[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> THIS WEEK ON A LIVELY EXPERIMENT, THE VERDICT IS IN ON THE FUTURE OF THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE AND GOVERNOR MCKEE IS ASKING FOR A BIG SALARY BUMP FOR MANY OF HIS CABINET MEMBERS.

>> A LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> I’M JOHN HAYES AND MY JR.. FOR OVER 30 YEARS, A LIVELY EXPERIMENT HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF THE POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

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

>> WINNING US ON THE PANEL, POLITICAL STRATEGIST ROB HOROWITZ, BOSTON GLOBE REPORTER DAN MCGOWAN AND REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST LISA PELOSI.

WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S LIVELY.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT THURSDAY AFTERNOON WAS STRANGELY AND CYCLE AND DRAMATIC ALL AT ONCE.

GOVERNOR MCKEE SAID THE WESTBOUND SIDE OF THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE WILL NEED A TOTAL REBUILD STRETCHING WELL INTO 2026 WITH AN ESTIMATED PRICE TAG OF 250 TO $300 MILLION.

HE ADDED A DAY OF RECKONING WILL BE COMING SOON FOR THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE EXISTING BRIDGE.

THAT SOUNDS A LITTLE OMINOUS.

I WAS EXPECTING THE WRATH OF CON WOULD BECOMING.

THAT STOOD OUT TO ME.

EVERYTHING ELSE SEEM TO AND CYCLE .

DAN: THE DAY OF RECKONING IS WHO IS GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

HE WAS VERY CLEAR THAT HE STANDS BY AND OFFERED A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE DIRECTOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

WHAT DOES THAT HINT TOWARDS?

I THINK IT IS IN SOME WAYS THE LINCOLN CHAFEE STYLE 38 STUDIOS LAWSUIT IS WHERE WE.

ARE GOING WITH THIS.

.

YOU SUE A BUNCH OF CONTRACTORS FOR A FAULTY BRIDGE REPAIR OR NOT INSPECTING THE BRIDGE THE RIGHT WAY.

IT SEEMS LIKE THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO STRIKE THE BALANCE OF NUMBER pONE, HOLD SOMEBODY ACCOUNTABLE.

DOES NOT MATTER WHO.

YOU GUYS KNOW THE POLITICS PROBABLY BETTER THAN I DO, BUT HE IS SAYING I’M GOING TO MAKE THIS A REFERENDUM.

IF I GET THE BRIDGE DONE IN TWO YEARS, I DESERVE TO BE REELECTED.

IF NOT, WE WILL SEE WHERE THAT GOES.

LISA: IT WAS NOT A SURPRISE BECAUSE OF THE PLAN A COUPLE WEEKS AGO BEING LEACHED TO THE MEDIA.

IT IS SOFTENING THE LANDING.

A TOTAL REBOUND OR TOTAL PLACEMENT.

I WAS LISTENING TO IT ON THE RADIO AND HEARING ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND I KEPT LOOKING AT PETER THINKING WHERE DOES THE BUCK STOP HERE?

IF IT DOES NOT STOP WITH THE GOVERNOR’S DESK, IT SHOULD STOP AT THE D.O.T.

DIRECTOR’S.

HE SHOULD BE SIGNING OFF ON THE ORDERS THAT WENT THROUGH AND THE PRICING.

I WAS LOOKING AT HIM THINKING YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED.

>> MAYBE.

MAYBE NOT.

WE WILL SEE.

>> I THINK GOVERNOR MCKEE HAS MORE INFORMATION COMES OUT, YOU HAVE A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO FRAUD AND A BUNCH OF THESE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO OCCUR BESIDES WHATEVER THE STATE DECIDES TO CLAWBACK.

THE DAY OF RECKONING IS GOING TO BE FOR GOVERNOR MCKEE.

IT IS GOING TO BE IN SEPTEMBER 2026 IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

THIS IS NOT BY ITSELF MEANING HE IS GOING TO LOSE.

THIS IS GOING TO PLAY OUT OVER THE COURSE OF THAT TIME.

I DON’T THINK ANYTHING THAT COMES OUT IS GOING TO MAKE HIM LOOK GOOD.

HE HAS TO HELP A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS HAPPEN THAT ARE GOOD FOR THE STATE.

THIS IS I THINK NO MATTER HOW WELL HE DOES IN TERMS OF THE REBUILD HERE, WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND HOW LONG THIS IS GOING TO TAKE IS GOING TO BE A DRAG ON HIS REELECTION.

>> WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT SEPTEMBER 2026 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, THE OTHER THING ABOUT THIS IS HE IS SAYING THE IDEA NOW IS AN EARLY TIMELINE WOULD BE MARCH OF 2026 TO GET IT DONE.

IF THIS GETS KICKED PAST MARCH INTO ANOTHER SUMMER, THAT WOULD MEAN THREE CONSECUTIVE SUMMERS OF BRIDGE TRAFFIC GOING TO THE CAPE, COMING BACK FROM THE CAPE.

IF THERE IS A THIRD SUMMER OF THIS, IT IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR HIM.

>> IF THEY GET IT DONE EARLY, I’M NOT HOLDING MY BREATH.

BUT IF THEY GET IT DONE EARLY, HE TAKES CREDIT FOR THAT.

LISA: WE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT THE COST.

THEIR ESTIMATE INTO HUNDRED 50 TO $3 MILLION WHICH I THOUGHT IS A LITTLE LOW.

IS IT GOING TO BE THE 8020 MATCH?

80% OF THE FED.

WE DON’T KNOW WHAT THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO COME BACK IN THEIR REVIEW.

THEY MIGHT PENALIZE US FOR HOW WE MISS THE MONEY ALREADY.

I DON’T KNOW IF THE 8020 IS AUTOMATIC.

THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO BRING UP FOR YOU, WHAT I HAVE NOT HEARD THE WORD IS TOLLS.

I WAS WONDERING IF THIS COULD BE A TOLL BRIDGE.

>> IT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

I’M SURPRISED IT DID NOT COME UP AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

WE SHOULD SAY THE SPEAKER, SENATE PRESIDENT SAID NO CHANCE OF TOLLS ON CARS.

YOU ARE RIGHT.

EVEN IF WE DO GET AN 80 TOURNAMENT, 20% OF 300 MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY.

IT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO PAY FOR THAT.

>> PUT IT IN CONTEXT.

I THINK THE TOLL THING IS PROBABLY A NONSTARTER BECAUSE OF THE POLITICS OF IT.

WHEN YOU HAVE BOTH THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND THE HOUSE SPEAKER COME OUT AND SAY IT IS GOING TO BE MORE THAN THIS WHICH THEY DID IN REAL TIME YESTERDAY, WE KNOW WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE 350, 400 MILLION STATE SHARE.

COULD BE UP TO 70, 80 MILLION.

IT IS GOING TO BE A BIG HIT.

NOT TRYING TO PILE ON THE GOVERNOR BUT NO MATTER HOW MUCH CREDIT HE THINKS HE MAY GET FOR REBUILDING IT, IT COLLAPSED ON HIS WATCH.

IT COLLAPSED WITH HIS -- >> COLLAPSED METAPHORICALLY.

COLLAPSED IS A LITTLE STRONG.

>> PRAISE WHOEVER IT DID NOT COLLAPSE BUT THIS ALL HAPPENED ON HIS WATCH.

>> GETTING BACK TO THE DAY OF RECKONING, I WONDER HOW IT IS GOING TO FLY WITH PUBLIC.

I WAS THINKING, MCKEE MUST KNOW IN HIS MIND IT IS NOT GOING TO COME SOON.

IF THEY HAVE NOT TALKED AT LENGTH WE ARE GOING AFTER HIM, HIM AND HIM.

I DID A PIECE YEARS AGO.

WHO IS INSPECTING THE INSPECTORS?

IF NOBODY IN STATE GOVERNMENT LOSES THEIR JOB, GONE FOR BID THEIR PENSION BECAUSE OF MALFEASANCE, A LOT OF THESE GUYS WHO HAVE BEEN THERE FOREVER JUST RETIRE.

IF IT GETS INTO A LEGAL BATTLE, IT IS EXPENSIVE.

HOW MUCH HAVE THEY SPENT DEFENDING THE TOLLS ALREADY?

WITH THE AVERAGE RHODE ISLANDER, IT IS GOING TO BE IT WAS THE CONTRACTORS AND THE PRIVATE PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT GOING TO WILLINGLY HAND YOU A CHECK.

HOW DOES THAT PLAY OUT?

>> PEOPLE DO NOT GIVE LINCOLN CHAFEE THE CREDIT FOR RECOVERY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

NO ONE WAS HELD ACCOUNTABLE DIRECTLY.

.

THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE, KEITH STOKES WAS THE DIRECTOR.

HE WAS PUSHED OUT TO GINA RAIMONDO OVER THE YOU HAVE CRISIS.

SOMETIMES YOU NEED A SACRIFICIAL LAMB EVEN IF THEY DON’T DESERVE TO BE PUSHED OUT.

THIS IS WHERE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE DIRECTOR HAS TO COME IN.

THE GOVERNOR IS IN A TOUGH SPOT.

ONE, HE NEEDS THIS BRIDGE TO GET DONE.

IF PETER LVD DOES HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE LABORERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU WANT TO GET THIS PROJECT DONE.

IF YOU PUSH THEM OUT, YOU ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO GO TO BAT FOR HIM.

>> WHERE DOES IT FIT WITH THE SENATE PRESIDENT?

>> HE COULD NOT BE MORE CLEAR.

>>>> DOES HE STEP IN AND TELL THE GOVERNOR DON’T TOUCH HIM?

>> I WOULD IMAGINE YES.

>> NOW THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, YOU WONDER FOR THE LONG TERM FOR ECONOMICS, I’VE HEARD SOME PEOPLE SAY I NEED TO SWITCH DOCTORS OR SOME BUT HE LIVES IN CRANSTON AND THEY ARE SENDING THEIR KIDS TO BAYVIEW.

SOMEONE IN BRISTOL IS SENDING THEIR KIDS TO MOSES BROWN.

WHETHER THOSE DECISIONS ARE GOING TO START TO BE MADE AND HOW THAT AFFECTS THE ECONOMY.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE TEA LEAVES , IT WILL HAVE A MARGINAL EFFECT.

EVEN RHODE ISLANDER’S ECONOMY IS BIG ENOUGH.

THIS IS KIND OF A RHODE ISLAND IN TERMS OF THE TRAFFIC IMPACT.

BEING SOMEBODY FROM THE NEW JERSEY NEW YORK AREA, THE 10, 15 MINUTE DELAYS OR HALF-HOUR DELAYS IS IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE’S QUALITY OF LIFE.

IN NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK OR BOSTON TRAFFIC, YOU WOULD CALL THAT A ROUNDING ERROR IN YOUR COMMUTE.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

AND IT HAS BEEN MISHANDLED.

THE OTHER THING IS SOME OF THE ACCOUNTABILITY IS GOING TO BE BARLETTA, ALL THAT.

THOSE ARE SELECTED BY THIS ADMINISTRATION.

THAT IS THE POLITICAL DIE LIMO ON THIS.

HE HAS TO DO A GREAT JOB ON EVERYTHING ELSE.

>> I WAS WONDERING IF YOU WOULD BE -- IF YOU WOULD BE CHOOSING TO LIVE IN BARRINGTON IF YOU KNEW THIS WOULD BE COMING ON.

>> I HAVE SAID THIS MANY TIMES.

IT IS MY WIFE WHO DOES FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

I HAVE FLEX ABILITY OF SCHEDULE.

THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION FOR PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEY HAVE TO GO.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED SO MUCH WITH THE PANDEMIC.

PUBLIC SAFETY OBVIOUSLY.

OTHER SECTORS.

OTHER JOBS, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING FIVE DAYS A WEEK OR COULD FLEX IT?

>> THERE IS AN EXTRA ROOM IN MY HOUSE.

>> I HAVE TOLD THE GOVERNOR I HAVE A ROOM AT MY HOUSE HE COULD DO THE FIVE DAY A WEEK.

HE CAN GET THE REAL EXPERIENCE.

REMER LAST TIME WE HAD YOU ON, YOU WERE LATE.

YOU LIVE ON THE WEST BAY.

>> I GOT IMPACTED BY IT TOO AND/OR OTHER BIG LANDMINES COMING FORWARD.

WE HAVE NOT HAD THE LANE SHRINK YET SHOULD WE DON’T KNOW WHAT HAVOC THAT IS GOING TO CAUSE.

I WAS THINKING THEY’RE GOING TO BE DEMOLISHING THE BRIDGE WHETHER REBUILDING IT WHICH YOU WANT TO BE ON THE OTHER SPAN OF THE BRIDGE WHEN THEY ARE DEMOLISHING THE OTHER SIDE OF IT?

>> MAYBE NOT.

I WILL TAKE UP THAT OFFER.

DO I HAVE TO BABYSIT?

>> THAT IS PART.

THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> TO BE CONTINUED.

WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS BETWEEN NOW AND 2026.

RIPTA ALWAYS IN TURMOIL.

THIS PANEL WE HAVE NOT HAD ON SINCE A LOT OF THE DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING ABOUT A NEW BUS HUB.

THEY ARE CHRONICALLY UNDERFUNDED.

THEY ARE HAVING TO POTENTIALLY CUT SOME ROOTS EVEN THOUGH THEY PUT THAT ON A TEMPORARY HOLD.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT RIPTA AND APPARENTLY THEY DON’T EITHER AT THIS POINT.

>> IT REALLY REQUIRES STATE-LEVEL THINKING ON IT.

THIS IS WHERE I THINK NOT TO PILE ON THE DIRECTOR BUT THIS IS WHERE YOU NEED A BROADER PLAN THAT ADEQUATELY FUNDS PUBLIC TRANSIT.

WHATEVER LACK OF MANAGEMENT AT RIPTA MAY BE A MINOR PART OF THE PROBLEM BUT A BIGGER PROBLEM IS THE STATE’S REFUSAL TO FUND RIPTA.

WE ARE DOWN 20% OF PEOPLE GOING ON THE BUSES.

I LIKE THE IDEA OF THE NEW STATION.

I THINK YOU NEED IT.

I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO LINK COUNTY PLAZA.

YOU’RE NOT GOING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM UNLESS YOU MODERNIZE RIPTA.

IF WE ARE GOING TO HIT OUR CLIMATE GOALS, YOU HAVE TO GET CARS OFF THE ROAD.

THAT REQUIRES A $14 BILLION BUDGET SAYING THIS IS IMPORTANT TO US.

LET’S FIGURE OUT A SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SOURCE OVER TIME.

>> I’M WONDERING -- I’M SORRY.

IF YOU MADE EVERY BUS FREE AND YOU HAD ROOTS ALL OVER THE PLACE, WOULD PEOPLE STILL TAKE IT?

IT IS THE MINDSET OF RHODE ISLAND.

>> IT COMES DOWN TO CONVENIENCE.

HOW OFTEN ARE THE BUSES RUNNING?

HOWW LONGVIEW HAVE TO WAIT?

HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO WALK TO GET TO YOUR LOCATION?

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS INVOLVED IN THIS.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THEY KEEP MOVING THE LOCATION.

THIS BOND ISSUE WAS ISSUED 10 YEARS AGO.

IT HAS BEEN 10 YEARS.

THEY STILL HAVE NOT FIGURED IT OUT.

THEY ARE CHOOSING A PIECE OF LAND THAT SEEMS TO BE MORE CONVENIENT BECAUSE THE STATE OWNS IT.

THEY DON’T HAVE TO HASSLE WITH THE PRICE AND THE OWNERSHIP OF IT.

I’M NOT SURE THIS IS THE BEST LOCATION FOR A BUS HUB BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY ONE-WAY STREETS THEY HAVE TO DO SO MUCH WORK TO RECIRCULATE THE BUSES AROUND THERE.

THEY HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE RIDERSHIP.

THE PEOPLE WHO USE IT EVERY DAY.

THEY SEEM TO BE THE ONE SAYING THIS IS NOT THE BEST LOCATION.

>> THERE WAITING FOR THE INTEREST RATES TO GO UP.

>> THAT IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM HERE.

THE RIDERSHIP THAT IS MOST VOCAL ABOUT THIS, THEY ARE GOING TO HATE ANY CHANGE NO MATTER WHAT.

>> THAT IS BAKED IN.

>> THE FACTS ARE KENNEDY PLAZA AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS IS AN OPEN-AIR DRUG MARKET.

IT IS A TRAGEDY EVERY TIME YOU ARE DOWN THERE.

THEY NEEDED TO BUILD MORE INFRASTRUCTURE AND MOVE THAT TO A PLACE WHERE YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE MORE RESOURCES.

THE REGIONAL IDEA WAS MOVE IT FURTHER DOWN DORAN STREET ACROSS FROM THE COURT.

THAT MADE A LOT OF SENSE.

YOU WOULD BE CONNECTED TO THE 195.

WOULD BE CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN.

THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF STRANGE INFRASTRUCTURE MOVES THEY’RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE BECAUSE OF THE ONE-WAY STREETS.

AND AT A TIME BECAUSE OF THE INTEREST RATES AND HOW EXPENSIVE THINGS HAVE GOTTEN, YOU HAVE SQUANDERED A LOT OF MONEY.

IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE THE RIGHT MOMENT TO BE DOING THAT WHEN YOU ARE CUTTING THE LINES OR POTENTIALLY CUTTING THE LINES.

I THOUGHT IN THE JOURNAL THIS WEEK ANTONIO HAD A GREAT STORY ABOUT WHAT IT IS LIKE TO RIDE THE BUS.

>> SHE TRIED TO TAKE ONLY THE BUS FOR A WEEK.

>> IT IS REALLY HARD.

>> SHE HAD TO CHEAT A COUPLE TIMES BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO TAKE HER AN HOUR AND A HALF TO GO 10 MINUTES.

>> YOU THINK THE BRIDGE IS BAD, TRY TAKING RIPTA EVERYDAY.

>> YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO GET MOST RHODE ISLANDERS ON THE BUS.

EVEN IF YOU HAD AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES WITH MOVIES RUNNING.

AND YOU FED PEOPLE BREAKFAST ON THE BUS.

AT ONE POINT, WE WERE ABOUT 50,000 RIDERS A DAY.

WE ARE DOWN TO 35,000.

IT PROVIDES CONVENIENT TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESSIBLE TO WORKPLACES FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED THAT OPTION.

IN TERMS OF OUR CLIMATE GOALS, EVERY CAR THAT GETS TAKEN AND TRAFFIC BY THE WAY.

EVERY CAR THAT GETS TAKEN OFF THE ROAD IS A BIG PLUS.

IT WILL NEVER BE THE WHOLE ANSWER BUT YOU DO HAVE TO PROACTIVELY INVEST IN IT AND CHANGE YOUR TRANSPORTATION MIX SO THAT IT IS NOT SO ROAD CENTRIC.

>> I KNOW THIS IS WAY DOWN THE LINE.

HAS THERE ANY BEEN ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD DO WITH KENNEDY PLAZA?

>> THE FORMER MAYOR WANTED TO TURN IT INTO A SPLASH PARK AND HAVE LOTS OF GREEN SPACE.

HE KIND OF GOT LAUGHED AT.

>> IS OMAR GOING TO BE CUTTING THE RIBBON?

>> THAT WAS THE HOPE.

THAT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE MAYOR SMILEY’S KIND OF AGENDA.

>> A SPLASH PARK.

>> THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

THE WAY THE FORMER MAYOR PAY LENO HAVE TALKED ABOUT IS TO TRY TO MAKE IT LIKE BRYANT PARK IN NEW YORK.

MAKE A PLACE PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO WALK AND WHERE YOU WOULD WANT TO BE.

I DON’T THINK THE GOAL IS TO REDEVELOP THAT AREA IN TERMS OF BUILD COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OR HOUSING.

I THINK IT IS TO BUILD SOME SORT OF PARK THAT PEOPLE WANT TO SPEND TIME IN TWO >> IT WOULD NOT BE A LEGISLATIVE SESSION IF KATHY GRAY FROM THE JOURNAL WERE NOT DOING A STORY ON CABINET SALARY RAISES.

THIS HAS BECOME A BIG ISSUE IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

THE HEADLINE THIS YEAR WAS GOVERNOR MCKEE IS SEEKING HUGE INCREASES AGAIN.

I GUESS HUGE IS A RELATIVE AMOUNT.

$75,000 MORE FOR THE HEALTH DIRECTOR.

SOME OF THIS IS I UNDERSTAND IT IS HARD TO GET GOOD PEOPLE.

I’M KIND OF AMBIVALENT ABOUT THIS.

THE OVERALL SCHEME OF $14 BILLION, IS IT A LOT?

FOR THE AVERAGE TAXPAYER, DO PEOPLE DESERVE 50, 70 5% RAISES?

LISA: YESTERDAY, THE ADMINISTRATION KNEW THEY WOULD BE MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE BRIDGE BUT THEY HAD THE CABINET PAY RAISES.

I AM THINKING COME ON.

BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, I THINK UNDER THE LAW, THE DIRECTOR HAS TO BE A MEDICAL DOCTOR WITH A MD DEGREE.

WHEN YOU’RE TRYING TO GET SOMEBODY WHO CAN WORK IN PRIVATE PRACTICE AND MAKE MORE MONEY THAN 250,000.

THAT MAKES SENSE TO ME FOR THAT.

I BELIEVE PEOPLE WORK IN GOVERNMENT FOR PUBLIC SERVICE.

NOT TO MAKE MONEY.

YOU DO A FEW YEARS.

YOU DO YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE AND THEN YOU GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> I ALSO WONDER, LET’S THROW THE GOVERNOR UNDER THE BUS AGAIN.

IS IT THE POSITION OR IS IT WORKING FOR DAN MCKEE?

HE WENT THROUGH A LOT OF HEALTH DIRECTORS.

AND HIS REPUTATION, DR. NICOLE ALEXANDER-SCOTT, A LITTLE RIFT.

JIM MCDONALD, WHEREVER HE IS IN NEW YORK.

IS IT THE POSITION OR THE PERSON?

>> IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH COUPLE YEARS FOR HEALTH DIRECTORS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

WHENEVER I HEAR THIS, I AM LIKE YOU IN THIS WAY.

WHEN I HEAR TALK RADIO, BOBBY FROM SILVER LAKE SAYING I WOULD DO IT FOR $75,000.

WE DON’T WANT YOU AS THE HEALTH DIRECTOR PIP IN SOME CASES THESE RAISES ARE JUSTIFIED.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD LOOK TO GIVE PETER A RAISE IT IS A BAD MESSAGE TO SEND.

IT JUST IS WHAT IT IS.

IN SOME CASES, THESE PEOPLE DO DESERVE IT TO FIND THE BEST POSSIBLE PEOPLE.

>> WHEN LISA WAS WORKING FOR GOVERNOR ALMOND, IF THAT CAME UP, SHE WAS LIKE NA NA NA NA.

>> LIKE GO EASY.

>> CAN WE WAIT A FEW MONTHS AND WAIT UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER LIKE JULY 4?

I WOULD SAY YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR TO SOME DEGREE.

YOU COULD ALMOST ARGUE ON THE BRIDGE -- SORRY, PETER.

ON THE BRIDGE, MAYBE IF YOU ARE PAYING MORE FOR TRANSPORTATION OR ANY OF THESE OTHER THINGS, YOU WOULD HAVE BETTER AND MORE EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT.

YOU DO WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER STATES AND NOT LOSE PEOPLE TO OTHER STATES OR NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE FOR THE TOP TALENT SHOULD >> I THINK THEY’RE PROBABLY JUST GOING TO GO THROUGH.

THEY HAD ASKED FOR THE GOVERNOR TO BE ABLE TO DO IT HIMSELF ON THE HEALTH DIRECTOR NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE IN ONE YEAR.

>> THERE PROBABLY WILL GO THROUGH.

THE GOVERNOR TRIED THIS A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

ANOTHER KATHY GREG STORY.

HE PULLED BACK AND HELD BACK ON OTHER THINGS.

THESE GUYS ARE GOING TO GET RAISES.

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAD WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAD.

GENERALLY SPEAKING I THINK IT WILL GO THROUGH AND IT WILL BE FINE.

>> THE MIDDLE LEGISLATIVE SESSION MEANS THERE ARE A BUNCH OF GUN CONTROL BUILDS UP AT THE STATEHOUSE.

IT WAS INTERESTING THIS WEEK THE SAFE STORAGE BILL PASSED COMMITTEE.

IT IS GOING TO GO TO THE SENATE.

IT IS ON A FAST TRACK.

YOU FOLLOW THE LEGISLATURE.

SOME OF THE SENATORS WERE SURPRISED.

IS THIS THE WE WILL PASS THIS BUT DON’T THINK ABOUT THE ASSAULT RIFLE?

>> 100%.

>> YOU CAN HAVE YOUR SNACK BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU THE MEAL.

>> 100%.

WE DID LOTS OF THE DIFFERENT NEWS OUTLETS DID END OF THE YEAR OR BEGINNING OF THE YEAR INTERVIEWS WITH THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND THE SPEAKER.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT SIDED WITH RYAN PEARSON.

RYAN PEARSON SAID THIS IS MY PRIORITY.

ARE MEMBER SAYING THE SENATE PRESIDENT, WHAT ABOUT THE ASSAULT RIFLE BAN?

HE SAID NO CHANCE.

HE DID NOT EVEN PRETEND.

NO APPETITE WHATSOEVER.

I THINK THIS IS THE TRADE-OFF.

BY THE WAY, IT IS A GOOD BILL.

IF YOU ARE A SUPPORTER OF GUN SAFETY AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THIS IS THE THING YOU GET DONE.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SEE VERY MUCH MORE.

>> BUT IT GOT FAST TRACKED.

LISA: I’M DELIBERATELY POKING AT YOU WHEN I KNEW THIS TOPIC WAS COMING UP.

YOU ALWAYS THINK OF GUN ISSUES WITH REPUBLICANS AND REPUBLICAN STOPPING EVERYTHING FROM HAPPENING.

WITH THE SUPER MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IT IS AMAZING TO ME EVEN TODAY THAT THESE GUN LAWS CANNOT GET PASSED INTO LAW.

>> THAT IS THE LEADERSHIP.

>> THAT IS EXACTLY MY POINT.

YOU DID NOT REALIZE I AM AN ARMS DEALER?

TRADITIONALLY IN RHODE ISLAND AMONG DEMOCRATS PARTICULARLY IN THE LEGISLATURE THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION DOES A GREAT LOBBYING JOB IN THE RURAL AREAS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF LEGISLATORS WHO HAVE GOOD NRA RATINGS.

YOU ARE NOT WRONG.

ON THE OTHER HAND, RHODE ISLAND COMPARED TO WHAT IT WAS, MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WAS THE HIKE -- LIMITING THE HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES.

IN TERMS OF THESE TWO BILLS, I’M ALL FOR BOTH OF THEM PASSING.

I’LL GET YOU A CUP OF COFFEE IN TERMS OF THEM PASSING.

THE ONE THAT MAY BE MORE IMPORTANT IS THE SAFE STORAGE.

YOU ALREADY HAVE MAGAZINE CAPACITY.

THAT DEALS WITH SOME OF THE ASSAULT RIFLE ISSUE.

A LOT OF THE ASSAULT RIFLE ISSUES.

I THINK IT IS GREAT THEY ARE PASSING THIS.

IF YOU’RE GRITTING ON THE CURVE, THAT IS MARKET PROGRESS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE WHOLE PACKAGE FIVE OR 10 YEARS AGO BUT YOUR POLITICAL POINT IS WELL TAKEN TO >> YOU DID NOT MANAGE TO GET PETER IN.

YOU ARE OVER THERE A LITTLE BIT.

LET’S DO OUTRAGE AND/OR KUDOS.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE THIS WEEK?

LISA: MY OUTRAGE IS NOT THAT WE HAVE LEGALIZED GAMBLING IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND BECAUSE THAT TRAIN LEFT THE STATE A LONG TIME AGO.

WE CONTINUE TO MAKE IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR MONEY.

THIS MONTH WE BECAME THE SEVENTH STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO ALLOW ONLINE GAMING.

YOU CAN DO IT ON YOUR PHONE.

YOU CAN DO IT FROM YOUR COMPUTER AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN RHODE ISLAND.

THEY DECIDED TO INTRODUCE THE PLATFORM IN MARCH WHICH HAPPENS TO BE PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH.

ON TOP OF THAT, VALLEYS AND OF GAMING.

THEY PUT $50,000 ASSIGNED TO HELP OUT WITH PROBLEM GAMBLING.

>> THE TOBACCO MONEY.

HOW MUCH OF THAT WENT TO TREATMENT?

THAT IS PRETTY OUTRAGEOUS.

>> MY OUTRAGE IS THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

THIS WILL SHOCK YOU.

DONALD TRUMP OUTRAGE.

SLOBBERING ALL OVER VICTOR ORB AN, THE HUNGARIAN AUTHORITARIAN.

CALLING HIM THE STRONGEST AND BEST LEADER.

IF ANYONE IS MISSING THE SIGNALS, -- THEN ORBAN COMES OUT AND SAYS DONALD TRUMP GETS ELECTED, THERE WILL BE NO MORE -- THE WORLD WILL END.

TRIM COMES OUT AND SAYS I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GREAT STATEMENT.

WE KNOW EXACTLY WHERE TRUMP IS ON UKRAINE.

AND CATERING TO PUTIN.

ANY CHANCE PUTIN WOULD COME TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE WHICH IS LESS THAN ZERO JUST EVAPORATED COMPLETELY BECAUSE I THINK PUTIN ALREADY KNEW THIS.

DONALD TRUMP TOLD PRUDEN WHAT IS GOING TO OCCUR.

HE IS GOING TO CATER TO WHATEVER PUTIN WANTS TO DO IN EUROPE.

>> IT MAY BE THE FIRST TIME I EVER HEARD SLOBBER.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

>> MY COLLEAGUE HAS BEEN REPORTING THIS WEEK ON SOMETHING A LITTLE CLOSE TO HOME TO ME AS A FORMER TV REPORTER.

JUST IN OUTRAGEOUS MOVE BY ALL THE TV STATIONS IN THIS MARKET TO NOT BE PAYING THEIR EMPLOYEES, HOURLY EMPLOYEES FOR SUNDAY WORK AND SOME OF THE HOLIDAYS INCLUDING VICTORY DAY.

CHANNEL 12 IS DOING THE RIGHT THING KIND OF BY GOING BACK AND PAYING THREE YEARS OF BACK PAY TO CURRENT EMPLOYEES.

THEY SHOULD ACTUALLY DO THE RIGHT THING AND PAY ALL EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE WORKED FOR CHANNEL 12.

>> GOING BACK TO 1960?

>> I’M SAYING THE LAST THREE YEARS.

THAT WOULD NOT INCLUDE ME.

I HAVE BEEN GONE FOR FIVE YEARS.

CHANNEL 10 SHOULD DO THE SAME THING, CHANNEL SIX TO DO THE SAME THING, RHODE ISLAND PBS SHOULD DO THE SAME THING.

THIS IS WHAT THE AVERAGE WORKER IN RHODE ISLAND FOR MOST JOBS WOULD BE ALLOWED.

TO BE PAID THEY SHOULD CONTINUE TO DO THAT SHOULD >> IT IS STUNNING ALL THREE STATIONS -- MAY BE CONVENIENTLY STUNNING THEY OVERLOOKED IT.

WOULDN’T YOU THINK SOME LABOR LAWYER WOULD HAVE LOOKED AT THAT AT SOME POINT?

>> ALL THESE LABOR LAWYERS THAT WANT US TO FORM UNIONS, GET ON BOARD HERE.

>> THE LAST THING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, THE NATIONAL HOUSE.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSED LEGISLATION OVERWHELMINGLY TO BAN TIKTOK OR TO HAVE IT DIVEST FROM CHINESE OWNERSHIP.

I THINK IT IS SAFE TO SAY NONE OF US ARE ON TIKTOK.

THE POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS ARE INTERESTING BECAUSE JOE BIDEN HAS SAID HE WOULD COME OUT AND SIGN IT.

YOU WONDER, HE IS TRYING TO COURT GEN Z, MILLENNIAL AND I UNDERSTAND THE NATIONAL SECURITY RAMIFICATIONS AND THAT AS A WHOLE HALF-HOUR WE WOULD DO.

FROM A POLITICAL STANDPOINT, WHAT IS THAT GOING TO DO FOR HIM?

>> BY THE WAY, NOT THAT LONG AGO -- I’M TALKING LESS THAN A YEAR AGO SECRETARY RAYMUNDO WAS SAYING THE SAME EXACT THING.

SHE HAD A REAL CONCERN ABOUT BANNING OR FORCING THE SALE OF TIKTOK BECAUSE OF WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUNG VOTERS.

YOU HAVE SEEN DONALD TRUMP TAKE A TWIST.

HE WAS PRO SELLING, FORCING A SELLOFF.

HE SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE MORE SUPPORTIVE OF TIKTOK STAYING AS HIS.

IT IS A POLITICALLY EXPEDIENT MOVE FOR HIM.

YOU ARE RIGHT.

I AM NOT ON TIKTOK.

I DON’T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT TIKTOK.

I DO KNOW IT IS INCREDIBLY POPULAR AMONG PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 25.

IT COULD MEAN SOMETHING IN THE ELECTION.

>> YOU SEE ADS ON TELEVISION I THINK THIS WAS THE PUSH LEADING TO THE LEGISLATION.

YOU HAVE GUYS NOT MY AGE BUT A LITTLE YOUNGER SAYING THIS HELPS MY BUSINESS.

I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO DO IT WITHOUT TIKTOK TO >> HAS BEEN A GOOD CAMPAIGN FOR THEM TO TRY TO DO THAT.

I DON’T KNOW IF THIS IS GOING TO BE THE ISSUE THAT MOTIVATES YOUNG VOTERS TO COME OUT.

>> OR TO STAY HOME.

>> DO YOU REMEMBER MYSPACE?

THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT PLATFORMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA OVER TIME.

I THINK TIKTOK IS THE FLAVOR OF THE MONTH OR OF THE YEAR.

THEY WILL MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE.

>> COULD BE.

>> ONE IS I HIGHLY DOUBT IT IS GOING TO GET THROUGH THE SENATE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN DEPENDING ON YOUR POINT OF VIEW MAY HAVE DODGED THE ISSUE.

>> WHY IS IT IT WILL NOT GET TO THE SENATE?

>> YOU NEED 60.

>> YOU CAN’T GET 60 TO SAY OK?

>> I TEND TO AGREE WITH LISA.

I THINK PEOPLE WILL MOVE TO OTHER PLATFORMS.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS A DIVESTMENT BILL.

IT WILL STILL HAVE TIKTOK IN SOME FORM.

AND THERE IS A NATIONAL SECURITY REASON TO DO IT.

IT DOES NOT SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA WHICH WOULD BE TWO OR THREE OR FOUR LIVELY EXPERIMENTS TO TALK ABOUT.

BUT THERE IS A CONCERN.

SOME PEOPLE MAY THINK IT IS OVERBLOWN ABOUT CHANEY’S CAPTURING DATA ETC., ETC.

IT IS PROBABLY A SEMI-SENSIBLE THING TO DO.

>> THEY SAID THIS PROJECTED VALUE IS $60 BILLION.

IF SOMEONE IS WILLING TO PAY -- ELON MUSK OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> HE IS A LITTLE CASH SHORT BECAUSE OF TWITTER.

>> I DON’T THINK DONALD TRUMP HAS THE MONEY.

>> TRUMP’S FLIP-FLOP HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE BIG CONTRIBUTION.

>> THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

WE APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING TIME WITH US THIS WEEK.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

IF YOU DON’T CATCH US FRIDAY AT 7:00 OR SUNDAY AT NOON, WE ARCHIVE ALL OF OUR SHOWS AT RIPBS.ORG/.

WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND COME BACK NEXT WEEK AS THE LIVELY EXPERIMENT CONTINUES.

♪ [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 HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF THE POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE