>> WELCOME TO "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT.

JOINING US IS LINDA KATZ OF THE ECONOMIC PROGRESS INSTITUTE.

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER STEPH MACHADO AND FORMER STATE PRESENTED TO OF DAN REILLY.

HELLO AND WELCOME TO "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT."

FACING LOW APPROVAL RATINGS AND CHALLENGERS NIPPING AT HIS HEELS, GOVERNOR MCKEE RELEASED HIS FIRST TELEVISION COMMERCIAL THIS WEEK TOUTING HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE TAKING OVER LAST YEAR.

THIS WHILE NELLIE GORBEA HELD HER FIRST CAMPAIGN EVENT IN A LONG TIME CRITICIZING THE GOVERNOR FOR NOT WORKING HARDER TO REPEAL THE BAN ON ABORTION COVERAGE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES AND MEDICAID RECIPIENTS.

WE WERE TALKING LAST WEEK ABOUT HOW NOBODY SEEMS TO BE DOING CAMPAIGN EVENTS.

THEY GOT THE MEMO THERE ARE ONLY EIGHT WEEKS UNTIL PRIMARY DAY.

DAN: IT HAS BEEN A VERY SLEEPY ELECTION SEASON IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AND THE CONGRESSIONAL RACE.

FOR THE GOVERNOR, HIS CHALLENGE IS TO OVERCOME NOT SO MUCH HIGH NEGATIVE RATINGS BUT THE MEH FACTOR A LOT OF VOTERS HAVE.

THEY DON'T HAVE ANY OPINION OF HIM WHICH CAN BE A BLESSING OR A CURSE.

IN HIS CASE, IT IS INCUMBENT TO SEIZE THE VOID THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY HIS OPPONENTS.

AND REALLY DEFINE HIMSELF IN FRONT OF THE ELECTORATE THAT NEVER VOTED FOR HIM AND NEED TO GET TO KNOW HIM BETTER.

WE START EARLY VOTING IN FOUR WEEKS.

THIS ELECTION WILL WRAP UP FAIRLY QUICKLY.

ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS WILL START EMAILED OUT.

WE KNOW BASED ON THE LAST ELECTION CYCLE THAT THERE IS AN ENERGIZED BLOCK OF VOTERS THAT WILL GET OUT AND VOTE EARLY.

RIGHT NOW I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE ANY INFORMATION.

JIM: THE MEH FACTOR, THAT IS NOT SOME INSIDER POLITICAL INFORMATION.

DAN: NO.

HE HAS AN OPENING TO DEFINE HIMSELF.

HE IS THE INCUMBENT AND HE SHOULD BE FURTHER ALONG IN THAT REGARD BY THIS POINT THE -- I THIS POINT.

JIM: THE STATIONS ARE HAPPY TO HAVE REVENUE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE EVENTS.

IT IS THE SUMMER, WHY WOULD WE NOT COVER THOSE?

STEPH: THERE WAS NOT A LOT GOING ON BEFORE THIS WEEK.

THEY FINALLY STARTED COMING OUT AND SNIPING AT EACH OTHER THIS WEEK WHICH YOU HAVE TO DO THIS POINT BECAUSE EARLY VOTING IS STARTING AT THE END OF AUGUST.

IT IS NOT LIKE SEPTEMBER 13 IS THE ONLY DAY FOLKS WILL BE VOTING.

WE SAW NELLY HAVE AN EVENT.

THE GOVERNOR PUT OUT HIS FIRST TV AD WHICH WAS GOOD TIMING BECAUSE BEFORE THAT THE ONLY AD THAT HAD BEEN AIRING WAS FROM THE BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL.

IT IS GOOD TIMING FOR THE MCKEY CAMPAIGN TO PUT OUT OF THEIR OWN AD ON TV.

WE SAW THEM CRITICIZING EACH OTHER A LOT THE PAST FEW DAYS AS THE CAMPAIGN HEATS UP.

JIM: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AS YOU LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES?

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE?

LINDA: THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH AND FOR ONE TO YOUR ABOUT HOUSING AND HOW THEY ARE GOING TO MANAGE GOVERNMENT.

I THINK THAT IS A BIG ISSUE IN TERMS OF WHAT IS THEIR CABINET GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CANDIDATES TALK ABOUT HOW THEY'RE GOING TO RUN THEIR OFFICES AND RUN GOVERNMENT.

IN MY LONG YEARS OF DOING THIS WORK, THE DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE IS CRITICAL AS THE GOVERNOR TO BE WORKING AS A TEAM TO TRY TO MOVE THE PEOPLE'S ISSUES FORWARD.

NOW HAVING A SECRETARY OF HOUSING WHO IS GOING TO REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

RHODE ISLAND HAS BEEN SO BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL IN TERMS OF HOUSING INVESTMENTS.

NOW, LUCKILY, THERE HAS BEEN MORE ATTENTION AND MORE INVESTMENTS IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

THE LACK OF HAVING A DEDICATED HOUSING SECRETARY HAS BEEN PART OF THE REASON RHODE ISLAND HAS NOT MOVED THAT ISSUE FORWARD.

JIM: IT HAS BEEN A HODGEPODGE.

DAN: THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF LOW HANGING FRUIT ISSUE WHERE THERE IS BROAD SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WE KNOW THAT THE SPEAKER IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HOUSING AND YET WE HAVE HEARD LITTLE FROM THE CANDIDATES IN TERMS OF CONCRETE POLICY IDEAS, TAKING THOSE IDEAS, RUNNING WITH PUBLIC EVENTS, GETTING ON THE AIR AND TALKING ABOUT THOSE THINGS.

WE HAVE SEEN THE FOLKS CAMPAIGN TALK ABOUT ABORTION.

NELLIE GORBEA HAS BEEN OUT THERE.

NOTHING HAS SHOWN UP AS THAT SINGLE PURPOSE, THE REASON SHE IS RUNNING, EXCEPT FOR THE TAX INCREASE PROPOSAL WHICH IS BOLD BUT NOT NECESSARILY THE BEST THING YOU WANT TO RUN WITH, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TALKING ABOUT OTHER ISSUES.

I DON'T SEE THEM TALKING ABOUT ISSUES THAT RESONATE WITH MODERATE VOTERS, PROGRESSIVE VOTERS.

THAT IS WHAT THE NEXT GOVERNOR OR CURRENT GOVERNOR ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOUSING ISSUE, IF VOTERS ARE GOING TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN CANDIDATES, THEY NEED TO HAVE MORE SPECIFIC POLICIES.

THEY ALL AGREE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HOUSING AT ALL INCOME LEVELS.

THEY NEED TO COME OUT WITH THOSE POLICY PAPERS AND THOSE SPECIFICS ABOUT HOW THEY WOULD SOLVE THE HOUSING CRISIS SO VOTERS CAN DECIDE WHICH CANDIDATE MAKES THE MOST SENSE TO THEM.

>> IT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE TO TALK ABOUT.

IT HAS BEEN A COMPLICATED ISSUE FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST INVESTING MONEY.

THEY COULD BE DOING A BETTER JOB OF SAYING NOT JUST THE TOP LEVEL MESSAGING, BUT GETTING INTO THE NITTY-GRITTY.

MAYBE SOME OF THAT IS ON THEIR WEBSITE.

JIM: WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I AM SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU ON.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING, $250 MILLION.

SOME SAY THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

IS THAT CONSTRUCTION?

RENTAL SUBSIDIES?

ALL OF THE ABOVE?

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A BIG UMBRELLA.

LINDA: THE ANSWER TO THAT IS YES.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE DETAILS OF HOW THE $250 MILLION -- I WANT TO SAY ONE THING FIRST WHICH IS THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THE ARPA FEDERAL RELIEF MONEYS GOING TOWARDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

ONLY HALF OF THAT IS REALLY APPROPRIATED IN THE 2020 THREE BUDGET.

WHILE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY LAID OUT HOW IT WANTS THAT MONEY TO BE SPENT, ALL THEY CAN DO, AS YOU KNOW, IS APPROPRIATE MONEY FOR THE CURRENT BUDGET.

ABOUT HALF OF THAT IS IN THE CURRENT BUDGET AND THE REST IS APPROPRIATED FOR FUTURE FISCAL YEARS.

OBVIOUSLY, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND GOVERNOR ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT THAT MONEY IN.

IT LAYS OUT AS SORT OF A PLAN.

WHAT HOUSING ADVOCATES HAVE WORKED HARD TO DO IS ENSURE THERE ARE INVESTMENTS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM.

ENDING HOMELESSNESS HELPING TO BUILD -- HAVING SHELTERS AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE IN THE SHORT HIM -- IN THE SHORT TERM BUT THEN HAVING PERMANENT HOUSING FOR THOSE FOLKS, SOME WHO NEED SUPPORTS TO LIVE SAFELY IN THEIR RESIDENCES.

WE USED TO HAVE THOSE INVESTMENTS WHERE WE HAD SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

THE MONEY WENT AWAY AND PEOPLE WENT BACK ON THE STREET.

IT RANGES FROM DEALING WITH THE HOMELESSNESS ISSUE, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T EARN A LOT OF MONEY IN THIS ECONOMY.

IF YOU EARN $15 AN HOUR, YOU NEED HELP PAYING RENT.

THEN THERE IS THE WORKFORCE HOUSING WHICH MAY BE SLIGHTLY HIGHER INCOME FOLKS.

THEN THERE IS THE ISSUE OF EVERYBODY ACKNOWLEDGES WE NEED MORE HOUSING ACROSS THE BOARD.

SOME OF THAT DEALS WITH WHERE DOES HOUSING GET BILLED?

DO WE ALLOW MULTI-AREA RESIDENCES?

IT IS VERY COMPLICATED.

I WOULD SAY A GOOD THING THAT HAS HAPPENED IS THERE HAS BEEN MORE DISCUSSION TO GET INTO THAT NITTY-GRITTY AND DEAL WITH THOSE ISSUES.

JIM: WE FINALLY HAD THE MONEY TO EXECUTE.

THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT IT WHEN YOU WERE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

LET'S MAKE SURE WE EXECUTED PROPERLY.

DAN: THE PROBLEM IS WE WILL GET THROUGH THAT MONEY QUICKLY.

EVEN IF IT IS MONEY THAT GOES INTO THE HOUSING MARKET, DEPENDING ON HOW IT IS DEPLOYED, IT DOES NOT HELP THE AFFORDABILITY PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS MORE MONEY COMING IN.

AS MUCH AS WE HAVE TO FIX PROGRAMS AND BRING BACK OLD PROGRAMS AND TO DEAL WITH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, WE ALSO HAVE TO TALK ABOUT SUPPLY.

THAT IS THE ONLY WAY YOU'RE GOING TO BRING DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON PRICING FOR HOUSING.

JIM: GOING BACK TO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, HE HAS IS 94-YEAR-OLD MOTHER BUT MIXING AND A POLICY AND A LITTLE BIT OF HUMOR.

I THINK IT IS GOOD FOR THE GOVERNOR BECAUSE IT PERSONALIZES HIM.

IT REMINDED ME OF WHEN GINA RAIMONDO WAS IN HER FIRST THE BIKES.

THAT PERSONALIZED HER.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD MOVE LITTLE BIT.

LINDA: HE LEANED INTO HIS FOLKSY PERSONA.

HE IS THE GUY YOU WANT TO HAVE A BEER WITH, AS THE SAYING GOES.

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT YOUR POLICIES, YOU WANT THEM TO THINK YOU ARE A PERSON THAT THEY RESPECT AND THEY MIGHT WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH.

THAT IS WHY WHEN GOVERNOR GINA RAIMONDO DID THAT WITH HER KIDS, SHE IS A MOM, A HUMAN, A PERSON.

I THOUGHT THE AD WAS PRETTY WELL MAIN.

JIM: I WAS WONDERING IF CC WAS SAYING, MOM, WE NEVER RIDE BIKES.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

[LAUGHTER] , HAS THE LITTLE HAT ON.

-- TOMMY HAS THE LITTLE HAT ON.

ACTION MICHAELIS HAS NOMINAL OPPOSITION.

WE WERE REMARKING HOW SHE IS OUT THERE DOING RETAIL POLITICS.

SHE IS EVERYWHERE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

AT LEAST SHE IS DOING THE RIGHT THING FROM A POLITICKING STAND POINT.

JIM: YOU HAVE TO GET -- DAN: YOU HAVE TO GET OUT THERE.

WHAT SHE RECOGNIZES IS SHE DOES NOT HAVE A REAL PRIMARY FIGHT.

THIS IS A RACE TO NOVEMBER 4.

WHEN WE ARE OUT AND DOING THINGS, IT IS IMPORTANT SHE GET OUT AND MEET PEOPLE.

SHE IS BUILDING QUITE A GET OUT AND VOTE MOVE.

THAT IS WHAT GINA RAIMONDO DID.

ASHLEY MICHAELIS IS DOING EVERYTHING SHE NEEDS TO.

SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE -- BECAUSE OF THE CALENDAR SET UP.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW GOVERNMENT IS WORKING.

GOV.

MCKEE, THAT AD WAS GREAT FOR HIM.

HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO GET OVER IF HE DOES GET INTO THE PRIMARY, THE LACK OF EXCITEMENT HE BUILDS UP.

PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED.

AS MUCH AS HE DOES COME ACROSS AS FOLKSY AND A NICE GUY, AND HE IS, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR A LITTLE MORE CHANGE.

THERE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE MORE ENERGY BROUGHT TO THE TABLE.

LINDA: I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS DOING THE GUBERNATORIAL FORUMS WHICH I THINK IS ANOTHER WAY OF GETTING INFORMATION OUT TO THE PEOPLE.

THERE WAS ONE THAT THE INTERFAITH COALITION HOSTED, THE WOMEN'S FUND IS HOSTING ONE, THE SENIORS FUND IS HOSTING ONE.

I THINK THE MORE PEOPLE THAT CAN GET ENGAGED OR ATTEND THOSE FORMS, OR THE MORE WE CAN GIVE SOME VISIBILITY IN THE NEWS WORLD ABOUT THOSE FORMS TAKING PLACE, THAT CAN BE ANOTHER WAY.

IT IS A GOOD WAY FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE.

JIM: THE JCC FORUM -- LINDA: THAT WAS THE INTERFAITH.

JIM: I HAVE NOT HEARD A LOT SNCE THEN.

STEPH: THERE ARE A LOT OF FORUMS BUT THEY ARE NOT ANNOUNCED, NOT ADVISED.

THEY DON'T WANT THE PRESS TO COME BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO BE THIS INTIMATE SETTING WHERE ONLY THE PEOPLE WHO ATTEND ARE WATCHING BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IS DOING THEM ANY FAVORS.

MORE PEOPLE THAT CAN HEAR YOUR MESSAGE, THE BETTER.

I AM NOT GOING TO COVER EVERY SINGLE FORUM, BUT I WILL COVER SOME OF THEM.

SOMETIMES I HEAR ABOUT THEM AFTER THE FACT.

IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THERE TO BE MORE, IF SOMEONE IS DOING IT FORUM, TO PUT IT OUT THERE.

JIM: YOU WOULD THINK WITH THE TECHNOLOGY NOW, STREAM IT.

FIGURE OUT A WAY TO STREAM IT AND TAPE IT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MAYOR'S RACE.

IT IS ALMOST LIKE POLITE RACE.

I KNOW THE GLOBE HAD THIS THING ABOUT CUERVO AND WHERE DID HE GRADUATE.

-- IMMEDIATELY SAID, I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT.

STEPH: SHE CALLED TO APOLOGIZE.

JIM: IT IS LIKE -- WOW.

STEPH: THE GLOBE REPORTER HAD INTERVIEWED A FRIEND OF FORTUNE WHO COMMENTED ON THE STORY.

THAT IS WHY SHE CALLED GONZALO CUERVO TO APOLOGIZE.

THE TWO OF THEM HAVE NOT CRITICIZED EACH OTHER.

THE FOCUS IS ON BRETT SMILEY WHO IS THE ACHIEVED FRONT RUNNER.

WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PUBLIC POLLING.

JIM: LET'S GET ON THAT, DEBBIE PRI.

STEPH: -- LET'S GET ON THAT, WPRI.

STEPH: THAT IS ABOVE MY PAY GRADE.

I AM RETICENT TO DECLARE SOMEONE THE FRONT RUNNER BUT I DO THINK WE WILL SEE THE CANDIDATES EXTINCTION THEMSELVES FROM EACH OTHER.

JIM: REGARDLESS OF WHO GETS ELECTED, WHAT DO YOU SEE IS THE BIGGEST COUPLE OF CHALLENGES FOR THE MAYOR OF PROVIDENCE?

LINDA: CLEARLY THE PENSION ISSUE FOR THE STABILITY OF THE CITY.

I THINK SOME INITIATIVES THAT HAVE BEEN STARTED AROUND REPARATIONS, THE CITY HAS ALSO DONE A PILOT PROGRAM FOR GUARANTEED MINIMUM INCOME.

HOPEFULLY THAT WILL CONTINUE.

TO ME IT IS SORT OF A NO-BRAINER.

IF YOU GIVE PEOPLE MONEY, IT HELPS AND PEOPLE CAN MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRY TO PUSH ISSUES FORWARD IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC SECURITY.

THERE ARE SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN STARTED THAT HOPEFULLY WILL BE CONTINUING.

AND HOUSING, OF COURSE.

JIM: YOU GET THE FEELING THAT REGARDLESS OF -- YOU DON'T SEE ANYONE SAYING I WOULD IMMEDIATELY TURN OVER THIS THING THAT -- DID.

THEY HAVE NIBBLED AROUND THE EDGES BUT I DON'T SEE A HUGE CHANGE NO MATTER WHO GETS IT.

DAN: I THINK THAT IS A REFLECTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

I DON'T THINK THERE HAS BEEN THIS DEFININ ISSUE THAT HAS CAPTURED THE CITY.

I THINK HIS ADMINISTRATION WOULD PROBABLY TELL YOU THEY HAVE TRIED TO BE MORE TECHNOCRATS ABOUT THINGS AND TO DO THE LITTLE THINGS PEOPLE MAY NOT NOTICE BUT ARE IMPORTANT, THE BACK OFFICE PART OF GOVERNMENT.

THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THEY HAVE NOT BEEN THAT GREAT AT IT.

THAT IS BRETT SMILEY'S OPENING I THINK HE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF CHARGING THAT PATH.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE POLITICS THAT YOU TURN ON THE TV AND SEE EVERY DAY, THIS IS ABOUT GETTING DOWN TO THE NITTY-GRITTY.

I THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT.

QUALITY OF LIFE IS IMPORTANT.

THE CONDITION OF THE CITY IS IMPORTANT TO THEM.

A LOT OF THE CAMPAIGNING WILL BE FEATURED AROUND CLEANING GRAFFITI, PLOWING THE STREETS, CRIME.

STEPH: I THINK THE QUESTION IS NOT SO MUCH IF HE WILL OVERTURN WHAT THEY HAVE DONE BUT IF HE WILL FOLLOW THROUGH ON HIS UNFINISHED PRIORITIES.

YOU MENTIONED THE REPARATIONS ISSUE.

WE ARE EXPECTING A REPORT TO COME OUT NEXT WEEK ON HOW TO SPEND THAT REPARATIONS MONEY.

IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE THAT WILL COME OUT THE DOOR.

THERE IS THE GUARANTEED INCOME PILOT PROGRAM.

THERE IS THE PENSION BOND WHICH EVEN THOUGH IT PASSED, IT MAY NOT BE BORROWED.

THE NEXT MAYOR WITH HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO BORROW THAT MONEY OR MAKE SOME OTHER PLAN FOR THE PENSION.

THERE ARE A BUNCH OF THINGS THAT HE IS WORKING ON O.T.

WILL NOT FINISH BEFORE HE LEAVES OFFICE -- WORKING ON BUT HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FINISH BEFORE HE LEAVES OFFICE.

JIM: IF I COVERED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WE WOULD BE THERE UNTIL 5:00 OR 6:00 IN THE MORNING.

THE DUST IS STILL SETTLING.

I KNOW YOU ARE UP THERE A LOT.

DAN, YOU HAVE LEFT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEHIND AND LINDA IS STILL THERE.

[LAUGHTER] AS YOU LOOK AT THIS SESSION, I KNOW THE SEXY STUFF LIKE THE GAS TAX OR NOT.

GIVE ME ONE THING YOU LIKE OR YOU LOVE OR YOU THOUGHT THEY COULD HAVE DONE.

LINDA: I THINK UP THERE IS HOUSING.

THESE ARE SORT OF THE SMALLER THINGS THAT DON'T GET A LOT OF HEADLINES.

EPI ALONG WITH THE WORKFORCE ALLIANCE HAS DONE WORK TO GET MORE FUNDS INTO THE PROGRAMS AROUND THE STATE THAT PROVIDE BASIC SKILLS TRAINING FOR RHODE ISLANDERS.

WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF RHODE ISLANDERS WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH WELL, THOUSANDS WHO DON'T HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

THIS NETWORK OF PROVIDERS IS THE PLACE PEOPLE GO TO GET THOSE BASIC SKILLS.

MOST OF THOSE ARE CONNECTED WITH EMPLOYERS.

PEOPLE GET HIRED RIGHT FROM DOING THAT TRAINING.

THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF PEOPLE WHO GO TO THOSE PROGRAMS WHO ARE ALREADY WORKING AND WANT TO ENHANCE THOSE SKILLS.

IT IS A CRITICAL PART OF OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM.

THESE PROVIDERS ARE PART OF THAT CONTINUUM OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

AS A SMALL AS THIS WILL SOUND, WE WERE ABLE TO GET $2 MILLION IN THE UPPER FUNDS FOR ADULT EDUCATION WITH ANOTHER $3 MILLION PROMISED DOWN THE ROAD AND A 25% INCREASE IN GENERAL REVENUE INVESTMENTS WHICH IS ONLY $540,000.

THAT IS AN AREA WHERE IT DOES NOT GET MUCH ATTENTION BUT IMPORTANT TO GET THROUGH.

THE ONE-TIME CHILD TAX CREDIT IS HELPFUL FOR FOLKS.

IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE STATE TO LOOK AT INCREASING THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT ON A PERMANENT BASIS AS WELL AS IMPLEMENT IN A CHILD TAX CREDIT IN THE STATE TO PUT MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF PEOPLE WORKING HARD BUT DON'T NET ENOUGH INCOME TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

JIM: IT IS ALMOST EASIER IN THE YEARS YOU DON'T MAKE MUCH MONEY BECAUSE YOU CAN SAY NO TO EVERYBODY.

JOE SAID HE HAD A REQUEST FOR $10 MILLION.

I KNOW YOU WOULD HAVE KILLED FOR MORE MONEY WHILE IN THE LEGISLATURE, BUT WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE BUDGET THIS YEAR?

DAN: THE BUDGET WAS OKAY.

WITH THE INFLUX OF ONE-TIME FUNDS, YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL.

WE HAVE A POOR TRACK RECORD OF DEALING WITH THEM.

JIM: INVESTMENT VERSUS SPENDING, RIGHT?

DAN: RIGHT.

NOT TO SAID YOU CAN SPEND THEM ON WHATEVER YOU WANT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF LEGACY COSTS, A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS, THINGS THAT DON'T GET ATTENTION.

CAPITOL BUILDING PRODUCTS THAT STATE AGENCIES NEED.

THESE ARE THINGS ANY OTHER YEAR GET KICKED BY THE WAYSIDE.

THIS IS ANY OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE AHEAD AGGRESSIVELY ON ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WON'T REPRESENT LEGACY COSTS TO THE STATE OR TAXPAYERS AND PERHAPS EVEN SAVING.

I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN MORE OF THAT.

I DON'T WANT TO SAY IT WAS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY, BUT IT WAS NOT A VERY EXCITING BUDGET EVEN THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY HAD TO MOVE ON THOSE AREAS.

STEPH: I THINK IT IS ALL ON HOW IT IS EXECUTED.

WE PUT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO HOUSING BUT IT IS ALL ABOUT HOW IT IS EXECUTED.

EVEN A WELL EXECUTED PLAN TAKES YEARS TO BUILD A BUILDING.

WE WILL BE LOOKING TO SEE HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT.

LINDA: ON THE ISSUE OF ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS THAT IMPACT THE BUDGET FOR THE LONG-TERM, THE CARE ECONOMY, CHILDCARE AND PROVIDERS WHO PROVIDE CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISABILITIES AND PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, ONE OF THE SUCCESSES THIS YEAR FROM THE ADVOCACY COMMUNITY WAS TO GET A COMMITMENT TO A $15 MINIMUM WAGE FOR PEOPLE IN THAT SECTOR.

AT LEAST FOR CARING FOR SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE THAT PASSED THIS YEAR WAS DIRECTING THE OFFICE OF THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER TO HAVE HIS STUDY DONE TO SEE WHERE ARE WE IN TERMS OF OUR INVESTMENTS FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM'S.

WHAT DOES THE STATE AND NEED TO INVEST TO SUPPORT THAT WORK?

WE HAVE AN AGING POPULATION, WE HAVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

LOOKING FROM A RESEARCH-BASED PERSPECTIVE AT WHAT ARE THE NEEDS.

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES?

IT IS A HUGE WORKFORCE SECTOR.

JIM: THE $15 MINIMUM WAGE -- IT SEEMS FOR ATTENTION THAT WOULD HELP BUT THAT IS ONLY ONE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE.

SO MANY PEOPLE ARE BURNING OUT AND WANT TO GET OUT ALTOGETHER.

YOU COULD PAY THEM $20 AN HOUR AND THEY WOULD SAY I AM DONE.

LINDA: THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CONTINUE TO DO THIS WORK WHICH AMAZES ME.

JIM: DESPITE THE CONDITIONS AND LOW PAY.

LINDA: COVID RAMPED UP ISSUES OF LONGEVITY.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THIS WORK, THEY ARE JUST NOT ADEQUATELY COMPENSATED.

THE STUDY IS GOING TO LEVEL SET TO SAY WHAT ARE THE NEEDS IF WE REALLY WANT TO SUPPORT PEOPLE TO BE LIVING AT HOME, TAKING CARE OF KIDS WHO HAVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES AND WHAT DO NEED TO INVEST AND LOOK AT THAT OVER THE LONG TERM.

EVERY YEAR, PEOPLE COME IN AND SAY I NEED MONEY, THE SECTOR IS BURNING.

LET'S TRY TO TAKE A RATIONAL APPROACH AND HAVE A PLAN.

JIM: LET'S DO OUTREACHES OR KUDOS.

DAN: OUTRAGE IS NOT A GOOD WORD BUT THE TRIP THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN TOOK TO SOMERSET -- AS MUCH AS HAVING THE PRESIDENT COME TO TOWN IS ANY HONOR, I CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY HE TOOK THE TRIP TO SOMERSET.

IT IS A ONE EVENT TRIP, HE FLIES THE 750 72 PROVIDENCE, MOTORCADES TO SOMERSET TO TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE, GOES BACK TO THE AIRPORT AND FLIES OFF.

HE DOES NOT DO A SHORT STOP -- A VISIT.

IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE TRIP, HEAVY ON CARBON USAGE, FOR A SPEECH ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.

JIM: NOT TO MENTION THAT STEPH MACHADO HAD SPENT THE HOURS IN THE HOT SUN COVERING THE PRESIDENT.

STEPH: -- THAT WAS MY OUTRAGE.

IT WAS VERY HOT.

IT WAS APPROPRIATE HE WAS TALKING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE ON AN EXTREME WEATHER DAY BUT WE HAD TO STAY OUT FOUR HOURS IN THE SUN WAITING FOR HIM TO GET THERE.

BUT KUDOS TO MY COLLEAGUES WHO DID A GREAT JOB COVERING IT.

JIM: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE?

STEPH: THAT IS IT.

JIM: I AGREE WITH YOU, REGARDLESS OF WHO THE PRESIDENT IS, IT IS A BIG DEAL.

IT MAKES YOU REALIZE WHAT IT TAKES TO MOVE THE PRESIDENT.

STEPH: IT WAS FASCINATING TO WATCH.

JIM: ALL OF THE LOGISTICS.

THEY COULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB HERE.

RHODE ISLAND ARE NOT EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT.

THEY ARE ON TO OHIO.

YOU THINK ALL OF THE ADVANCEMENT IT TAKES AND ALL OF THE SECURITY.

STEPH: IT WAS REALLY COOL, IT WAS FUN AND I AM GLAD I DID IT.

I AM GLAD THERE WERE PORTA POTTY'S FOR US.

[LAUGHTER] I WAS LIKE, DO I DRINK THIS COFFEE?

I AM NOT SURE IF THERE WILL BE BATHROOMS.

[LAUGHTER] LINDA: I WILL STAY WITH THE CLIMATE CHANGE THEME.

THE OUTRAGE IS THAT CLIMATE -- CONGRESS CANNOT MOVE FORWARD ON CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION.

IT IS NOT A DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN ISSUE BECAUSE I BLAME BOTH.

WHERE IS THE CHURCH FOR PEOPLE TO STEP UP OUT OF THEIR PARTY, WITHIN THEIR PARTY TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

IT SCARES ME, LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH.

JIM: IT IS IN THE OLDER DEMOGRAPHIC AND YOU THINK, I THINK ABOUT MY KIDS AND WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN 40 OR 50 YEARS.

I WANT TO BE HERE THE PEOPLE MAKING THE DECISIONS NOW, IT IS LIKE I WOULD RATHER HAVE LOWER GAS PRICES AND WE CAN DEAL WITH THAT WHEN I'M NOT AROUND.

DO YOU GET ANY SENSE OF THAT?

LINDA: IT SHOCKS ME THAT THAT IS HOW PEOPLE THINK.

I GUESS THAT IS HOW I THINK ABOUT GOVERNMENT.

RHODE ISLAND GIVING FOR THE LONG-TERM AND BEING THOUGHTFUL ABOUT IT, I REALIZE IT IS POLITICS.

I HOPE FOR A CHANGE WHERE PEOPLE CAN DO THE RIGHT THING.

JIM: THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

LINDA, WELCOME.

WE HOPE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

STEPH, I AM GLAD YOU COULD RECOVER.

IF YOU SEE STEPH, GET HER ELIMINATED.

CATCH HER HYDRATED.

WE HOPE YOU COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

♪ >> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> I AM JOHN HIS AWAY JUNIOR -- JOHN HIS AND WHITE JUNIOR.