>> THIS WEEK ON "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT."

THE MAYOR OF PROVIDENCE IS PUTTING QUALITY-OF-LIFE ISSUES FRONT AND CENTER ON HIS AGENDA.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONVERSATION ONE OF OUR PANELISTS HAD THIS WEEK WITH THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND SENATE PRESIDENT ABOUT UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

>> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY.

>> I AM JOHN.

FOR OVER 30 YEARS, "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF THE POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

I AM A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS PROGRAM AND RHODE ISLAND PBS.

JIM: JOINING US FOR A REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE.

RAYMOND BACCARI.

FORMER EDITOR OF THE ANCHOR NEWSPAPER AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

PROVIDENCE JOURNAL REPORTER AMY RUSSO AND BOSTON GLOBE REPORTER ED FITZPATRICK.

HELLO AND WELCOME TO LIVELY, I AM JIM HUMMEL.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE MANY BILLS IN PLAY LATER BUT FIRST PROVIDENCE MAYOR BRETT SMILEY SAID HE WANTS TO ENFORCE A NOISE ORDINANCE THAT HAS BEEN VIOLATED FOR YEARS AND REITERATE HIS BY CRUSHING SOME OF THE CONFISCATED VEHICLES.

AMY, LET ME BEGIN WITH YOU.

YOU COVER PROVIDENCE FOR THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL.

I THOUGHT MAYBE THIS WAS INVOLVING THE RESIDENTIAL TAX INCREASE.

YOU MUST MAKE YOUR LIFE A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

HE IS FOCUSING ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE STUFF.

AMY: WE HEARD A LOT DURING THE CAMPAIGN ABOUT QUALITY-OF-LIFE ISSUES.

ALL OF THESE THINGS, ATVS, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS MAYOR IS FOLLOWING THROUGH ON THE PROMISE.

HE HAS BUDGETED $100,000 FOR DECIBEL READERS AND AN ADDITIONAL LICENSING INSPECTOR THAT WILL MAKE SURE BUSINESSES ARE IN COMPLIANCE.

WE HAVE THE ATV CRUSHING EVENT THAT WAS DONE BEFORE, I DO NOT KNOW HOW EFFECTIVE THAT IS, BUT THE CITY'’S EFFORTS TO STEP UP ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ILLEGAL VEHICLES HAS BEEN BETTER THAN IN THE PAST.

ALREADY MORE THAN 60 SINCE APRIL HAVE BEEN CONFISCATED -- 60 ILLEGAL VEHICLES.

FROM 2020 TO 2022, YOU HAD 100.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE EFFORT IS BECOMING MORE INTENSE.

>> NOISE IS ALWAYS TOUGH IN ANY CITY.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS WITH ENFORCEMENT.

>> IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, IS NOISE AN ISSUE?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

THERE ARE NIGHTS YOU HAVE A CAR DRIVING BY AT 2:00 OR 3:00 A.M. AND THEY HAVE THE LAB MUSIC.

I'’M FEELING THE CAR DRIVE BY AND I'’M HEARING LOUD MUSIC WHEN TRYING TO SLEEP.

>> I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.

[LAUGHTER] >> PUT A LITTLE MUFFLER ON HIS MUFFLER.

>> IT IS AN INTERESTING ISSUE.

WE RECENTLY INTERVIEWED ON A PODCAST A BROWN PROFESSOR STUDIED NOISE POLLUTION WHO SAID THE NOISE POLLUTION IN PROVIDENCE IS AS LOUD AS BOSTON.

SHE CORRELATED IT WITH WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD YOU LIVE IN.

IF IT IS MORE AFFLUENT, IT IS QUIETER.

>> THIS IS RARE.

WE HAVE THREE PROVIDENCE RESIDENTS HERE.

I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU GO NEIGHBORHOOD BY NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE BIG ISSUE IS THE LEAF BLOWERS.

>> PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT BUSINESSES.

I WONDER IF SOME OF THE CONVERSATION WITH DECIBEL READERS IS MAYBE MISSING THE MARK.

IF YOU TALK TO PEOPLE LIKE ERICA WHO IS SUCH AN EXPERT IN NOISE POLLUTION, YOU ALSO REALIZE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE, OBVIOUSLY HIGHWAYS, LOUD TRAFFIC, WE HAVE THE TRAIN STATION AT PROVIDENCE, I USED TO HEAR TRAINS FOR MY APARTMENT ON THE EAST SIDE AND KNOWN TO BE ONE OF THE QUIETER AREAS IN TOWN.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF BIGGER FORCES AT PLAY.

JIM: WHAT ABOUT THE MAYOR'’S BUDGET.

AMY KNOWS FROM TALKING TO HIM REGULARLY, HE HAS BEEN NOT-SO-SUBTLE IN HIS CRITICISM SAYING THEY USE A LOT OF MONEY FOR ONE-TIME SPENDING.

NOW HE SAYS WE HAVE TO HAVE A RESIDENTIAL TAX INCREASE BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT FOR MANY YEARS.

WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF BLOWBACK ON THIS.

A TRICKLE-DOWN FOR PEOPLE IN APARTMENTS.

I'’M NOT SURE THAT WILL HAPPEN.

ED: IT SOUNDED LIKE HE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE TURNING OUT TO SAY WHAT THE COST OF LIVING IS, WE CANNOT AFFORD A TAX INCREASE.

HE WILL FACE SOME HEAT OVER INCREASING THE RESIDENTIAL RATE AND BRING DOWN THE COMMERCIAL RATE FROM THE RESIDENTS WHO VOTE.

HE DID GET SOME PRAISE ABOUT BALANCING AND MAKING UP ABOUT THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION DID.

WE WILL SEE HOW THAT PANS OUT.

RAYMOND: YOU WILL ONLY GET SO MUCH JUICE FROM THAT IF YOU KEEP INCREASING TAXES, ESPECIALLY FROM PROPERTY TAXES.

THAT WILL HAVE TO BE A SERIOUS CONVERSATION ABOUT THE LAND OF THE NONPROFITS HAVE THAT IS NOT BEING TAXED.

IT IS 45% OF THE CITY.

AT SOME POINT THAT WILL HAVE TO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION WHERE THE PRIVATE COLLEGES ARE PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE.

JIM: HE HAS BEEN HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

RAYMOND: ABSOLUTELY.

THE PILOT AGREEMENT IS ENDING THIS YEAR.

I THINK JUST TAXING THEM WOULD BE BETTER OFF BECAUSE YOU WILL ONLY GET A DROP IN THE BUCKET FROM WHAT THEY SHOULD BE PAYING.

JIM: PUSHBACK ON THE CITY COUNCIL?

IT IS ALWAYS A LITTLE LATER THAN THE STATE IN TERMS OF PASSING BUT I HAVE HEARD SOME RUMBLINGS ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

IS IT ENOUGH ORDERS THE MAYOR HAVE THE VOTES?

HOW DOES IT LOOK IN TERMS OF THE REACTION FROM CITY COUNCILMEMBERS TO THIS DUAL UP-AND-DOWN?

AMY: I SPOKE TO A COUNCILWOMAN YESTERDAY, THE CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE CONSIDERING THE BUDGET.

SHE DID NOT OFFER HER POSITION ON THE TAXES BUT SHE SAID ANY INCREASE IN THAT RESIDENTIAL RATE WILL BE HARD TO STOMACH.

SHE KNOWS WHAT A BURDEN IT IS.

WE HAVE AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY THIS YEAR WITH TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THAT BUDGET, THE FIRST OF WHICH YOU SAW, LIKE ED SAID, A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME OUT AND SAID I CANNOT PAY FOR THIS.

WE HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION ALSO TO THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THOSE PEOPLE.

THESE WERE PEOPLE OF COLOR, PEOPLE WHO CAME FROM IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, THEY WERE FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERS, KIDS WOULD BE THE FIRST PEOPLE IN THE FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE AND THEY WERE ALL SAYING THIS IS GOING TO MESS UP THE ACHIEVEMENTS MY FAMILY AND I HAVE FOUGHT SO HARD TO MAKE.

JIM: STAYING IN PROVIDENCE, THE DEATH OF LONGTIME SENATOR MARYELLEN GOODWIN HAS CREATED A DISTRICT 1 SEAT.

THREE DEMOCRATS, SHALL RIVERA -- MICHELLE RIVERA AND NASH HE IS NOW THE LONGTIME.

AS YOU LOOK AT THIS RACE, WHAT IS YOUR ANALYSIS?

>> THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, IT IS A DEMOCRATIC LEANING SEAT.

GOODWIN HAD WON BY A BIG MARGIN.

I WAS READING YOUR PIECE AND I FOUND SOME INTERESTING DIFFERENCES.

FORMER COUNCILMAN SOUNDED ON THE SIDE OF NOT DOING TOO MUCH.

MICHELLE IS IN FAVOR OF A COMPLETE REPEAL.

THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN, ALL THREE DEMOCRATS FAVOR IT.

RIVERA AND POWELL ARE AGAINST IT WHILE OTHERS ARE FOR IT.

I FOUND THE DIFFERENCES IN WHAT THEY WERE FAVORING INTERESTING.

>> WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

HE MAKES WELL NORTH OF SIX FIGURES AS THE CHIEF OF STAFF AND SENATE PRESIDENT.

I UNDERSTAND IF HE WINS THIS SEAT HE CANNOT DO BOTH.

>> NO.

HE WILL KEEP HIS POSITION WHILE RUNNING.

>> THE SENATE PAYS $17,000.

>> THAT WOULD BE A HECK OF A PAY CUT.

>> WHITE IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT?

>> I'’M NOT SURE.

I GUESS HE -- WHY WOULD HE WANT TO DO THAT?

>> I'’M NOT SURE.

I DID A Q&A THE OTHER DAY WITH THE FOUR CANDIDATES AND THERE WAS A WIDE RANGE.

THEY DIFFERED ON ALL THE SIGNIFICANT PIECES OF LEGISLATION WHEN ASKED ABOUT IT.

>> A COUPLE OF NIGHTS AGO, ED FITZPATRICK WAS SITTING IN MY SEAT.

THEY HAD A SPECIAL TAPING WITH THE SENATE PRESIDENT, DOMINICK RUGGERIO AND HOUSE SPEAKER JOE SHEKARCHI.

THEY CALLED IT UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

IT WAS NOT THE CELTICS WHO GOT THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS DONE.

I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS IN IT OUT AND THEY BROKE SOME NEWS.

HE COHOSTED WITH JOE, >> HOST AT RHODE ISLAND PBS.

THEY TALKED ABOUT THE BOTTLE BILL, THE POLICEMAN'’S BILL OF RIGHTS AND THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

HERE IS A LITTLE BIT FROM THAT PODCAST.

>> SENATOR, THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS HAVE MADE A BOTTLE BILL A PRIORITY FOR THIS YEAR AND YOU ARE BY STATES LIKE MASSACHUSETTS, CONNECTICUT AND NEW YORK BUT ALL HAVE CONTAINER DEPOSIT LAWS ON THE BOOKS AND THEY HAVE FOR DECADES.

IS THIS THE YEAR THAT RHODE ISLAND JOINS THEM?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE A REAL GOOD LOOK AT HOW WE HANDLE PLASTICS, IN TERMS OF MODELS, NIPS AND ANY KIND OF PLASTIC ITEMS THAT WE CAN RECYCLE.

THERE ARE SOME PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY IN EUROPE WHERE THEY HAVE A LEVEL OF EXPERTISE IN TERMS OF HOW TO DO THAT.

I DO NOT THINK WE ARE READY FOR A BOTTLE BILL VISSCHER BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ESTABLISH A COMMISSION TO STUDY THAT AND TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES DO.

>> THREE YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE GEORGE FLOYD WAS MURDERED AT THE HANDS OF MINNEAPOLIS POLICE BUT DESPITE CALLS FOR CHANGE, RHODE ISLAND HAS NOT CHANGED.

IS THIS THE YEAR?

>> I BELIEVE WE WILL SEE SOME ACTION.

I AM NOT 100% COMMITTED BUT WE ARE CLOSER THAN WE HAVE EVER BEEN.

THE SENATE HAS DONE GOOD WORK ON THIS WITH THE STUDY COMMISSION.

THEY ARE COMING TOGETHER ON A BILL.

WE HAVE BEEN IN CONSULTATION WITH THEM.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE ACTION.

>> ADVOCATES IN RHODE ISLAND ARE CALLING FOR THE ASSEMBLY TO PASS IN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

DO YOU AGREE ON THAT POSITION?

>> IF YOU ARE GOING TO BAND ASSAULT WEAPONS, YOU HAVE TO BAN THEM NATIONALLY.

OBVIOUSLY, SOME PEOPLE DISAGREE.

IOWA, IF THEY DO NOT BAN IT, YOU CAN BUY AN ASSAULT WEAPON AND COME TO RHODE ISLAND.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO DO IT ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.

>> WE ARE TAPING ON A FRIDAY MORNING.

THE BUDGET, ALWAYS THE KEY LOGJAM, THEY WILL SUPPOSEDLY PUT IT UP FOR THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE TONIGHT AND THEN IT BEGINS TO GO FROM THERE.

YOU REALLY BROKE SOME NEWS BECAUSE THE BOTTLE BILL IS OUT, THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF ENVIRONMENT GROUPS ON THAT.

THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN, YOU HAVE THE SECOND AMENDMENT PEOPLE UP THERE, PRO AND CON.

ED: THERE HAS BEEN A REAL HIGH-PROFILE PUSH FOR THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAND.

YOU HAVE THE GOVERNOR GET TOGETHER WITH MOMS DEMAND ACTION AND ALL THE STATEWIDE OFFICES WERE PUSHING FOR IT A FEW WEEKS AGO.

IT WAS CLEAR THE SENATE PRESIDENT IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THAT.

THAT IS NEWS THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE GOING ANYWHERE.

THEY DID PASS THREE LAST YEAR.

THE PROSPECTS FOR THAT LEGISLATION TO NOT LOOK GOOD.

>> IT WAS ALMOST LIKE YOU HAD YOUR THREE LAST YEAR, DO NOT BE GREEDY.

DON'’T YOU THINK THAT UVALDE REALLY PUSH THAT NARRATIVE?

THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANY GUN LEGISLATION AND THEN UVALDE HAPPENED.

>> OVER MEMORIAL WEEKEND, THERE WERE MASS SHOOTINGS WITH A GOOD NUMBER OF PEOPLE BEING KILLED.

RAYMOND: I'’M SURPRISED THERE IS NOT A COMMITMENT ON THAT BILL.

THERE IS A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM ALL FIVE STATEWIDE OFFICERS AND THERE HAS BEEN EVENTS WITH THE PRESS CONFERENCES INTRODUCING THE BILLS AND THERE WAS A LOT OF ENERGY IN THE ROOM.

JIM: BUDGETS ARE ALWAYS AN ISSUE.

THEY SAY AS PROVIDENCE GOES, SO DOES THE REST OF THE STATE.

THERE ARE SOME STORM CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON, MAYBE NOT THIS YEAR, BUT AS THE FEDERAL MONEY RUNS OUT IT WILL BE PROBLEMATIC.

AMY: ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THE STATE IS FACING SOME OF THE SAME CHALLENGES THAT PROVIDENCE IS FACING.

WE ARE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY IN THIS YEAR'’S UPCOMING BUDGET AND PROVIDENCE IS TAKING A SECOND LOOK, TOO, AND WHAT KIND OF ONE TIME FEDERAL FUNDS DID IT COMMIT TO A BUNCH OF PROJECTS IT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO FULLY FUND NOW.

THINGS LIKE GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT.

THAT IS DISCONTINUED BY THIS MAYOR.

REPARATIONS IS GETTING A SECOND JIM: RAYMOND, I WONDER AS THE BUDGET -- WE TALKED WHEN YOU WERE ON HERE, IT LOOKS LIKE THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE OUT THIS YEAR AND THAT IS PROBABLY NOT A SURPRISE BECAUSE THE CONFERENCE -- EXPLAIN WHAT THAT WOULD HAVE DONE FOR RIC STUDENTS AND MAYBE DOWN THE LINE.

RAYMOND: IT WOULD BE DISAPPOINTING IF IT WAS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK AND DID NOT GO THROUGH.

YOU HAVE SUPPORT FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR.

TO EXPLAIN WITH THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP IS, IT WOULD SUBSIDIZE THE LAST TWO YEARS OF TUITION FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS OF TUITION FOR RIC STUDENTS.

IF YOU MET CERTAIN CRITERIA, 60 CREDITS, IN-STATE TUITION, 2.5 GPA, GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING.

JIM: ED, JUST GIVE A PLUG AS TO WHEN PEOPLE COULD LISTEN TO THIS.

ED: THE PODCAST IS UP NOW.

RHODE ISLAND PBS HAS IT ON YOUTUBE IN FULL.

JIM: AS I WAS WATCHING, THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE MONEY FOLLOWING THE STUDENT RATHER THAN THE INSTITUTION.

>> JIM ASKED ABOUT THAT, SAYING THERE ARE STUDENTS IN RHODE ISLAND TO GO TO PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES, NOT ALL OF THEM ARE AFFLUENT.

COULD SOME OF THE MONEY FOLLOW THEM WHEREVER THEY GO?

I DID NOT HEAR ANY SUPPORT.

JIM: WHAT ELSE TO DO TAKE FROM THAT PODCAST?

YOU HAD 45 MINUTES JUST WHAT THE SPEAKER AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

YOU HAD A PANELIST DO THE ANALYSIS.

>> WE LEARNED SOMETHING ABOUT SOME OF THE KEY PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT THEY WILL BE DECIDING ON THE NEXT THREE WEEKS.

ONE OF THEM WAS THAT THERE PROBABLY IS GOING TO BE SOME ACTION THIS YEAR ON THE SHORE ACCESS LEGISLATION, THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE DIFFERENT VERSIONS.

JIM: I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE FINISHED PRODUCT WILL BE.

YOU START TO GET A HEADACHE WHEN YOU REALIZE ALL THE DIFFERENT PERMUTATIONS WITH THAT.

>> YEAH.

IT WILL BE DIFFICULT.

THEY HAVE TWO DIFFERENT VERSIONS.

WHERE WILL THEY DRAW THE LINE IN THE SAND, LITERALLY?

IT LOOKS LIKE THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN IS GOING NOWHERE, THE BOTTLE BILL IS GOING NOWHERE.

OPPOSED TO ENDING THE EXEMPTION THAT ALLOWS SMOKING WITHIN THE TWO CASINOS.

THE UNIONS AND THE WORKERS HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR THAT TO END, SAYING IT WAS UNHEALTHY.

>> I THOUGHT THAT WAS A TIN EAR.

IF THEY WANT THE JOBS THEY WANT THE JOBS TO HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THE SMOKE.

YOU COULD SAY THAT IN 1950 BUT THIS IS 2023.

DON'’T YOU THINK THAT SOUNDED A LITTLE INSENSITIVE TO THE WORKERS?

>> HE SAID HE IS AFRAID OF LOSING REVENUE AND I POINTED OUT THAT FOXWOODS CASINO DOES NOT ALLOW SMOKING AND IT SEEMS TO BE DOING FINE.

I THINK IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THAT EVENTUALLY ENDS.

ALSO, AS YOU POINT OUT, THEY ARE CLOSE TO HAVING SOME AGREEMENT AFTER THREE YEARS TO CHANGE THAT LAW.

RAYMOND: HOPEFULLY THE RIC BILLS WILL -- JIM: DON'’T HOLD YOUR BREATH.

I HATE TO BREAK IT TO YOU BUT IF I WAS A BETTING MAN, WHICH I M, I WOULD SAY DON'’T HOLD YOUR BREATH BUT WE WILL KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED FOR THE RIC STUDENTS.

RAYMOND: HOPEFULLY THE SCHOLARSHIP ENDS UP PASSING.

BEING A RIC GUY, I AM ROOTING FOR THAT ONE.

I WAS LOOKING AT THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN UNTIL THE NEWS WAS BROKEN THAT STILL SURPRISES ME.

JIM: ANYTHING YOU ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON AT THE STATEHOUSE?

AMY: EDUCATION AT THE STATEWIDE LEVEL, SPECIFICALLY WHAT IS BEING SPENT ON SCHOOL SAFETY THESE DAYS.

WE TALKED ABOUT UVALDE AND WHETHER THAT COULD BE A CATALYST FOR ANY CHANGE.

IT CERTAINLY WAS LAST YEAR IN TERMS OF FUNDING.

AFTER UVALDE THE STATES THAT SCHOOLS COULD DO THEIR OWN REVIEW OF SECURITY MEASURES AND IF THEY HAD ANYTHING THEY WANT TO ADD THE STATE WOULD CONTRIBUTE UP TO $5 MILLION TO DIFFERENT DISTRICTS TO DO THAT.

I THINK THAT FUNDING PIECE HAS BEEN PLAYING OUT NOW.

YOU SEE SCHOOLS ADDING DIFFERENT PIECES OF SAFETY, REINFORCED DOORS AND SHATTERPROOF GLASS.

>> IT IS HARD TO GET AN ACCOUNTING OF WHO IS SPENDING BUT WHERE.

AMY HAD A GREAT ARTICLE IN THE JOURNAL ABOUT THIS.

I HAVE HEARD THAT IF YOU HAVE SECURITY, YOU WANT TO BROADCAST TO THE WORLD TO SAY DON'’T TRY TO GET INTO THESE BUILDINGS BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE X, X AND X.

GOVERNMENT IS HESITANT WHEN YOU TALK TO SOME COMMUNITIES.

THEY SAID I DO NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR SECURITY.

AMY: EXACTLY.

IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE.

NOT EVERY SCHOOL WANTS TO SHARE WHAT THEY ARE UP TO.

YOU HAD SOME DSTRICTS THAT SAID WE HAVE BEEN SPENDING AND WE WOULD RATHER NOT GET INTO SPECIFICS BUT THERE WERE A HANDFUL THAT WERE ABLE TO GIVE BROADLY THE NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE MADE, WHAT THEY SPENT AND WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT.

JIM: DO YOU FIND MOST DISTRICTS HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE MONEY OR IS THERE STILL MONEY TO BE USED?

IT IS ALWAYS IN THE EXECUTION.

IS A BUNCH OF THE MONEY SPENT?

AMY: IT HAS BEEN SPENT BUT THERE ARE DISTRICTS THAT ARE SAYING THEY ARE HOPING TO DO MORE IN THE FUTURE.

THEY ARE HOPING TO UPGRADE EVEN MORE.

NOT EVERYBODY HAS DONE FALL, COMPLETE RENOVATION OF THEIR SCHOOL.

SOME OF IT IS JUST ADDING SECURITY CAMERAS HERE OR THERE.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ACTIVITY.

JIM: REMEMBER LAST YEAR WE TALKED ABOUT ARMING CAMPUS POLICE OFFICERS.

DID I GO ANYWHERE?

>> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

JIM: AND FORTIFYING SCHOOLS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BIG DEAL.

YOU WONDER, YOUR KIDS ARE OUT -- YOU HAVE ONE IN PUBLIC SCHOOL?

>> MY KID IS STILL LIKE CLASSICAL.

JIM: WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE?

>> THEY PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO INCREASING SECURITY AT THE SCHOOLS AND I THINK THAT WILL CONTINUE.

THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO ADDRESS THE WHOLE ISSUE OF SECURITY THERE.

JIM: FINALLY, AN ISSUE NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS.

ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS ACT WHICH GOVERNS NOT ONLY FROM REPORTERS BUT ALL OF YOU WHO WANT TO GET GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS AND A WHOLE SLATE OF OTHER THINGS THERE ARE MAJOR REVISIONS.

YOU WOULD NOT HAVE BOTH TALKING TO A SENATOR.

WE WILL NOT GET INTO CHAPTER AND VERSE BUT BASICALLY IT IS GETTING DOWN TO CRUNCH TIME AND GOVERNOR MCKEE'’S OFFICE PUT UP AN OBJECTION TO RELEASING.

THEY SAID IT IS TOO BURDENSOME.

THE POLICE CHIEFS ARE WORRIED ABOUT INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS AND BODY CAMS.

YOU LOOK AT THE NEW ENGLAND FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING HEADING TO CRUNCH TIME?

>> THE SENATOR HAS MADE THIS ONE OF HIS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND HAS FACED OPPOSITION FROM GOVERNOR MCKEE, THE STATE POLICE.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF IT IN THE NEXT THREE WEEKS.

IT WOULD MAKE SOME IMPORTANT CHANGES TO A LAW THAT HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED IN YEARS TO REFLECT TECHNOLOGY, ACCESS TO EMAILS, ACCESS TO 911 CALLS TO FIND WHAT A POLICE NARRATIVE IS THAT WE FIND OUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED WHEN PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED.

THERE IS A LOT OF IMPORTANT OPEN GOVERNMENT MEASURES IN THAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD INCREASE FINES FOR WILLFUL AND KNOWING VIOLATIONS OF THE ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS ACT.

I AM KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THAT.

JIM: WE ALL HAVE OUR WAR STORIES ABOUT TRYING TO GET RECORDS.

AMY: ONE THING THAT IS REALLY A BARRIER IS THE COSTS THAT ARE SOMETIME ASSOCIATE IT OBTAINING PUBLIC RECORDS.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING I AM USED TO ENCOUNTERING AS A JOURNALIST BUT I WILL SAY A FEW MONTHS AGO REQUESTING SOME RECORDS FROM THE PROVIDENCE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE JOURNAL WAS ALMOST CHARGED ABOUT $1000 BEFORE THE MAYOR'’S OFFICE STEPPED IN AND HELPED US TO GET THE RECORDS.

JIM: IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE A DETERRENT.

THE AVERAGE JOE WILL THINK, DO WE REALLY WANT TO SPEND THAT MONEY?

IS IT WORTH IT?

AMY: I WORRY LESS ABOUT JOURNALISTS AND THE AVERAGE PERSON OR A NONPROFIT GROUP AND SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO GET RECORDS AND ALSO HAVE THE CHANCE TO SPEND THAT KIND OF MONEY, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE REQUEST?

>> I PERSONALLY HAVE NOT HAD ANY HORROR STORIES.

JIM: JUST DEALING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> LUCKILY THEY ARE NOT SENDING A FEMALE'’S WERE EVERYTHING IS BLACKED OUT AND REDACTED.

BUT THE HORROR STORIES OF GETTING TO FAX IN A REQUEST.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS ALSO PUBLIC DOLLARS.

TRANSPARENCY IS ALWAYS KEY.

WE ARE ON THE SIDE OF THE TAXPAYERS AT THE END OF THE DAY.

JIM: IT WAS REFRESHING TO SEE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BASICALLY SAID -- I HAD HAD SOME PRIVATE DISCUSSIONS WITH HIM.

ONE OF THE REPORTERS SAID HE HAD TO SEND A LETTER TO SOMEBODY, THEY COULD NOT USE EMAIL.

HE SAID, HEY PUBLIC BODIES, GET WITH THE PROGRAM, WE ARE IN 2023.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN.

>> PETE MORE SO THAN SOME OF HIS PREDECESSORS HAS BEEN REALLY GOOD ON EMPHASIZING THE NEED FOR ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS AND OPEN MEETINGS.

HE HAS INVITED SOME TO TAKE PART IN OPEN GOVERNMENT.

HE IS SENDING THE RIGHT SIGNALS.

HE HAS A BULLY PULPIT TO DO THAT.

I GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR THAT.

THERE IS A BIG BACKLOG OF PUBLIC RECORDS CASES, APPEALS.

HE SAID WE DO NOT HAVE THE STAFF TO DEAL WITH THAT.

THAT IS A BIG PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

HE HAS ASKED THE ADMINISTRATION FOR MORE FUNDING TO HIRE MORE PEOPLE TO DO THAT.

WE CANNOT HAVE THAT BACKLOG AND GET TIMELY ACCESS TO RECORDS THAT WE SHOULD HAVE.

JIM: SO THEY SAY.

I JUST FILED A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST FOR A STORY I'’M WORKING ON DOWN THE LINE.

IF YOU DISAGREE WITH ANY OF THIS, YOU CAN APPEAL IT.

THEY KNOW IF IT GOES TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL -- YOU CAN APPEAL IT FIRST TO THEM BUT IF IT ULTIMATELY GOES TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'’S OFFICE, THEY WILL RUN OUT THE CLOCK.

>> IF IT TAKES YEARS TO GET SOMETHING, IT MIGHT NOT BE NEWS IN THE YEAR.

THAT DELAY IS A PROBLEM.

JIM: LET'’S GO TO OUTRAGEOUS OR KUDOS.

>> YESTERDAY WAS THE FIRST GAME OF THE NBA FINALS AND THE CELTICS WERE NOT IN IT AFTER LOSING GAME 7 TO THE HEAT.

JIM: OUTRAGE, DEPRESSION, YOU COULD PUT IT IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT STUFF.

CELTICS NATION WILL HAVE A LONG OFF-SEASON.- ED: THE SAME OUTRAGE OVER THE CELTICS.

I EXPECTED THIS WAS THE YEAR THEY WOULD WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO SEE THEM COME UP SHORT IN GAME 7.

I WANT TO GIVE KUDOS TO RAY AS A STUDENT JOURNALIST GETTING AFTER IT, GIVES ME HOPE.

JIM: MAYBE WILL HAVE THE OLD-TIMERS GIVE RAYMOND SOME TIPS.

ED: HE WILL RUN INTO SOME ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS.

JIM: AMY, THIS IS YOUR DEBUT.

WELCOME.

AMY HAS BEEN WITH THE JOURNAL THE LAST FEW YEARS, YOU HAVE READ HER COLUMN ABOUT DOING THINGS AROUND RHODE ISLAND AND EDUCATION.

WELCOME, DO YOU HAVE AN OUTRAGE OR KUDOS?

AMY: KUDOS TO PROVIDENCE POLICE.

THEY SUBMITTED THEIR TWO REPORTS ON SAFETY CAMERAS, THE NUMBER OF HITS AND I BELIEVE THOSE REPORTS WERE DELAYED IN GETTING TO THE COUNCIL AND NOW THEY ARE WITH THE COUNCIL SO IT IS GREAT THEY MADE GOOD ON THAT.

JIM: THOSE CAMERAS HAVE BEEN CONTROVERSIAL.

THE ACLU PUT UP CONCERN.

THEY ARE USING THOSE -- THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO USE THOSE IN SOLVING SOME CRIMES.

AMY: IT SEEMS THEY'’RE PRETTY EFFECTIVE.

I THINK IT WAS WPRI THAT HAD A REPORT ON HOW THEY ARE WORKING.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THE INITIAL STATS ARE DECENT AND THAT THEY ARE BECOMING AN ASSET TO THE CITY.

JIM: FROM A FIRST AMENDMENT STANDPOINT?

ED: I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE RECORDS.

JUST LIKE THE BODY CAMERAS.

WE SHOULD HAVE A POLICY THAT GIVES YOU TIMELY ACCESS.

JIM: THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE POLICE BODY CAMERAS.

I FOUND IT INTERESTING IN THE CASE WITH THE CRANSTON CITY COUNCILMAN.

SOME OF THAT MIGHT BE POLITICS, SOME MIGHT NOT BE, THIS WAS THE ONE WHERE THE GUY WAS PULLED OVER, HE HAD THE CRACK PIPE AND HE HAS SINCE RESIGNED.

I THOUGHT IT INTERESTING THAT BODY CAMERA STUFF WAS OUT THERE IN A DAY OR TWO.

IT SHOWS YOU EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

>> IT SHOWS YOU WHAT HAPPENED AND YOU HAVE INSTANTANEOUS ACCESS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE HAD HAPPENED.

DEPENDING ON THE AGENCY, THE CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU GET A LOT OF DELAY.

JIM: THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

IT IS A QUICK 30 MINUTES.

ED, RAYMOND, AMY, WELCOME.

IF YOU CANNOT GET TO US, IF YOU DO NOT WATCH US LIVE FRIDAY AT 7:00 OR SUNDAY AT NOON, WE ARE ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE ARCHIVE ALL OF OUR SHOWS.

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VISIT NCICAP.ORG] ♪ >> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY.

>> HI, I AM JOHN.

FOR OVER 30 YEARS, "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS ABOUT POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

I AM ARO