JIM: THE HOUSE BUDGET CONTAINS SURPRISES.

IT’S BEEN 40 YEARS SINCE RHODE ISLAND HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

WILL NEXT YEAR BE THE YEAR?

ANNOUNCER: A LIVELY EXPERIMENT GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR OVER 30 YEARS, A LIVELY EXPERIMENT PROVIDED ANALYSIS TO THE POLITICAL ISSUES FACING RHODE ISLANDERS.

I’M A PROUD SUPPORTER.

JIM: URI POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR EMILY LYNCH, FOUNDER OF WATCHDOG RI KEN BLOCK AND RAYMOND BACCARI FROM W PRI TV.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING ON THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION.

FRONT AND CENTER THIS WEEK, DETAILS OF THE $13 MILLION BUDGET RELEASED BY THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE, AFTER MONTHS OF HEARINGS.

THE PROPOSAL IS A QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS MORE THAN WHAT THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED IN JANUARY.

THE BUDGET WAS $9.5 BILLION FOUR YEARS AGO.

IT WILL PROBABLY PASS TONIGHT.

ANYTHING STAND OUT?

EMILY: THERE ARE A FEW ISSUES TO ME THINKING ABOUT EDUCATION, HOW THE HOUSE INCLUDED FUNDING FOR MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS AS WELL AS KEEPING THE CORE INSTRUCTIONAL AMOUNT IN THE FORMULA.

EDUCATION, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND HEALTH CARE ARE IMPORTANT, KEY ASPECTS THAT WE COULD TALK ABOUT.

TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THEM TODAY.

KEN: SHOCKING TO ME, THE SIZE OF THE BUDGET, WHETHER IT IS SUSTAINABLE ONCE THE EXTRA FEDERAL MONEYS DISAPPEAR.

THIS BUDGET IS THE LAST YEAR TO DEPEND ON FEDERAL DOLLARS.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM NEXT YEAR.

HOW DO WE PAY FOR IT?

CAN WE KEEP IT AT THE LEVEL IT IS?

I SUSPECT WE CAN’T.

WHAT GETS CUT?

$14 BILLION BUDGET ACROSS ONE MILLION PEOPLE, $14,000 PER PERSON.

ASTONISHING AMOUNT OF MONEY.

DON’T BELIEVE WE HAVE ANY HOPE OF KEEPING SPENDING AT THAT LEVEL.

JIM: THE DEBATE YOU MODERATED WITH PATRICK AND IAN, SOMEONE ASKED THE GOVERNOR WHEN ALL THE COVID MONEY WAS SIFTED OUT, WHAT WOULD THE BUDGET GO BACK TO?

HIS ANSWER WAS $12 BILLION.

RAYMOND: THE FIRST THING WE LOOK AT IS THE SIZE OF THE BUDGET EVERY YEAR.

IT’S $14 BILLION.

MY COLLEAGUE DID A GREAT WRITE UP ON THIS.

THINGS THAT WERE NOT IN WERE THE CITIZENS BANK TAX CHANGE BEING PUSHED FORWARD TOWARD THE END OF THE BRIEFING.

AND THE ARCHIVES BUILDING SECRETARY MORRIS WAS PUSHING FOR DIDN’T GET IN.

NO MONEY FOR THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION.

THERE IS THE SERVICE CUTS, THE HOUSING BOND.

THAT NEEDS TO BE A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE TO ATTACK THE STATE HOUSING CRISIS.

THERE IS THE PROPOSAL FOR MONEY TO RENOVATE THE NEW CYBERSECURITY INSTITUTE.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT THE FATE WAS IN THE BUDGET BUT I REMEMBER THE GOVERNOR TALKING ABOUT AN AMENDMENT TO EXTEND THE SCHOLARSHIP TO 2030.

JIM: AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS INTERESTING.

THEY ALLOCATED $250 MILLION.

SO MANY STORIES THAT WE ARE YEARS AWAY.

I WONDER AT THIS EXTRA $120 MILLION.

IT’S A BOND.

I WONDER IF THE TIMING WOULD BE BETTER NEXT YEAR.

EMILY: IT’S IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE FUNDING FOR AUTHORIZATION FOR THE PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPER AS A POTENTIAL WAY TO FACE THE CRISIS IN THE FUTURE.

WE WILL SEE WHAT THE LEADERS DO.

IT GIVES THE STATE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PROGRESSIVE LEADER ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN MODELING AFTER WHAT WE SEE IN A COUNTY IN MARYLAND.

THERE ARE DRAWBACKS AND BENEFITS TO THIS.

IT PUTS THAT ABILITY IF THEY WANT TO MOVE FORWARD, THEY CAN.

THINKING ABOUT HOUSING, THERE WAS A SURPLUS.

SHOULD THE SPEAKER HAVE INCLUDED MORE THAN WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY ALLOCATED FOR HOUSING BECAUSE OF THE CRISIS?

SOME OF THAT MONEY IS GOING TOWARD TOWN PLANNING WHICH IS A GREAT WAY TO THINK ABOUT FEDERALISM AND HOW CITIES AND TOWNS NEED TO HAVE FUNDING IN ORDER TO PLAN FOR WHAT NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS LOOK LIKE ACROSS THE STATE.

JIM: WHAT ELSE STOOD OUT?

KEN: LET’S STAY ON HOUSING.

EVERYONE CAN ACKNOWLEDGE WE HAVE A CRISIS.

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH HOUSING OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I HAVE A BEEF WITH THE SUPERMEN BUILDING AND THE GIGANTIC AMOUNT OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS BEING ASKED TO HELP RENOVATE THAT BUILDING, PART OF THOSE RENOVATION DOLLARS WILL YIELD IN THEORY AFFORDABLE UNITS.

I THINK $150 MILLION IN TAXPAYER MONEY CAN BE SPENT ON HOUSING IN A FAR MORE EFFECTIVE WAY THEN ON THE SUPERMEN BUILDING.

WE SHOULD TAKE THE BUILDING BY EMINENT DOMAIN, GIVE IT TO A MOVIE PRODUCER WHO WILL BRING IT DOWN AS PART OF A MOVIE.

THEY JUST HAVE TO CLEAN IT UP AFTERWARDS.

SAVE THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS, PUT IT INTO SOMETHING THAT CAN BE EFFECTIVE IN TERMS OF THE UNITS WE NEED AND STOP THIS INCESSANT WHINING FOR MONEY ON THE PART OF A PRIVATE OWNER OF A BUILDING.

JIM: YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST.

KEN BLOCK, BRING IT DOWN AS PART OF THE MOVIE.

THEY’VE BEEN QUIET.

WILL THEY NEED MORE MONEY?

ARE THEY GOING TO COME BACK?

RAYMOND: ANOTHER THING WAS THE COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEES.

THE PENSION FUND REACHES 80% AS PART OF THE INITIAL OVERALL.

THE STATE TREASURER SAID THIS WOULD AFFECT CAPACITY.

LOOKING AT THE ISSUE ON THE FLIPSIDE, THE RETIREES ARGUE RISING INFLATION, THEY ARE HURTING, THEY NEED THESE ADJUSTMENTS.

BEFORE THIS PROPOSAL, THE ESTIMATE WHEN WE WOULD GET TO 80% WAS 2030.

JIM: THE LEGISLATURE TOLD THE TREASURER TO PUT TOGETHER A COMMITTEE.

QUITE FRANKLY, THE RETIREES BEFORE 2012, MANY DON’T COLLECT SOCIAL SECURITY.

THEY WERE BANKING ON THIS.

THE GOALS WERE UNSUSTAINABLE.

YOU LOOKED AT THE PENSIONS.

SEEMS I GOT THE EAR OF THE SPEAKER.

I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY THERE ARE NOW.

19,000 THIS WILL AFFECT.

THEY WERE ARGUING, BEFORE THE 80%, WHATEVER NEEDED TO KICK IN, A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE WOULD DIE.

THEY ARE ON $40,000 PENSIONS.

STRUCTURALLY IN THE WRONG RUN, I WONDER WHAT THIS WILL DO.

THEY’VE ADDED MONEY BACK IN BUT THAT WILL HAVE A RIPPLE EFFECT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

RAYMOND: THE STUDY COMMISSION STOOD UP TO ADDRESS THIS PUNTED.

THEY DIDN’T MAKE ANY FIRM RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE TREASURER, WHO I LIKE PERSONALLY, HASN’T TAKEN A COURAGEOUS STANCE ON THIS.

HE WAS WARNING ABOUT IT.

WELL NEVER MIND GO AHEAD AND DO IT.

WHAT PEOPLE LOSE TRACK OF HIS HAD THESE CHANGES NOT BEEN MADE A DECADE AGO, THE PENSION SYSTEM WOULD HAVE BEEN BANKRUPT BY THIS TIME POTENTIALLY.

IT WAS A NECESSARY THING TO DO.

WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS.

I ARGUE TAKING ACTION NOW THAT ENDANGERS THE HEALTH OF THE PENSION PLAN COULD SEND US RIGHT BACK TO WHERE WE WERE A DECADE AGO AND THAT WOULD BE A BAD OUTCOME FOR EVERYBODY.

JIM: YOU HEAR STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE WHO WERE JUST GETTING BY.

THEY WERE PROMISED, SHOULD THE STATE LIVE UP TO ITS CONTRACT.

I SEE BOTH SIDES.

EMILY: NANCY AND KATHY GREG HAD GREAT COVERAGE ON THESE TOPICS.

IT WAS ONLY A FEW MORE YEARS UNTIL IT WOULD KICK IN AGAIN.

THERE WOULD BE, THEY WOULD REVISIT MORE CHANGES.

RIGHT PACK CAME OUT THIS WEEK SAYING THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF THE PENSION INCOME REFORMS AND THEY THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO HEAR WHAT THE HOUSE DOES TODAY AND IF THEY FOCUS ON THIS.

OVERALL, THE PENSION REFORM PACKAGE, LOOKING AT STATE EMPLOYEES, THE ABILITY FOR SOME OF THEM IN SAFETY JOBS TO RETIRE EARLY, SIMILAR TO FIRE FIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS.

ON THE OTHER HAND, PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR RETIREES TO CONTINUE TO WORK.

IT’S INTERESTING TO LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THIS LEGISLATION.

JIM: THE WRAPUP ON YOUR POINT.

STATE CONTRIBUTION TRIGGERS ANOTHER LOCAL CONTRIBUTION.

THAT WILL HAVE A TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT.

KEN: THE AMOUNT OF LIABILITY, THE MONEY OWED TO STATE AND LOCAL PENSIONS IS CRUSHING WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT AS TOTAL BURDEN.

IN PROVIDENCE, THE PENSION FUND LIABILITIES AND OPEB LIABILITIES, HEALTH CARE FOR RETIREES AMOUNTS TO $15,000 PER WHO LIVES IN PROVIDENCE NOW.

IT’S A CRUSHING BURDEN.

WE HAVE HUGE PROBLEMS.

WHAT THE RETIREES ARE ASKING US TO DO IS IGNORE THE PROBLEMS AND FOCUS ON THEIR PARTICULAR ISSUES, WHICH I GET.

THEY ARE IN A TOUGH SPOT.

OUR GOVERNMENT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO DO WHAT’S RIGHT FOR THE LONG RUN.

ENDANGERING THE PENSIONS AND PUTTING THEM ON SHAKY GROUND AT THIS TIME DOES NOT SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

JIM: THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICE BILL OF RIGHTS.

WHAT HAPPENED?

RAYMOND: YESTERDAY THE RHODE ISLAND SENATE VOTED ON SEVERAL BILLS, INCLUDING REFORMING THE OFFICER BILL OF RIGHTS AND ALSO PASSING THE SAFE STORAGE BILL WHICH WOULD REQUIRE GUN OWNERS TO LOCK UP THEIR FIREARMS WHEN NOT IN USE.

THE BILL OF RIGHTS WENT TO THE SENATE.

THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS CONCERNS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY WHEN IT CAME TO BODY WORN CAMERA VIDEOS.

THAT PASTOR M -- THAT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

IT WENT TO THE HOUSE.

IT’S ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK.

SAFE STORAGE PAST WITH THESE.

THERE’S A FEW OTHER BILLS AT THE END OF THE SESSION, INCLUDING THE SENATE HEALTH INITIATIVE, WHICH INCLUDE THE FAIR SHARE FOR DENTAL CARE ACT, INCLUDING THE SPEAKERS BILLS TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING CRISIS AND ANOTHER ONE INTRODUCED BY TWO REPRESENTATIVES TO LET UNAFFILIATED VOTERS WHO VOTE IN A PRIMARY STAY UNAFFILIATED AUTOMATICALLY.

JIM: THERE’S A LOT GOING.

WE WILL SEE BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT WEEK THEY WILL TRY TO RETURN THE WEEK AFTER.

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BILL OF RIGHTS IS ONE EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT.

IT ALMOST GOT TO THE FINISH LINE THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

THIS YEAR IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL HAPPEN.

EMILY: NEWS.

IT TAKES TIME TO GET THIS LEGISLATION THROUGH.

THERE WAS THAT FINAL CONCERN ABOUT THE BODYCAM AND THE FOOTAGE.

THAT WAS RESOLVED.

THAT WAS DUE TO MEDIA COVERAGE AND ADVOCATES SPEAKING OUT ABOUT THAT.

WE WILL SEE THE GOVERNOR SIGNING THAT SHORTLY.

THE OTHER THING RAY DISCUSSED WAS THE ATTENDANCE FOR SUCCESS BILL.

I’M INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT.

THIS IS SOMETHING GOVERNOR MCKEE HAS DISCUSSED IN DETAIL AND HAS GOTTEN DOWN TO D.C. TO SHOWCASE WHAT’S BEEN DONE IN RHODE ISLAND IN IMPROVING ATTENDANCE ACROSS THE STATE.

THE LEGISLATORS INVOLVED HAVE BEEN A GREAT JOB OUTLINING THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING DATA ON ABSENCES, NOT ONLY THOSE UNEXCUSED BUT EXCUSED, I KNOW IT SOUNDS ARBITRARY BUT THESE ARE IMPORTANT TO PAY TTENTION TO TO HELP THOSE STUDENTS WHO NEED INTERVENTIONS, AS LONG AS THE SCHOOLS ARE GETTING THE FUNDING NEEDED FOR THOSE.

I BELIEVE THAT’S A GOOD THING.

MCKEY’S LEARNED 365 INITIATIVE, REALLY COMES INTO PLAY HERE WHERE YOU HAVE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, PARTNERS THAT CAN HELP WITH IMPROVING ATTENDANCE.

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND HAS BECOME A PART OF THIS SOLUTION TO HELPING WITH ATTENDANCE WHERE YOU HAVE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION THAT HAS COME INTO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SOUTH KINGSTOWN, TO HELP WITH MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS, TO MENTOR THEM THROUGH TUTORING INTERNSHIPS AND I HAVE HAD STUDENTS IN MY CLASS AND I AM GOING ON AND ON ABOUT THIS BUT WHO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THIS AND DISCUSSED IN A PODCAST THEY CREATED HOW THIS RELATES TO CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AND HOW IT CAN HELP IMPROVE STUDENTS GOING TO SCHOOL WHEN THEY HAVE MENTORS THAT THEY KNOW WILL BE THERE.

JIM: THAT WAS A BIG PROBLEM AFTER COVID.

WHERE IS THE NEXT ROUND OF MONEY GOING TO COME FROM?

THE INCENTIVE TO GET INVOLVED WAS THE STICK, THE MONEY AT THE END OF THE LINE.

KEN: A LOT OF MUNICIPAL SPENDING HAS GENESIS IN, WE WILL SEE THIS PROGRAM, BUT THEN IT IS ON YOU AS WE MOVE ON.

A LOT OF SCHOOL BUDGETS ARE UNDER DURESS RIGHT NOW.

MUNICIPALITIES STRUGGLE WITH THEIR OWN BUDGETS RIGHT NOW.

WHAT BECOMES EFFECTIVELY AN UNFUNDED MANDATE, GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS NEVER BEEN CAREFUL ABOUT THAT.

THEY NEED TO HAVE SOME CARE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF MANDATES MUNICIPALITIES AND SCHOOL BOARDS HAVE TO WORK UNDER.

AT SOME POINT, WITH A CAP AND HOW MUCH MONEY TAXES CAN BE RAISED THANKFULLY, MUNICIPAL BUDGETS STRUGGLE TO HANDLE A LOT OF THIS SPENDING THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO.

JIM: WE HAVEN’T HEARD ABOUT ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS REFORM.

THERE WAS DISCUSSION EARLY IN THE SESSION.

I HAVEN’T HEARD MUCH.

RAYMOND: ON NEWSMAKERS, TED AND TIM TALKED TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMON CAUSE AND HE SAID IT IS STILL ALIVE.

THAT’S ANOTHER BILL, I TALK ABOUT FIVE BILLS TO WATCH.

THERE ARE SOME HONORABLE MENTIONS.

THAT’S ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

THE ATTENDANCE FOR SUCCESS ACT IS SUPPORTED BY THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS WELL.

JIM: EVERY 10 YEARS, VOTERS ARE ASKED WHETHER THEY WANT TO HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS 1985.

LINCOLN CHAFEE AND BRUCE SUMMERLAND.

THINK HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN.

BEFORE ANYONE KNEW WHO THEY WERE, THEY WERE AT THAT CONVENTION.

THE VOTERS VOTED THIS DOWN THREE TIMES SINCE THE 1980’S.

IT’S GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT AGAIN.

IT COMES DOWN TO LOBBYING AT THE END OF THE DAY.

RAYMOND: LOBBYING.

WHEN WE PUT THE QUESTION ON THE BALLOT, IT BECOMES A CAMPAIGN.

IF YOU’RE GOING TO ELECT TO HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, THERE HAS TO BE AN EFFECTIVE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN EXECUTED TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

2014, THERE WAS A VERY EFFECTIVE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST HAVING A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AND IN AN EFFECTIVE CAMPAIGN TO HAVING ONE.

IT’S IMPORTANT WE HAVE ONE.

THERE ARE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES IN HOW WE GOVERN OURSELVES THAT GENERAL ASSEMBLY, LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES, WILL NEVER CHANGE.

JIM: LINE ITEM VETO?

ARE YOU INTERESTED?

KEN: I’M A LITTLE INTERESTED.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES LIKE THAT.

IMPORTANT GOOD GOVERNMENT ISSUES.

THE WAY WE CONDUCT OURSELVES AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

THIS INCREDIBLE SPASM OF LAWMAKING.

$14 BILLION BUDGET PUBLICLY KNOWN LESS THAN A WEEK BEFORE THEY VOTE ON IT.

THERE ARE FUNDAMENTAL THINGS WE SHOULD BE DOING BETTER.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IS THE WAY TO GET IT DONE WITHOUT MEETING TO GET THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO DO IT.

JIM: HAVE YOU STUDIED THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION?

IT’S AN INTERESTING ACADEMIC PURSUIT.

EMILY: YES, SOMETHING WE WANT TO CONSIDER IS HOW IS THE PUBLIC BEING INFORMED ABOUT POTENTIAL ISSUES?

THERE IS DISCUSSION.

THERE’S A CALL WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION OF HAVING A PREPARATORY COMMISSION.

WHO SHOULD BE ON IT?

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS?

THOSE OUTSIDE GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

THERE’S A NEED TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT PROS AND CONS OF CHANGING THE CONSTITUTION -- WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS?

LINE ITEM VETO IS ONE.

ANOTHER WOULD BE THE RIGHT EDUCATION AMENDMENT.

THE LIST COULD GO ON AND ON.

JIM: VOTER INITIATIVE GOD FOR BID YOU WOULD EVER HAVE THAT.

RAYMOND: SPEAKING OF ITEMS THAT COULD BE DONE IF THIS WERE APPROVED -- TERMS FOR THE STATE LEGISLATOR AND INSPECTOR GENERAL’S OFFICE.

A LOT OF THINGS COULD HAPPEN.

JIM: THAT COULD BE WHY THEY DON’T -- I REMEMBER -- THE GREAT ARGUMENT FROM 1985 WAS THAT THERE WAS A CONCERN THEY WOULD RESTRICT THE RIGHT TO ABORTION.

WHEN THEY PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, TWO THIRDS OF THE PEOPLE SAID WE DON’T WANT THAT.

YOU HAVE TO TRUST THE VOTERS A LITTLE BIT.

RAYMOND: THERE IS ZERO POLITICAL CHANCE IN RHODE ISLAND THE RIGHT TO ABORTION WOULD BE RESTRICTED UNDER A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION BECAUSE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR KEEPING ABORTION AVAILABLE IS HUGELY POSITIVE.

IT’S LIKE 70-30.

ANYBODY WHO BRINGS THAT UP AS A REASON NOT TO HAVE A CONVENTION IS FEAR MONGERING AND TRYING TO AVOID OPENING UP THE POWERS THAT BE TO HAVING SOME OF THOSE POWERS RAIN AND A LITTLE -- REIGNED IN A LITTLE IF THE CONVENTION DOES ITS JOB.

JIM: 10 YEARS AGO THERE WAS A LOT OF MONEY DUMPED IN AGAINST IT.

THERE WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE MISINFORMATION AGE.

A LOT OF CONFUSION, PEOPLE WERE LIKE LET’S JUST STICK WITH WHAT WE HAVE.

THE MESSAGING HAS TO BE THERE.

EMILY: EXACTLY.

WE DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME LEFT UNTIL WE SEE IT ON THE BALLOT.

WE WILL SEE IF THERE ARE GROUPS, WHAT THEIR MESSAGING IS FOR OR AGAINST HAVING A CONVENTION.

JIM: WHAT DOES YOUR GUT SAY?

DEPENDS THE WAY HE CAMPAIGN GOES?

KEN: DEPENDS ON THE PROGRAM ENGINE SIDE ON WHO IS QUARTERBACKING, HOW EFFECTIVELY THEY CAN RUN THE CAMPAIGN TO DO IT.

VOTERS CAN BE EASILY CONVINCED TO DO THIS BUT THE CONVINCING HAS TO HAPPEN.

JIM: LOCAL RACES TO GET TO.

OUTRAGE AND/OR KUDOS FIRST.

RAYMOND: I HAVE A KUDO.

CELTICS, A CONVINCING MARGIN.

GOOD TIME TO BE A FAN.

JIM: PRODUCTIONS?

RAYMOND: COME ON.

I WANT HE CELTICS TO WIN IN SIX.

MAYBE KARI IRVING GETS A GOOD GAME.

-- KYRIE.

JIM: THE GLOBE INTERVIEWED THE SPORTS REPORTERS, THE ONES FOR THE DALLAS MEDIANEWS.

WHAT A SURPRISE.

EVERYONE IN SHAUGHNESSY PREDICTED THE CELTICS IN BOSTON, AND EVERYONE DOWN THERE PREDICTED THE MAVERICKS.

KEN: OUTRAGE ABOUT THE BRIDGE.

THE DOT DIRECTOR WAS ON THE RADIO THIS WEEK TALKING ABOUT THE PROCUREMENTS TO DEMOLISH THE BRIDGE AND BUILD A NEW ONE.

WHAT HE WAS DISCUSSING, THE FINER POINTS, WERE CONTRARY TO WHAT THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ARE ASKING THE VENDORS TO DO.

INTERESTING DIVERSIONS.

TOO DETAILED TO GET INTO IN 45 SECONDS.

JIM: WE GOT A COUPLE MINUTES.

KEN: THERE’S A TON OF RISK DOT IS PLACING ON THE VENDORS IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENTS TO REBUILD, DEMOLISH THE BRIDGE.

THE RISKS ARE WHILE THE DOT KNOWS WHAT THE HEALTH OF THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE OF THE BRIDGE IS UNDER THE WATER, BECAUSE THEY DID THAT ANALYSIS WHEN THEY CLOSED IT, THEY HAVEN’T TOLD THE VENDORS WHAT THE RESULTS OF THAT ARE.

WHAT THEY ARE TELLING THE VENDORS IS, IT IS YOUR CALL WHETHER THOSE SUPPORTS CAN BE REUSED OR HAVE TO BE REBUILT SO IT IS ON YOU TO BEAR ALL THAT COST AND RISK AND ON TOP OF THAT IF THERE ARE ANY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES WITH THE RIVER BOTTOM, THAT’S ON YOU AS WELL.

JIM: WHO’S GOING TO WANT TO BID ON THAT?

KEN: I CAN’T IMAGINE ANYONE WOULD WANT TO EXPOSE THEIR CORPORATION TO THAT KIND OF RISK UNLESS THEY ARE SUBMITTING THREE QUARTER BILLION DOLLAR BIDS TO COVER THOSE EVENTUALITIES.

JIM: WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO KEEP THE FOOTINGS OF A BRAND-NEW BRIDGE YOU HOPE WILL LAST 100 YEARS?

KEN: CAN YOU BUILD A 100 YEAR BRIDGE ON TOP OF CEMENT THAT IS 60 YEARS OLD?

I DON’T THINK WE CAN.

THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY WITH THIS ENTIRE BRIDGE DEBACLE, FROM THE DAY THEY CLOSED, RIGHT THROUGH THE PROCUREMENTS NOW, WE HAVEN’T HAD THE TRANSPARENCY.

THE VENDORS WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BID ON THIS DON’T HAVE THE TRANSPARENCY THEY NEED.

WE COULD END UP WITH A SIX-YEAR WINDOW TO REBUILD THIS BRIDGE, JUST AT A GIGANTIC COST THAT RIGHT NOW NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT, IF ANYONE CHOOSES TO BID AT ALL.

I DON’T KNOW IF ANYONE WILL BECAUSE OF THE RISK.

JIM: I WANT TO GET BACK TO THAT.

EMILY.

EMILY: I HAVE A KUDO.

SPEAKER SICK ALREADY -- SPEAKER, FOR INCLUDING FUNDING FOR THE ARTS AND SPECIFICALLY THE MUSEUM.

IT’S CURRENTLY AT EXETER AND MOVING TO URI.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MUSEUM TO HAVE AND FUND WHERE STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE CAN LEARN ABOUT INDIGENOUS HISTORY AND CULTURE.

I HAD SILVER MOON LAROSE VISIT MY CLASSROOM A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

THE STUDENTS WERE ASTOUNDED, FROM RHODE ISLAND AND OUTSIDE RHODE ISLAND, ASTOUNDED TO HEAR ABOUT THE HISTORY HERE IN RHODE ISLAND RELATED TO INDIGENOUS TRIBES.

JIM: NOT ONLY DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT IT, I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE FUNDING.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE.

WHAT WITH THE SHOW BE WITHOUT THE BRIDGE?

IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WOULD BE A DAY OF RECKONING AND NOW NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT ANYMORE.

RAYMOND: IT IS AN ASPECT OF THE CONVERSATION THE LOCAL MEDIA HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT’S GOING ON.

I’M NOW DRIVING OVER THE BRIDGE.

JIM: EASTBOUND IS A PROBLEM.

RAYMOND: I HAVE WEEKEND SHIFTS.

EVEN ON A WEEK AND IT IS BACKED UP, VERY FAR BACK, SO I HAVE TO PLAN ONE HOUR, MAYBE 30 MINUTES OF EXTRA TIME TO RECOUNT FOR THE COMMUTE.

THIS WILL BE ONE OF THOSE ISSUES WE ARE CONSTANTLY TALKING ABOUT AT THIS POINT.

JIM: POLITICALLY, IT WILL BLEED INTO THE ’26 RACE.

EMILY: DEFINITELY.

ONGOING ISSUE.

POLITICS AS WE CONTINUE INTO THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

TODAY, THE SPEAKER ALLOCATED FUNDING FOR THE BRIDGE.

THAT WAS A SMART MOVE TO USE THE FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS, CAPITAL PLAN FUNDS FOR OUR PORTION.

WE WILL SEE.

WE ARE WAITING FOR THE FEDERAL FUNDING TO KICK IN.

JIM: ONE MINUTE LEFT.

WHAT SHOULD THE VIEWERS KNOW FROM WHAT YOU LOOKED OUT OVER THE LAST MONTH AND 50 SECONDS?

KEN: IT’S NOT JUST MY RESEARCH.

I TALKED TO A LOT OF ENGINEERS WHO WORKED FOR THE DOT AND THE VENDORS TO THE DOT.

WHAT I AM HEARING IS THE CURRENT PROCUREMENTS FALL SHORT OF WHAT IS NEEDED FOR THESE VENDORS TO COMPETENTLY BID THE JOB.

THERE’S A LOT OF UNKNOWNS.

THE DOT HASN’T COVERED ITSELF IN GLORY IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING THE BRIDGE, NOT BEING AWARE THE BRIDGE WAS IN SERIOUS DANGER OF IMMEDIATELY FALLING DOWN.

GOVERNOR MCKEE HAS EXPOSED HIMSELF TO POLITICAL PERIL.

HE’S FAILED THE VOTERS IN THIS STATE IN TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY.

I THINK IT WILL BE HIS BIGGEST PROBLEM IN ’26.

JIM: THAT’S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING YOUR WEEK WITH US.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

WE WILL KNOW A LOT MORE ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION.

WE WILL HAVE THAT AND THE FULL ANALYSIS.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

A LIVELY EXPERIMENT CONTINUES.

♪ ANNOUNCER: A LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> HI, FOR OVER 30 YEARS, A LIVELY EXPERIMENT PROVIDED INSIGHT TO THE POLITICAL ISSUES FACING RHODE ISLANDERS.

I’M A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS GREAT