JIM: THIS WEEK ON "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT."

GOVERNOR MCKEE WANTS TO LOWER THE SALES TAX.

SEVERAL LAWMAKERS SAY NOT LOW ENOUGH.

SHOULD STUDENTS AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE JOINED THEIR COUNTERPARTS AT CCR I AND ALSO RELIEVE TWO YEARS OF TAXPAYER-FUNDED TUITION?

>> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR 30 YEARS, "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT," HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF THE POLITICAL ISSUES FACING RHODE ISLANDERS.

I'’M A GREAT SUPPORTER OF THIS GREAT PROGRAM AND RHODE ISLAND BBS.

JIM: JOINING US ON THE PANEL, RAYMOND BACCARI, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AT THE ANCHOR AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST LISA PELOSI.

AND POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR ROB HOROWITZ.

I'’M JIM HUMMEL.

THANK YOU FOR SPENDING PART OF YOUR WEEKEND WITH US.

SHORTLY AFTER GOVERNOR MCKEE PROPOSED LOWERING RHODE ISLAND'’S SALES TAX FROM 7% TO 6.85% EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE SENATE MINORITY LEADER HAD A DIFFERENT IDEA, SAYING IT SHOULD BE LOWERED TO 5%.

NOW, TO HOUSE DEMOCRATS AGREE THE GOVERNOR'’S PROPOSED REDUCTION ISN'’T ENOUGH, FILING A BILL RECENTLY TO SET THE RATE AT 6%.

LISA, A LOT OF US HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR WAS TALKING ABOUT THIS, THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BOLDER.

I HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

LISA: THAT WAS MY EXPECTATION.

HE JUST CAME FIVE A STRONG ELECTION IN NOVEMBER, SO HE HAD A MANDATE.

THIS IS WHEN YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR BOLDEST INITIATIVES GOING FORWARD.

THINK BIG OR GO HOME SHOULD BE THE WAY THAT YOU DO IT.

WHEN HE CAME OUT WITH A REDUCTION FROM SEVEN TO 6.8, I WAS TRYING TO DO THEM AT, AS A LIBERAL ARTS MAJOR.

A $1000 REFRIGERATOR, INSTEAD OF SPENDING $70 ON TAX, 68 $.50?

WILL THAT REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

THEN I STARTED THING ABOUT THE LACK OF CIRCULATION OF COINS RIGHT NOW.

WHEN YOU SPEND A DOLLAR, IT WILL BE -- WHAT IS THE COIN FOR THAT?

THAT AND GOT ME REMEMBERING GOVERNOR LINCOLN CHAFEE AT HIS TAX PROPOSAL, WAS LOOKING AT IT IN A BROADWAY BECAUSE WE TAX CERTAIN THINGS BUT NOT CLOTHES AND WHATEVER.

YOU SHOULD REALLY STEP BACK, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A CHANGE, LOOK AT THE OVERALL TAX POLICY.

JIM: THEIR JOB ON THAT, ROB, ONCE YOU DO THAT LIKE WITH THE CAR TAX, YOU DON'’T WANT TO GO BACK.

IF YOU LEVERAGE A PERCENT, THAT TRANSLATES TO HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

ROB: THAT'’S RIGHT, BUT THAT IS A CAMPAIGN PROMISE THAT HE WOULD WANT TO KEEP.

I THINK THE WHOLE SALES TAX ISSUE IS OVERBLOWN.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE RESEARCH, UNLESS THERE ARE HUGE DIFFERENCES IN THE SALES TAX, WHICH THERE ISN'’T BETWEEN MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, IT DOESN'’T REALLY IMPACT NEIGHBORING BUSINESSES.

IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DO A SIGNIFICANT CUT, FROM A PUBLIC POLICY POINT OF VIEW, I WOULD DO NO CUTS.

I AGREE WITH LISA, THERE ARE OTHER TAXES HERE THAT ARE MUCH WORSE, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE EXEMPT FOOD AND HEALTH CARE.

JIM: WHAT ABOUT THE 5%?

IS THAT BIG ENOUGH IN YOUR MIND?

ROB: IT IS BIG ENOUGH BUT TOO MUCH MONEY.

RAYMOND: IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING ISSUE TO HEAR ABOUT AS WE GET INTO THE BUDGETING PROCESS LATER ON IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

IT IS ALSO WORTH MENTIONING, TWO BILLS, ONE OF YOU THAT YOU REFERENCED, WHICH WOULD LOWER IT TO 6%.

IT HAS THE SPONSORS OF JOE SOLOMON, MODERATE DEMOCRATS, BRIAN PATRICK KENNEDY, TO NAME A FEW.

RECENTLY ANOTHER BILL WAS INTRODUCED WHICH WOULD CREATE A SALES TAX HOLIDAY LIKE MASSACHUSETTS DOES.

THEY HAVE IT FROM AUGUST 12 THROUGH THE 13TH, ONE DAY BEFORE MASSACHUSETTS STARTS, 13TH AND 14TH.

JIM: IF YOU DIDN'’T THINK THAT STUDENTS DID THEIR HOMEWORK, RAYMOND COMES PREPARED.

IT IS INTERESTING THAT YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS DOING THIS, BUT IF IT IS NOT AN THE GOVERNOR'’S BUDGET, THAT IS TOUGH.

LISA: IT ALLOWS HIM TO GO ACROSS THE STATE AND SAY, I WANT TO LOWER YOUR TAXES.

ONE MEDIA OUTLET SAID IT WOULD BE ABOUT $77 PER PERSON, SAVINGS OVER THE YEAR.

IF YOU JUST WANT TO GIVE MONEY BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS, GIVE THEM $100 AND LET THEM SPEND IT, INSTEAD OF DOING SOMETHING SO SMALL AND INCREMENTAL.

JIM: I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY IT IS NOT A $200 MILLION SURPLUS, IT IS $600 MILLION, AND MAY GO UP WITH THE REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE.

WHAT ABOUT CUTTING CHECKS LIKE MASSACHUSETTS DID, EVEN 250, $500?

>> THAT WOULD BE A BETTER WAY TO GO.

IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL, LONG-TERM DEFICIT IN THE STATE, SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM FINANCES, THAT IS A ONE-TIME EXPENDITURE.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE PREFERABLE TO DO IT AS A PROPERTY TAX REBATE OR JUST CUT A CHECK.

>> I THINK THAT IS A STRONG PROPOSAL.

WE HAVE A $610 MILLION SURPLUS FROM THE 2023 BUDGET.

JIM: WHAT ABOUT OTHER LEGISLATIVE THINGS YOU ARE LOOKING AT?

THE GOVERNOR IN THE STATE OF THE STATE SAID SOMETHING INTERESTING.

LET'’S PASS AND ASSAULT RIFLE BAND, DIDN'’T SAY MUCH MORE ABOUT IT.

THE STATE SUBSIDIZED ABORTIN WITH THE MEDICARE, MEDICAID MONEY.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WILL BE A DISCUSSION POINT OR IS THAT JUST A NICE POINT IN THE STATE OF THE STATE AND THEN YOU MOVE ON?

ROB: I DO THINK EXPANDING THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO PEOPLE WHO WERE IMPOVERISHED, NOT JUST STATE EMPLOYEES -- MY INSURANCE WILL GO THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE DOBBS DECISION, SOMETHING THAT NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN RHODE ISLAND FIVE YEARS AGO.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE DOBBS DECISION, YOU CAN SEE THE CHANGE IN THE LEADERSHIP.

I THINK THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN HAS A FIGHTING CHANCE.

SINCE WE LIMITED HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES LAST YEAR, I THINK THERE IS LESS OF A CHANCE.

THE AREA I'’M LOOKING AT, WE ARE MAKING A BIG BET ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT THERE ARE STILL PROBLEMS IN TERMS OF CITING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, DENSITY.

GOVERNOR MCKEE HAS BEEN OPPOSED TO DOING ANYTHING ABOUT MAKING SOME MOVES DO NOT ALLOW LOCAL ZONING TO BE SO RESTRICTIVE.

I DO THINK THERE IS SOME MOMENTUM BEHIND THAT.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OBJECTIVES, YOU CANNOT HAVE THESE COMMUNITIES STANDING IN THE WAY.

RAYMOND: A COUPLE ISSUES ON MY RADAR THAT I'’M LOOKING AT, EACA WAS INCLUDED IN THE GOVERNOR'’S BUDGET.

I BELIEVE IT WILL PASS.

IT WAS A BIG ISSUE IN THE CAMPAIGN.

JIM: AND THEY HAVE THE VOTES FOR IT.

RAYMOND: IT WAS TOUGH GETTING PAST THE SENATE LAST SESSION, BUT NOW THE PRESSURE IS ON, THEY HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO DO IT.

SINCE IT IS IN THE BUDGET, I BELIEVE IT WILL PASS.

ALSO WHAT WEAPONS BAN WILL PROBABLY PASS, TOO.

THERE WAS AN ARTICLE I BELIEVE PUBLISHED TWO DAYS AGO, WE ARE NOT EVEN IN FEBRUARY IT, AND THERE HAVE BEEN 39 MASS SHOOTINGS.

AN ALARMING STATISTIC.

JIM: THAT HAS BEEN THE BIG ISSUE THAT TURNS PEOPLE OUT.

IT HAS BEEN INCREMENTAL WITH GUN CONTROL, BUT I WONDER -- UVALDE IS WHAT DROVE IT LAST YEAR.

THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE END OF THE SESSION, AND THEN UVALDE HAPPENED.

LISA: I DON'’T KNOW IF WE WILL GO IN THE DIRECTION OF THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAND, BUT THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT LAST YEAR THAT WE COULD LOOK AT THIS YEAR, LOOKING AT THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE, BACKGROUND CHECKS.

IT DOESN'’T SEEM RIGHT THAT YOU CAN BUY A GUN IN THE MORNING AND IN THE AFTERNOON USE IT.

WAITING PERIODS.

I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD LOOK AT.

I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THE MEDICAID MONEY FOR ABORTIONS.

I THINK THE VOTES WERE THEREBY THE SPONSORSHIP ON THE BILL, BUT I THINK THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAN BE MORE CONSERVATIVE EVEN THOUGH THEIR DEMOCRAT.

I DON'’T KNOW IF THEY ARE SLAM DUNKS.

I WILL KEEP AN EYE ON HOW THAT PLAYS OUT.

JIM: IF THE GOVERNOR INCLUDES IT IN HIS BUDGET, IT IS NOT A ONE ITEM THING.

YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE, FINANCE COMMITTEE TAKE IT OUT, IF THAT WERE THE CASE.

IT IS A CREATIVE WAY TO NOT HIDE IT.

IF YOU HAVE THE VOTES, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO REJECT THE WHOLE BUDGET ON THAT ONE THING.

LISA: WE DON'’T HAVE A LINE ITEM VETO WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SO WE TRIED TO AMEND SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THAT COULD BE THE WAY IT IS PASSED THROUGH.

JIM: WHAT ABOUT THAT, ROB?

IT IS A HEAVY LIFT TO REJECT THE WHOLE THING.

ROB: I ALSO THINK THAT WILL PASS SEPARATELY.

BEYOND THE BUDGET, YOU MIGHT NEED SOME OTHER ITEMS.

I THINK THAT WILL PASS.

I AGREE, IT HAS BEEN TRADITIONALLY, RHODE ISLAND HAS BEEN MORE CONSERVATIVE, BUT I COULD BE WRONG ON THAT.

THE MOMENTUM FOR CODIFYING ROE V. WADE, PRE-DOBBS, THAT TOOK A TIME TO BUILD.

EVEN THOUGH THE LEADERSHIP AT THAT POINT WERE BOTH PRO-LIFE, THEY REALIZE PASSING WAS IN EVERYONE'’S INTEREST.

THE MOMENTUM BECAUSE OF THE STRONG REACTION TO THE DOBBS DECISION OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE, THOSE KINDS OF CHOICE ISSUES HAD MOVED IN A DIRECTION WHERE IT WOULD PASS.

JIM: YOU DID A LOT OF INTERVIEWS OVER LAST FALL OF ALL DIFFERENT CANDIDATES.

YOU FOCUSED ON PROVIDENCE, RIGHTLY SO.

YOU ARE A PROVIDENCE RESIDENT.

I WONDER ABOUT THE MAKEUP OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

YOU SEE SOME PROGRESSIVES COMING IN.

ARE THEY GOING TO MAKE SOME NOISE, IS THAT, WE ARE HERE BUT WE NEED TO BUILD MOMENTUM?

RAYMOND: THE CAUCUS OF PROGRESSIVES INCREASED COMPARED TO LAST SESSION.

I BELIEVE THE MOMENTUM IS THERE.

IT'’S A MATTER OF TIME WHERE WE WILL GET MORE PROGRESSIVE.

WE SEE THE RHODE ISLAND POLITICAL COOPERATIVE, THEY ENDED UP HAVING 20 CANDIDATES, BUT THEY WERE PRIMARY A LOT OF INCUMBENTS.

IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME.

JIM: THE RESULTS AT THE END, THEY KINDA FLAMED OUT, ONE OR TWO PEOPLE DOING WELL.

WHAT ABOUT A $13.7 BILLION BUDGET?

I WILL LOOK AT OUR FACEBOOK FIVE YEARS AGO, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A $10 BILLION BUDGET, 9.5, AND HERE WE ARE NEARLY AT $14 BILLION.

LISA: SO MUCH OF IT IS THE FEDERAL MONEY, AND THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED, BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT SMALL RHODE ISLAND AND THAT IS THE BUDGET, IT BLOWS YOUR MIND THAT IS HOW MUCH MONEY WE ARE TALKING.

ANOTHER THING WE ARE KEEPING OUR EYES ON OUR ANY NEW INITIATIVES THAT ARE ONE-TIME VERSUS BAKED INTO THE BUDGET.

THERE IS SO MUCH MONEY TO BE SPENT, ONCE IT IS PART OF THE BUDGET IN THOSE DOWN YEARS, WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING TO BE TO COVER?

JIM: SPEECH SPEAKER SHEKARCHI HAS TALKED ABOUT THAT.

WHERE WILLWE BE FOUR YEARS FROM NOW?

LISA: I DON'’T KNOW ABOUT THE MEMBERS TEND TO HAVE THAT SHORT-TERM LOOKING BECAUSE OF THE SESSIONS, THEY DON'’T LOOK DOWN THE ROAD TO DO THAT.

SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO BE THE WATCHDOG ON THAT.

14 REPUBLICANS THAT WE HAVE?

JIM: THE PHONE BOOTH HAD TO EXPAND A LITTLE BIT.

SO WHAT ABOUT THE BUDGET AT 13.7?

>> GIVEN THE FEDERAL INFLUX, SOME OF THAT NEEDS TO BE SPENT.

A BUDGET OF 14.7 IS PROBABLY NOT SUSTAINABLE, SO TO EVERYONE'’S POINT, IT'’S IMPORTANT TO MAKE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS.

TO GET BACK TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THAT IS AN INVESTMENT THAT WE NEED TO MAKE IN THIS STATE.

NOW IT IS REALLY GOING TO BE, AS MUCH UP TO THE LEGISLATURE THAT NEEDS TO MAKE SOME CORRECTIONS AND OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR, NOT NECESSARILY A VETO ON SETTING STATEWIDE RULES, AS CALIFORNIA HAS DONE, YOU ALSO HAVE TO HAVE REAL IMPLEMENTATION.

THAT IS AN EXECUTIVE FUNCTION.

JIM: AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS INTERESTING.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A DISPARITY BETWEEN WHAT I READ BETWEEN SPEAKER SHEKARCHI AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ROGELIO ABOUT ZONING.

I THINK THAT WILL BE A PROBLEM.

THEY HAVE TALKED ABOUT A BILL THAT GOT MODIFIED LAST YEAR ABOUT LAND BANKING.

YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH A REGISTRY OF ALL OF YOUR VACANT BUILDINGS.

LISA: IT CANNOT BE NOT IN MY BACK YARD.

THIS IS NOT JUST AN ISSUE IN PROVIDENCE OR CENTRAL FALLS.

THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.

NEWNESS OF ALLERGIES HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AND SAY, HOW DO WE AFFECT THE HOUSING ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD?

WE ARE ALL LOOKING TO STUFF ON PRIOR TO COME IN AND TAKE THE REINS, COME UP WITH A SHORT-TERM, MIDTERM, LONG-TERM PLAN OF HOW TO ADDRESS HOUSING IN THE STATE.

IF WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN, THAT WILL BE A SUCCESSFUL MEASURE FOR THE GOVERNOR.

JIM: YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT WITH RENT.

YOU ARE IN SCHOOL, BUT GETTING OUT AND FACING THESE HUGE RENTS, HOW IS MY SALARY GOING TO SQUARE WITH THAT.

>> HOUSING IS A MULTIFACETED AND COMPLICATED ISSUE.

I AGREE WITH LISA, IT WILL TAKE AN ALL HANDS ON DECK APPROACH.

YOU WILL NEED MUNICIPALITIES TALKING TOGETHER, MAYBE CHANGING ZONING, RENT CONTROL BILLS INTRODUCED AT THE STATE LEVEL.

THAT HAS BEEN A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION IN PROVIDENCE NOW THAT THE COUNCIL IS MORE PROGRESSIVE.

SPENDING THE MONEY.

MCKIE PROPOSED 30 MILLION OUT OF THAT $250 MILLION TO GO TO THE GRANT FOR THE FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS.

JIM: $17,000.

RAYMOND: SENATOR BENNETT CAME OUT WITH A PROGRAM TESTING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USING MEDICAID MONEY, WAIVER FUNDS FOR HOUSING.

IT WILL NEED A LOT OF SOLUTIONS.

IT IS NOT A RUN SIZE FITS ALL.

JIM: DOES RENT CONTROL WORK?

ROB: THE PROBLEM WITH RENT CONTROL IN A CITY LIKE PROVIDENCE, THERE IS A DISINCENTIVE TO BUILD NEW HOUSING.

PEOPLE CANNOT GET RATE OF RETURN.

IN SOME WAYS IT IS A DISINCENTIVE TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I AM NOT BIG ON RENT CONTROL.

SOME PLACES IT HAS WORKED BUT I'’M NOT BIG ON RENT CONTROL AS A SOLUTION.

WE HAVE AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOUSING SHORTAGE.

YOU WANT INCENTIVE TO BUILD HOUSING, NOT DISINCENTIVES.

TO GET BACK TO ONE POINT, WE CAN GET MUNICIPALITIES TOGETHER.

ENOUGH OF THEM ARE GOING TO IMPOSE ANY KIND OF STATEWIDE REGULATIONS.

YOU WILL NEED STATEWIDE REGULATIONS THAT OVERRIDE NOT ALL LOCAL ZONING, BUT SOME.

JIM: WHAT ABOUT STEFAN PRYOR AS HOUSING SECRETARY?

LISA: HE KNOWS HOW TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO NEGOTIATE AND GET THINGS DONE.

I WAS WISHING SHE WOULD START SOONER.

JIM: THIS IS SO RHODE ISLAND.

I SPENT TWO AND A HALF HOURS IN LINE WITH THEM AT A WAKE IN DECEMBER, AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF STUFF.

HE WAS DOING THINGS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

MAYBE HE NEEDED TO EXTRICATE HIMSELF TO FINISH THE PROJECT.

BUT HE COMES ON BOARD IN FEBRUARY.

LISA: HE KNOWS HOW TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

I'’M LOOKING FOR MORE CREATIVE OUT-OF-THE-BOX THINKING.

LOOK AT ALL OF THE OLD BENNY'’S SITES.

CAN WE CONVERT THEM TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

THEY ARE USUALLY IN COMMERCIAL.

WE WILL HAVE TO CHANGE LAWS IN ZONING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN, BUT HOW CAN WE TURN THIS AROUND AND MAYBE GO TO BLIGHTED PROPERTIES AND IMPROVE NEIGHBORHOODS?

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS THAT WE CAN TAKE THESE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND MAKE IT SOMETHING WORTHWHILE FOR THE STATE.

JIM: IT IS COINCIDENTAL WE HAVE RAMEN HERE THIS WEEK BECAUSE THERE'’S A LOT GOING ON AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

I SEE HIM EVERY WEEK.

THERE IS A LOT GOING ON.

LET'’S TALK ABOUT THE FIRST ISSUE.

YOU CAME ACROSS A BILL THAT WOULD MODEL WHAT THEY DID AT AN EFFECT, A TAXPAYER SUBSIDIZED TUITION.

RAYMOND: THE BILL IS THE RHODE ISLAND HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PILOT PROGRAM ACT.

IT WOULD FUND THE PROGRAM STARTING JULY 1, 2020 THREE UNTIL JANUARY 1, 2029.

ABOUT FIVE OR SIX YEARS.

IT WOULD PROVIDE TUITION FREE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS AT RICK.

THESE CONTINGENCIES, ELIGIBLE FOR IN-STATE TUITION, YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT THE FAFSA FORM, OBTAIN AT LEAST 60 CREDITS TOWARD AN ELIGIBLE STUDY, GPA OF 2.5 OR HIGHER.

JIM: WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT WITH RIC, THE PROMISE HAS AFFECTED RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

I GET THE PERSPECTIVE THAT HAS FALLEN ON DEAF EARS TO A LARGE EXTENT AT THE STATEHOUSE.

RAYMOND: THE PROGRAM AFFECTED ENROLLMENT, AND COVID.

THIS BILL MIGHT HELP ENROLLMENT.

THERE ARE QUITE A FEW ALUMNI WHO COSPONSORED IT.

HE IS ALSO THE STATE PARTY CHAIR.

ONE THING I FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THE BILL, I PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE FOR THE ANCHOR LAST NIGHT, AFTER INTERVIEWING REPRESENTATIVE SANCHEZ, MCNAMARA.

ONE OF THE THINGS I ASKED HIM, IF YOU GET THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF CC, WOULD YOU GET THIS?

IF YOU QUALIFY FOR THE PROMISE PROGRAM, ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS?

AND YOU HAVE TO STAY IN RHODE ISLAND FOR TWO YEARS AFTER GRADUATION WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS LIKE MILITARY TRAINING, ROTC, CHRONIC TRAINING.

JIM: DO THEY HAVE AN OVERALL PRICE TAG?

RAYMOND: NO FISCAL YET BUT WHEN I ASKED HOW IT WOULD COMPARED TO THE $7 MILLION OF THE PROMISE PROGRAM, HE SAID I THINK IT MIGHT BE AROUND THE SAME AREA, MAYBE LOWER.

YOU ALSO HAVE TO FACTOR THINGS LIKE STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY WILL LIKE TO GET PELL GRANT'’S.

JIM: IT IS VERY ON RHODE ISLAND.

THERE IS NO DOUBLE TRIP.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

ROB: I'’M ALL FOR MAKING COLLEGES MORE AFFORDABLE.

RIC PLAYS A UNIQUE ROLE.

IN TERMS OF THE PRACTICAL POLITICS, I WILL GET OBJECTIVES FROM URI, WHY THEY SHOULD BE THE ONLY SCHOOL.

THERE ARE PROBABLY SOME REASONS THAT RIC MAKES MORE SENSE.

WHERE THIS MAY HEAD WOULD BE TO MAKE THE REQUIREMENTS MORE NARROW.

WE HAVE A REAL NEED IN THE STATE FOR MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

RIC PRODUCES A LOT OF TEACHERS.

WHY NOT MAKE THIS AVAILABLE AS A PILOT PROGRAM FIRST FOR ANYONE WHO COMMITS TO BE A MATH OR SCIENCE TEACHER IN RHODE ISLAND FOR FIVE YEARS, 10 YEARS?

THAT NARROW TARGETING IS PROBABLY WHERE THE SHOULD BEGIN.

JIM: I THINK THE SENATE PRESIDENT TALKED ABOUT THAT, WANTING TO GIVE INCENTIVES AND TARGETED SECTORS.

LISA: WHICH WOULD BE A BETTER WAY TO GO.

I AM LIKE YOU, THE CONCEPT OF AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION IS GREAT, BUT WHEN WE STARTED WITH CCRI, THERE WERE A LOT OF CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

MANN, IT WAS NOT MEANS TESTED.

WHAT HAPPENS IS THE FOLKS WHO QUALIFY FOR PELL GRANTS, THE REMAINING AMOUNT IS COVERED, BUT IF YOU ARE A FULL PAY STUDENT, THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND PAYS FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU DON'’T QUALIFY FOR PELL GRANTS.

THE MORE AFFLUENT STUDENT CAN GET MORE STATE MONEY THAN A STUDENT WHO NEEDS THE MONEY THROUGH PALS GRANTS.

I KNOW THAT IS GETTING INTO THE WEEDS.

I DIDN'’T SEE IN THE BILL THE STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY AND USE IT HAVE TO STAY FOR TWO YEARS.

I THOUGHT IT WAS MORE OF A COMMITMENT TUESDAY -- TUESDAY.

I REMEMBER THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF URI DR. DOOLEY WENT TO THE STATEHOUSE TO TESTIFY AGAINST THE STATE BILL ON THE FORMER RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE PRESIDENT SANCHEZ.

SO YOU HAVE A DOMINO EFFECT.

YOU START WITH CCRI.

RIC IFRIC IS APPROVED, URI WILL BE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.

JIM: WHEN I WAS IN NORTH CAROLINA MANY YEARS AGO, THE STATE CUT A CHECK TO NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN-STATE.

THE FEELING BEING, IT IS ONE LESS BUTTER WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

DOES RHODE ISLAND DO ANY OF THAT?

I KNOW THAT YOU WORK FOR A PRIVATE COLLEGE.

LISA: THE ORIGINAL PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP, BEFORE FORMER GOVERNOR RAIMONDO CHANGED IT, ALLOW ANY STUDENT IN RHODE ISLAND GOING TO A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION TO QUALIFY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP.

INSTITUTIONS WOULD MATCH IT.

IF THE STATE GAVE HALF $1 MILLION, THE INSTITUTION WOULD MATCH, A MILLION-DOLLAR SCHOLARSHIP.

THEN SHE CAME UP WITH A PROPOSAL FOR FREE TUITION AT CCRI, AND THEN STARTED LOWERING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AVAILABLE FOR THE ORIGINAL PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP.

I AM WONDERING WHERE THAT WILL GO UNDER MCKEE'’S BUDGET.

JIM: IT LOOKS LIKE THE OTHER PROPOSAL WITH THE SALES TAX, THIS IS NOT BIG INTO THE GOVERNOR'’S BUDGET.

WE ARE HAVING A NICE DISCUSSION BUT THE REALITY IS THIS IS MAYBE THE TRIAL BALLOON.

YOU DON'’T GET A SENSE THAT THIS IS GOING TO GO ANYWHERE THIS YEAR?

RAYMOND: ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

JIM: YOU SOUND LIKE SPEAKER SHEKARCHI.

RAYMOND: I DON'’T WANT TO GIVE A BALD PREDICTION BECAUSE I'’M NOT IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

TO CLARIFY, TWO YEARS IN THE BILL.

I DID ASK HIM, DID HE TALKED TO LEADERSHIP AND THE GOVERNOR, PRESIDENT WARNER.

HE TOLD ME THAT DR. BOERNER WAS EXCITED ABOUT THE BILL.

HE SPOKE TO THE GOVERNOR SIX MONTHS AGO AND HE SEEMED ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT IT.

THE ANCHOR REACHED OUT TO SENATE PRESIDENT ROGERIO AND ME GOT THE SIMILAR SENTIMENT.

THOROUGH AND CONSIDERATION.

JIM: THE GOVERNOR DID NOT PUT IT IN HIS BUDGET.

ROB: NOT THAT THERE IS NOT ANY LOGIC TO THIS, BUT THERE IS SOME.

THERE IS LOGIC TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

THAT IS THE ENTRY-LEVEL FOR EVERYBODY WHO IS NOT GOING TO GO TO A FOUR-YOUR UNIVERSITY AND THEN YOU CAN TRANSFER AFTER TWO YEARS.

FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS SORT OF A NATIONAL GOAL.

I GET THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE THING.

ONCE YOU EXPAND BEYOND THAT, THERE MIGHT BE MORE COST EFFICIENT WAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STUDENTS WHO REALLY NEED THE MONEY GET IT.

I DO LIKE THE NOTION OF MAKING THIS A MORE TARGETED THING INITIALLY AND THEN SEEING HOW IT GOES.

RIC PERFORMS A VALUABLE FUNCTION.

RAYMOND IS AN EXAMPLE OF A KIND OF PEOPLE COMING OUT OF RIC.

JIM: HE IS DOING HIS HOMEWORK.

LET'’S GO TO OUTRAGES AND KUDOS.

LISA: A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, YOU BROUGHT ON THE LEADERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I AM SITTING BACK, ENJOYING THE CONVERSATION, AND YOU BRING UP THE TOPIC OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I'’M THINKING, HERE WE GO.

THE MEMBERS BY POLICE AT ALL THE WORK THAT THEY'’VE DONE AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE MONEY THEY'’VE APPROVED FOR THE HOUSING PROGRAMS, BUT THEY QUESTIONED THE EXECUTION OF IT.

I AM THINKING WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE?

A YEAR AGO, WE HAD THE ENCAMPMENT AT THE STATEHOUSE.

WE KNEW THAT WINTER WOULD,.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVED ALL THAT MONEY IN THE BUDGET, SO WHERE WAS THE PLANNING PROCESS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?

I WAS WAITING FOR ONE MEMBER ON THE PANEL TO SAY CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM OF THE MCKEE ADMINISTRATION AND HOW THEY DROPPED THE BALL, AND NONE OF THEM DID.

IT MADE ME REALIZE THE COMPLACENCY WE HAVE IN THIS STATE WHEN WE HAVE SUCH A DOMINANT ONE PARTY.

SO THE DEMOCRATS IN THE LEADERSHIP DO NOT WANT TO GO AFTER THE MCKEE ADMINISTRATION, AND REPUBLICANS ARE SO BEATEN DOWN FOR BEING IN THE MINORITY SO MANY YEARS, THEY WERE TIMID IN THEIR RESPONSE.

I THOUGHT THE BEST THING IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH A MILD WINTER, NOT MORE ISSUES OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE TRYING TO FIND SHELTER.

JIM: THE OVERRIDING FACTOR IS THAT MONEY DOESN'’T SOLVE ALL PROBLEMS, IT IS THE EXECUTION.

I DON'’T KNOW IF I AGREE WITH YOU, I THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE MORE OUTRAGED, BUT THEY WERE BEING POLITE.

ROB: MY OUTRAGE IS WHAT IS GOING ON IN FLORIDA RIGHT NOW.

NOT TOO MANY MORE REPUBLICANS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, HOPEFULLY NOT REPUBLICANS LIKE RON DESANTIS.

THERE IS AN AP COURSE ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES, BY THE EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE, PRETTY DOWN THE MIDDLE, DOWN THE ROAD.

FLORIDA HAS BANNED IT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT IS"TOO WOKE," WHICH IS RON DESANTIS'’ M.O.

FLORIDA STUDENTS ARE BEING DENIED THE ABILITY TO TAKE AN AP COURSE IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES BECAUSE IT FITS RON DESANTIS'’ NARRATIVE TOB NA IT.

THERE IS NO MERIT TO IT.

JIM: YOU WONDER DOES HE BELIEVE ALL OF THIS OR IS HE PLAYING TO THE BASE FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN?

AND THAT IS WHAT IS SAID.

EDUCATION SHOULD BE SACROSANCT.

YOU CAN HAVE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS BUT STAY OUT OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS.

ROB: IT IS A COMBINATION.

ONE PERSON'’S INDOCTRINATION IS ANOTHER PERSON'’S EDUCATION.

AT THE SAME TIME THAT HE IS BANDING THIS, HE IS TAKING THE NEW COLLEGE IN SARASOTA, TURNING IT INTO A CONSERVATIVEBASH.

JIM: YOU GET THE LAST 45 SECONDS.

RAYMOND: MORE LIGHTHEARTED.

MY OUTRAGE, THE CELTICS LOST TO THE NEW YORK KNICKS.

JIM: JASON TATUM HAD A WIDE OPEN SHOP.

RAYMOND: MY KUDOS, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE MORE BILL THAT CAUGHT MY EYE.

IT WOULD ALLOW 17-YEAR-OLDS RETURN 18 BY THE NOVEMBER ELECTION TO VOTE IN THE PRIMARY.

IT IS BIG FOR THOSE WITH FALL BIRTHDAYS LIKE MYSELF.

JIM: NEXT TIME RAYMOND COMES ON, YOU ALL NEED TO HAVE A PEN AND PAPER.

HE WILL GIVE YOU THE ACTUAL BILL NUMBERS.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

FOLKS, WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK.

WE ARE IN THE HEART OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IF YOU DON'’T WANT US ON FRIDAY OR SUNDAY, WE ARE ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE ARCHIVE ALL OF OUR SHOWS.

WE ARE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER AND WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR FAVORITE PODCASTS.

TAKE US ALONG FOR THE RIDE WHEREVER YOU GO.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU COME BACK NEXT WEEK WHEN "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 -- >> FOR OVER 30 YEARS, "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT," HAVE PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF THE POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.