>> THE FIRST TOP-TIER CANDIDATE FOR NEXT YEARS GOVERNORS RACE MAKES IT OFFICIAL.

WITH A DIFFERENT KIND OF ANNOUNCEMENT.

AND AS THE GREAT UNMASKING CONTINUES IN RHODE ISLAND, PEOPLE IN BUSINESSES ARE ADJUSTING TO THE NEW NORMAL.

>> THE LOVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- WE PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF IMPORTANT POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

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

>> JOINING US ON THE PANEL, DAN MCGOWAN, COLUMNIST FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE.

FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL ARLENE VIOLET AND BOB WALSH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION RHODE ISLAND.

WELCOME TO "LIVELY."

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

SECRETARY OF STATE NELLIE GORBEA WAS THE FIRST MAJOR CANDIDATE OUT OF THE GATE THIS WEEK FOR WHAT PROMISES TO BE A CROWDED FIELD IN NEXT YEARS GOVERNORS RACE.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS EXPECTED BY THE TIMING SURPRISED SOME PEOPLE.

SURPRISING FOR SOME BUT, DAN MCGOWAN, YOU WROTE A COLUMN, MAYBE NOT SO SURPRISING.

>> ESPECIALLY FOR NELLIE GORBEA WHO NEEDS TO FUND RAISE, GET OUT WITH A LOT OF WOMEN'S GROUPS, NEEDS TO JUMP AHEAD OF MAYOR ELORZA WHEN IT COMES TO GRABBING SOME OF THE LATINO NATIONAL GROUPS.

I THOUGHT IT MADE A LOT OF SENSE FOR HER TO JUMP IN THE RACE.

THE QUESTION IS, NOW THAT YOU'RE A CANDIDATE, ARE YOU GOING TO BE EXPECTED TO FIRESIDES AT DAN MCKEE?

ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE POLICY PROPOSALS CONSTANTLY?

WE HAVE A LONG TIME, TWO SUMMERS OF CAMPAIGNING NOW, BUT I THINK FOR FUNDRAISING PURPOSES, IT MADE SENSE, SPECIFICALLY FOR HER.

SHE GETS A JUMP ON THE COMPETITION.

>> SHE ALSO DID A SOFT OPENING.

IT USED TO BE STAND IN FRONT OF THE STATEHOUSE AND SHE KIND OF QUIETLY RELEASED THE YOUTUBE VIDEO.

WHAT ABOUT THAT STRATEGY?

>> I FEEL LIKE I'M OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER GINA RAIMONDO NEEDING TO COME OUT AND I THINK SHE HAD 8, 9 PROVIDENCE DEMOCRATS COME OUT BECAUSE SHE WAS RUNNING AGAINST A PROVIDENCE MCGRATH.

THIS WAS WAY DIFFERENT.

SHE ALSO KNEW.

THIS WAS A WAY FOR HER WHEN SHE SENDS FUNDRAISING LETTERS MAKES CALLS, SHE CAN SAY "I AM RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR."

I AM SURE SHE WILL SOMEHOW HAVE A REBOOT WITH BALLOONS SOMETIME NEXT YEAR AS WELL.

>> SHE WILL HAVE TO ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS, TOO.

SHE HAS BEEN DODGING THEM ON THE PREDICATE THAT IS NOT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S JOB.

THE HONEYMOON IS OVER.

I THINK SHE IS A FORMIDABLE CANDIDATE.

SHE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB AS SECRETARY OF STATE.

THE MORE CROWDED THE FIELD GETS, I THINK THE WORSE IT IS FOR ALL OF THEM THAT INTO THAT PARTICULAR RACE.

AS WE ALL KNOW IN POLITICS, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO SEE, GOD FORBID, PEOPLE DON'T TAKE A BOOSTER SHOT ONCE NEEDED, WILL THE THE REVERSAL OF COVID.

SHORT OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT, I CAN'T SEE PEOPLE TOPPLING MCKEE.

HE CAME IN AT THE BEST TIME.

GINA RAIMONDO DID HAVE A FABULOUS ROLLOUT OF THE VACCINE.

IT WENT WELL.

THE ECONOMY IS COMING BACK.

HE IS ABLE TO RIDE THAT I THINK INTO HIS OWN ELECTION THE NEXT TIME.

I THINK THEY ALL HAVE THEIR HANDS FULL, INCLUDING NELLIE.

>> IT IS BEEN A FASCINATING YEAR FOR THE GOVERNORS RACE ARE READY IT IS NOT EVEN NUMBERED YEAR.

TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTION, NELLIE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO ANNOUNCE AS SOON AS THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL WHEN AN ARTICLE SAYING IT WAS A TWO WAY RACE AND SHE WAS NOT ONE OF THE NAMES.

IF YOU'RE MAKING FUNDRAISING A NATIONAL CALL IS ON CALLS YOU AND GOOGLES RHODE ISLAND AND SEES THE TO A RACE THEY SAY, ARE YOU EVEN RUNNING?

YOU'RE NOT AN ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE.

THE SIMPLE SOLUTION TO THAT IS ANNOUNCE, RIGHT?

EVERYONE KNOWS NELLIE WAS GOING TO ANNOUNCE -- TO RUN, BUT WHY NOT ANNOUNCE AND TAKE THE MYSTERY AWAY?

IT WILL HELP WITH THE NATIONAL FUNDRAISING.

I THINK IT WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING RACES WE HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME.

IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT, YOU HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS.

I HAVE SAID IN THE MEDIA BEFORE, I THINK WITH WHEN GIANNULLI RUNNING AND MCKEE BECOMES THE DEFECT OF FRONT RUNNER.

-- DEFACTO FRONT RUNNER.

TAKING THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE, THE INCUMBENT.

BUT IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT, HAVE THREE STRONG CANDIDATES WITH THESE IT RESUMES.

-- WITH DECENT RESUMES.

AS LONG AS THINGS STAND WITH VACCINATIONS, ACQUITTED THEMSELVES NOW IN THE DOWN BELLA JOB AND HAVE A STORY TO TELL.

IN ALL HONESTY AND ALL THE RESPECT, I DON'T SEE THAT MAYOR PROVIDENCE CANDIDACY AS STRONG AS THE THREE THAT HAVE STATEWIDE OFFICE.

THERE IS ALWAYS THE POSSIBILITY OF A PLAYER TO BE NAMED LATER.

THE PRICE OF ADMISSION GOES UP EVERY DAY.

IF I WANTED TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR, BARRING A LOTTERY WIN, I AM ALREADY SO FAR BEHIND -- >> THERE WAS A POINT YOU HINTED YOU MIGHT BE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR IN THOSE DAYS.

>> AND HE DOES PLAY THE LOTTERY.

>> LORS I HAS JUST SHY OF $1 MILLION.

THEN NELLIE GORBEA AND THEN DAN MCKEE.

TAPPING INTO THAT MONEY.

ALSO THE FIRST LATINO RUNNING.

HOW MUCH THAT HELPS.

>> I THINK IT HELPS BUT I THINK THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR GIVES A CERTAIN BULLETPROOF TO MCKEE.

HE HAS TALKED ABOUT THE FACT HE IS THE GOVERNOR, SHOWING WHY THIS LINKAGE BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR I TO HAPPEN.

>> I THINK THAT IS GREAT.

>> IT IS FIVE YOU LIST.

>> THE ONE THING GINA NEVER COPIED CHARLIE BAKER MY CHARLIE BAKER ALWAYS SHOWS UP WITH HIS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> THEY RUN ON THE SAME TICKET.

THEY WENT AND LOOSE TOGETHER ON THE BALLOT.

>> GOVERNOR MCKEE IS SHOWING IT COULD WORK LIKE THAT AND PROBABLY SHOULD.

>> THE MOST INTRIGUING THING, WHERE DO THE GINA RAIMONDO SUPPORTERS GO AND WHERE DOES GINA RAIMONDO GO?

SHE IS GOING TO MOVE ON AND LIKELY TO BUY A HOME IN D.C., WILL BE A LITTLE LESS TAPPED IN [CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> DO YOU THINK SHE WILL ENDORSE?

>> SHE LIKES TO HAVE AN INFLUENCE.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF A CABINET MEMBER IS ALLOWED -- WHAT ABOUT THIS WHOLE DEAL, AND I HOPE WE HAVE SEEN LOCAL DONE EARTH CANDIDATES IN THE NATIONAL CONCERN INCLUDES -- FIRST SHE REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

I'VE NEVER -- I THOUGHT ABOUT MADELEINE ALBRIGHT.

BROKER PEACE BETWEEN THE ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS WHEN YOU SAY DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

THEN SHE TALKS ABOUT THE PRODUCE GUY.

OH, I WAS SHOPPING AT MY LOCAL GROCERY STORE AND THE GUY SAID, YOU REALLY NEED TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

IT IS A PAGE OUT OF GINA RAIMONDO.

MY FEELING IS NOT GOOD.

WHEN SHE SAID THAT, DID THAT STRIKE YOU AS ODD?

>> IT MAKES US HAVE TO ASK EVERY CANDIDATE, WHAT IS THE PRICE OF MILK THESE DAYS?

[LAUGHTER] >> I DON'T THINK WE WILL EVER HEAR IT CALLED THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AGAIN.

>> WHO CALLS AT THAT?

>> I HAVE KNOWNNELLIE FOR A LONG TIME.

WHEN I TALK ABOUT HER CANDIDACY, SHE ABSOLUTELY TALKS ABOUT THE CONVERSATION SHE HAS IN THE GROCERY STORE.

I HAVE RUN INTO HER IN STORES BEFORE.

I THINK THIS STORY IS NOT A MADE UP STORY.

>> I THINK BOB WALSH WOULD TELL HER TO RUN.

I AM NOT SURE THE MEAT GUY WILL SAY, WE NEED YOU AS GOVERNOR.

>> THE PRODUCE GUY AS A UNION MEMBER IF SHE IS SHOVING AT A UNION STORE.

>> ONE THING I WILL GIVE NELLIE GORBEA CREDIT FOR IS SHE IS A TRUE POLICY -- IF SHE CAN GET TO THE POINT WHERE SHE IS A VERY VIABLE CANDIDATE, IF SHE IS FUNDRAISING COME IN SHE IS ON THE DEBATE STAGE, SHE WILL BE FORMIDABLE AND STAND OUT.

SHE IS SMARTER THAN SOME OF THE PEOPLE RUNNING.

>> SHE IS GREAT IN PERSON.

WHAT ABOUT THAT BEING OR SUFFERS IS HAVING TO LISTEN TO THE CONSULTANTS?

I KNOW SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, WHO I RAIN INTO IN SPORTS AUTHORITY ONCE AND SAID, HEY, YOU WANT TO COME ON?

HE SAID, SURE.

THE CONSULTANT SAID, WE CAN BOOK YOU THREE MONTHS FROM NOW.

THAT DRIVES ME A LITTLE NUTTY.

>> NELLIE HAS A GREAT PERSONALITY AND THAT WILL WORK FOR HER BECAUSE SHE CAN RELATE TO PEOPLE.

DAN MCKEE DOES COME ALSO.

HE HAS A FOLKSY KIND OF STYLE.

IF PEOPLE VOTE FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY LIKE THEM, AND I THINK SOMETIMES CONSULTANTS OVERDO IT AND RAISE MATTERS THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON DOES NOT CARE ABOUT.

I ALSO THINK THERE'S A DIFFERENT MENTALITY NOW POST-COVID.

THIS HAS TAUGHT A LOT OF PEOPLE A LOT OF LESSONS AND I THINK THEY'RE LOOKING FOR REAL PEOPLE AND SHE HAS THAT IN SPADES.

>> WE DID THIS BEFORE WHEN WE WERE BACK ON ZOOM.

WE ARE TO HAVE FUNDS INTO THE NEW GOVERNOR -- WE ARE 2.5 MONTHS INTO THE NEW GOVERNOR.

A QUICK SCORECARD?

>> HE HAS HAD AS GOOD OF A RUN AS YOU COULD HAVE SO FAR.

HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO REOPEN THE ECONOMY, THE VACCINES HAVE WORKED INCREDIBLY WELL.

I THINK IT WILL CONTINUE IN THAT WAY SHORT OF SOME VARIANT THAT COMES BACK.

>> WASHING MONEY FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> HE IS IN VERY GOOD SPOT FOR REELECTION.

BUT AS THE GOVERNOR, PEOPLE SHOULD FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

>> B+ >> I DISAGREE WITH HIM ON ISSUES, I THINK ANY MISSTEPS ARE RECOVERABLE.

YOU START UPRIGHTLY BEFORE YOU GO TO BROADWAY, I THINK DOING FINE.

THEY ARE STILL GETTING THEIR SEA LEGS.

THERE WAS NO REAL TRANSITION -- IN SOME SENSE, TRANSITION.

B+ OR A-.

HE LOVES THE JOB.

THAT IS COMING ACROSS.

>> HE HAS VISITED THE COMMUNITIES FIVE TIMES OLDER -- OVER.

>> LATER TODAY I WILL BE WITH HIM AT THE BILL SIGNING FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE RHODE ISLAND PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AT CCR.

>> WHOEVER IS PROVIDING THE PENS IS HAVING A WORK OVERTIME.

[LAUGHTER] >> COULD BE A SHORTAGE.

>> WE ARE A LITTLE MORE THAN A WEEK INTO THE GREAT UNMASKING.

THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS.

WE HAVE GOT TO BE RESPECTFUL.

SOME STILL WANT TO WEAR MASKS AND THAT IS FINE.

I WONDER AS YOU GO OUT AND ABOUT , HOW YOU FEEL IT IS GOING AND PERSONAL LEVEL -- I THINK TWO MONTHS FROM NOW WE WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT DISCUSSION, BUT HOW HAVE YOU FELT, ARLENE, GOING IN AND OUT OF BUSINESSES?

>> I AM FULLY VACCINATED WELL BE ON THE 14 DAYS BUT I TEND TO ALWAYS BRING A MASK WITH ME.

SOMETIMES I HAVE TO GOING TO MASSACHUSETTS AND THERE'S A LITTLE LAG TIME BETWEEN WHAT THEY ALLOW AND NOT.

I SEE IT AS A SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE.

YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL.

WHEN IN DOUBT, I PUT MY MASK ON.

I DON'T CARE WHAT PEOPLE SAY, ARE YOU A SCAREDY-CAT YOU OLD LADY?

>> YOU'RE BEING RESPECTFUL.

>> IT REALLY IS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY FEEL OK AND ARE COMFORTABLE.

I HOPE PEOPLE KEEP UP THE SOCIAL CONTRACT AND DO NOT DIS ANYBODY WITH OR WITHOUT THE MASK.

>> I GO TO ROUTE 6 BANG AND I WAS LIKE, GREAT.

I HAD TO GO BACK TO THE CAR AND GET MY MASK BEFORE I WENT INTO ONE OF THE SHOPS.

>> I AM ALSO FULLY VACCINATED BE ON THE 14 DAY WINDOW, WHICH FEELS GREAT AND WONDERFUL.

I WILL WEAR MY MASK IN THE GROCERY STORE SO OTHER PEOPLE ARE COMFORTABLE.

I AM HAPPY TO NOT WEAR IT IN THE OUTDOOR SETTINGS.

I WAS THINKING OF THE BIGGER PICTURE, A SENATOR IN THE 40'S, SAID POLITICS ENDS AT THE WATER'S EDGE, TALKING ABOUT FOREIGN POLICY.

I THINK POLITICS HAS TO END IN THE PANDEMIC.

WE SHOULD NOT BE POLITICIZING FIGHTS OVER VACCINATIONS.

TO ANSWER THE OTHER QUESTIONS, IN FACT I HAVE SAID THIS NOT IN THIS WAY BUT TO THE GOVERNOR WHEN HE SAID, WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE SCHOOLS?

I SAID, GET THE DOCTORS TO AGREE.

WE SHOULD BE LIKE THE COMMERCIALS, IF FOUR OUT OF FIVE DOCTORS SAY THIS MAKE SENSE, THEN LET'S DO THIS.

I KNOW DAN IS A COACH AND GETTING THE MASKS OFF THE KIDS WHEN THEY'RE PLAYING SPORTS ON THE FIELD IS A PRIORITY FOR THE COACHES AND MY ADVICE IS, IF THE DOCTORS SAY DO IT, DO IT.

>> THE GOVERNOR, ABOUT A MONTH AGO SAID, WE ANTICIPATE THEM HAVING MASKS ON IN THE FALL.

I DON'T THINK YOU CAN MAKE THAT CALL.

DO ANTICIPATE WITH SCHOOLS, IN WOOD TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE, BUT DON'T YOU THINK WE WILL BE BACK UNMASKED KIDS IN THE FALL?

>> I THINK THAT, BUT SINCE DAY ONE I HAVE SAID, YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE ON THIS.

I THINK THAT MOST OF THE TRADE IS GOOD.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED?

>> THERE IS A BOOSTER ISSUE.

YES OR NO, DO YOU NEED A BOOSTER AFTER SIX MONTHS?

THEY JUST STARTED VACCINATIONS BACK IN DECEMBER SO EVERY MONTH THEY HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING THAT ON AND ON TO SEE HOW LONG THE VACCINES LAST.

>> WE LIVE AT A TIME WHERE WE CAN GET THIS FIGURED OUT IN A YEAR AND REOPEN.

>> THIS IS CLASSIC.

ON THE SCHOOLS DEBATE, CLASSIC ADULT CONVERSATION.

KIDS LIKE WEARING THE MASKS.

THEY HAVE SPIDER-MAN MASKS.

IT CAN BE FUN.

I COACH LITTLE KIDS, SEVEN AND EIGHT EUROS ON THE BASEBALL FIELD.

IT CAN BE A LITTLE KNOWING BECAUSE WHO HAS, IN THEIR MASK AND IS THAT A LITTLE BIT OF -- IS THAT GRAY HAIR?

>> THAT IS GREAT UNTIL THE KID COMES HOME AND SAYS, I TRADED MY MASK AT LUNCH.

>> LIKE JUICE BOXES.

>> IT ISN'T THE BIGGEST DEAL IN THE WORLD FOR THE KIDS.

PARENTS WANT EVERYBODY TO WEAR MASKS STILL, THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT CAN BE ANNOYING BUT I THINK WE CAN ALL OVERCOME IT.

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE THAT OF A GIVEN DEAL A FEW MONTHS FROM NOW.

WE CAN GET YOUR BASEBALL SEASON, FOR EXAMPLE, REQUIRING MASKS.

>> FENWAY WILL BE AT FULL CAPACITY PRETTY SOON.

THE RUINS OF THE CELTICS IF THEY GO INTO THE PLAYOFFS.

I WENT TO THE BANK YESTERDAY.

WE ARE TAPING ON A FRIDAY MORNING.

I WENT TO THE BANG FOR THE FIRST TIME.

I SOLD SOMETHING AND HAD CASH AND WANTED TO DEPOSIT IT.

I WALKED IN WITHOUT A MASK AND THE TELLER WAS NICE AND ASKED IF I HAD A MASK.

I SAID, YEAH, IN MY BACK POCKET.

I SAID, WHAT IS THE DEAL?

IS THAT IS THE BANK'S POLICY?

OF COURSE I WENT INTO INTERROGATION MODE.

SHE SAID, YEAH, BUT I THINK THEY WILL CHANGE IT NEXT WEEK.

I THINK THEY'RE JUST BEING VERY CAUTIOUS.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE WILL SEE OVER THE COURSE OF THE SUMMER.

>> THAT IS LAWYERS DOING THAT.

I HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE BROKERS, ETC., AND THEY WERE THERE MASKS BECAUSE THE LAWYERS TELL THEM TO.

IF YOU EVER GET KOBE TO SOMEBODY, WE DON'T WANT THAT THE ISSUE.

EAT OUTSIDE, YOUR MASK ON.

I THINK THAT WILL CAUSE A LACK BEFORE THE MASKS,.

I DON'T MIND IT, THOUGH.

SO BE IT.

>> GET A DECISION FROM HOUSE SPEAKER THAT THEY ARE GOING BACK TO THE STATEHOUSE.

THE SENATE HAS DECIDED TO STAY AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

DAN, THEY LAY IT OUT, IT IS LIKE THEY'RE PAYING $500,000.

$50,000 FOR SNACKS AND MEALS.

WHATEVER.

I DO WONDER, THERE HAS BEEN A BIT OF A DISCONNECT WITH PEOPLE TRYING TO INTERRUPT WITH GOVERNMENT.

ZOOM HELPS IN SOME WAYS BUT NOTHING LIKE BEING UP TO LOOK AT YOUR LEGISLATOR AND NOT HAVE, OH, GIVE TO CUT YOU OFF AFTER A MINUTE.

I DON'T KNOW WE WILL GET BACK TO THAT THE SESSION BUT I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, WHY CAN'T THE STATEHOUSE REOPEN?

WHY CAN'T WE GO TO A HEARING?

>> IT LEADS TO THE INEVITABLE CONVERSATION THAT WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO HIDE?

WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE BY ANY MEANS.

SOMETIMES IT IS.

BUT NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

I AM HEARING FROM A LOT OF -- THE MORE SORT OF AGGRESSIVE ACTIVISTS WHO WANT TO BE ABLE TO BE IN THE ROOM AND DO THEY DO BEST, WHICH IS INFLUENCE THEIR LAWMAKERS OR THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THINGS.

IT IS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT -- FORGET THE STATEHOUSE, ALTHOUGH THAT IS A CONVERSATION.

AT THE LOCAL LEVEL WHERE ZONING DECISIONS GET MADE, WHERE NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS HAVE TONS OF INFLUENCE, RIGHT NOW THEY DON'T REALLY.

I THINK THEY HAVE TO GET BACK TO HAVING THESE OPEN MEETINGS.

TO YOUR POINT, IT HAS BEEN VERY GOOD FOR FOLKS WHO CAN CALL IN AND DON'T HAVE TO PARK IN FRONT OF PROVIDENCE CITY HALL AT 5:00.

>> FOR TWO MEN'S OF TESTIMONY, THE RIGHT TO CALL IN I HOPE IS SOMETHING ALWAYS JUST FOR TWO MINUTES OF TESTIMONY, THE RIGHT TO CALL IN I HOPE IS SOMETHING FOREVER MORE.

REMEMBER THE BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME WHERE THEY TRY TO RESTRICT LOBBYISTS FROM THE FLOOR OF THE STATEHOUSE BUT NOT THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

THEY SAID, NO, THE RULES HAVE TO BE SAID -- CONSISTENT.

I SUSPECT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE THE PROTESTS WHERE EVERYONE IS ELBOWED ELBOW, FIVE HUNDRED PEOPLE EITHER FOR OR AGAINST GUNS ,FOR TOYS OR AGAINST IT.

IF YOU OPEN THE BUILDING YOU CAN SAY, O COME YOU CAN ONLY TESTIFY COME CAN'T USE YOUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

>> SO THE BUILDING NOW CLOSES AT 3:00.

>> WHAT IS ANOTHER MONTH?

THEY WILL BE BACK IN THE FALL.

>> ARLENA SHAKING HER HEAD.

>> I HOPE THEY ALWAYS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO CALL IN AND DO TESTIMONY BECAUSE THAT MAKES IT EASIER FOR A LOT OF WORKING FOLKS TO DO IT WITHOUT HAVING TO SCHLEP UP THERE AND WAIT FOR THREE HOURS TO SPEAK FOR TWO MINUTES.

>> AS LONG AS THAT IS NOT THE TAIL WAGGING THE DOG.

THEIR NEUTERING DEMOCRACY.

PROTESTING ELBOWED ELBOW, THAT IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT.

FRANKLY, 70% OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VACCINATED HERE IN THE STATE, THEY HAVE USED THAT EXCUSE OF RECORDS -- OH, WE WILL HAVE EXTENSIONS, TAKE MORE DAYS ON AND ON BEFORE WE RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR OPEN RECORDS.

COME ON, GET WITH THE PROGRAM.

KICK INTO GEAR AND GET UP AT THE STATEHOUSE, OPEN IT, AND LET'S GET BACK TO DEMOCRACY NOT JUST THE ECONOMY.

>> TO BE CLEAR, YOU CAN STILL PROTEST OUTSIDE.

YOU CAN STILL BE ON THE PLAZA OR THE LAWN.

>> YEAH, WAY OVER THERE.

>> IS A FORMER PROTESTER, I KNOW.

AND YOU DO, TOO.

WE CAN BE LOUD ENOUGH TO BE HEARD.

[LAUGHTER] >> YOU HAVE BEEN A MORE PROTESTS THAN I HAVE.

>> GOVERNOR MCKEE MIGHT WIND UP GIVING YOU A PEN.

>> FROM THE JOURNALISTIC PERSPECTIVE, WHAT IMPORTANT THING IS I DO THINK REPORTERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD LAWMAKERS AND OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR VOTES.

I FIND IT STRANGE, ZOOM AND EVERYTHING IT HAS BEEN EASIER TO ACCESS PEOPLE, EXCEPT WHEN THEY VOTE.

SOMETIMES THEY SEND YOU TO VOICEMAIL.

IN NORMAL TIMES, YOU CAN GO UP TO A PERSON'S EYE, SENATOR, WHY DID YOU VOTE THIS WAY?

>> NEUTERING DEMOCRACY.

>> LET'S DO OUTRAGEOUS AND THEN I HAVE ONE OTHER THING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OUTREACH WORK UDO?

>> I'M DISAPPOINTED.

MAY 25 WAS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, THE BALONEY GOING ON IN THE U.S. SENATE IN ORDER TO GET ACCOUNTABILITY, PARTICULARLY FORMER ATTORNEY MOST COPS ARE, BRAVE, WONDERFUL, PUBLIC SERVANTS.

WE HAVE TO GET RID OF THE BAD APPLES AND, FRANKLY, THERE HAS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY AMONG POLICE OFFICERS WHO KNOW THEY ARE THE BAD APPLES AND DON'T BLOW THE WHISTLE.

I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE BY PRIESTS.

THEY ARE BAD APPLES AND GET RID OF THEM.

THERE ARE TOO MANY WHO DIDN'T SAY WORD ABOUT FATHER SO-AND-SO.

I HOPE U.S. SENATE FINALLY KICKS INTO GEAR AND GET SOME ACCOUNTABILITY BECAUSE IT HURTS ALL THE GOOD COPS WHO ARE LOOKING JUST LIKE THE BAD COPS.

IT IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST TO GET ACCOUNTABILITY.

LET'S GET ON WITH THAT PROGRAM.

>> BOB?

>> STAYING ON THE ACCOUNTABILITY THEME, LITERALLY SINCE I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT GOVERNMENT UNDER ONE QUESTION -- WHO DECIDES?

IN PROVIDENCE WHEN THEY THREW THE KEYS IN THE AIR AND I'M NOT IN TIREDLY SURE WHO CAUGHT THE KEYS -- ENTIRELY SURE WHO CAUGHT THE KEYS.

I THOUGHT IT WAS THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

GOOD, BAD, OR INDIFFERENT IN WHAT DEAL THEY CUT WITH SUPERINTENDENT IN EXIT MODE AND PAYING HIM A SICKLY HALF A SELLER TO LEAVE, WHO MADE THAT DECISION?

NOBODY VOTED ON IT.

IF YOU -- YOU NEED TO KNOW WHO MADE THE DECISION AND NOBODY VOTED ON THAT.

WE DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE AS PASSIONATE AS I AM ABOUT BOTH ARTS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION, PROVIDENCE DOES CUT OUT AN ARTS PROGRAM TO PUT IN A COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM.

MY POSITION WOULD BE, LET'S HAVE BOTH.

WHO DO I PROTEST TO?

IT IS NOT THE PROVIDENCE SCHOOL COMMITTEE ANYMORE.

BUT IF THEY DID NOT VOTE ON THE CONTRACT OR THE TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT OF THE NOW FORMER SUPERINTENDENT IN PROVIDENCE, WHO DO GO TO?

IT CANNOT BE THE COMMISSIONER UNILATERALLY TAKING THESE DECISIONS.

WE NEED GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT OF THIS WEATHER THE HOUSE AND SENATE TEAM UP TO DO IT, WHETHER THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TAKES BACK THEIR POWER -- WHICH I DON'T THINK THEY INTENDED TO DELEGATE.

WE NEED A PLACE TO GO, EVEN IF IT IS ON ZOOM, TO SAY THIS WAS WRONG AND FIX IT -- OR AT LEAST WE NEED PEOPLE TO VOTE ON THESE THINGS THAT WE CAN HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

>> WE WILL ELABORATE ON SCHOOLS IN A SECOND.

OUTRAGE OR KUDO?

>> OUTRAGE ABOUT AN OUTRAGE.

I'M GETTING CONSTANT EMAILS, PHONE CALLS, THESE SPEED HUMPS IN PROVIDENCE.

YOU GUYS, SLOW DOWN.

STOP DRIVING SO FAST.

IT IS NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL.

I LIVE ON A COUNTRY STREET.

PEOPLE FLY THROUGH THERE.

THERE ARE KIDS PLAYING.

WE NOW HAVE SPEED HOMES.

IT HAS MADE THINGS DRAMATICALLY BETTER.

>> POINTS, COUNTERPOINT.

JUST BRING THEM DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

YOU HAVE TO GO TO TWO MILES AN HOUR TO GO OVER AND SOME GUY REAR ENDS YOU.

, ON.

>> HUMBLE WAS TO GET KIDS PLAYED BASKETBALL.

>> THAT IS WHAT IT IS.

I DON'T CARE ABOUT CHILDREN AT ALL.

LET'S GO BACK TO WHAT BOB WAS SAYING ABOUT PROVIDENCE SCHOOLS.

>> HERE'S WHY BOB IS 100% RIGHT.

THIS HAS BEEN A FRUSTRATION SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE TAKEOVER FOR ME.

YOU CAN GET BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW WHO IS MAKING THE DECISIONS.

I'M TALKING ABOUT BUDGETS.

THEY HAVE A $400 MILLION BUDGET.

IT IS HARD TO GET WHAT CHANGE FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

TWO YEARS RUNNING NOW, THIS IS HOW IT HAS BEEN.

I HAVE SAID, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU FEEL, I THINK THE COUNCIL IN ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION SHOULD CREATE SOME SORT OF SUBCOMMITTEE.

THERE HAS TO BE SOME LEVEL OF OVERSIGHT.

BUREAUCRACY EVERYBODY SAID WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE TAKEOVER.

YOU WENT FROM TOO MANY LAWYERS TO SEEMINGLY -- LAYERS SEEMINGLY THE COMMISSIONER DOING THE WHOLE THING ON HER OWN.

I THINK IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

THEY NEED MORE OVERSIGHT.

YOUR COMMENTS I PARTIALLYT WITH- DISAGREE WITH BOTH OF YOU EXCEPT FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY.

AS WE KNOW SENATOR GOODWIN PUTS A BUILT IN AND IT HAS TO BE DONE IN TWO YEARS.

KIDS IN PROVIDENCE NEED THE BEST SCHOOL SYSTEM GOING.

THERE ARE ALREADY POOR KIDS BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL.

WE HAVE TO GIVE THEM A GOOD EDUCATION.

WE DON'T HAVE A CONTRACT YET.

THAT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE'S FAULT, INCLUDING THE UNION'S.

YES, WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY.

I LOVE THE IDEA OF A SUB COMMISSION.

BUT PUTTING A TIMELINE AFTER 15 MONTHS -- >> THE STATE TAKEOVER.

>> THE STATE TAKEOVER SHOULD NOT HAVE THE CLOCK RUNNING OUT ON IT.

I TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH THAT.

>> I PUT THIS AS A UNIT ISSUE.

I DON'T REPRESENT PROVIDENCE.

I CARE ABOUT PROVIDENCE.

LONG BEFORE I WAS INVOLVED WITH THE UNION.

WE DO VOLUNTEER WORK STILL IN ONE OF THE SCHOOLS IN PROVIDENCE.

I KNOW HOW HARD EVERYBODY IS WORKING TO TRY TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.

BUT I JUST DON'T KNOW WHO TO GO AND COMPLAIN TO.

WHEN THEY MADE THAT REALLY, REALLY BAD DECISION OF THE BOARD OF ED LEVEL REGARDING TRYING TO GET RID OF THE PROGRAM FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED, WE KNEW -- WELL, WE WENT TO THE LEGISLATURE TO REDRESS OUR GRIEVANCES SO THEY COULD TELL THE ELEMENT OR A SECONDARY, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM.

IT WAS AN IMPORTANT FIGHT.

I DON'T REPRESENT THOSE TEACHERS.

I CARE ABOUT THE KIDS IMPACTED BY THE PROGRAM.

I CARE ABOUT THAT WONDERFUL PROGRAM THERE WERE RUNNING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND A PROVIDENCE BECAUSE I KNOW IT IS ONE OF THE WAYS KIDS GET MOTIVATED.

BUT WHO DO I COMPLAIN TO?

>> TO YOUR POINT, ARLENE, WE HAVE HAD A LUSTER FOR EVERYBODY WITH THE PANDEMIC.

EVEN THE KIDS IN THE BEST SCHOOLS HAVE STRUGGLED.

I THINK YOU GIVE IT MORE TIME.

WHAT I HAVE NOT UNDERSTOOD IS WHY HAVEN'T THEY JUST IMPOSED A CONTRACT?

THAT WAS THE WHOLE THING INITIALLY.

>> POLITICS GETS ANOTHER WAY.

IT IS TRUE IT IS -- IT IS TRUE IT IS BETTER TO NEGOTIATE THAN TO BLOW THINGS UP.

NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

BUT THIS IDEA YOU CAN BLOW THINGS UP IS THE OPERATION THEY THINK THEY CAN DO.

THEY'RE GOING TO END UP IN COURT FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

I THINK AT GOVERNOR RAIMONDO WHO WANTED TO MOVE THINGS ALONG AND NEGOTIATE.

I THINK YOU HAVE A NEW GOVERNOR RUNNING FOR ELECTION NEXT YEAR.

THEY WANT TO NEGOTIATE MORE THAN BLOW THINGS UP.

I THINK IT IS A LEGITIMATE DEBATE TO BE HAD ABOUT WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH.

>> THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

ALSO PANEL, BOB AND ARLENE AND DAN, SHOULD SEEN THE BIG GAME SHOW BEFORE WE CAME ON.

THAT IS WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE TAPED AND A DEGREE IT IS GREAT TO BE BACK TOGETHER WITH ALL OF YOU.

IT IS GREAT TO BE BACK WIT YOU, FOLKS.

IF YOU DON'T CATCH US FRIDAY OR SUNDAY, CAN CATCH IS ONLINE, FACEBOOK, AND TWITTER AND YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST.

WE WILL BE HERE NEXT WEEK TO RECAP IT ALL AS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" CONTINUES.

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

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] >> THE LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> IMPORTANT POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS GREAT