLY WHEN A HEALTHY MARKET HAS ONE MONTH OF SUPPLY.

-- THE BUILDINGS, THAT IS GREAT WE ARE GOING TO HELP REBUILD BUILDINGS BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS WHO HAVE BEEN EXCEPTIONAL DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE ANY OPPORTUNITY TO RETHINK EDUCATION IN OUR STATE TO LOOK AT MASSACHUSETTS AND WHAT IT HAS DONE AND DO THE THINGS HERE TO PUT US IN A COMPETITIVE SPOT, A MORE COMPETITIVE SPOT GOING INTO THE FUTURE.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO CUT TAXES, THE ONE THING I WOULD SAY IS THE SALES TAX WHICH IS REGRESSIVE AND COULD HAVE A HEALTHY IMPACT ON FOLKS.

JIM: GOING BACK, IT WAS A PERCENT THAT WAS GOING TO COME BACK DOWN.

SCOTT: ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO WATCH IS I HOPE THE LEGISLATURE HAS THE GUTS TO GO IN AND DO OVERSIGHT.

WHEN YOU SPREAD THIS MUCH MONEY AROUND, WE ALL KNOW THE TEMPTATION IS GOING TO BE THERE.

NICK IS SMILING, I CAN SEE.

YOU DUMP ALL OF THIS MONEY ON A LITTLE STATE.

JIM: YOU THINK THOSE LEGISLATIVE GRANTS ARE A PROBLEM?

NICK: THESE ARE JUMBOS -- THESE ARE JUMBOS.

[LAUGHTER] SCOTT: WE HAVE SEEN THEM BEFORE.

WITH STRICT OVERSIGHT, THE LEGISLATURE COULD GET THEMSELVES IN THE BUSINESS OF WATCHING HOW THIS MONEY IS SPENT.

THE GOOD NEWS IS A LOT OF THIS IS ONE TIME SPENDING.

IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE EVERNHAM MCKEE -- LOOK LIKE GOVERNOR MCKEE HAS ANY NEW AGGRESSIVE PROGRAMS.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT GOVERNOR RAIMONDO PROPOSED.

IN THAT RESPECT, HE IS NOT PRESENTING A BUNCH OF NEW PROGRAMS THAT HAVE TO BE FINANCED AFTER THE FEDERAL MONDAY -- THE FEDERAL FINANCE GOES AWAY.

NICK: THERE WAS LITTLE TALK ABOUT TAX REDUCTIONS.

THE ONLY THING I GOT AS THEY WERE TO LOWER THE MINIMUM TAX BY $25.

THAT IS THE LEAST WE WILL TAX YOU.

THERE IS NOTHING ABOUT THE CEILING, THE CEILING REMAINS WAY UP.

JIM: EVEN IF WE HAD A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT, THEY WOULD SAY A BROAD BASE TAX INCREASE BUT THEY TRIPLE THE PRICE TO GO TO SCARBOROUGH.

THIS YEAR, IT SAYS THE FEES WILL REMAIN THE SAME.

THAT IS HOW YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN GOOD BUDGET TIME.

THE NICKEL AND DIME YOU ON THE FEES.

SCOTT: OF COURSE, BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO SAY THEY RAISED TAXES.

TAXES ARE LIKE FOUR BUTTON ALIKE FORBIDDEN -- TAXES ARE LIKE FOREBODING.

JIM: LET'S GO TO OUTRAGES OR KUDOS.

ANGEL: I HAVE A KUDOS AND AN AVERAGE.

-- AND AN OUTRAGE.

IT IS THE ARIZONA DEMOCRATIC PARTY THAT TOOK SENATOR KYRSTEN SINEMA TO TASK BECAUSE OF HER STANCE ON THE FILIBUSTER AND VOTING RIGHTS.

I WANT TO CONTRAST THAT.

SCOTT TWEETED ABOUT IT YESTERDAY.

CONTRAST THAT WITH WHAT THE ARIZONA REPUBLICAN PARTY DID WHICH IS THEY TOOK REPUBLICANS TO TASK AFTER THEY DID NOT SUPPORT DONALD TRUMP AND HIS EFFORTS TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION.

THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC ALREADY AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY -- AND TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

JIM: WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

NICK: I HAVE ONE THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE.

I SAW SOME KIND OF TEXT OR SOMETHING FROM JOHN MARION SUGGESTING THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAN NEVER BE SUBJECT TO THAT.

THAT MIGHT BE TRUE UNLESS THEY SAY THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

IN THAT LAW THAT IS GOVERNING THEIR CONDUCT AT THE STATEHOUSE ABOUT HOW TO REDRAW, IT SAYS EXPLICITLY THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ASK.

I HOPE THE -- OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

I HOPE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL LOOKS INTO THAT.

I THINK YOU WILL.

KUDOS TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR CALLING OUT THAT THEY HAVE NOT COMPLIED WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AT ALL.

JIM: THE ISSUE IS NOT THAT IT IS AN INCUMBENT PROTECTION LAND, BUT THE PROCESS WAS FLAWED?

NICK: THE PROCESS WAS FLAWED.

TO BE FAIR, PROBABLY A GOOD INCUMBENT PROTECTION PLAN, TOO.

SCOTT: TODAY I'M GOING TO DO KUDOS.

JIM: OH MY GOODNESS, STOP THE PRESSES.

SCOTT: I THINK WE OWE A DEBT TO THE PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITALS, THE NURSES, THE DOCTORS, HOUSEKEEPERS, THE PEOPLE THAT DO THE GROCERIES, THE JANITORS, THE PEOPLE IN THE NURSING'S HOMES -- IN THE NURSING HOMES, THE TEACHERS.

DURING THIS VIRUS, WE HAVE TO HONOR WHAT THESE FOLKS HAVE DONE AND STOP YELLING AT THEM.

YOU GO TO A RESTAURANT, DON'T FIGHT WITH PEOPLE.

EVERYBODY HAS FATIGUE AND IF I HAD ANY OUTRAGE, IT SHOULD BE THOSE FOLKS WHO REFUSED TO GET VACCINATED CLOGGING THE HOSPITALS AND EMERGENCY ROOMS CREATING MORE PROBLEMS FOR THESE PEOPLE WHO REALLY DESERVE OUR KUDOS AND OUR GRATITUDE.

JIM: THIS WEEK MARKS THE ANNIVERSARY OF JOE BIDEN TAKING OVER AS PRESIDENT.

I THINK EVERYBODY WOULD AGREE HE NEEDS A RESET.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A DISCONNECT.

I THINK THE ECONOMY SEEMS TO BE DOING WELL BUT INFLATION IS KILLING EVERYBODY.

HEAD INTO THE SECOND YEAR OF THE BIDEN PRESIDENCY?

ANGEL: HE NEEDS TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUES THAT IMPACT EVERYBODY.

INFLATION IS ONE PEOPLE FEEL AT THE PUMP OR AT THE GROCERY STORE OR SEE IT IN ANYTHING THEY TRY TO BUY.

IT IS GREAT UNEMPLOYMENT IS DOWN.

IT IS GREAT ECONOMIC FACTORS LOOK GOOD, BUT INFLATION IS SOMETHING THAT TOUCHES YOU.

THE OTHER ASPECT IS COVID HAS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM.

RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY, HE IS THE PRESIDENT AND IT IS HIS RESPONSIBILITY.

EITHER PEOPLE ARE TIRED AND HE GETTING A LOT OF THE BLAME.

RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY, EVEN THOUGH HE HAS ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED, HE IS DOING AS MUCH AS HE CAN.

IF YOU CAN GET THOSE TWO ISSUES, INFLATION AND COVID, IF WE MAKE A TURN ON THAT, WE WILL BE IN BETTER POSITION.

NICK: I AGREE WITH ANGEL, THE INFLATION ISSUE IS THE BIGGEST ACHILLES HEEL FOR THE PRESIDENT OTHER THAN THE PUBLIC'S JUSTIFIED DECISION THAT HE IS NOT HUNDRED PERCENT.

IT HAS MANIFEST AGAIN AND AGAIN.

THE TWO HOUR PRESS CONFERENCE THE OTHER DAY REINFORCE THE NOTION THAT HE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ALL THERE.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE DEEPLY TROUBLED IN THIS COUNTRY BY THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T KNOW IF THEIR PRESIDENT IS CAPABLE OF BEING PRESIDENT.

NOT BECAUSE HE HAS THE LONG -- THE WRONG POLITICAL VIEWS, BUT BECAUSE HE DOES NOT HAVE A SOUND STATE OF MIND.

SCOTT: I'M NOT SURE OF THAT.

WE HAD A PRESIDENT FOR FOUR YEARS WHO WAS BASICALLY A PHONETIC, TWEETING AT 4:00 A.M. YOU LOOK AT THE PRESIDENT, I THINK HIS PROBLEM IS HE FELT HE COULD BE LEGISLATURE IN CHIEF AND IT IS NOT WORKING.

PART OF THAT IS THE CONGRESS HAS CHANGED SO MUCH SINCE WHEN HE WAS THERE.

HE SHOULD KNOW BETTER.

HE WAS THERE WITH OBAMA AND SAW THE PROBLEMS THEY HAD.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, UNTIL THEY GET OUT FROM BEING A CULT OF TRUMP, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THEM ON THINGS LIKE VOTING RIGHTS.

YOU WOULD THINK MITT ROMNEY WHO WAS A DECENT GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS, A BRIGHT SKY, YOU THINK SOMEONE LIKE HIM YOU COULD DEAL WITH SUSAN COLLINS.

BUT NO, THEY ALL DEAL WITH MCCONNELL.

HE SAID AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE VOTING AT THE SAME PERCENTAGE AS AMERICANS.

NICK: I DON'T THINK THAT THE VOTING RIGHTS ISSUE HAS AS MUCH ZIP AS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THINGS IT DOES.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE PRETTY SATISFIED WITH THE VOTING SYSTEM WE HAVE.

IT CAN ALWAYS BE MADE BETTER.

I THINK YOU'RE OVERESTIMATING THE IMPACT IT IS GOING TO HAVE AND IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GET THROUGH CONGRESS AND I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE A BIG ISSUE IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

JIM: SCOTT, ANGEL, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

AND NICK.

WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS ASKED WEEK.

WE WILL BE HERE WITH A FULL ANALYSIS NEXT WEEK AS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" CONTINUES.

♪ >> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> I AM JOHN HIS AND WHITE JUNIOR -- JOHN HASWHITE JR. "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT INTO ISSUES THAT CONCERN RHODE ISLANDERS.

I'M A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS PROGRAM AND RHODE ISLAND PBS.