>> THIS WEEK, IT IS KARMAGEDDON.

WHAT ARE THE HOUSE SPEAKER'’S PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW SESSION?

"A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> I AM A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS GREAT PROGRAM AND RHODE ISLAND BBS.

>> JOINING US ON THE PANEL THIS WEEK, A POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE PUBLIX RADIO.

A RETIRED POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AND BROWN UNIVERSITY POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR.

HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME.

YOU NO DOUBT GOT THE ALERT ON YOUR PHONE MONDAY AFTERNOON, THE SUDDEN CLOSURE OF THE WESTBOUND LANES OF WASHINGTON BRIDGE IN PROVIDENCE HAS CREATED CHAOS IN THE EAST BAY AND PROVIDENCE THIS WEEK BUT IT IS NOT JUST THE EASTBOUND AFFECTED.

DRIVERS SEEKING ALTERNATE HAVE JAMMED THE NEWPORT BRIDGE AND HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS BETWEEN THE EAST SIDE AND THE STATE AND ANYWHERE ELSE HAVE BEEN CANCELED AT LEAST FOR NOW.

YOU WERE TO THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON TUESDAY AND YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THESE EVERY DAY.

WE SHOULD SAY, THEY HAVE OPENED UP TWO WESTBOUND LANES.

I WENT OVER THEM TO GET HERE.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED BUT WHAT A WEEK THIS WAS.

IAN: IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES AND THE WORST OF TIMES.

ROADS AND BRIDGES IS A VERY BASIC FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT.

IT AFFECTS PEOPLE AND THEIR DAILY LIVES IS THERE -- IF THERE IS TRAFFIC CONGESTION.

IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT PEOPLE WERE ANGRY AND UPSET AND LOOKING TO PLACE BLAME.

AS YOU SAID THE BYPASS LANES WERE OPEN IN FOUR DAYS AHEAD OF THE TWO WEEK TIMETABLE SO THAT IS IMPRESSIVE.

THE GOVERNOR HAD A MIXED WEEK.

AT FIRST HE WAS OUT OF SIGHT ON MONDAY.

HE RAISED HIS VISIBILITY BY TUESDAY AND REMAINED VERY VISIBLE.

HE FLEW OFF THE HANDLE AT BRIAN CRANDALL FROM CHANNEL 10 WHEN HE ASKED A LEGITIMATE QUESTION.

ONE DAY LATER THE GOVERNOR WAS MUCH MORE CONCILIATORY.

IT HAS BEEN ALL OVER.

IF TRAFFIC FLOWS MORE SMOOTHLY, NOW THAT THE BYPASS LANES ARE OPEN THE WORST OF IT APPEARS TO BE OVER.

>> HOW ARE THINGS IN PROVIDENCE?

WAS THERE A LOT OF BACKUP NEAR YOU?

>> THERE WERE LOTS OF OFFICERS TRYING TO DIRECT THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC TO THE MAIN STREETS.

ONE IS CALLED GANO AND THE OTHER IS CALLED ANGEL.

THINGS WERE SLOW BUT MOVING.

THEY RE-TIMED THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS SO THAT ANGEL STREET KEPT MOVING.

TRYING TO GET ACROSS THE STREETS WAS LONGER BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, IT WAS FLOWING.

>> ONE ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'’S RESPONSE?

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS TO DECIDE DOES HE WANT TO BE SOMEONE WHO IS PERCEIVED AS 24/7 REALLY WORKING ON THIS JOB, WORKING HARD, NOT JUST SORT OF OPENING THINGS OR BEING THERE IN WAYS THAT ARE CONSIDERED SUPERFICIAL BUT REALLY MONITORING WHAT THE AGENCIES ARE DOING AND BEING ON TOP OF THINGS.

HE WAS THE MAYOR.

HE DOES NOT SHOW THAT.

THAT IS NOT WHAT PEOPLE PERCEIVE HIM AS.

HE IS GOING TO SHIFT GEARS IF HE IS WILLING TO RUN FOR REELECTION.

>> HE HAS TO RECOGNIZE THAT REPORTERS HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO REPORT ON THE FUNCTIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE BOTH BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

WE HAVE COVERED A LOT OF GOVERNORS.

THE GOVERNOR HAS A TENDENCY TO BE TESTY WHEN ASKED TOUGH QUESTIONS.

THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH ME.

IT HAPPENED WITH ED FITZPATRICK FROM THE GLOBE.

HE DID STRIKE A MORE CONCILIATORY TONE.

>> PETER WAS THE TECHNICAL PERSON WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT BUT THE GOVERNOR WAS NOT EVEN THERE.

HE SHOULD HAVE GONE TO THE SIDE.

THE THING IS, HE WAS IN TOWN AND HE SHUFFLED OFF TO PETER.

THEN HE CAME BACK AT THE END.

I AGREE WITH WENDY.

HE WILL HAVE TO CHANGE HIS PERSONA AND HIS LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE.

HE WILL GO TO A RIBBON-CUTTING, THE SWEET THINGS, BUT TOUGH STUFF HE SEEMS TO SHY AWAY.

HE HAS NOT BEEN SHOWING THIS YEAR SOME STRONG LEADERSHIP.

HE HAS REBOUNDED NOW.

HE IS NOT DOING A DAILY BROADCAST ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON BUT I THINK HE HAS TO PROJECT A VERY DIFFERENT PERSONA OR A LEADERSHIP STYLE.

WENDY: OBVIOUSLY GINA WAS EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME.

MOST OF THE TIME CHOSE VERY GOOD PEOPLE TO RUN HER AT MISS RIGHT OF DEPARTMENT.

PRIOR HAS BEEN THE BIG PERSON ON HOUSING.

IN SOME WAYS YOU WANT A GOVERNOR WHO PICKS GOOD PEOPLE AT THE HELM AND HE LETS THEM DO THEIR JOB.

THAT IS SOMETHING HE SHOULD BE TAKING CREDIT FOR.

I KNOW YOU WANT ME HERE BUT I TRUST THESE PEOPLE AND I WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

I WOULD RECOMMEND TRYING TO TAKE THAT STANCE.

>> WHAT DID BRETT SMILEY SAY?

I APOLOGIZE.

I AM SO SORRY -- IT IS NOT HIS FAULT.

THAT IMMEDIATELY GOT HIM BONUS POINT WITH EVERYBODY.

>> IT GOES A LONG WAY WITH THE PUBLIC WHEN PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED ABOUT BEING STUCK IN TRAFFIC FOR HOURS.

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE GOVERNMENT CAN SEEM REALLY REMOTE, ALOOF AND UNCARING ABOUT THE CONCERNS OF DAY-TO-DAY PEOPLE.

THAT GOES A LONG WAY WHEN SOMEONE LIKE MAYOR SMILEY APOLOGIZES.

WHEN THE -- WENSDDY'’S POINT IS WELL TAKEN.

THIS IS A MAJOR CRISIS.

THE GOVERNOR IS THE LEADER OF THE STATE AND HE OR SHE NEEDS TO BE FRONT AND CENTER.

>> KUDOS TO THE PROVIDENCE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IT WAS REALLY COLD YESTERDAY AND THEY WERE STANDING OUTSIDE FOR THE MOST PART TRYING TO DIRECT TRAFFIC.

THEY WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE AND IT WAS A COLD DAY.

THAT IS ONE THING YOU WANT TO CREDIT THE POLICE AND THE MAYOR OF PROVIDENCE FOR DOING.

>> THE ONE THING I WILL SAY, AND WE HAVE GONE TO ENOUGH OF THESE THINGS.

ESPECIALLY DURING COVID.

I WOULD SAY TO THE GOVERNOR AT THAT PRESS CONFERENCE, IT IS A TWO WAY STREET.

WE ARE GIVING YOU THE AIRWAVES BUT WE ARE BLOWING OUT ALL PROGRAMMING ON RADIO, TV.

YOU TAKE OUR QUESTIONS EVEN IF YOU DON'’T LIKE THE QUESTION.

YOU DON'’T HAVE TO ANSWER IT.

DO NOT GO OFF ON US ON HOW TO DO OUR JOB.

AS I WAS LISTENING TO THAT BACK AND FORTH I THOUGHT WHAT IS GOING THROUGH HIS MIND?

IT IS INAPPROPRIATE?

>> WHEN HE WON THAT PRIMARY, WE CAN ALL SAY HE WAS NOT PARTICULARLY GRACIOUS ABOUT THAT.

HE KIND OF FLEW OFF AND HAD A CUTTING REMARK ABOUT THAT.

THEN HE RECOVERED.

HE HAS TO FIGURE OUT IF HE RUNS, HOW DO NOT DO THAT ANYMORE.

>> WHAT WILL BE INTERESTING IS THEY OVER -- UNDER PROMISED AND OVER DELIVERED, WHICH IS GREAT.

THE BRIDGE PEOPLE WILL BE OUT THERE IN FOUR DEGREES AND THEY WILL LOSE DAYS.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

THE GOVERNOR HAS HAD A BAD YEAR IN TERMS OF A LOT OF MISSTEPS AND I THINK THIS IS ONE MORE.

HE HAS TO GO ON A COURSE CORRECTION.

I CAN LIST ALL THE THINGS.

THE CREDITS IN ARMORY, NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE ETHICS COMMISSION.

HE HAS HAD SOME FAUX PAS.

HE WILL HAVE TO REGROUP AND SHOW SOME LEADERSHIP.

I WANT TO SAY ONE OTHER THING.

I WONDER IF PEOPLE CAN BE MORE SUPPORTIVE OF MASS TRANSIT.

I LIKE PETER BUT I DON'’T GET -- IT IS AN INVESTMENT.

THEY DON'’T PUT ENOUGH MONEY INTO BUSES.

>> ON MONDAY THEY ARE LAUNCHING A 500 PASSENGER FERRY.

>> BUT IT IS COLD.

I WISH PEOPLE COULD RETHINK GIVEN THIS BUSINESS HOW WE NEED MORE MASS TRANSIT AND WE REALLY HAVE TO USE IT.

>> ONE OTHER NOTE, WE SHOULD NOTE THE POTENTIAL CATASTROPHE AVERTED THIS WEEK.

I THINK IT WILL TAKE LONGER TO ASSESS WHETHER THE ANALYSIS FROM GOVERNOR MICKEY AND THE DIRECTOR IS CORRECT THAT IN JULY THERE WAS NOT AN INDICATION THAT THINGS WERE THIS DIRE, PARSING WHETHER THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME WILL TAKE LONGER TO FIGURE OUT.

>> WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE UNREST ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES AFTER THE WAR IN ISRAEL.

WENDY, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS MANY TIMES, THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

THE FIRST GO AROUND, THE KIDS WHO GOT ARRESTED, THOSE CHARGES WERE EVENTUALLY DROPPED.

THIS MOVIE IS PLAYING AGAIN.

41 MORE KIDS ARE ARRESTED NOW.

IT PUTS BROWN IN A FUNNY SITUATION.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY WILL GET SERIOUS AND MOVE FORWARD WITH PROSECUTIONS ON THIS ONE.

>> I DON'’T KNOW WHAT THE PLAN WILL BE BUT I THINK IT IS PRETTY DOUBLE TO DROP THE CHARGES AND THAT PEOPLE WILL DO IT AGAIN.

I THINK THEY KNEW THAT.

I THINK THEY WERE READY FOR IT.

WHAT IS INTERESTING TO ME IS THAT THEY MADE SURE THAT ALL OF THEM WERE PROCESSED INSIDE UNIVERSITY HALL.

THERE WERE NO PHOTO OPS.

THERE WAS NO LEADING THE STUDENTS OUT IN HANDCUFFS.

THEY DID IT ALL INSIDE.

THEY ARRANGED IT WITH THE PROVIDENCE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> BECAUSE THAT WOULD FUEL THE FIRE AS MARTYRS?

>> EXACTLY.

A POLICE COMMISSIONER LAST WEEKEND ASKED ABOUT THE INCONVENINCE OF HAVING TO COME TO CAMPUS AND ARREST ALL THE STUDENTS AND HAVE THE CHARGES DROPPED.

HE BASICALLY SAID, WE WILL DO OUR JOB WHEN WE ARE CALLED.

FIRST WE MAKE SURE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT COULD DO THAT WITHOUT BEING INCONVENIENCED.

I THINK THEY ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT OF FREE SPEECH BUT FREE SPEECH CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF A BUSINESS OR AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OR ANY KIND OF PUBLIC ENTITY.

YOU CAN SPEAK BUT YOU CANNOT INTERRUPT DAILY BUSINESS OPERATIONS.

THAT IS NOT YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

>> IT IS A SMALL AMOUNT BUT THERE IS THIS RIPPLE BECAUSE OF THE MEDIA.

DO YOU GET THE FEELING IS IT GETTING IN THE WAY OF DAY-TO-DAY BUSINESS, OF CLASSES AND OTHER THINGS GOING ON?

>> WHEN STUDENTS AND FACULTY AND STAFF FEEL LESS SAFE, WHETHER IT IS INTELLECTUALLY OR PHYSICALLY, MATTER WHAT THEIR ORIGIN IS OR THEIR OPINIONS, IT INTERFERES WITH THE PROCESS OF LEARNING.

YOU CANNOT LEARN AS WELL IF YOU ARE DISTRACTED BY CONCERNS OF SAFETY.

BROWN UNIVERSITY, COLUMBIA, HARVARD, ALL OF THESE PLACES WILL HAVE TO GRAPPLE WITH THAT AND WHEN WE COME BACK IN THE SPRING I THINK THERE WILL HAVE TO BE CHANGES SO THAT WE ALL FEEL SAFE AND ALL FACULTY AND STUDENTS TO FEEL SAFE.

>> EVERYBODY LIKES TO PICK ON THE OBVIOUS IN THE SENSE THAT THEY LIKE TO SOCKET TO THEM.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT WERE UP THERE.

I DO THINK THOSE CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS WERE A POLITICAL STUNT.

IN OTHER WORDS, THEY WALKED INTO THIS TRAP.

>> AND IT WAS A DISASTER.

>> AND IT WAS A DISASTER.

>> THEY WERE OVER COACHED.

THEY WERE TOLD TO STICK TO THE LINE AND THEY DID NOT THINK COMMON SENSE.

>> THEY DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT RESPONSE BUT IT WAS A TRAP AND IT WAS APOLITICAL STUNT AND IT CONTINUES TO BE A POLITICAL STUNT BECAUSE NOW THEY WILL INVESTIGATE THESE INSTITUTIONS.

AS FAR AS BROWN IS CONCERNED, THEY ARE IN A VERY DIFFICULT BIND AND I THINK THEY HAVE MANAGED IT FAIRLY WELL.

THEY HAVE ALMOST A QUARTER OF THEIR STUDENT BODY IS JEWISH AND THEY'’VE GOT -- WE HAVE THIS GENERATIONAL THING WHERE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE SEE THE ISRAELI HAMAS THING IN TERMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND OLDER PEOPLE ARE LESS INCLINED TO SUPPORT THAT.

IN ADDITION TO THE ASCENDANCY -- TO THE TENDENCY TO LOOK AT IT IN TERMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS, WE HAVE A STUDENT WHO WAS SHOT IN VERMONT AND HE WAS PALESTINIAN.

I THINK THIS CREATED A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION FOR THEM.

I THINK THEY HAVE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF TRYING TO MAINTAIN SOME SORT OF A BALANCE BETWEEN FREE SPEECH AND DOING SOMETHING ABOUT STEPPING OVER INTO DISRUPTING THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON.

>> IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT WHILE THESE PROTESTING STUDENTS GET A LOT OF NEWS ATTENTION, THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS ARE NOT PROTESTING.

I THOUGHT BOB WALSH HAD A GOOD ANALYSIS ON THIS ISSUE ON THIS SHOW TWO WEEKS AGO SAYING THAT THERE IS AN HONORABLE TRADITION OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE BUT IF THERE ARE NO PENALTIES FOR BREAKING THE LAW, IT REALLY DOES NOT EAN ANYTHING.

I THINK THE PROTESTING STUDENTS ARE VERY SINCERE IN THEIR BELIEFS.

CERTAINLY THESE ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE GALVANIZED CONCERN ACROSS THE WORLD.

IT IS A VERY TOUGH ISSUE.

THIS CONFLICT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR DECADES.

I FELT THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS VERY GOOD.

>> THAT'’S WHY I ASKED DAY TODAY.

IT IS NOT LIKE A PROTEST IS BREAKING OUT IN FRONT OF YOUR CLASS.

FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, IT COULD BUT IF THAT IS ON YOUR MIND, PARTICULARLY IF YOU ARE JEWISH AND WE HAVE HEARD THIS FROM JEWISH STUDENTS WHO DO NOT FEEL SAFE ON CAMPUS.

THAT WHOLE WEEK, WE JOKE AROUND THAT THIS GENERATION IS A LITTLE SOFT AND WE NEED SAFE SPACES.

THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR THAT.

COLLEGE CAMPUS THIS IS A PLACE WHERE WE CAN DISCUSS AND AT THE END OF THE DAY WE CAN HAVE A BEER TOGETHER.

IT IS NOT FEEL LIKE THAT ANYMORE FOR SOME PEOPLE.

>> THAT'’S RIGHT.

THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES.

ONE IS DOES BROWN DIVEST FROM ANY COMPANY DOING BUSINESS NOT ONLY WITH ISRAEL BUT WITH ANY COMPANY WHO DOES BUSINESS WITH ISRAEL.

THAT IS A VERY COMPLICATED THING TO DO IN A WORLD THAT IS SO GLOBALIZED.

I PROTESTED SOUTH AFRICA'’S SANCTIONS IN THE 1980'’S AND SAID THAT WE SHOULD DIVEST BUT IN THOSE DAYS IT WAS EASIER.

IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT THING TO ACCOMPLISH.

>> AND THERE WAS NOT SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> RIGHT.

THEN THE THING IS CALLING FOR CEASE-FIRE.

EVERYBODY WANTS THE VIOLENCE TO END AGAINST ALL PARTIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

WE WANTED TO END -- WE WANT IT TO END WHAT CAN A UNIVERSITY MAKE THAT HAPPEN?

NO.

SO UNIVERSITIES HAVE TO ASK THEMSELVES DO WE WANT TO BE IN THE BUSINESS OF MAKING STATEMENTS ON INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS?

YOU CANNOT REALLY AFFECT THAT INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT SO YOU ARE MAKING A STATEMENT AND WHERE DOES THE STATEMENT GO?

PLACES LIKE YALE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO HAVE NOT MADE ANY STATEMENTS AND SAID THAT IS NOT OUR MISSION.

THIS IS A RECKONING THAT IS A BROADER CONVERSATION FOR UNIVERSITIES.

>> WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE PRESIDENT OF HARVARD'’S RESIGN?

>> IT WENT REALLY FAST.

IT IS UP TO THE BOARD.

$100 MILLION AND THAT IS UNFORTUNATE BUT $100 MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY.

I'’M HAPPY THAT HARVARD STUCK TO SUPPORTING GAY.

THE ACKNOWLEDGE THERE WERE PARTNERS -- PROBLEMS BUT THEY DID NOT BACK DOWN.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SUPPORTED HER AND WROTE LETTERS.

I THINK SHE SHOULD STAY.

I DON'’T THINK THEY SHOULD BE BULLIED INTO FIRING THESE PEOPLE.

>> THE HOUSE SPEAKER DID THE MEDIA ROUNDS TALKING ABOUT HIS PRIORITY.

WE WILL HAVE OUR SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SHOW RIGHT AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

WE WILL HEAR FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE MINORITY AND MAJORITY LEADERS.

IAMN, YOU SAT DOWN WITH THE SPEAKER.

GIVE ME YOUR ANALYSIS.

>> TWO OF THE MAJOR ISSUES ARE THE HOUSING AND THE ECONOMY.

THE HOUSING BILLS PASSED BY THE GENERAL IS SIMPLY THIS YEAR, MOST OF THEM WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON JANUARY 1, 2024.

HE IS SAYING IF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LACK OF PROGRESS ON THE HOUSING ISSUE, STAY TUNED.

AT THE SAME TIME IT IS OBVIOUSLY A LONG-TERM ISSUE THAT WILL TAKE MANY YEARS TO IMPROVE, IF AT ALL.

ON THE BUDGET WE KNOW WE ARE COMING INTO A TOUGHER CLIMATE.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN LIVING IN FANTASY LAND FOR NUMBER OF YEARS THANKS TO THE SPIGOT OR THE GUSHER OF FEDERAL COVID AID THAT HAS COME TO A CLOSE.

HE IS DAMPENING DOWN AS MUCH THINGS HAVE BEEN FUNDED IN RECENT -- >> THAT RECESSION THAT EVERYBODY WAS TALKING ABOUT, MAYBE IT IS NOT COMING.

>> I HAVE TO FOCUS ON YOUR WORK ALREADY ON THIS.

WE DON'’T NEED A RECESSION.

WE HAVE A LOT OF EXTRA MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS EITHER GOING TO BE SPENT OR WILL DRY UP.

YOU HAVE MONEY BEING SPENT ON FEDERAL SERVICE PROGRAMS BUT YOU STILL HAVE A BUDGET PROBLEM WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN FLUSHED WITH MONEY.

I THINK THAT IS THE ISSUE.

FOR ME THE QUESTION IS CAN THE LEGISLATURE GET THE ASSAULT WEAPON BAN PASSED THIS TIME AROUND?

HOPE YOU ASK SENATE PRESIDENT ABOUT THAT.

>> DON'’T HOLD YOUR BREATH.

>> RIGHT, BUT I DO THINK THEY ARE BIGGER CONCERNS GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED IN MAINE AND JUST THINKING ABOUT PERSONAL SAFETY.

FOR THE NEXT YEAR THINGS WILL BE ROUGH POLITICALLY AND I THINK THINGS WILL RATCHET UP.

I THINK PEOPLE WANT TO FEEL AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

I WONDER IF MORE FOR NOT JUST A BAN BUT MORE ADDITIONAL LIMITS ON THOSE KINDS OF WEAPONS.

>> THE PRESIDENT HAS ACTUALLY STARTED THIS PROCESS WHERE HE HAS CAMPAIGNED WITHIN THE STATES BECAUSE HE SAYS IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

PEOPLE ARE SIGNING UP FOR THAT.

I CANNOT REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE INITIATIVE BUT THE IDEA IS TO GO TO ALL OF THESE STATES AND PUSH FOR A BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS.

THAT MAY BE A GOOD THING.

I HEARD YOUR EXCELLENT INTERVIEW.

I THOUGHT HE WAS VERY ARTICULATE .

HE WAS VERY CLEAR AND CANDID.

HE TALKED ABOUT THIS IS THE YEAR FOR LEGWORK.

THEY WILL GET POLICE REFORM.

WHEN YOU ASKED ABOUT FUTURE OFFICES, WHETHER HE WOULD RUN AGAIN AND THE ADAGE IS SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE ARE NOT GOOD POLITICALLY AND IT IS AN IN GAME BECAUSE IN OTHER WORDS THEY PLAY AN INSIDE GAME AND MAKE DECISIONS.

I THINK THAT HE IS PLAYING AN OUTSIDE GAME.

HE IS OUT THERE AND I THINK THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.

>> HE IS SITTING ON CAME IN SAYING THAT HE DOES NOT VIEW THE SPEAKERSHIP AS A TERMINAL POSITION.

HE IS CERTAINLY WORTH KEEPING AN EYE ON.

I THINK THE FINAL CHAPTER SHOULD SHOW HIS POLITICAL CAREER AS FAR FROM BEING WRITTEN.

>> WE TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET EVERY YEAR.

FIVE YEARS AGO IT WAS $9.4 BILLION.

COVID INFLATED A LOT OF THAT.

NOW WE ARE UP TO $14 BILLION.

SOME OF THIS -- SOMEBODY SAID WHEN THIS MORNING DRIES UP, WHERE WILL THE BUDGET SETTLE IN AT?

THE GOVERNOR IS AT $11.5 BILLION.

THE BUDGET LAST YEAR CAME OUT AT $14 BILLION SO DOES IT GO BACK AT SOME POINT?

DOES IT HAVE TO GO BACK?

>> I THINK IT WILL HAVE TO DECLINE IN THE TOTAL SPEND JUST BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF LESS MONEY THAT WOULD NOT BE THE TREND THAT HAS BEEN SET OVER MANY YEARS AS WE KNOW WITH THE OVERALL BUDGET THAT INCLUDES SEVERAL DOLLARS HAS RISEN STEADILY.

IT IS INEVITABLE THAT THE OVERALL TOTAL WOULD GO DOWN.

>> BY HOW MUCH?

>> I GUESS WE WILL FIND OUT WHEN THEY RELEASE IT, MAYBE NEXT YEAR.

ONE MORE THING I WANT TO GET TO.

IT BROKE AFTER WE TAPED LAST WEEK.

THE PUBLIC SPAT WITH JUDGE DANIEL OVER SOME TWEETS.

YOU ALL KNOW OVER THE STORY -- YOU ALL KNOW THE STORY BY NOW.

>> IT IS INTERESTING.

I THINK VERY HIGHLY OF PETER NERONHA.

HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB.

HE HAS GOTTEN INTO A LOT OF THE CIVIL THINGS.

A LOT OF THE HOSPITALS, HE IS DOING REALLY GOOD THINGS.

HOWEVER, I THINK THE TWEET WAS WAY OUT OF LINE.

HE IMPUGNED THE INTEGRITY OF THE COURT.

PROCACCINI IS A VERY GOOD GUY.

HE IS THE GUY WHO DOES ALL THE BENCH TRIALS.

HE DOES JURY TRIALS AND BENCH TRIALS AND IT WAS REALLY INSULTING TO HIS INTEGRITY.

>> IT IS HARD TO PUT THINGS IN CONTEXT WITH 120 CHARACTERS.

>> I THINK ABOUT THE PARALLELS WITH WHAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTIES ARE DOING.

I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE CONSISTENCY AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND SAY JUDGES ARE INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL AND WE TRUST THAT SYSTEM.

IT DOESN'’T ALWAYS WORK OUT EXACTLY AS IT SHOULD IT WAS DISCONCERTING ESPECIALLY USING TWITTER AS THE VENUE.

HE HAS DONE A LOT AND THE MORE HE PUTS HIMSELF IN THE PUBLIC EYE, NERONHA, THE LESS GOOD PRESS HE GETTING.

HE HAS TO SWITCH TACTICS IF HE IS REALLY SERIOUS.

>> THIS HAS BEEN AN UNUSUAL FIGHT AND NERONHA HAS BEEN CONSPICUOUS IN HIS USE OF TWITTER OR X THIS YEAR.

INTERESTINGLY HAS AVOIDED APPEARING IN A COURTROOM TO ANSWER PROCACCINI'’S ANGER ON THIS ISSUE, THE OPTICS OF WHICH MIGHT NOT HELP THE FUTURE POLITICAL FORTUNES OF NERONHA ALTHOUGH THE JUDGE WAS VERY EVISCERATING IN HIS COMMENTS LAST WEEK AND NOW THE WHOLE ISSUE HAS BEEN KICKED TO THE DISCIPLINARY PANEL FOR THE STATE SUPREME COURT.

AND HE KIND OF DOUBLED DOWN.

HE SAID, I HAVE A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT.

I AM FIGHTING FOR YOU.

IT IS ALMOST LIKE, I AM THE VICTIM HERE.

IT IS KIND OF WEIRD.

>> I THINK HIS MOTOR IS RUNNING A LITTLE FAST.

MAYBE HE IS OUT THERE AND HE IS THINKING ABOUT RUNNING BUT HE DOES SUCH A GOOD JOB.

HE HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB.

>> HE GOT PRETTY BAD PRESS MOST RECENTLY ABOUT TURNOVER IN OFFICE.

AMY KLOBUCHAR GOT DERAILED BECAUSE THERE WAS A BAD ARTICLE ABOUT HER STAFFING.

THESE THINGS CAN DERAIL YOU.

EITHER FIGURE OUT YOUR PR OPERATION OR GO BACK TO BASICS, ONE OR THE OTHER, AND THEN LOOK AROUND THE LANDSCAPE.

TWO YEARS IS A LONG TIME.

>> LETS GO THROUGH OUTRAGEOUS AND KUDOS.

>> I DON'’T THINK IT IS A SECRET% THAT FINDING A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN IN RHODE ISLAND OR EVEN MASSACHUSETTS HAS GOTTEN HARDER AND HARDER.

MY COLLEAGUE RECENTLY REPORTED ON A STUDY SHOWING THAT IF THINGS ARE NOT CHANGED THAT BY 2030, 200,000 RHODE ISLANDERS COULD LACK ACCESS TO A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN.

THAT IS NOT A GOOD SITUATION AND THIS IS ONE OF THE SERIOUS HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT WE AS A STATE FACE.

>> THAT IS WHAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT BECAUSE OF THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES.

THAT HAS BEEN A COMPLAINT FOR MANY YEARS.

>> MINE IS SORT OF NATIONAL.

I AM TRYING TO BE NON-PARTISAN BUT I THINK THE MOVE TO IMPEACH JOE BIDEN IS OFF THE RAILS.

IT IS A DISTRACTION IN TERMS OF ALL THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND CONGRESS HAS BEEN VERY -- THEY ARE NOT FOCUSING.

IT IS A REVENGE THING.

>> THE REPUBLICANS SAY THEY HAVE THE GOODS BUT THEY HAVE NOT SHOWN THE GOODS.

>> I JUST THINK IT IS OUTRAGEOUS.

>> I WILL GO BACK ON THE J KUDOS I MENTIONED EARLIER.

I THINK THE POLICEMAN STARTED REALLY WELL TO THE SITUATION.

IN GENERAL, THE NEW POLICE CHIEF PEREZ, HE TOOK OVER FOR SOMEONE WHO WAS WELL-ESTABLISHED, POPULAR, GOOD IN THE MEDIA.

THOSE ARE BIG SHOES TO FILL AS THE FIRST LATINO POLICE CHIEF OF PROVIDENCE.

HE HAS BEEN VERY STEADY STATE AND REALLY ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY AND REALLY WORKING HARD ON POLICE-CONSTITUENT RELATIONS.

WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT BECAUSE WE ALL WANT THAT SITUATION TO IMPROVE.

>> THAT IS STUFF THAT DOES NOT MEET -- THE HOUSE BREAKS AND THE CRAZY STUFF THAT MAKES THE MEDIA BUT THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES ON IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE COMMUNITY AND IT SEEMS LIKE HE IS DOING A LOT OF THAT AND THAT DOES NOT MEET THE HEADLINES.

>> DOES NOT MEET THE HEADLINES.

ALSO ABOUT GUNS.

CLEMENS WAS GOOD ON GUNS.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ALLOWS YOU TO DO HOLISTIC PROVISION OF SAFETY.

HE DOES NOT WANT A LOT OF ATTENTION, I THINK.

WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THIS A TOUGH JOB WITH TOUGH SHOES TO FILL AND I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD JOB.

>> WHAT A WEEK IT HAS BEEN.

WE APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US.

IAN AND WENDY AND MAUREEN, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THIS VERY PANEL WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AS WE LOOK AT THE YEAR IN REVIEW.

WE WILL SEE THE PREDICTIONS FOR THIS YEAR, WE WILL SEE HOW ACCURATE THEY WERE.

IF YOU DO NOT CATCH IS FRIDAY AT 7:00 OR SUNDAY AT NOON, WE ARE ALL OVER SOCIAL.

WE ALSO ARCHIVE ALL OF OUR SHOWS.

IF YOU LIKE PODCASTS, WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS, WE ARE ON IT.

JOIN US BACK HERE NEXT WEEK AS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" CONTINUES.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR OVER 30 YEARS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF THE POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

I AM A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS