>> HISTORIC WEEK IN RHODE ISLAND AND WASHINGTON.

WE WILL HAVE THE DETAILS AND ANALYSIS FROM OUR PANEL OF REPORTERS.

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

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

>> JOINING US WITH THEIR INSIGHTS, TARGET 12 INVESTIGATOR STEPH MACHADO, BOSTON GLOBE REPORTER DAN MCGOWAN, AND POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT MACKAY.

IT IS GREAT TO BE BACK WITH YOU FOR THIS FIRST PROGRAM OF 2021 AND WHAT A WEEK TO BEGIN THE NEW YEAR.

WE WILL GET TO THE EVENTS THAT UNFOLDED AT THE NATION'S CAPITAL A LITTLE LATER, BUT FIRST, NEW GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEANS NEW FACES AND NEW PLACES FOR THE HOUSE AND SEND IT TO MEET.

PLUS, A NEW SPEAKER.

JOE SICARD SHE COVERED THE MAJORITY LEADER, SET THE TONE FOR HIS SPEAKERSHIP AND A LITTLE OF THE SESSION IN HIS OPENING REMARKS ON TUESDAY.

HERE'S A LITTLE OF WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> THIS COMING SESSION, I LOOKING TO ALL OF YOU TO CONTINUE OUR LIVELY EXPERIMENT.

I AM LOOKING FOR YOUR NEW IDEAS, NEW ENERGY, NEW PERSPECTIVESS.

AS YOU KNOW, MY GOAL IS TO FACILITATE COLLABORATION AND CONSENSUS IN THE PURSUIT OF COMMON GOOD.

MY APPROACH WILL BE DIFFERENT.

BUT IT SHOULD NEVER BE CONFUSED WITH THE UNWILLINGNESS TO MAKE DIFFICULT FINAL DECISIONS AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME AND MAKE THEM STICK.

WE WILL ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES, CLEAR AWAY THE RUBBLE OF THE PANDEMIC, AND BUILD A NEW AND BETTER RHODE ISLAND.

>> DAN, LET ME BEGIN WITH YOU.

I THINK THE QUESTION A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE, LIKE THE OPENING DAY OF SPRING TRAINING, WE WANT TO DO THIS AND THAT.

I WONDER HOW MUCH IS GOING TO GET DONE GIVEN THE CHALLENGES OF COVID AND THE OVERLYING BUDGET IS A BIG DEAL EVERY YEAR, HOW MANY OF THE ISSUES PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT DO YOU THINK WILL GET DONE?

IT IS WAIT AND SEE, BUT THAT IS ON MY MIND GOING INTO THE SESSION.

>> KEEP IN MIND, THE HOUSE IS HAD THE GOVERNOR IS NOT GOING TO DELIVER HER BUDGET UNTIL LATER THIS YEAR.

I THINK MARCH AT THIS POINT.

WE ARE ALREADY DELAYED FROM THE TRADITIONAL PROCESS OF LATE JANUARY.

THAT IS ALREADY GOING TO BE AN ISSUE.

WE ARE ALL WAITING AND CERTAINLY LAWMAKERS WILL BE WAITING ON WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WITH THEIR -- OIL THERE BE -- WILL THERE BE A STIMULUS PACKAGE.

I THINK THINGS HAVE HELD UP HER A LITTLE BIT.

I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF YOU SEE A LOT OF MAJOR ISSUES TACKLED.

THEY WILL HAVE TO TACKLE THE BUDGET.

YOU WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT LEGALIZING MARIJUANA AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I DON'T THINK THIS WILL BE A YEAR WHERE WE LOOK BACK AND SAY, BOY, THEY GOT SO MUCH ACCOMPLISHED.

EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE PANDEMIC.

.

>> STAFF, GIVE ME THE FEEL FOR WHAT IT IS LIKE?

IT IS SO RHODE ISLAND.

RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE IS SO FAR AWAY.

BUT IT IS A LITTLE OFF-CAMPUS AND THERE ARE SOME LOGISTICAL ISSUES TO DEAL WITH.

>> THREE MILE DRIVE UP THE STREET FROM THE STATE HOUSE WHERE THEY USUALLY BEAT.

QUITE A FAR DISTANCE.

IT WAS STRANGE.

IT WAS STRANGE PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT.

THERE WAS A SIGN THAT SAID " SENATE CHAMBERS" AND YOU GOT YOUR TEMPERATURE TAKEN.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE THERE, WHICH IS A NORMAL FACET.

THE PRESS WAS IN THE BALCONY.

COULD NOT MOVE AROUND AS MUCH AS WE NORMALLY DO.

EVERYTHING -- EVERYONE WAS SOCIALLY DISTANCED AND HAD TO GET THEIR MASK ON EVEN WHEN SPEAKING.

NEW MEMBERS GETTING SWORN IN WITHOUT FAMILIES.

USUALLY THEY HAVE GUESTS.

IT WAS A DIFFERENT FEEL FROM WHAT IS NORMALLY A VERY CEREMONIAL TYPE OF DAY.

THE SENATE IS PLANNING TO STAY THERE FOR THE REST OF THE SESSION BARRING ANY MIRACULOUS AND TO THE PANDEMIC.

SO THEY WILL BE THERE WORKING FROM THE AUDITORIUM IN THIS STRANGE MANNER FOR THE REST OF THE SESSION.

THE SESSION PRESIDENT -- SENATE PRESIDENT SAID MY PRIORITIES ARE THE SAME AS LAST YEAR.

THEY ARE ADJOURNED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, AND LEGALIZING MARIJUANA -- WHICH IS SOMETHING PICKING UP IN STEAM IN THE SENATE.

>> SCOTTY?

>> HOPEFULLY, THERE WILL BE A COLLEGIAL VIEW BY THE PEOPLE.

ONE THING THAT HARD TIMES HISTORICALLY BACK TO THE BANKING CRISIS -- I COVERED THE CIVIL WAR, SO I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF THIS STUFF.

WHEN YOU FOCUS ON THE BUDGET, HOPEFULLY, THEY WILL FOCUS ON THAT AND FIND A COLLEGIAL WAY TO GET THROUGH THIS WITHOUT HAVING TO IMPOSE EITHER DRACONIAN CUTS OR RAISE TAXES FURTHER THAN THEY SHOULD GIVEN THE FRAGILITY OF THE ECONOMY.

I AM REALLY WATCHING THAT.

I ALSO THINK SHEKARCHI IS TRYING TO SET A NEW TONE EXTENDING THE OLIVE BRANCH.

I WAS IMPRESSED BY THE FIRST THING HE DID WAS PUT RAY HALL, WHO WE KNOW WAS IN A COMBUSTIBLE SIBERIA PART OF THE HOUSE, IS A PROVIDENCE POLICE OFFICER, VERY WELL-LIKED IN HIS DISTRICT.

PUT HIM ON THE HEAD OF THE VACCINE COMMITTEE, COUPLE OF REPUBLICANS ON THERE.

I THINK THAT AT LEAST WAS A GESTURE TO SHOW THERE IS A NEW LEADER IN TOWN.

>> DAN, WHAT ABOUT THE DYNAMIC?

WE HAVE MORE WOMEN.

THE SENATE IS NOW 50% WOMEN PLUS A LOT OF THE PROGRESSIVES COMING IN.

PLUS, I THINK THE DYNAMIC IN WASHINGTON, WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR THE STIMULUS, NOW THE SENATE HAS GONE DEMOCRAT, I THINK THAT RAISES THE CHANCE OF THAT HAPPENING.

WHAT ABOUT THE DYNAMIC?

EVERY GENERAL IS SIMPLY AS DIFFERENT, BUT THIS HAS A DIFFERENT DEAL GOING INTO IT.

>> SCOTT IS RIGHT.

JOE SHEKARCHI'S CAREER IN RHODE ISLAND POLITICS, THAT DATES BACK THREE DECADES, IS ABOUT FINDING CONSENSUS.

HE LIKES TO BE LIKED.

AND THAT IS OK, RIGHT?

ON THE HOUSE SIDE, JOE SHEKARCHI IS GOING TO WANT TO BUILD A CONSENSUS.

YOU HAVE NOT SEEN HIM REALLY TAKE MAJOR POSITIONS ON SOME OF THE KEY ISSUES YET.

SAYING "I WANT TO TALK TO MY MEMBERS" AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

ON THE SENATE SIDE, COULD SEE MORE FIREWORKS THIS TIME AROUND.

HE SAW SEVEN ABSTENTIONS PER SENATE PRESIDENT BOAT.

THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO PUT UP ANYBODY NECESSARILY.

THEY MADE A STATEMENT.

YOU HAVE ALREADY SEEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAT CHAMBER HAS REALLY GONE FROM BEING THIS SLEEPING CHAMBER WHERE EVERYONE BOWS THE SAME WAY TONIGHT YOU HAVE DISSIDENTS.

YES AND VAL AND -- SAM BELL AND TARA MAX WHO HAVE FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT VIEWS THAN THE SENATE LEADERSHIP.

THE GOVERNOR AND GENERALLY THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT.

THAT IS SOMETHING TO WATCH.

>> STEPH?

>> IS RIGHT.

AS HE NEARLY ONE THIRD OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS NOT VOTE FOR THE ENDORSED SENATE PRESIDENT CANDIDATE, AND TO SEE ALL OF THE REPUBLICANS VOTE FOR ROGERIO, WHICH DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HOUSE SIDE, SAID SOMETHING.

I SPOKE TO SENATOR MACK AFTERWARDS AND SHE SAID IT IS NOT THAT -- IT IS NOT THAT SHE HASN'T PROBLEM WITH SENATE PRESIDENT ROGERIO, SHE IS GLAD HE PROPOSED MORE PROGRESSIVE POLICIES THIS YEAR THAT IN THE PAST, BUT SHE WAS TO GO FURTHER THAN THAT.

$15 MINIMUM WAGE IS OK, BUT SAID IT SHOULD BE $24.

SOME OF THESE INCOMING PROGRESSIVE SENATORS ARE REALLY GOING TO TRY TO PUSH THINGS TO THE LEFT, AND THAT MAY MAKE THEM LAND SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE BUT MAYBE MORE TO THE LEFT THAN IN THE PAST.

>> SCOTT, TALKED ABOUT SHEKARCHI --WE ALL KNOW HIM WANTING TO BE THE NICE KIND WELL-LIKED, SOME WHEN THE SPEAKER NEEDS TO BRING DOWN THE HAMMER AND SAY NO.

I WONDER WHEN THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD AT THE END OF THE SESSION, HOW YOU SEE THAT PLAYING OUT?

ULTIMATELY, UNLESS THE WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT OF THE THIRD FLOOR, LEGISLATION DOES NOT GET THROUGH.

>> OF COURSE.

AND YOU WILL HAVE A SITUATION WHERE SOMEBODY HAS TO BRING DOWN THE HAMMER, AS YOU PUT IT.

WE HAVE SEEN PREVIOUSLY, GOOD COP/BAD COP IN THE STATE HOUSE.

YOU HAVE SEEN SITUATIONS WHERE YOU HAD A BILL MURPHY AND A KNIT MATTIELLO, GORDON FOX AND NICK MATTIELLO.

SO WHAT HAPPENS HERE IS SOMEBODY IN THAT LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO HAVE TO TELL THAT PERSON KNOW --NO.

WHEN THEY COME INTO THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE AND WHEN A, BY THE WAY, CAN YOU MOVE BY COUSIN OF TWO CLASSIFICATIONS OVER A DOT BECAUSE HE IS GETTING HIS PICTURE NEXT YEAR?

-- HIS PENCHANT NEXT YEAR?

THE PROBLEM IS IN RHODE ISLAND, BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE SUCH LOPSIDED OVERWHELMING MAJORITIES, THAT MEANS THERE'S A LOT OF MALES TO FEED.

-- MOUTHS TO FEED.

SPEAKER SMITH IN THE OLD DAYS, THIS DID NOT WORK WELL UNDER THE 100 MEMBER HOUSE UNLESS THERE WERE AT LEAST 30 OR SO REPUBLICANS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OPPOSITION AND ALL THE DEMOCRATS THOUGHT THEY SHOULD EAT REAL VEGAS.

I THINK THAT WILL BE AN ISSUE AS WE COME DOWN THE ROAD.

ONE THING I WILL SAY, IN A TIME OF CRISIS, UNLESS THERE IS AN OVERNIGHT VACCINE SOLUTION -- WHICH IS NOT IN THE OFFING RIGHT NOW -- ONEOF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENS, AGAIN, I HATE TO UNDERSCORE THIS, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DOES HAPPEN -- JIM, YOU SEEN THIS.

ONCE YOU HAVE A REAL AUSTERITY AND A REAL LACK OF MONEY TO DO ANYTHING, PEOPLE GET IN LINE AND DO THE BEST THEY CAN AND TEND NOT TO FIGHT FOR THEIR PET PROJECTS.

I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE HOPEFULLY GOING TO SEE AND THERE WILL BE SOME COLLEGIALITY.

WE HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS IN WASHINGTON WHAT PEOPLE DO NOT RESPECT EACH OTHER AND PEOPLE START ENABLING CRAZY STUFF.

>> ED PREACH TO ME ONCE, IT IS A LOT EASIER TO HAVE A DEFICIT THAN $100 MILLION SURPLUS IN THE LATE 1980'S BECAUSE EVERYBODY GETS IN LINE AND WAS A PIECE OF IT.

BEFORE WE MOVE ON, DAN, TWO OTHER THINGS.

MAJOR CHANGES IN THE SUPPORT STAFF.

THIS GAGNON IS OUT, RAY SIMONE MAKES A RETURN.

TO ME, THE INTERESTING PART IS J CLS.

DOES IT LOOK LIKE HENRY WILL REPLACE FRANK?

>> IT DOES APPEAR TO BE THAT WAY.

HENRY IS NOT A HOUSEHOLD NAME I THINK A LOT OF VIEWERS BUT HE IS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

RAN FOR MAYOR OF PROTECTED.

HAS BEEN AT THE COURTS FOR A WHILE.

HE WILL GO UP AND KNOW WHAT HE IS DOING.

IT IS INTERESTING TO HAVE RAY SIMONE COMING IN.

YOU WONDER AFTER YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN GEORGIA, WONDER IS -- AS JACK REED STARTS TO MAKE HIS MOVE, WILL RAY SIMONE BE KICKING HIMSELF A LITTLE BECAUSE THE WILL BE MUCH MORE FUN TO BE HAD IN THE SENATE?

IT IS A HEADY MOOD BY JOE SHEKARCHI.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS SHEKARCHI -- THE SPEAKERSHIP IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A VERY POLITICAL OFFICE BUT I THINK GOING WITH RAY SIMONE AND HAVING HIM A STEADY HAND TO RUN THE BUILDING IN MANY WAYS WAS A SMART MOVE.

IT IS A SIGN YOU'RE GETTING AWAY FROM THAT OLD MOVE AND BEING VERY HEAVY AND BRINGING THE HAMMER DOWN.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

>> THE MAIN ISSUE I THINK WILL BE DISCUSSED, BOTH DAN AND STEPH HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT THIS.

STEPH, LEGALIZING MARIJUANA MOST OF NOW THE SENATE HAS CHANGED A LITTLE.

SET THE TABLE ON WHERE WE ARE.

THERE'S A LOT GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES WITH NEW LICENSES.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO MARIJUANA MUCH.

IT WILL BE FRONT-END IN A PRETTY SOON.

>> WERE TALKING ABOUT RECREATIONAL AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

ON THE RECREATIONAL SIDE, THIS WAS SOMETHING THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED THE PAST FOR YEARS.

LEGISLATORS -- HE DID NOT SEEM LIKE IT HAD ANY TRACTION.

LAST YEAR THE SPEAKER AND PRESIDENT ROGERIO SAID, NO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT.

MATTIELLO IS OUT OF THE PICTURE NOW.

ROGERIO HAS DROPPED IT.

HE STILL SAYS HE HAS CONCERNS BUT HE IS LETTING IT GO FORWARD.

THE SENATE HAS TRIED, WITH A FRAMEWORK.

I DON'T WANT THE GOVERNORS PROPOSAL TO HAVE STATE RUN MARIJUANA STORES, WHICH IS WHAT SHE PUT IN THE BUDGET.

IT IS SAFE TO SAY THE SENATE IS LOOKING SERIOUSLY AT PASSING SOMETHING THIS YEAR THAT WAS SET UP A LEGALIZED RECREATIONAL MARKET HERE IN RHODE ISLAND, WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT.

THE CLOSEST THE STIRRED -- STATE HAS GOTTEN TO DOING THAT.

SECONDLY, THE LICENSES.

THAT IS ON THE MEDICAL SIDE OF THINGS.

THIS ALREADY PASSED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO BUT THE STATE WILL EXPEND THE NUMBER OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES TO NINE AND THE APPLICATION PERIOD RECENTLY PASSED AND I GOING TO LOOK COMPANIES ARE TRYING TO GET A PIECE OF THIS.

-- A GREAT DEAL OF COMPANIES ARE TRYING TO GET A PIECE OF THIS.

SO FAR WE CAN SEE AT LEAST THE NAMES OF THE DIRECTORS OF THESE COMPANIES.

THEY HAVE TO BE LOCAL, SO THERE A LOT OF POLITICIANS, LOBBYISTS, AND FOLKS INVOLVED AND THEY WILL BASICALLY GET PULLED OUT OF A HAT TO SEE WHO THIS THESE VERY COVETED MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY LICENSES.

WHO KNOWS, THESE DISPENSARIES COULD END UP BEING RECREATIONAL SHOPS IN THE FUTURE.

SO A LOT OF MONEY POTENTIALLY COULD COME OUT OF WINNING ONE OF THESE LICENSES.

A TON OF NEWS ON THIS FRONT IS IN THE OFFING.

>> DAN, DO YOU THINK ROGERIO'S CHANGE IS PLUS A FOCAL OR DO YOU THINK IT IS A LITTLE OF THEDO RE MI?

>> HIS DEMEANOR HAS CHANGED AND HE WANTS TO THROW A BONE.

I DON'T THINK ROGERIO HAS SUBTLY BECOME A FAN OF MARIJUANA.

-- HAS SUDDENLY BECOME A FAN OF MARIJUANA.

I THINK THIS IS ABOUT TRYING TO THROW A BONE TO YOUR MEMBERS.

REMEMBER, CERTAINLY THE GOVERNOR DID NOT ANTICIPATE THIS BEING A MASSIVE BUDGET DRIVER.

IT WILL BRING IN MONEY AND WILL BE HELPFUL AT ANY TIME, CERTAINLY WHEN WE ARE CASH-STRAPPED, BUT MOSTLY THIS WILL BE ABOUT TRYING TO GET THIS DONE TO SHOW YOUR THE LIBERAL OR CAN BE A LITTLE MORE LIBERAL ANY HAVE IN THE PAST.

ON THE HEALTH SIDE, LOOK, EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE -- ON THE HOUSE SIDE, LOOK, EVERY THINGS ON THE TABLE.

HE SAID, I WOULD NOT BET ON IT PASSING THIS YEAR.

THAT COULD BE A REAL CONCERN.

YOU WILL START TO SEE OTHER STATES -- CONNECTICUT IS LOOKING AT IT, YOU ALREADY HAVE MASSACHUSETTS.

THE STATE WILL HAVE TO WEIGH WHERE THEY ARE REVENUE-WISE AND THE HOUSE WILL HAVE TO DECIDE AND PROBABLY TRY TO MOVE THE SPEAKER ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BECAUSE HE SEEMS TO BE ON THE FENCE.

>> MILLER HAS BEEN PUSHING THIS FOR YEARS.

I THINK THIS DOES APPEAL TO BOTH THE REVENUE SIDE -- I MEAN, DAN IS RIGHT, IT IS NOT A HUGE REVENUE HAUL.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW IS MASSACHUSETTS IS GETTING ALL THE REVENUE AND RHODE ISLAND, TWO THIRDS OF THE POPULATION WITHIN A 20 MINUTE DRIVE OF MASSACHUSETTS, IS GETTING WHATEVER SOCIAL ISSUE FEEDBACK THERE IS.

PEOPLE DRIVING IMPAIRED, THAT KIND OF THING.

IT WAS AN INEVITABLE I THINK WE WOULD JOIN MASSACHUSETTS AND PROBABLY CONNECTICUT WILL DO THE SAME THING.

IT IS LIKE THE LOTTERY.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF LOTTERY A NEW NEW ENGLAND -- IN NEW ENGLAND, ONCE ONE STATE STARTS IT, EVERYONE WANTS IN ON IT.

THE SAME WITH COS -- CASINO GAMBLING.

I DO THINK THIS TEMPLATE HAS BEEN SET FOR YEARS.

DISCUSSED LATER IN THE HOUSE, PEOPLE LIKE HIM AND SENATOR MILLER FROM CRANSTON.

CERTAINLY, ARGUMENTS OVER THE YEARS FOR DOING THIS.

I THINK IT ONLY ACCELERATED WHEN MASSACHUSETTS SEEMS TO HAVE ESTABLISHED IT.

NOW, IT IS NOT WITHOUT A PROBLEM.

WE SEE THE POLITICAL CORRUPTION AROUND KOREA IN FALL RIVER.

-- CORREA IN FALL RIVER.

THE LOBBYISTS AND THE PEOPLE WHO WANT A PIECE OF THIS.

PERHAPS THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STYLE STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY THEY HAVE COME USING THIS AS A PARADIGM FOR MARIJUANA SALES WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA AND MIGHT TAKE SOME OF THE CORRUPTION OUT OF IT.

>> WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, STEPH?

REPORTING THAT SENATE PRESIDENT IS NOT WILD ABOUT THAT MODEL.

THAT IS A BIG DETAIL, ISN'T IT?

>> THAT IS A HUGE DETAIL.

HE TOLD ME THE OTHER NIGHT HE IS NOT SUPPORTIVE OF THAT PROPOSAL.

WE DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW IF GOVERNOR RAIMONDO WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE GOVERNOR DEPENDING ON IF SHE GOES TO WASHINGTON, WHEN THIS DEBATE SHAKES OUT.

HE WAS THINKING MORE FOR PRIVATE MODEL WHERE PRIVATE BUSINESSES CAN OPEN THEIR OWN STORES AND DO THEIR OWN BUSINESS.

BY THE WAY, IS WHAT WE HAVE NOW FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

THE DISPENSARIES ARE PRIVATE BUSINESS AND THEY MAKE TONS AND TONS OF MONEY.

THAT IS WHY THERE'S SO MUCH CONCERN IT COULD BE AN INDUSTRY THAT LEADS TO CORRUPTION.

WE ALWAYS LEASE OFF WHAT HAPPENED WITH COREREA AND FALLS RIVER.

CHARGES RELATED TO BRIBERY IN THIS INDUSTRY.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING SHE CAN TO AVOID THAT HAPPENING IN RHODE ISLAND.

THAT IS WHAT SHE PROPOSED A LOTTERY SO WOULD A LOBBYIST GETS HIS PICK, PULLED IT OUT OF A HAT, WE DID NOT GIVEN SPECIAL TREATMENT.

DID NOT DO ANYTHING.

WE PULLED THE NAME OUT OF A HAT.

THAT IS THE GOAL THERE.

WE LOVE TO SEE WHAT FRAMEWORK -- JOSH MILLER IS INVOLVED IN THE FRAMEWORK, SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT SHAKES OUT.

>> I WENT TO GET TO THE FUTURES OF GOVERNOR RAIMONDO JACK REED.

LET'S DO OUTRAGEOUS OR KUDOS.

DAN?

>> I HAVE AN OUTRAGE.

CAN'T BELIEVE WE ARE TALKING A WEEK OF CRAZINESS IN WASHINGTON, FINALLY THE 2020 ELECTION CYCLE ENDS WITH WHAT HAPPENS IN GEORGIA.

BUT WE ARE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT 2022.

I KNOW STEPH LOOK AT THIS THIS WEEK AS WELL.

THE PENSION SYSTEM IS NOW 22% FUNDED.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A CRISIS 6, 7 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS COVERING CITY HALL VERY CLOSELY WHEN THE CITY WAS 28%, 29%, 30% FUNDED.

WHAT WE HAVE TO DO, AS ALL THESE CANDIDATES ARE ALREADY EMERGING TO RUN IN 2022, WE NEED SOME REALLY -- TO DRILL THEM DOWN ON WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WITH THE PENSION SYSTEM.

FOR TOO LONG, GETTING BACK TO WHEN SCOTT WAS COVERING CITY HALL, YOU HAVE HAD SCENARIO WHERE EVERYBODY SAYS, HEY, WE NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT THIS.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT FOR 30 YEARS NOW.

I THINK THE CANDIDATES DO THEMSELVES A FAVOR AND THE VOTERS A FAVOR BY ACTUALLY COMING UP WITH A PLAN TO ADDRESS THAT WILLFULLY FUNDED SYSTEM.

>> IT IS MADDENING BECAUSE THE MAYOR SAYS,, WE RAN A SURPLUS LAST YEAR A $5 MILLION OR $10 MILLION.

ROME IS BURNING.

THAT IS GOOD, BUT IT IS THE PENSION OBLIGATION.

STEPH?

>> AND EVERYONE IN AMERICA WAS OUTRAGED WATCHING THE SIEGE ON THE CAPITOL YESTERDAY, BUT SOMETHING IN PARTICULAR THAT EARLY HIT ME WAS THERE WAS A VIDEO OF A LINE -- THIS IS AN OUTRAGE -- LINE OF BROADCAST OR LESS REPORTING ON THE MOB AT THE CAPITAL AND THEY JUST ALREADY GETTING PHYSICALLY ATTACKED BY THE PROTESTERS WHO WERE SLAMMING STUFF AT THEIR EQUIPMENT.

THE PHOTOGRAPHERS AND REPORTERS HAD TO ABANDON THEIR CAMERAS, EQUIPMENT, TRIPOD, AND RUNAWAY.

THERE WAS THIS SCENE OF DESTROYED EQUIPMENT.

YOU'RE LIKE, WELL, THIS JUST EQUIPMENT, PROPERTY, WHATEVER.

IT REALLY WAS LIKE A GUT PUNCH BECAUSE IT FELT THAT A CORPORAL -- METAPHORICAL FOR THE ATTEMPTS TO DESTROY THE PREPRESS IN OUR COUNTRY.

TO SEE THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO DOCUMENT WHAT WAS HAPPENING SO THAT AMERICA COULD SEE THIS PROTEST AT THE CAPITAL, THESE RIOTERS WHO STORMED THE CAPITOL BUILDING, JUN HAVE THEM SORT OF THE ARBITERS OF TRUTH, TO HAVE THEM BASICALLY BE RAN OFF THE SCENE AND THEIR CAMERAS DESTROYED, REALLY HIT ME AND THAT WAS AWFUL TO SEE.

>> I AGREE.

SCOTT?

>> I REALLY, REALLY AM TOTALLY OUTRAGED AT THIS CANCEROUS RACISM OF CONFEDERATE NOSTALGIA.

I MEAN, SING THE CONFEDERATE FLAG BEING BRANDISHED INSIDE THE U.S. CAPITOL WHERE IT NEVER WAS, EVEN IN THE 19TH CENTURY, IS VERY, VERY DISTURBING AND SHOULD BE FOR ANY AMERICAN.

THIS WAS JUST CRAZY.

THE WAY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS CODDLED DONALD TRUMP THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND ENABLED THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR FROM THE TEA PARTY -- IT GOES BACK TO MCCARTHYISM.

BUT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TOO LONG.

IT HAS BECOME PART OF THE REPUBLICAN PLAYBOOK.

IT IS REALLY DISGRACEFUL.

JUST THINK, THESE PHOTOS WERE FLASHED ALL AROUND THE PLANET.

WE SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED, EVERY AMERICAN.

I WANT TO GIVE KUDOS TO DAN WAS HOPEFULLY, I WILL BE SEEN AS BLOWING SMOKE.

I DID THINK IT WAS GREAT "THE BOSTON GLOBE" ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK THEY PLAN TO INVEST MORE IN THE NEWSROOM, SPECIFICALLY SAY THEY WILL EXPAND THEIR PRESENCE IN RHODE ISLAND.

IT IS A GREAT THING FOR NEWS OUTLETS NOWADAYS TO BE INVESTING RATHER THAN ANNOUNCING THE INEVITABLE NEXT ROUND OF CUTS.

REALLY HARD, HARD WEEK I THINK WE SHOULD ALL BE THING FOR FOUR.

>> THANKS, SCOTT.

>> THREE OR FOUR MINUTES.

YOUR CHECK IS IN THE MAIL.

THREE OR FOUR MINUTES LEFT.

DAN, YOU HAVE WRITTEN EXTENSIVELY -- A MONTH AGO, WE WERE ALL TALKING ABOUT, WELCOME IS GINA RAIMONDO WHEN YOU GET HHS SECRETARY?

BY THE TIME YOU WATCH THIS, THAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED.

IT NEVER HAPPENED.

TALKING ABOUT COMMERCE SECRETARY.

YOU'RE TAPING ON A THURSDAY MORNING.

LET'S TALK ABOUT RAIMONDO GINA AND JACK REED.

THEIR FORTUNES GO 180 DEGREES.

FIRST, LET'S START WITH THE GOVERNOR WALZ OF THE LATEST WAS IS COMMERCE.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> I WRITE A LOT ABOUT THIS.

ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU THEY ARE A GINA RAIMONDO WHISPER IN RHODE ISLAND GENERALLY DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THERE'S A LOT OF GOSSIP AND RUMORS.

TRUTHFULLY, THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT NEED POLITICAL ADVICE ON WHETHER OR NOT SHE WANTS TO BE JOE BIDEN'S COMMERCE SECRETARY.

SHE IS NOT CALLING AROUND TO THE LOBBYISTS IN RHODE ISLAND ASKING FOR THEIR OPINION.

SHE IS ASKING FOR HER HUSBAND'S OPINION, WHAT HER CHILDREN THINK.

IT SEEMS LIKE SHE IS A LEADING CONTENDER FOR THIS JOB.

SHE DEFINITELY GOING TO GET IT?

NO.

DOES HAVING A MAJORITY IN THE SENATE NOW HELP DOESN'T HELP WITH CONFIRMATION?

I THINK IT DOES.

IT CERTAINLY LOOKS LIKE THIS -- YOU'RE TAPING ON A THURSDAY AND WE COULD KNOW BY THE TIM THIS SHOW RUNS, BUT IT CERTAINLY IS A REAL CONVERSATION THAT IS HAPPENING BETWEEN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND GINA RAIMONDO.

>> SCOTT, I THOUGHT JACK REED, IS TURNED OUT SO MANY TIMES, DEFENSE DEPARTMENT, WHETHER HE WAS OFFERED OR NOT, I THINK THIS WOULD BE THE TIME HE IS LATE IN HIS CAREER WHETHER HE WOULD MAKE THE JOB BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE FOUR YEARS HUNTER BIDEN.

HE KEEPS SAYING, NO, I LIKE BEING A SENATOR.

WHERE YOU THINK JACK REED FITS INTO THIS ADMINISTRATION OR NOT?

>> FIRST OF ALL, BECAUSE TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, WHICH IS A MAJOR COMMITTEE, PARTICULARLY FOR ESTATE WITH A LOT OF DEFENSE CONTRACTORS AND A STATE, FRANKLY, THE BEST BLUE-COLLAR JOBS I ARGUE NOWADAYS IN THE STATE ARE BUILDING SUMMER RAINS.

AND THAT IS -- SUBMARINES.

AND THAT IS UNDER HIS PURVIEW.

LIKE THE NAVAL WAR COLLEGE.

THIS IS VERY GOOD FOR THAT WHOLE ISLAND, DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY DOWN THERE.

I THINK THAT REED WANTS TO DO THIS.

HE'S A SENIOR PERSON IN THE SENATE AND A WORKHORSE, NOT A SHOW HORSE.

I THINK HE REALLY WANTS TO CARVE THIS REPUTATION FOR HIMSELF AS HE GETS OLDER -- AGAIN, HE IS NOT OLD FOR A SENATOR.

I KNOW SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THE FACT THAT HANG AROUND FOREVER, BUT HE IS LIKE 70 OR SO.

HE COULD BE IN THE SENATE FOR 10 MORE YEARS.

>> STEPH, THE LAST 30 SECONDS.

>> THE ONE THING WE ARE ALL REALLY WATCHING IS WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE IN POTENTIAL DAN MCKEE GUBERNATORIAL ADMINISTRATION IF THE GOVERNOR DOES GO TO WASHINGTON.

PRAY DIFFERENT FROM GOVERNOR RAIMONDO, THOUGH THEY ARE BOTH DEMOCRATS.

IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING TRANSITION IF HE TAKES OVER.

BIG ON SMALL BUSINESSES AND CHARTER SCHOOLS, TO SOMETHING LAWMAKERS MAY NOT AGREE ON.

PLUS, THE CORONAVIRUS.

HE WILL BE OVERSEEING THIS MASSIVE EFFORT TO RID THE STATE OF THIS PANDEMIC AND OVERSEE THE VACCINE.

THAT WILL BE FASCINATING TO WATCH IF GOVERNOR RAIMONDO DOES GO TO WASHINGTON.

>> QUICK 30 MINUTES AND SOMETIMES 30 MINUTES IS NOT ENOUGH.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE MORE WITH OUR PANEL, GO ONLINE RIGHT NOW TO RIPBS.ORG/LIVELY.

OUR SPECIAL BONUS ADDITION COMING UP ONLINE.

SCOTT AND DAN AND STEPH, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, FOLKS.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK.

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

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] >> THE LAB EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF IMPORTANT POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.