>> TWO STEPS 4, 1 .5 STEPS BACK AS WE HEAD INTO THE THIRD CALENDAR YEAR OF COVID.

WE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT NEW RESTRICTIONS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK.

A WEEKS ON PROTEST AT THE STATEHOUSE ABOUT THE HOMELESS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ENDS WITH THE REAL WORK JUST BEGINNING.

ANNOUNCER: "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS GREAT PROGRAM ON RHODE ISLAND PBS.

>> JOINING US WITH THE ANALYSIS, BILL BARTHOLOMEW, MARCELA BETANCUR, AND BOSTON GLOBE REPORTER ED FITZPATRICK.

WELCOME.

I AM JIM HUMMEL.

WE APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING PART OF YOUR WE CAN WITH US.

GOVERNOR MCKEE'S LONG ANTICIPATED'S CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY DISAPPOINTED SOME AND PLEASED OTHERS AS HE ANNOUNCED THE HYBRID ORDER TO REPRODUCE SOME INDOOR MASKING.

IT HAS THREE PARTS, INCLUDING MASKING FOR EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS AND LARGE VENUES AND HERE'S WHAT HE SAID ABOUT THE REST OF THE CLAN.

-- PLAN.

>> CATEGORY TWO, RETAIL, VENUES OF ASSEMBLY, RESTAURANTS, DANCE STUDIOS, GYMS.

INSIDE THESE SETTINGS WITH FEWER THAN 250 PEOPLE, MASKING OR PROOF OF VACCINATION WILL BE REQUIRED OF EMPLOYEES AND PATRONS.

CATEGORY THREE, OFFICE-BASED BUSINESSES ANOTHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE EMPLOYERS WITH INDOOR OPERATIONS MUST REQUIRE EITHER MASKING OR PROOF OF VACCINATION.

THESE TEMPORARY MEASURES WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON MONDAY DECEMBER 20 AND WILL BE REEVALUATED IN 30 DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTIVE ORDER IS SIGNED, WHICH I EXPECTED YOU WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

>> THE GOVERNORS TRY TO FIGURE OUT SOME OF THE SPECIFICS.

ONE OF THE MAJOR IS WHO IS GOING TO ENFORCE EITHER THE VACCINATION CARDS OR THE MASKING.

BILL, I THINK WE WERE AT THIS NEWS CONFERENCE TOGETHER.

THAT IS THE QUESTION PEOPLE HAVE, ESPECIALLY THE RESTAURANT.

THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE VAX CAR GUY, LIKE THE BOUNCER.

IT IS TOUGHER BUSINESSES.

>> IT IS TOUGH.

IT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE IT IS SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE IN TERMS OF BUSINESSES I HAVE SPOKE WITH IN THAT THE MASK MANDATE ON THE ONE HAND IS A PAIN, SOME ARE WORRIED THE OPTICS WILL DRIVE PEOPLE AWAY FROM GOING OUT AND OTHERS ARE SAYING THE MASK MANDATE CAN PROVIDE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF COMFORT AND MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WANT TO GO OUT NOW BECAUSE THEY WILL SAY, WELL, IT IS SAFER.

BUT THAT LEAVES A HUGE GAP IN TERMS OF EXACTLY WHO IS GOING TO ENFORCE THE MASK MANDATE, WHO IS GOING TO ENFORCE THE CHECK OF THE VACCINATION CARD.

THAT IS A WEIRD SPACE TO BE IN RIGHT NOW.

THERE REALLY IS NO ANSWER.

>> MARCELA, WE DID NOT EXPECT A BE IN THIS PLACE.

THE SCIENCE HAS CHANGED.

EVERYBODY IS SO TIRED OF COVID, BUT DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO STRIKE THE BALANCE BETWEEN PROTECTING THE BUSINESSES BUT THE OMICRON, IT IS SCARY.

>> IT IS.

TO YOUR POINT, WE ARE ALL TIRED OF COVID BUT COVID WILL CONTINUE TO BE AROUND.

I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND WE HAVE TO BE THOUGHTFUL OF BUSINESSES AND HOW WE ARE -- IT IS A PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUE AT THIS POINT.

BUT ALSO WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS A GLOBAL ISSUE.

AS LONG AS GLOBALLY THERE ARE NO VACCINES AVAILABLE, BY NEXT WINTER WE ARE GOING TO SEE THIS HAPPENING AGAIN.

I CAN UNDERSTAND THE BACK AND FORTH, WELL, WHOSE ISSUE IS THIS?

IS IT SAFE?

IS IT NOT?

WE HAVE BEEN WEARING MASKS FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS.

I DON'T THINK IT IS A HUGE ISSUE.

I THINK IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO SADLY CONTINUE -- IT IS PART OF OUR LIFE.

>> THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN KEEPING THE ECONOMY GOING AND DOING SOMETHING TO PROTECT RHODE ISLANDERS AS THIS VARIANT STARTS TO SPREAD.

I SPOKE TO JOHNSON'S MARRIAGE OF POLICY NOT AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE -- JOHNSON'S MAYOR AND HE IS A SUPPORTER OF MICKEY BUT ALSO NOT A WHILE LEFT LIBERAL.

HE WAS LIKE HE THOUGHT THIS WAS THE RIGHT BALANCE BECAUSE HE KEEPS THIS FAVORITE RESTAURANTS OPEN.

YOU KNOW, HE IS NOT TOO GOOD WITH THE TECHNOLOGY BUT HE CAN GET HIS VACCINE CARD OF ON HIS PHONE PRETTY EASILY SO HE THINGS IT IS THE RIGHT BALANCE.

>> HE PLACE MICKEY THE JOKE.

YOU KNOW HE IS HONEST ON LIKE THIS.

-- YOU KNOW HE IS ON HIS ON LIKE THIS.

I HAVE TAKEN THE STANCE EVEN THOUGH, WHAT IS A LITTLE UNSETTLING, EASY TO CASES LIKE THAT PILGRIM PRINCIPAL WHO DIED AND WE JUST HEARD -- WE ARE TAKEN ON HER FRIDAY MORNING THAT THE VOLLEYBALL COACH WAS 41.

THOSE ARE THE CASES THAT GIVE YOU PAUSE.

WHEN I GO TO THE GROCERY STORE, I WEAR MY MASK TO PUT OTHER PEOPLE AT EASE.

ARE YOU WEARING A MASK?

>> I AM.

TO BE HONEST, EVEN IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, I HAVE MOSTLY BECAUSE I HAVE ALLERGIES AND BECAUSE IN MY BRAIN NOW, THERE ARE A LOT MORE PEOPLE.

IT IS COLDER.

THIS IS WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.

>> AND WHEN YOU COUGH ON PEOPLE, THEY GIVE YOU THE STINK EYE WITH ALLERGIES.

>> AND WHAT OTHER PEOPLE'S NEEDS, I FREAK OUT AS WELL.

I UNDERSTAND.

I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES AND THE SOCIAL ISSUES OF IT, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT.

I THINK A MASK IS THE MINIMUM WE CAN DO.

>> YOU MADE A GREAT POINT.

AS YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT IT MIGHT ENCOURAGE SOME PEOPLE TO GO OUT -- I DON'T THINK -- WE WERE IN A DIFFERENT PLACE A YEAR AGO.

JUST BECAUSE I HAVE TO WEAR A MASK IS NOT GOING TO DETER ME.

IT MIGHT DETER SOME.

IT IS LIKE THE SMOKING ARGUMENT.

HE REMEMBER YOU COULD NOT SEE THE FRONT OF DUNKIN' DONUTS BECAUSE THERE WAS THIS SMOKE AND WHEN THEY DECIDED TO ELIMINATE THAT ALL THOSE YEARS AGO, THEY THOUGHT, WE ARE GOING TO LOSE PATRONS BUT WE WILL GET MORE, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

OFTENTIMES THE LOUDEST VOICES IN THE ROOM DO NOT REPRESENT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE.

I THINK THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE OK WITH WEARING A MASK FOR THE DURATION OF THE WINTER.

TO MARCELA'S POINT, RHODE ISLANDERS HAVE A PRETTY GOOD WHEN YOU CAN PARIS ON A GLOBAL LEVEL.

THE ROLLOUT OF A VACCINE IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH, SOUTH AMERICA, AFRICA, SOUTHEAST ASIA EVEN COME A LOT DIFFERENT.

THEY'RE GETTING A MUCH LOWER QUALITY VACCINE.

PEOPLE ARE GETTING MUCH SICKER.

THEY HAVE A COMPLETE MASK MANDATE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN RELINQUISHED SINCE THE PANDEMIC INDOORS AND OUTDOORS.

SO FOR WINTERTIME, PUT ON A MASK HERE IN RHODE ISLAND.

MAYBE IT WILL HELP YOU FROM GETTING THE FLU OR EVEN JUST THE COMMON COLD AND JUST SORT OF LIKE, WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?

WHY IS THIS THE MAJOR GLOBAL ISSUE OF OUR TIME, WEARING A MASK IN A GROCERY STORE DURING A PANDEMIC?

>> YOU MADE A POINT WORLDWIDE THIS IS A GLOBAL ISSUE.

WE HAVE THE AMERICAN LENS ON IT.

LOOK AT WHERE THE OMICRON VARIANT DEVELOPED, SOUTH AFRICA.

I WONDER IF YOU SEE THE COMMITMENT BY THE U.S. THAT IS BEEN TALKED ABOUT BACK-AND-FORTH THE MIXER VACCINES ARE GETTING TO PLACES WHERE BABY THEY CAN'T AFFORD THEM?

>> AM HOPING WE ARE FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PROMISES TO ACTUALLY SHARE VACCINATION BECAUSE IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

AGAIN, WHILE WE FOUND THE VACCINE IN SOUTH AFRICA -- SORRY, NOT THE VACCINE, OMICRON, IN SOUTH AFRICA, WE HAVE SEEN VARIANTS OTHER PLACES.

WE ARE FINDING OTHERS AS WE SPEAK.

THE ISSUE WITH THAT, AGAIN, THE LOW ACCESS TO VACCINATION IN OTHER PLACES IS INCREDIBLE.

WE CONTINUE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THINGS HERE ON TIME, COMPLAINING ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO TRAVEL.

THAT IS ALL HAPPENING BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING VACCINATED.

IF THIS COUNTRY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY AND KIND OF LIKE IT HAS TO SHARE WHAT WE HAVE.

>> ONE POINT ON THE MASK MANDATE.

I THINK OTHER GOVERNORS PLANTED ON THAT DECISION SO I GIVE MCKEE CREDIT.

WHY NOT DO IT NOW AS OPPOSED TO WAITING FOR A BIG SHOPPING WEEKEND?

>> I WONDER ALSO COME AND I ASKED THIS QUESTION AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE.

PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT IT WILL BE 30 DAYS.

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE 30 DAYS.

THE SCENARIO I PAINTED FOR THE GOVERNOR'S, THE NUMBERS HAVE GONE DOWN.

THE MASKS ARE WORKING WELL, LET'S CONTINUE.

OR THE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

I WONDER IF WE LOOK AND MASSACHUSETTS BECAUSE CHARLIE BAKER HAS DECIDED NOT TO DO IT WAS THE PEOPLE SAY, LOOK, FLORIDA -- FLORIDA HAS BEEN ON FIRE.

IT HAS GOT UP AND DOWN.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS IN MASSACHUSETTS, WHICH DOES NOT HAVE -- BAKER HAS HELD OFF ON WHAT MCKEE DID.

>> IT IS TOUGH BECAUSE, PEOPLE IN MASSACHUSETTS ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT A MANDATE ARE GOING TO WEAR A MASK INDOORS?

HERE IN RHODE ISLAND, ALL THIS TALK, BRIAN NEWBERRY TALKING ABOUT CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE AND NOT WEARING A MASK AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

COULD WE ACTUALLY HAVE A COMPARE AND CONTRAST THAT IS VALID WITH MASSACHUSETTS?

IT MIGHT BE TOUGH TO DO SO BECAUSE WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT COMPLIANCE WILL BE OR PEOPLE TAKING IT IN THEIR OWN HIS WEAR A MASK.

IT IS A GREAT POINT, IF WE ARE ABOUT THE SAME AS MASK UNCHAINED WERE 20TH, MAYBE TIME TO RETHINK THE MASK MANDATE AS A CONTINUING POLICY.

>> THERE HAS BEEN AN AWFUL LOT OF TOPKNOT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, YEARS, BUT.

THERE IS A HIGH PROFILE PROTEST THAT HAS ENDED, SUNDAY JUST SAID THE MENDEZ RUNNING, CAMPING OUT IN FRONT OF THE STATE HOUSE.

THEY DECIDED THAT GOVERNOR IS DOING ENOUGH NOW.

THIS HAS BEEN YOUR LIFE.

I'M SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU ON COME AFFORDABLE HOUSING YOU HAVE SPENT A LOT OF YOUR CAREER TOWARD IT.

I KNOW WE COULD PROBABLY DO A WHOLE HALF-HOUR ON THIS.

WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT NOW, WHAT ABOUT THE SHORT-TERM OF OPENING UP MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AS A SHELTER?

AND TWO, THE LARGER ISSUE ABOUT HOW THE GOVERNMENT IS ATTACKING THIS?

>> I AM REALLY GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION FOR THE SHORT-TERM, ESPECIALLY THINKING ABOUT IT ESPECIALLY INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY HAVE COVID AND THINKING HOLISTIC NUMBER OF HUMANS WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WINTER.

I THINK THE LARGER PROBLEM IS, NOT JUST IN OUR STATEMENT NATIONWIDE, IS WE HAVE NOT PUT ENOUGH RESOURCES INTO HOUSING AND EVERY OTHER ISSUE THAT ENCOMPASSES HOUSING.

WHEN WE LOOK AT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR ON THE VERGE OF HOMELESSNESS, EVEN LARGER PERCENTAGE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE ISSUES WITH FOOD INSECURITY, ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, AND THINGS THAT THAT SORT.

AS A STATE, WE CAN DO SO MUCH MORE.

ARE WE IN A PATH FORWARD TO THAT?

I THINK SO BUT I THINK THERE'S A LOT MORE WE CAN DO.

>> I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH EVERYTHING.

NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

IT IS AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION BECAUSE IT EXPANDS BEYOND THE "LOW INCOME" POPULATION.

IT IS TOUGH TO BUY A HOUSE OR RENT AN APARTMENT RIGHT NOW IF YOU'RE MIDDLE-CLASS IN RHODE ISLAND.

IT IS AN EXTREMELY URGENT SITUATION.

THE ACUTE ISSUE OF THE UNHOUSED IS SOMETHING THAT COMES UP ON A REGULAR BASIS PEOPLE -- WHO THE RIGHT MIND THINK THAT IS OK TO HAVE PEOPLE HOMELESS?

THAT IS ALWAYS THE A CRACK IN OUR SOCIETY.

TO ADDRESS IT IS PROBABLY SOMETHING REALISTICALLY AT TENURE TYPE OF PLAN BECAUSE IN ORDER TO BUILD UP THAT KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE, HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR MIDDLE-CLASS HOUSING, LOWERCASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, A AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THAT WILL TAKE A REAL VISION A BUILD UP.

HE WILL NOT BE SOLVED IN TWO WEEKS.

>> YESTERDAY WE SAW THE ENCAMPMENT OUTSIDE THE STATEHOUSE, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED A PLAN.

BUT WE CANNOT BE SCRAMBLING EVERY YEAR TO ADDRESS THIS.

IT IS AN ISSUE THAT COMES UP EVERY YEAR.

THIS YEAR IS WAY WORSE THAN USUAL, A REAL CRISIS.

THE PROFESSOR HAS BEEN OUT THERE SAYING WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING.

THIS WINTER, HOPEFULLY, THESE INITIATIVES WILL ADDRESS IT.

ONE THING THAT CAME UP YESTERDAY, BUT AT THE GOVERNOR'S PRESS COMPASS AND SENATOR MENDES MACK BROWN'S PRESS COMPASS, THE RIGHT TO SHELTER.

LEGISLATION AGNES ARRECTOR SHELTER -- LEGISLATION THAT MAKES IT A RIGHT TO SHELTER STATE LIKE MASSACHUSETTS.

>> WHAT IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOOK LIKE?

EVERYBODY AGREES WITH THE CONCEPT, BUT AGAIN, YOU HAVE DONE THIS FOR SO MANY YEARS, IS IT SUBSIDIZING BUILDERS?

IS IT TAX CREDITS?

IS IT RENT SUBSIDIES?

WHEN YOU TAKE ALL THAT MONEY, HOW DO YOU USE IT?

OR IS IT A HYBRID?

>> I WOULD SAY A HYBRID.

I THINK IT IS -- >> WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

>>>> I THINK WHAT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SHOULD LOOK LIKE EVERYWHERE IS A MIX OF LOW INCOME AND MIXED INCOME HOUSING.

ENOUGH RESEARCH THAT SHOWS THAT HELPS COMMUNITIES GROW.

WHERE WE HAVE ACCESS TO CHILDCARE AND HEALTH CARE ALL AROUND IT.

HOUSING IS NOT JUST RELIVE BUT YOUR COMMUNITY.

-- WHERE YOU LIVE BUT YOUR COMMUNITY.

TAX CREDITS ARE IMPORTANT BUT ALSO WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT INITIATIVES AND BE MORE CREATIVE ON HOW WE ARE DOING CONSTRUCTION.

WHAT DO WE HEAR?

CONSTRUCTION IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE PART.

WE HAVE TO BECOME MORE CREATIVE HOW WE DO THINGS.

A WHILE AGO WHEN I WORKED FOR AN ORGANIZATION WE HAD A PROGRAM TO THE FDA WHERE INDIVIDUALS BUILD HOUSING AND THAT SWEAT EQUITY WAS PART OF HOW THEY PAID FOR THEIR HOME.

>> THE RESIDENTS.

>> YES.

NOW THEY HAVE BEAUTIFUL HOMES.

THIS IS IMPORTANT.

THIS IS HOW 70 COMMUNITIES BUILD GENERATIONAL -- SO MANY COMMUNITY'S BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

I THINK AS A STATE AND AS A COUNTRY, WE ARE NOT CREATIVE AND RAY JUST OF HOW TO UTILIZE THE THINGS -- SUMMER WORKING BUT SOME ARE NOT.

I THINK THAT IS A MIX -- >> INVESTMENT, NOT JUST SPENDING.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE GUY COMES HOME AND REMEMBERS HE HELPED SWING A HAMMER TO BUILD A HOUSE.

>> ONE PART OF THE SOLUTION, I JUST SAW A STORY ON TINY HOMES.

WHY NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDER JUST PUT UP FIVE SMALL HOMES -- >> IF YOU'RE OVER 5'5" YOU CAN'T WALK IN?

>> IT HAD TALL CEILINGS.

>> WHICH IS IRONIC.

>> IT MAKES IT FEEL SPACIOUS EVEN THOUGH IT IS A LEAST 750 SQUARE FEET.

THEY WERE SELLING THEM FOR LIKE $140,000.

I SPOKE TO THE FIRST PERSON WHO DIDN'T HAVE SOLAR PANELS ON THE TOP, HOME OF THE FUTURE -- PERSON WHO MOVED IN AND IT HAD SOLAR PANELS ON THE TOP, HOME OF THE FUTURE.

>> I SELMA NESSEL FOR LIKE THREE TO 70,000 DOLLARS.

I'M NOT SURE IT EVEN HAD AN OUTHOUSE.

I'M NOT SURE HOW IT WORKS IN NEWTON.

>> I THINK BEING CREATIVE IS THE SOLUTION.

WORK-LIVE SPACES, REPURCHASING OLD BUILDINGS.

THERE'S A LOT OF OLD MILITARY FACILITIES IN THE STATE.

YOU LOOK AT NEWPORT MIDDLETOWN RIGHT THERE, TONS OF OPPORTUNITIES.

SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

ALSO REGULATING SHORT-TERM RENTALS.

THAT IS BECOMING A MAJOR ISSUE.

IT IS CRUSHING NEWPORT.

IT IS BECOMING AN ISSUE OF SUBSTANTIAL NOTE.

IT DOES NOT SEEM ON THE SURFACE IT WOULD BE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR, BUT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF HOUSING STOCK THAT IS NOW BECOMING UNREGULATED, DUBIOUSLY TAXED, SHORT-TERM MICRO-HOTELS.

>> I WONDER, YOU HAVE BASICALLY THE VACANCY RATE IS VERY LOW IF NOT ZERO AROUND HERE, SO THAT ADDS THE PRESSURE.

IT IS PUTTING PEOPLE ON THE STREETS.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT -- IS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL GOING TO MAKE A DENT ON THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY ON THE STREET FROM NIGHT TO NIGHT WHERE IS THAT A GOOD START?

>> I THINK IT IS A GOOD START.

I AM NOT SURE WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING WITH THE BUILDING.

TO BILL'S POINT, THERE ARE NUMBER OF BUILDINGS WHERE INDIVIDUALS COULD BE HOUSED.

I DO THINK IT IS A GOOD SHORT-TERM SOLUTION.

BUT THAT CAN ALSO BE -- SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS CAN GIVE US SPACE FOR CREATIVE SOLUTIONS.

HOW CAN WE UTILIZE SPACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN STAY?

THERE ARE PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE THAT HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS GROWING BY THE DAY AND WE HAVE YET TO TACKLE HOW WE ARE GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT.

>> ANOTHER BIG ISSUE THE CLOCK IS TICKING IS REDISTRICTING IN RHODE ISLAND.

THIS GOES ON EVERY 10 YEARS BASED ON THE CENSUS.

CRITICS SAY THIS IS AN INCOME PROTECTION PLAN AND IN OTHER NEWS, THE SUN WILL COME UP TOMORROW.

I MEAN, HAVE WE NOT HEARD -- I LOVED KIMBALL BRACE.

HE HAS MADE A LIVING.

I'VE NEVER MET THE GUY.

HE GOES, THEY TALK ABOUT THESE QUESTIONABLE DISTRICTS AND BECAUSE, YEAH, YOU MAKE A GOOD POINT ABOUT THAT.

LIKE HE HAD NO IDEA.

WHATEVER.

IT IS PRETTY IMPORTANT, PARTICULARLY AS PROGRESSIVES ARE MAKING INROADS INTO THE STATEHOUSE.

THERE ON A TIMETABLE TO GET THIS DONE BY JANUARY OR FEBRUARY?

>> JANUARY 15 THAT COMMISSION HAS TO PRESENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENACTED.

YEAH, NONE OF THE INCUMBENTS HAVE BEEN PLACED IN A DISTRICT THAT ANOTHER INCUMBENT.

THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN DISTRICT.

THEY GERRYMANDERED ACCUSATIONS COME FROM CHALLENGERS, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO CHALLENGE INCUMBENTS, USUALLY IN A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

THERE HAS BEEN CASSATION'S ABOUT POLITICAL GERRYMANDERING THAT IT IS GOING TO BENEFIT DEMOCRATS, BUT THAT IS MORE RESULT OF IT BEING THAT DEMOCRATS ARE IN POWER, SO DOMINANT IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

IF YOU'RE PROTECTING INCUMBENTS, THAT WILL BENEFIT DEMOCRATS.

>> I LOVE THESE GREATEST THING.

-- EAST GREENWICH THING.

THAT SHOWS YOU HOW LOCAL IT IS.

>> ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL.

LAST AT THE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION, MEMBERS OF THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR THE EAST GREENWICH RATHER SAYING DON'T SPLIT THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> LOOK AT DISTRICT 16, BRANDON POTTER AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SPEAKER.

SOME PEOPLE ARE SAYING, HMM.

IF YOU'RE PROGRESSIVE AND YOU BEEN IN THE "POLITICAL COOPERATIVE" DO YOU PUT YOURSELF IN A BETTER POSITION WHEN IT COMES TO REDISTRICTING.

I DON'T KNOW.

WHO KNOWS, REALLY, WHAT IS GOING ON INSIDE THOSE MEETINGS.

IT DOES NOT SEEM TO HURT TO BE AN INCOME IT AND IN LOCKSTEP -- INCUMBENTS AND IN LOCKSTEP.

TO ON THE SET ASIDE WHAT LENNY CEO JIM PARSONS -- >> AND THEY TOOK AWAY SUPPORTERS.

HE RAN AGAINST THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

I GUESS RUNNING AGAIN?

>> HE IS THAT NOW, COME ON, IT IS A REAL UPHILL BATTLE BECAUSE OF THE INROADS HE MADE.

IT IS LIKE SOMEONE OPENING UP A TRAP DOOR AS YOU'RE WALKING ALONG WHISTLING AND ALL YOU'RE IN A SEWER.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I AM REALLY EXCITED TO BE HERE -- HEARING ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE BEEN AROUND THIS KIND OF WORK TO STOP IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE TESTIFYING, THAT ARE TALKING ABOUT IT.

I DON'T KNOW IF COMMUNITY MEMBERS DO EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING BECAUSE I DON'T THINK, YOU KNOW, SADLY -- >> WILL REDISTRICTING, RIGHT?

>> SAME THING WITH THE CENSUS.

DONE.

NOTHING ELSE SEEMS TO BE DONE.

I DO WISH THIS PART OF GOVERNMENT WAS A LITTLE CLOSER TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

ONE THING I AM HOPING THAT CAN'T BE HAPPENING IS WHEN THIS COMES TO THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL, WHEN MUNICIPAL REDISTRICTING HAPPENS, THAT IS WHAT I AM HOPING A LOT MORE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE INVOLVED BECAUSE THIS IS A REALLY BIG ISSUE.

GERRYMANDERING IS REAL.

IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO WATCH AND EVERY PART OF THE RACE.

>> I AGREE, BUT IT ALSO DETERMINES WHO YOU CAN VOTE FOR.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

TO THE EXTENT IT IS POLITICIANS CHOOSING THEIR VOTERS, WE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION.

>> I APPRECIATE THE FACT YOU'RE DOING THIS SO I DON'T HAVE TO.

GOD BLESS JOHN, HE IS THERE.

>> LAST NIGHT THEY SAID IT IS A TYPE BETWEEN JOHN MARION FOR COMMON CAUSE AND STEVE ALQUIST AS WHO HAS TESTIFIED THE MOST BEFORE THAT COMMISSION.

>> ANYTHING OTHER SET OF GLASSES OR STRONGER PRESCRIPTION BY THE TIME HE FINISHES.

I HAVE SEEN THE MAPS BUT IT IS IMPORTANT.

IT WILL TRANSLATE IN SEPTEMBER.

>> BLACK ISLAND IS IN A NEW SENATE DISTRICT.

THAT IS ONE THING THAT WILL CHANGE.

>> THEY WILL HAVE TO CHECK THE FERRY SCHEDULE.

LET'S DO OUTRAGEOUS AND/OR KUDOS.

>> LAST TIME I WAS ON, PREDICTED THAT BLAKE WOULD NOT RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

>> CAN WE ROLL THE TAPE?

I SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THAT WARMED UP.

YOUR PRESSING IT.

>> HERE'S THE THING.

RHODE ISLAND NEEDS ANY OPPOSITION PARTY.

IT REALLY DOES NEED A STRONG GOP.

IT IS CRITICAL TO OUR DEMOCRACY TO HAVE THAT KIND OF DEBATE.

WE HAVE A GOP THAT IS AT MINIMUM DIPPING ITS TOES INTO THE FRINGE ISSUES, PLAYING INTO PARANOIA ABOUT COVID, SO ON AND SO FORTH, I KNOW IT ALIENATES INDEPENDENTS, MODERATES, LIBERTARIANS, AND ANYBODY ELSE WHO JUST WANTS TO POSITION THEMSELVES AS ANY OPPOSITION FIGURE.

IT IS DANGEROUS TO OUR FUTURE WHETHER OR NOT I AGREE WITH REPUBLICAN POLITICS, THAT KIND OF DEBATE NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

THE FACT WE HAVE SUCH A WEAK GOP IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE.

IT IS UNCLEAR IF IT WILL BE LEGITIMATE -- MAYBE NOT LEGITIMATE, BUT COMPETITIVE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE.

I THINK GOP LEADERS IN THIS STATE REALLY NEED TO CONSIDER THE STUFF THEY ARE RETREATING ON TWITTER AND SOME OF THE THINGS THEY ARE SAYING.

THE PEOPLE THEY ARE ALIGNING THEMSELVES WITH.

THEY'RE NEVER GOING TO WIN OVER THE CENTER AND YOU NEED THAT CENTER TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ANY KIND OF REASONABLE CHANCE TO GROW A STATE WEB PRESENCE HERE.

THEY REALLY SHOULD RECONSIDER THEIR APPROACH.

>> I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS.

MY KUDO WOULD BE TO EVERY SINGLE FAMILY MEMBER OR PARENT WHO SOMEHOW HAS GOTTEN THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILD THROUGH THIS WEIRD SCHOOL YEAR.

I AM BLESSED TO KNOW A FEW TEACHERS, HUMANS WERE TAKING THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL.

THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE PROBABLY BEEN A LOT HARDER IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN MAYBE THE LAST 18 MONTHS.

KUDOS TO EVERY SINGLE HUMAN WHO MADE SCHOOLS HAPPEN, WHO EVERY CHILD IS DOING WHAT THEY CAN WITH THE LITTLE BIT THEY ARE GIVEN, ESPECIALLY UNDERFUNDED DISTRICTS.

KUDOS TO EVERY SINGLE HUMAN THAT -- >> I WAS REMISS.

I DID NOT WELCOME YOU.

THIS IS YOUR DEBUT ON "LIVELY EXPERIMENT."

>> AND I HAVE GREAT PEOPLE TO SHARE WITH.

>> NEXT TIME WE WILL BRING IN SOMEBODY -- >> YOU CAN COUNT ON ME FOR AN OUTRAGE.

I WATCH THE SENATE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE HEARING AND THE CHILD ADVOCATE JENNIFER GRIFFITH REALLY SOUNDED THE ALARM ABOUT DCYF THE AMOUNT OF KIDS BEING SHIPPED OUT OF STATE.

MOVING FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.

SHE SAID IT IS GETTING WORSE.

TO THE EXTENT WE MEASURE HOW GOVERNMENT PERFORMS, IF WE SHOULD MEASURE IT ON HOW WELL IT TAKES CARE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

THAT IS MY OUTRAGE.

>> BILL, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE FIRST OUT OF THE BLOCKS, THE FORMER CENTRAL FALLS MAYOR ANNOUNCING HIS RUNNING FOR TREASURER.

I KNOW OTHERS ARE LINED UP.

YOU HAVE HEARD OTHER CANDIDATES.

>> THE BIG NAMES THAT JUMP OUT, TWO THAT JUMP OUT OUR STEPHAN PRYOR, COMMERCE SECRETARY WHO SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN FRONT OF THE STATEWIDE ALREADY IN'S -- AUDIENCE.

>> BETTER OR WORSE, SHUTTING THE BUSINESSES DOWN.

>> WE WILL SEE BRETT SMILEY, THE CAST AND CHARACTERS FROM THE COVID BRIEFING, HOW THAT TRANSLATES -- >> WHETHER THERE IS BACKSPLASH.

>> AND ALLAN FUNG.

THE THING ABOUT THE TREASURER'S OFFICE IS WITH RESPECT TO JAMES DIO SO, IT IS NOT A LANDING PLACE -- NOT TO DISPARAGE THE OFFICE, BUT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WHEN WE HAVE A DEBATE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WHETHER INSIDE A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY CONTACTS OR THE GENERAL, THE FINANCIAL EXPERTISE, THE MINUTIA OF UNDERSTAND HOW TO MANAGE HUMONGOUS BUDGET AT A CEO LEVEL AND UNDERSTANDING AND HAVING A VISION FOR HOW TO BEST MANAGE THE STATE FISCALLY, POLITICS OUR WAY NUMBER TWO AS COMPARED WITH FISCAL STEWARDSHIP.

>> ALSO WAITING TO HEAR WHETHER SENATOR PEARSON, WHETHER HE IS GOING TO JUMP INTO THE TREASURERS RACE.

IT HAS GENERATED A LOT OF INTEREST.

THE TREASURER RACE HAS GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE JUMPING IN TO TAKE A LOOK AT.

>> I DON'T ON THE RIGHT QUESTIONS TO ASK.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

THANK YOU.

A GREAT DEBUT.

HOPE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

FOLKS, COME BACK NEXT WEEK FOR ONE OF MY FAVORITE SHOWS OF THE YEAR, OUR YEAR IN REVIEW SHOW.

WE WILL HAVE THAT DEBUTING ON CHRISTMAS.

WE WILL RUN IT AGAIN ON NEW YEAR'S EVE WEEKEND WHERE WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT 2021, SOME OF THE PREDICTIONS FROM THE PANEL, AND 2022.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND THIS WEEKEND AND COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

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

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] >> ANNOUNCER: "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.