Season 35 Episode 42 | 28m 59s | Video has closed captioning.
The Boston Globe’s Amanda Milkovits, Providence Journal reporter Antonia Noori Farzan, and The Anchor at RIC’s Raymond Baccari join moderator Jim Hummel to discuss possible changes to the open records act in RI, the latest on CD1 candidates, a possible state-funded scholarship at RIC, plus Amanda’s investigation into Skyline’s CEO.
Aired: 04/12/23
[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> THIS WEEK, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS CONSIDERING FIRST MAJOR CHANGERS TO THE OPEN RECORDS LAW.
GOVERNOR MCKEE IS PROMOTING TWO YEARS OF TUITION AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.
WILL LAWMAKERS GO ALONG WITH IT?
ANNOUNCER: A LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN.
>> A LIVELY EXPERIMENT AS PROVIDED ANALYSIS ON POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACES RHODE ISLANDERS.
>> JOINING US ON THE REPORTER PANEL THIS WEEK, ANTONIA, AMANDA AND RAYMOND.
WELCOME TO LIVELY.
I'’M JIM HUMMEL.
OVER THE PAST DECADE IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT REPORTERS AND THE PUBLIC TO GET RECORDS THAT IN MANY CASES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE.
THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO FIND OUT HOW THE GOVERNMENT YOU PAY FOR WORKS.
LAWMAKERS ARE COMMITTING A RAFT OF CHANGES, EVERYTHING FROM POLICE BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE TO MAKING 911 RECORDINGS PUBLIC AND PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO DON'’T COOPERATE.
YOU'’VE BEEN LEADING COVERAGE ON THIS.
YOUR FIRST STORY IN FEBRUARY AND THE FOLLOW-UP.
>> THERE'’S A BILL INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE.
IN THE HOUSE, THERE IS A BILL THAT GOT A HEARING.
THERE'’S A LONG LAUNDRY LIST OF CHANGE.
MOST OF IT IS NOT CONTROVERSIAL.
A FEW POINTS HAVE BEEN GETTING PUSHBACK, MAINLY TO DO WITH POLICE.
THEY ARE LOOKING TO CLOSE A LOOPHOLE SO YOU COULD NOT SAY WE ARE NOT GOING TO RELEASE THIS BODY CAMERA VIDEO BECAUSE THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION AND THEY'’RE LOOKING TO SAY IF A AND OFFICER -- IF AN OFFICER IS BEING INVESTIGATED, THAT WOULD BE PUBLIC.
ALSO, IF YOU ARE REDACTING SOMETHING -- GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WOULD HAVE TO EXPLAIN, HERE IS THE LAW WE ARE CITING FOR WHY THIS IS REDACTED.
JIM: YOUR LAST STORY, A LOT OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES RESPONDED.
WERE YOU SURPRISED HOW MANY WERE THERE?
>> I EXPECTED THERE TO BE PUSHBACK.
I DIDN'’T KNOW WHERE SPECIFICALLY.
THE REDACTION'’S OR WHERE THEY CAME DOWN.
THEIR ARGUMENT IS WE DON'’T HAVE THE BUDGET TO SPEND MORE TIME ON DEFENDING OURSELVES HERE.
JIM: WE'’VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME.
EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE WATCHING, OH, IS THIS AN INSIDE REPORTER THING?
>> NOT JUST MY JOB.
PUBLIC RECORDS OTHER PEOPLE'’S REPORTS.
IT'’S NOT JUST THE REPORTER ASKING FOR THESE.
ANYBODY HAS ACCESS.
IT'’S KEY TO DEMOCRACY AND UNDERSTANDING HOW ARE GOVERNMENT WORKS, HOW PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND POLICE WORKS.
WHERE THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT.
TRANSPARENCY EQUALS ACCOUNTABILITY.
THIS IS IMPORTANT.
SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO THE SENATOR.
I DON'’T OFTEN GIVE POLITICIANS SHOUT OUTS BUT HE SAT DOWN AND LISTENED TO US FROM THE NEW ENGLAND FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION BEFORE DRAFTING THESE BILLS.
HE WANTED TO UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES AND HOW HE COULD BE HELPFUL.
HE FOLLOWED THROUGH.
I'’M IMPRESSED WITH LEGISLATION.
WE SUPPORT IT.
AS A JOURNALIST, I SUPPORT IT.
I THINK IT WOULD SOLVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WE RUN INTO IN TERMS OF GETTING REPORTS.
EVEN THE NARRATIVES FOR POLICE REPORTS.
RIGHT NOW I GET PUSHBACK FROM POLICE DEPARTMENTS WHO SAY WE DON'’T HAVE AN ARREST, SO I CANNOT RELEASE THIS REPORT.
THERE IS OFTEN NOT AN ARREST, JUST A COMPLETE.
THEY SHOULD ERR ON THE SIDE OF TRANSPARENCY, NOT ON THE SIDE OF I WOULD RATHER NOT TELL YOU ANYTHING.
>> I AGREE WITH AMANDA.
TRANSPARENCY IS KEY.
WE ARE ON THE SIDE OF THE TAXPAYERS, TO EXPLAIN TO THOSE AT HOME WHAT IS GOING ON.
IN REGARDS TO BODYCAM FOOTAGE, CONNECTICUT ALREADY DOES THIS.
THIS BILL WOULD DO THAT.
THE OTHER THING, IT REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF HE SAID, SHE SAID SITUATIONS.
TAXPAYERS FUND THOSE AND HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW.
JIM: LOOK AT THE SHOOTING IN NASHVILLE.
THEY HAD THAT BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE THE NEXT DAY.
THIS IS SAYING YOU HAE TO PRODUCE IT IN 30 DAYS.
BY THAT POINT YOU ARE LIKE, WHAT WAS THAT CRIME WE WERE TALKING ABOUT?
>> A LOT OF THIS IS COMMON SENSE.
YOU HAVE TO TAKE PUBLIC REQUEST RECORDS BY EMAIL.
YOU MIGHT THINK, ISN'’T EVERYONE ALREADY DOING THAT?
MY COLLEAGUE THIS WEEK BUSTED OUT A TYPEWRITER.
SHE COLLECTS TYPEWRITERS.
[LAUGHTER] JIM: SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE.
>> THAT IS HOW, THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THEY WILL TAKE A REQUEST, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS.
>> FAX MACHINES.
I WILL DRIVE AND HAND IT TO THEM DIRECTLY.
I DON'’T TRUST FAX MACHINES.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY GET IT.
JIM: RECORDING OF 911 CALLS, RELEASED IF THERE IS GOOD CAUSE.
WHO'’S MAKING THAT DECISION?
THE OTHER THING IS EMAIL.
I REMEMBER HEARING ABOUT THIS.
EVERY REPORTER ON THE MARKET CALLED THE GOVERNOR AND SAID CAN WE GET THE EMAILS?
THEY ARE NOT PUBLIC RECORD.
CAN YOU IMAGINE?
PUBLIC SERVANT, PUBLIC TAXPAYER MONEY, NOT YOUR PRIVATE EMAIL.
>> WHAT IF IT IS ON A DEVICE SUBSIDIZED BY TAXPAYER DOLLARS?
JIM: YOU HOPE FOR THE BEST.
IS THERE HOPE A COUPLE OF THESE THINGS WOULD GO THROUGH?
>> THERE IS SUPPORT.
WE WILL SEE.
SENATOR LOUIS DIPALMA IS BEHIND THIS.
A NUMBER OF REPS ARE BEHIND THIS.
THEY SEE THE NECESSITY.
YOU TALK ABOUT NASHVILLE.
LET'’S TALK ABOUT UVALDE.
HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO SEE THE CHANGE THAT HAPPENED, HOW DISASTROUS THE POLICE RESPONSE WAS.
IT'’S NOT JUST POLICE.
THEY CAN DO IT.
REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME THE DEPARTMENT HAD BODY WORN CAMERAS AND THEY SAID DON'’T WORRY, WE WILL RELEASE VIDEO IF WE HAVE A SHOOTING.
THEY HAD A SHOOTING ON THE HIGHWAY.
THEY RELEASED ALL THE INFORMATION THE NEXT DAY.
IT'’S POSSIBLE.
JIM: WHAT'’S THE ONE THING AS A REPORTER YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHANGE.
ITS ELECTED OFFICILS IF IT'’S INTERNAL STAFF.
JIM: STAY TUNED.
THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE A HEARING.
WE WILL SEE.
IT'’S ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER RAFT OF CANDIDATES THROWING THEIR HATS IN FOR CD1.
A FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE CAME CLOSE TO KNOCKING OFF GOVERNOR MCKEE WHEN HE WAS RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
IT SETS UP AN INTERESTING THING.
WE ARE AT 15 NOW?
>> I THINK WE ARE AT A DOZEN.
IT WILL SORT ITSELF OUT.
JIM: WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> [LAUGHTER] I DON'’T KNOW.
WHO HAS THE CHARISMA?
JIM: TWO WEEKS AGO, SHE WAS SITTING IN YOUR CHAIR.
>> I KNOW.
I'’M NOT.
MAYBE SHE TESTED THE WATERS.
SHE IS SAVVY.
IT TAKES A LOT TO RUN A RACE.
IT TAKES A LOT TO BE IN CONGRESS AND WASHINGTON DC.
I THINK SHE LOOKED AT IT AND THOUGHT, MAYBE NOT THIS TIME.
>> AARON MAKES AN INTERESTING DYNAMIC.
>> HE HAS ALREADY RAISED $154,000.
HE HAS STARTED TO STACK UP ENDORSEMENTS.
HE GOT SUPPORT FROM THE EAST SIDE OF PROVIDENCE.
ALONGSIDE A COUPLE STATE REPS.
HE'’S EVEN GOT SOME CD2 FOLKS SUPPORTING HIM.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING, ESPECIALLY GETTING THAT MUCH IN ONE DAY.
JIM: MARVIN ABBY IS FROM YOUR BACKYARD.
PARENTS STILL DOWN THERE.
NEWPORT, THE ISLAND FEELS LIKE IT GETS LOST.
I WONDER THAT VERSUS PROVIDENCE, I WONDER HOW THAT AFFECTS IN TERMS OF PULLING BOATS?
>> WE GET LOST.
I AGREE.
THE ISSUE WITH HIM AND OTHER CANDIDATES RUNNING OUR HOW MANY PEOPLE KNOW WHO THEIR STATE SENATOR IS?
I KNOW BUT I DON'’T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE DOWN THERE, I DON'’T KNOW IF THAT IS NAME RECOGNITION THE WAY THE MAYOR HAS DOWN THERE.
THEY BOTH HAVE BEEN UNOPPOSED THE PAST COUPLE CYCLES.
THERE HASN'’T BEEN A COMPETITIVE ELECTION.
PEOPLE JUST CHECK ONE BOX ON THE BALLOT.
THAT'’S A CHALLENGE.
JIM: LOOKING FORWARD?
>> THERE'’S A RUNNING LIST OF THOSE, NEVER SAY NEVER, WHO COULD THROW THEIR HATS IN THE RING.
PEOPLE ARE CALCULATING, WHO IS IN THE RACE, WHO THEY WILL ABLE TO RAISE MONEY FROM.
ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO PULL MONEY FROM THE EAST SIDE?
JIM: THERE'’S ONLY SO MUCH MONEY.
>> AND ONLY SO MUCH INTEREST AND BANDWIDTH FOR THE PUBLIC.
WHICH CANDIDATE DO YOU REALLY WANT?
>> I'’M SURPRISED, I THINK, A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, HE HAS HAD HIS OWN ISSUES IN THE BUCKET -- PAWTUCKET.
>> IT MIGHT SCARE HIM AWAY.
HE'’S BUSY RIGHT NOW.
HE HAS TIDEWATER TO THINK ABOUT.
JIM: HE'’S LOOKING AT INTEREST RATES.
>> YEP.
THE CITY IS COMPLICATED RIGHT NOW.
IS IT A GOOD TIME TO THROW HIS HAT IN THE RING?
NOT SURE.
JIM: ANYONE ELSE YOU HAVE YOUR EYE ON?
>> THE MAYOR OF EAST PROVIDENCE HASN'’T ROLLED IT OUT.
GABE AMO WHO RECENTLY RESIGNED FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.
THAT IS A NAME TO LOOK AT.
DON CARLSEN, THE PUBLIC RADIO REPORTER, IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED TO ANNOUNCE ON THE 16TH.
>> IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE A SACRIFICIAL RACE AT THIS POINT.
>> I'’M SURE SOMEONE WILL COME UP.
WILL IT BE A SERIOUS CONTENDER?
JIM: STAY TUNED.
RAYMOND, LET ME STAY WITH YOU.
WE TALK FOR YEARS ON THE SET ABOUT THE TAXPAYER-FUNDED TUITION FOR CCRI STUDENTS.
YOU'’VE BEEN ALL OVER THE GOVERNOR.
THERE'’S AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT DIDN'’T GET A LOT OF STATEWIDE PLAY ABOUT A SCHOLARSHIP.
>> LAST WEEK, THE SENDER OF MAJOR BUDGET AMENDMENTS FILED BY THE GOVERNOR, ONE WAS TO FUND A FOUR YEAR, $3 MILLION ALONGSIDE THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE $9.4 MILLION IN FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS.
IT SUBSIDIZES THE LAST TWO YEARS OF TUITION FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS AND FOR THOSE WHO DIDN'’T GET THE PROMISED SCHOLARSHIP.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE A 2.5 GPA, 60 CREDITS, IN GOOD STANDING.
IT HAS SUPPORT FROM LEGISLATORS, MCNAMARA FROM THE HOUSE AND PEARSON FROM THE SENATE.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW IT UNFOLDS, HOW MUCH MONEY GOES TO IT.
JIM: THERE WAS CONFUSION AS TO WHETHER TRANSFER STUDENTS COULD GET IT.
>> IT'’S AS LONG AS YOU'’RE GOING INTO YOUR JUNIOR OR SENIOR YEAR AT RIC AND YOU HAVE THE CREDITS.
JIM: WHAT'’S INTERESTING TO ME IS THE GOVERNOR IS PUSHING THIS BUT IF THAT DIDN'’T MAKE THE FIRST CUT OF HIS BUDGET, THAT IS A TOUGH LIFT.
THEN THE HOUSE SPEAKER WAS A $9.4 MILLION, WE HAVE TO FIND THAT SOMEWHERE ELSE?
REPORTER: AGREE.
I WILL BE CURIOUS TO SEE HOW MUCH SUPPORT THERE IS.
THERE IS AWARENESS GROWING.
I DON'’T KNOW HOW MUCH AMENDMENT THERE IS.
>> I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.
I'’M NOT SURE THE MOMENTUM IS THERE.
JIM: PEOPLE WILL SAY I PAID FOR MY KIDS TO GET THROUGH COLLEGE.
WHY SHOULD WE SUBSIDIZE?
THIS LATE IN THE SESSION, MAYBE IT IS A FEEL-GOOD LEGISLATION?
>> WILL IT HAVE SUPPORT?
>> I LOOK AT IT AS A STUDENT LEADER OF TWO ORGANIZATIONS.
DECLINING ENROLLMENT IS A MAJOR ISSUE.
THERE'’S LITTLE YOU CAN DO INTERNALLY TO FIX THAT.
PR.
THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING LEGISLATIVELY.
PROMISE HAS REALLY HURT ENROLLMENT, DESPITE SOME DISAGREEMENT.
WHY GO TO RIC IF YOU CAN DO THE FIRST TWO YEARS AT CC.
DO THEY GO TO URI?
IT HURT THE COLLEGE.
JIM: THE OTHER THING WITH CYBERSECURITY, WHAT STRUCK ME IS IN YOUR ARTICLE, WE WILL TAKE MONEY FROM HERE.
RIC HAS NO MONEY.
THEY SAID WE ARE REALLOCATING MONEY FROM WHERE?
>> COULD QUESTION.
I ASKED DR. WARREN.
HE TOLD ME RIC HAS THE MONEY AND HE SAID IT WAS BASICALLY ALLOCATIONS.
I DIDN'’T GET A SPECIFIC AREA.
HE DID SAY THAT THEY HAVE THE MONEY.
AND THAT $2 MILLION FROM THE RESOURCES WOULD BE MOSTLY FROM STAFF.
JIM: YOU ARE DOING, FULL DISCLOSURE, THOSE WHO WATCHED BEFORE, I'’M THE ADVISOR FOR THE NEWSPAPER, RAYMOND HAS BEEN A STAFF WRITER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.
YOU ARE DOING A SENIOR PROJECT.
IT'’S INTERESTING.
>> I'’M CURRENTLY IN THE HONORS PROGRAM.
MY PROJECT IS GOING TO BE A DOCUMENTARY FOCUSED ON GENERATION Z'’S EMERGING ROLE IN POLITICS.
THE GENERATION HAS BURSTING WITH EXCITEMENT IN TERMS OF VOTING, PARTICIPATING AT RECORD RATES.
ALSO WINNING OFFICES.
EVEN MAJOR PARTY NOMINEES.
WE'’VE SEEN RECENTLY THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT RACE, THE DEMOCRAT LEANING JUDGE, ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE, ISSUES VERY MUCH ON GEN Z'’S MIND.
JIM: YOU WONDER, WE TALK ABOUT TENNESSEE AGAIN.
WHETHER THE REPUBLICANS MAY HAVE MISJUDGED AND AWAKENED A SLEEPING BEAST THERE?
>> DEFINITELY.
CD1, DO YOU SEE THAT IS HAVING AN IMPACT?
>> WE HAVE TO SEE.
THERE WILL BE A LOWER TURNOUT ELECTION THAN USUAL.
A POST-LABOR DAY PRIMARY.
WE WILL SEE.
GEN ZER'’S ARE VOTING AT RECORD RATES.
JIM: WHAT ABOUT WHERE THEY FIT IN NOW?
>> THEY ARE SO POWERFUL.
I LOVE THIS GENERATION.
WE WILL SEE THEM MAKE A HUGE IMPACT IN POLITICS.
IT IS NOT JUST ABORTION.
I'’M LOOKING AT GUNS.
THIS IS THE GENERATION GROWING UP WITH ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS IN THEIR SCHOOLS.
IMAGINE THAT.
YOU ARE A FIRST GRADER AND LEARNING TO HIDE FROM BAD GUYS WITH A GUN.
NOW YOU ARE 18 AND LOOKING AT, THERE IS NO PROGRESS OR CONVERSATION WHEN IT COMES TO DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THE GUNS BEING WIELDED ON THE STREET, IN THE SCHOOLS, IN BANKS, GROCERY STORES.
THIS IS AN ANGRY GENERATION.
THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ANGRY.
IT'’S NOT JUST GUNS.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF CD1?
DOES THE YOUNGER GENERATION NO?
AARON REAGAN BERG, I REMEMBER HIM WHEN HE RAN AGAINST NOW GOVERNOR MCKEE.
IT WAS A WHILE YOU.
THERE'’S AN EMERGING CLASS.
I AM ENCOURAGED BY THE YOUNGER GENERATION.
>> SOCIAL MEDIA IS A BIG COMPONENT.
ELECTED OFFICIALS USE TO DOCK NOW -- TIKTOK NOW.
JIM: 50-YEAR-OLD GUY USING TIKTOK.
MY DAUGHTER HAS BANNED ME FROM USING INSTAGRAM.
>> MEMBERS OF CONGRESS NOW USE TIKTOK TO GET THEIR MESSAGE OUT TO THE YOUTH.
IT IS GOING TO BE A GAME CHANGER.
JIM: WE FOLLOW POLITICS FOR A LIVING.
I WONDER IN YOUR CIRCLES, ARE OTHER PEOPLE CLUED IN?
MAYBE NOT AS MUCH AS WE ARE, ENOUGH TO GET THEM ENGAGED.
>> I WONDER THAT.
I DIDN'’T REALIZE WE HAVE LEGISLATORS IN RHODE ISLAND WHO ARE GEN Z. I ASSUMED EVERYONE WAS A MILLENNIAL.
YOUNGER LAWMAKERS ARE OUT ON TIKTOK OR WHATEVER THEY ARE USING.
IT'’S POSSIBLE THEY KNOW SOMETHING I DON'’T.
>> JOHN DELLA VOLPI, THE POLLSTER AT HARVARD, HIS BOOK BASICALLY FOCUSES ON GEN Z AND THE MILLENNIALS.
GUN VIOLENCE, A LOT OF PEOPLE'’S PARENTS MAY HAVE HAD ISSUES DURING THE RECESSION OF 2008, CLIMATE CHANGE, THE PANDEMIC.
>> HOUSING!
THEY CAN'’T MOVE OUT.
THEY CAN'’T MOVE ANYWHERE.
>> YOU'’RE REALLY STUCK IN YOUR PARENTS BASEMENT.
>> WHAT BETTER WAY TO HAVE A VOICE?
JIM: THE FIRST THING I DID AFTER I READ THAT WAS I CALLED MY 25 EURO TWINS AND APOLOGIZED.
I HAD TO GO TO THE LIBRARY.
ALL THE THINGS THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH AND HOW, WE ALWAYS THOUGHT THE GENERATION WILL BE BETTER FOR OUR KIDS.
NOW, DO YOU THINK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE A LOT?
>> YES.
YESTERDAY, IT WAS 88 DEGREES AT MY HOUSE.
I THINK ABOUT FLOODING WHEN YOU'’RE TRYING TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD.
ABSOLUTELY.
IT COMES UP NATURALLY.
ALSO, WHAT AMANDA SAID ABOUT HOUSING.
IF YOU ARE YOUNG, YOUR PARENTS OWN A HOUSE, YOU ARE GOING TO GET ANGRY.
>> COVID IS ON THE LIST OF ISSUES THAT AFFECTED THIS GENERATION.
I WAS IN THE CLASS OF 2024 HIGH SCHOOL.
I DIDN'’T GET TO WALK FOR MY GRADUATION.
JIM: YOUR WHOLE FRESHMAN YEAR, YOU DIDN'’T GET THE IN PERSON EXPERIENCE.
THEY RAN THE PAPER VIA ZOOM.
>> IT WAS INSANE.
IT AFFECTED A LOT OF PEOPLE'’S MENTAL HEALTH.
>> AND STILL IS.
JIM: I WONDER, WE COVERED ALL THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES A YEARS AGO.
PATRICK KENNEDY WOULD GOTO FOGARTY MANOR.
YOU COULD ALWAYS RELY ON THE OLDER PEOPLE.
NOT SO MUCH ANYMORE, BUT THEY WERE THE WORLD WAR II GENERATION.
THEY BLEW OFF THE YOUNG PEOPLE THINKING THEY WILL NEVER GO AND VOTE.
I THINK THE OLDER PEOPLE VOTE BUT THE YOUNGER PEOPLE HAVE MORE MOTIVATION NOW.
>> I SAW IT OUTSIDE THE GENERAL ELECTION IN CRANSTON LAST YEAR.
THE EXPECTATION WAS THE FORMER MAYOR WOULD PULL IT OFF.
I KNEW HE WASN'’T GOING TO.
I COULD TELL BECAUSE OF THE RUMBLING OVER ABORTION AND PEOPLE WHO WERE COMING OUT, THE YOUNGER PEOPLE WERE UPSET.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING RHODE ISLAND BECAUSE OF THIS.
THERE IS MOTIVATION HERE, FOR MANY REASONS.
TALK ABOUT COLLEGE, STUDENT LOAN DEBT.
JIM: I'’VE BEEN TRYING TO GET AMANDA ON LIVELY FOR MONTHS.
SHE GOES, I'’M SORRY, I HAVE THIS BIG STORY.
WE CANNOT GET INTO THE WHOLE THING BUT SET THE TABLE FOR HOW DID YOU COME ACROSS THIS?
>> A COUPLE FORMER ASSOCIATES SPOKE TO ME IN JANUARY ;22.
WHEN I STARTED TO POKE AROUND, I THOUGHT THIS IS THE CRAZIEST BINGO CARD.
SOPRANOS, HOLLYWOOD MOBSTERS, HE'’S A LOCAL PORTUGUESE GUY, GREW UP IN NORTH PROVIDENCE, WENT TO RIC.
JIM: [LAUGHTER] >> THERE IS A DARK ROOM NAMED AFTER HIM.
[LAUGHTER] A PHOTOGRAPHY ROOM.
FIRST FLOOR, HE HAD WORKED FOR A MARKETING -- HE WAS NOT THE VICE PRESIDENT DESPITE WHAT HE TOLD PEOPLE AFTER HE WAS TERMINATED.
HIS CLAIM TO FAME WAS HE STARTED A COMPANY CALLED VIRTUALCONS.
HE LOVES THE SOPRANOS.
JIM: THERE'’S A LITTLE IRONY IN THE NAME.
>> THAT'’S WHAT I'’VE BEEN LOOKING INTO.
THESE BEING CHASED FOR MONEY ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES.
THAT'’S UP TO $75,000 IN LAWSUIT.
SMALL BUSINESS LOANS, A GUY WHO IS AT THIS JOCKEY AT ONE OF HIS CONVENTIONS TO SOMETHING DOWN IN NEW JERSEY.
HE'’S INVOLVED WITH FORMER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WHERE HE CLAIMED HE WAS TAKING OVER THE MORTGAGE.
JIM: AND THEN SKYLINE.
>> ONCE I STARTED SMOKING AROUND -- STARTED POKING AROUND.
IT IS A GORGEOUS PLACE.
BANQUETS, POLITICAL EVENTS.
HE'’S BEEN THE CEO THERE.
THE CITY SAYS CO'’S THEM MONEY.
UNTIL RECENTLY HE HAD NOT BEEN PAYING RENT THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS.
HE IS IN A FIGHT WITH THE CITY.
HIS LAWYERS ARE CLAIMING THEY DIDN'’T HAVE TO PAY THE CITY EXTRA MONEY.
THERE WAS AN ABATEMENT DRAFTED.
THE CITY SAID HE NEVER SIGNED IT.
THEY'’VE GRANTED HIM MULTIPLE ABATEMENTS FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
RENOVATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE.
THEY RECEIVED 32 MONTHS OF AN ABATEMENT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO EXPIRE LAST AUGUST.
THEY HAD TO PROVE THEY DID THE RENOVATIONS THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO.
THE CITY SAID THEY NEVER HAVE SHOWN IT.
HE RECEIVED $2 MILLION IN COVID MONEY.
NOT SURE WHERE THAT MONEY WENT TO.
HAVING GOT AN ANSWER ON THAT.
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IS A MESS.
JIM: ANOTHER GOOD ARGUMENT FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM.
>> 100%.
I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO INVESTIGATE.
JIM: IT GOES BACK TO WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT AT THE BEGINNING.
>> THE EMAILS, DOCUMENTS, TEXTS.
JIM: IT TAKES LONG TO PEEL BACK THE ONION.
LET'’S GO TO OUTRAGEOUS AND/OR KUDOS.
>> I FOUND A MOSQUITO IN MY BACKYARD ON APRIL 13.
OUTRAGEOUS.
I'’M WORRIED ABOUT MOSQUITOES IN APRIL.
JIM: OUTRAGEOUS.
>> I GAVE A KUDOS.
HOW MUCH I'’M ENJOYING PROVIDENCE COLLEGE'’S KIM ENGLISH.
HE IS SO MUCH FUN.
WE WERE ALL DEPRESSED AFTER COACH COOLEY LEFT.
HE COMES IN.
HE'’S YOUNG, HUNGRY, HE'’S ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY.
HE'’S RECRUITING REALLY WELL.
I HAVE SOMEWHAT OF A CLUE WHAT IS GOING ON IN BASKETBALL.
JIM: IS THAT A NEW NAME?
>> YES, WITH KEVIN MCNAMARA.
I'’M ENJOYING IT.
I CANNOT WAIT.
>> I READ YESTERDAY, ENGLISH -- THE TRANSFER PORTAL IS THROWING EVERYTHING UPSIDE DOWN.
THERE WAS A GUY, VERY HIGH, COACH COOLEY COMMIT WHO D COMMITTED, THEN ENGLISH BROUGHT HIM BACK.
THAT IS A TESTAMENT.
>> I CANNOT WAIT.
I'’M READY.
JIM: WHAT DO YOU HAVE?
>> THEY PLAY OFF EACH OTHER.
MY KUDOS, THE SENATE BILL INTRODUCED WHICH LETS MUNICIPALITIES IMPOSE A 2% TAX ON THE ENDOWMENTS OF PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS.
THE OUTRAGE IS HOW THESE PRIVATE PIRATE INSTITUTIONS DON'’T PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.
MY ROAD IS CRUMBLING.
WE DON'’T HAVE BASIC CITY SERVICES.
WE HAVE RATS RUNNING UP TO YOU AS SOON AS IT GETS DARK.
EVEN THE PENSION SYSTEM IS LIKE A TICKING TIME BOMB.
JIM: MAYOR SMILEY CAME OUT THE GATE SAYING THAT WAS ONE OF HIS PRIORITIES.
OTHER MAYORS HAVE USED THE STICK AND THREATENED LEGISLATION.
HE SEEMS TO BE USING THE CARET WITH HIGHER EDUCATION, GOING TO THE PRESIDENTS, SAYING YOU NEED TO KICK IN MORE.
YOU THINK THAT WILL BE AFFECTED?
REPORTER: WE WILL HAVE TO SEE.
I DON'’T WANT TO GIVE BOLD PREDICTIONS.
THE OVERALL TOPIC, THEY JUST NEED TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF MONEY.
JIM: THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.
THE FUTURE, THE PRESENT, SEEM TO BE THE PAST.
WE WILL SEE.
IT IS NICE TO SEE SOME OF THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS JOINING US.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
IF YOU CAN'’T SEE US FRIDAY AT 7:00 OR SUNDAY AT NOON, WE ARCHIVE ALL OF OUR SHOWS.
WE ARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
CHECK OUT FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
AND OUR PODCAST.
THE NUMBERS ARE GROWING.
TAKE US ALONG FOR A WALK OR AS YOU DRIVE.
COME BACK NEXT WEEK.
WE DON'’T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE ANNOUNCED.
YOU WILL KNOW WHO THEY ARE A WE WILL HAVE FULL ANALYSIS NEXT WEEK.
A LIVELY EXPERIMENT CONTINUES.
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VISIT NCICAP.ORG] >> A LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN.
>> HI, FOR OVER 30 YEARS, A LIVELY EXPERIMENT HAS PROVIDED ANALYSIS ON POLITICAL ISSUES
