>> THIS WEEK ON A LIVELY EXPERIMENT.

A FULL WEEK OF IN THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

WE WILL BRING YOU UP TO SPEED.

A NEW TAXPAYER-FUNDED TUITION PROGRAM HAVE ON SAGGING ENROLLMENT AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

>> A LIVELY EXPERIMENT'’S GENUINE IS UNDERWRITTEN BY.

>> I'’M JOHN HAYES AND WHITE JUNIOR.

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 GREAT PROGRAM AND RHODE ISLAND PBS.

>> JOINING US WITH THEIR INSIGHT, ATTORNEY AND FORMER MAYOR OF PROVIDENCE ANGEL TAVERAS.

RAYMOND MCCARTY, FORMER EDITOR OF THE ANCHOR NEWSPAPER AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST LISA PELOSI.

WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'’S LIVELY.

WITH A LITTLE OVER A MONTH TO GO UNTIL PRIMARY DAY, MANY CANDIDATES WILL BE SQUARING OFF IN A SERIES OF DEBATES IN THE COMING WEEKS.

IN THE WAKE OF THE SIGNATURE SCANDALS, SCANDALS SURROUNDING THE CAMPAIGN, STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, AND SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME CHANGES TO THE ELECTIONS PROCESS.

HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET SOME SUBSTANCE IN THESE DEBATES OVER THE COMING WEEKS.

BUT IT REALLY IS THE PROCESS THAT I THINK HAS BEEN OVERSHADOWING A LOT OF THIS.

>> THIS HAS BEEN UNFOLDING OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

IS ANY PUBLICITY GOOD PUBLICITY?

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING FOR WEEKS THERE HAS NOT BEEN ACTIVITY IN THE RACE, NOW LOOK AT THE ACTIVITY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

UNDER CATEGORY OF A SCANDAL.

A LOT OF TALK ABOUT PROCESS.

BUT IT IS TIME TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUES.

WE HAVE EARLY VOTING, I THINK STARTING NEXT WEEK, FOR PEOPLE IN THE FIRST DISTRICT.

WE NEED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHERE THE CANDIDAES STAND ON ISSUES.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> TO GO ON THAT, A NUMBER OF FORMS EITHER HAVE HAPPENED OR ARE ABOUT TO HAPPEN IN A COUPLE OF DEBATES.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF DOING ONE OF THE FIRST FORMS.

I DID IT WITH A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS A RISING SENIOR AT NORTH KINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL.

WE HAD ALL 12 CANDIDATES, SIX AND IX AND TWO SESSIONS ON THE ZOOM CALL.

WE WANTED TO KEEP BAND WITH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

THEN A COUPLE HAPPENING LATER ON TODAY.

THE RHODE ISLAND BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ARE DOING A DEBATE.

NEXT WEEK IS A RADIO DEBATE HOSTED BY BILL BARTHOLOMEW.

THEN THE DEBATES HAPPENING WHERE I AM -- MY HOMETOWN, RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

AN PROVIDENCE JOURNAL.

ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE MORE DEBATES HAPPENING.

>> WE WILL GET TO THE DEBATES SHORTLY.

YOU HAVE DONE WORK FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE'’S OFFICE, I WONDER AS YOU LOOK AT THIS UNFOLD, THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS WE NEED TO MOVE THE PRIMARY.

THAT IS ANOTHER ISSUE.

THE WAY THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS HAS HANDLED THIS, I KNOW WE ARE UNDER A TIGHT TIMETABLE.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAID THEY COULD HAVE BEEN MORE STRINGENT LOOKING AT THE SIGNATURES.

>> THE BOARD HAS EXPERIENCE LOOKING AT SIGNATURES.

LAST TIME THEY LOOKED AT SIGNATURES TO DETERMINE WHO WOULD GO ON THE BALLOT FOR GOVERNOR.

SOME CANDIDATES DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH SIGNATURES AND TASKED STAFF WITH WORK AND REVIEWED ANY SIGNATURES UNDER DISPUTE.

I WAS AWAY DURING THIS PERIOD, SO I DON'’T KNOW EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED DURING THAT TIME PERIOD .

I JUST READ COVERAGE ON IT.

>> YOU DON'’T BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ IN THE PAPER?

>> ONLY HALF OF IT.

THIS RACE HAS BEEN RELATIVELY QUIET.

I THINK ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THE CANDIDATES HAVE IS TO DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES.

IT IS NOT THE WAY THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WANTED TO STAND OUT.

BUT YOU HAVE TO DISTINGUISH YOURSELF.

THE DEBATES ARE IMPORTANT.

THE WAY THAT VOTING IS DONE NOW, WE HAVE EARLY VOTING, PEOPLE VOTING BY MAIL.

YOU NEED TO DISTINGUISH YOURSELF EVEN EARLIER.

MY MAIL-IN BALLOT, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT, BUT I GOT IT.

I WILL BE VOTING BY MAIL.

EARLY VOTING GOING ON.

YOU NEED TO DISTINGUISH YOURSELF EARLY ON.

IT SEEMS LIKE THE CANDIDATES FOR THE MOST PART, THEIR POSITIONS ARE VERY SIMILAR.

>> WHAT ABOUT MOVING THE PRIMARY?

IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOREVER.

IF YOU MOVE INTO THE SPRING, THEY DON'’T LIKE THAT.

AS YOUR OPPONENT IS KNOCKING ON DOORS, YOU ARE SITTING IN A HOT CHAMBER.

BUT IF YOU MOVE IT TO AUGUST OR JULY, ARE PEOPLE PAYING ATTENTION?

?

>> I WAS TRYING TO WORK BACKWARDS.

IF WE MONITOR TWO WEEKS EARLIER, WE ARE LOOKING AT MID AUGUST.

PEOPLE STILL NOT CHECKING IN, THEY ARE ENJOYING THE SUMMER.

MOVE IT BACK TO JULY, YOU HAVE THE DECLARATION -- ALL OF THE DEADLINES ARE PREDICATED ON EACH OTHER.

>> AND WIDEN THAT OUT A LITTLE BIT BETWEEN THE TIME YOU HAVE TO FILE AND SIGNATURE VERIFICATION.

>> BUT I'’M THINKING WE ARE ONE OF 50 STATES.

WHY DO WE SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN RHODE ISLAND AND CANNOT GET IT SOLVED?

>> LUCKILY, IF THERE ILL BE ANY POSITIVES, THE LEGISLATION THAT THE SECRETARY WILL INTRODUCE NEXT SESSION WILL WIDEN THE TIMEFRAME, AND THERE WILL ALSO BE AN AUTOMATIC REVIEW PROCESS KIT IN IF ANY CITIES OR TOWNS SUSPECT FRAUD.

>> I ALSO WONDER, WE TALK ABOUT THE SUBSTANCE GETTING INTO THE DEBATE.

I HAVEN'’T HEARD ANYBODY ASK IF THEY SUPPORT THE WAR IN UKRAINE.

AND THOSE ARE ISSUES -- >> WE DID HAVE A FORM.

THE U.S. DECISION TO SEND CLUSTER MUNITIONS TO UKRAINE.

WE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT TAIWAN AND CHINA.

BUT WE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME.

>> NOT EVERYONE HAS SEEN IT.

DID YOU SEE ANYBODY STAND OUT?

THERE IS VERY SMALL DEGREES OF SEPARATION IN TERMS OF POLICY.

>> NOBODY NECESSARILY BOMBED AT THE FORUM.

BUT YOU CAN TELL THE IDEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES.

IN SESSION ONE, THE MORE CONSERVATIVE MODERATE DEMOCRATS WHILE A LOT OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES KIND OF LIEN SIMILARLY IN TERMS OF POLICY GOALS.

THEN IT WAS MORE LOPSIDED WHERE THE ONLY MORE MODERATE CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT WAS SPENCER DICKINSON.

THERE WAS NOT REALLY MUCH DIFFERENCE.

THE ANSWERS.

>> HOW MUCH DO ENDORSEMENTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

PARTICULARLY UNION ENDORSEMENTS?

>> IF IT COMES WITH KNOCKING ON DOORS AND GETTING THE BOAT OUT AND MONEY BEHIND IT, IT MEANS A LOT.

ESPECIALLY IN A RACE EXPECTED TO BE LOW TURNOUT.

THE MORE YOU CAN GET YOUR VOTE OUT, THE BETTER OFF YOU ARE.

ENDORSEMENTS THAT COME WITH SOMETHING COME WITH MONEY, BOOTS ON THE GROUND, AND KNOCKING DOORS.

THAT MEANS A LOT.

>> HOW MANY VOTES DO YOU THINK COULD WIN THIS?

10,000, 15,000?

>> IT COULD.

THERE IS AN ESTIMATE I HAVE SEEN ABOUT 40,000.

LIKELY VOTERS.

THAT WOULD BE LOWER THAN THE TYPICAL ELECTION, ABOUT 60,000.

MAY BE LOOKING AT 40,000, 10,000, 15,000 VOTES.

>> AND IT IS ONLY HALF THE STATE.

>> EXACTLY.

WE DON'’T KNOW.

IT DEPENDS ON THE TURNOUT.

IT WILL NOT BE A TYPICAL ELECTION.

A LOT OF REASONS -- ONE OF THE REASONS A LOT OF CANDIDATES STAYED IN IS BECAUSE THEY SAID THERE ARE SO MANY CANDIDATES, YOU DON'’T NEED AS MANY VOTES AND I THINK I CAN GET THEM OUT AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND GET IT FROM OTHER PLACES TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE AND WIN.

>> IN THESE DEBATES, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES?

I KNOW YOU ARE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE AND ONE OF YOUR CANDIDATES WILL SQUARE OFF AFTER PRIMARY.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN A HEAVILY DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT THINK THE RUBBER IS GOING TO MEET THE ROAD.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES?

>> WATCHING THE COMMERCIALS, IT IS A MOST LIKE ALL OF THE CANDIDATES HAVE THE SAME TALKING POINTS.

IT IS LIKE I WANT TO BRING MY VOICE TO WASHINGTON AND FIGHT THE MAGA REPUBLICANS.

LINING UP THE COMMERCIALS ONE AFTER ANOTHER, THEY SAY THE SAME THING.

I WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE SAYING ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

IT IS NOT A GENERAL OFFICE OR MUNICIPAL OFFICE, IT IS REPRESENTING THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

SO I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT UKRAINE, CHINA, MORE ABOUT SOLVING OUR DEFICIT, BUILDING THE ECONOMY.

THOSE ARE THE ISSUES I WANT TO BE HEARING.

WHAT I THINK IS INTERESTING, NO DISRESPECT TO YOUR PODCAST OR WHATEVER, THOSE TELEVISED DEBATES AT THE END OF THE MONTH WILL BE IMPORTANT TO SEE HOW THE CANDIDATES HANDLE THEMSELVES ON TELEVISION IN THAT RAW SETTING TO DO THAT.

ALL OF THE PEOPLE DOING EARLY VOTING, I'’M ALMOST ASKING IF YOU CAN WAIT UNTIL WE SEE THE DEBATES.

THEY COULD REALLY CHANGE THE RACE.

>> LISA MAKES A GOOD POINT, THE MAGA REPUBLICAN LINE.

IS IT CONSULTANTS TELLING THEM TO DO THAT?

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE POLLS AND SEE WHAT DEMOCRATS CARE ABOUT.

A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE DONE POLLING AND COME BACK WITH THE SAME ISSUES.

THE MESSAGING SIMILAR TO THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

YOU FOCUS ON THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, WHAT WILL MOTIVATE FOLKS TO GET OUT AND VOTE.

THERE IS NO DOUBT CONSULTANTS ARE DOING THAT.

WHAT LISA POINTS OUT IN TERMS OF DEBATES IS TRUE.

I SAW THAT IN MY FIRST RACE OVER 20 YEARS AGO.

BUT IT WAS A VERY DIFFERENT TIME.

MOST OF THE VOTING WAS AT THE POLLS.

THERE WAS A LOT OF EARLY VOTE, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF MAIL BALLOTS.

SHE EMPLOYED PEOPLE TO WAIT.

I THINK THAT WILL BE THE QUESTION.

IF PEOPLE ARE WAITING, WHO IS CASTING EARLY VOTES.

IT IS GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING.

>> I HAVE SEEN CANDIDATES IMPLODE ON TV.

I REMEMBER A SHOW, A LIVELY EXPERIMENT HAVING A CANDIDATE COMING OUT.

SHE WAS SO AWFUL, SHE PULLED OUT OF THE RACE THE NEXT DAY.

IT CAN HAPPEN.

IT HAS BEEN VERY CONTROLLED, WEBSITES HAVE BEEN CONTROLLED, MESSAGING ON THE COMMERCIALS HAVE BEEN CONTROLLED.

WHEN YOU ARE GOING BACK-AND-FORTH, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

IT REALLY CAN CHANGE THE RACE.

>> BECAUSE YOU HAVE SO MANY CANDIDATES, THAT IS GOING TO BE A LOWER RISK.

IF YOU HAVE 12, I DON'’T KNOW HOW THEY ARE GOING TO DO THE DEBATES ALTOGETHER OR SEPARATE THEM OUT.

THERE IS SO LITTLE TIME FOR YOU TO SPEAK WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE FORMAT.

IT WOULD BE GREAT.

IT IS TOUGH VIRTUALLY TO GET INTO A BACK-AND-FORTH.

SOMEBODY IS GOING TO COME IN FROM LEFT FIELD.

I DON'’T KNOW HOW THEY ARE GOING TO WORK THAT.

YOU HAVE ADVICE FROM THE MODERATORS?

>> I WOULD SAY THE TWO SESSIONS APPROACH IS AN IDEA.

WE RANDOMIZE IT.

IT WAS PRETTY EVEN.

FRONT RUNNERS, RAVEN BERG.

THEN SENATOR CANO IN THAT SESSION.

PERSONALLY I LIKE SPLITTING UP INTO TWO APPROACH.

WHEN THEY DID THE DEBATES, MAYBE YOU HAVE ONE HOUR WHERE YOU DO THE SIX CANDIDATES, AND YOU DO ANOTHER SIX.

THE STRICTER CRITERIA WILL NARROW IT DOWN.

ONE THING I WANT TO SEE ON THE DEBATES IS THE CANDIDATES CHALLENGING EACH OTHER.

SO YOU REALLY SEE THE DIFFERENCES IN POLICY.

>> I WAS THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT LISA SAID, AND EVEN WITH GOING BACK TO WHAT I SAID, -- EVEN THOUGH MARCO RUBIO DOESN'’T LIKE TO SAY IT, IT ENDED HIS CAMPAIGN.

THAT WAS A BIG GROUP.

I DON'’T KNOW THAT WE HAVE A CHRIS CHRISTIE TYPE.

I'’M SURE THE DEMOCRATS WOULD SAY THAT IS RIGHT.

BUT IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

>> IF YOU REMEMBER LAST YEAR DURING THE GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE, IN APRIL, THERE WAS A FORUM, AND THAT WAS HER FIRST KINDER FOR A BEAM BEFORE A GROUP.

WHEN SHE WAS ASKED WHO SHE LOOKED TO FOR GOVERNOR, SHE SAID RON DESANTIS.

THAT HAUNTED HER.

>> WHO WAS YOUR POLITICAL HERO?

AND IT WASN'’T ABRAHAM LINCOLN, IT WASN'’T SOME HISTORICAL FIGURE, IT WAS RON DESANTIS.

>> IT HAUNTED HER THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN.

YOU NEVER KNOW THE ONE SENTENCE THAT CAN DO THAT.

>> THE FRANCIS STREET ARMORY, WE DID NOT TALK ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK.

THE OVERSHADOWING ISSUE IS THE BIG PHILADELPHIA FIASCO.

NOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE ARMORY, SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR DECADES.

I WANT TO TALK WITH YOU BECAUSE PROBABLY NOT A SURPRISE.

ONE OF YOUR SUCCESSORS SAID I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TAKE IT ON.

BUT WE NEED SOME DO RE MI WITH IT.

WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE FRANCIS STREET ARMORY?

GOING BACK OVER EIGHT YEARS IS I WILL SAY THIS -- I AGREE WITH MAYOR SMILEY.

AND PUTTING THEM IN A BETTER POSITION TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT BECAUSE RESOURCES OF THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE.

IT IS OUTSTANDING.

I REMEMBER HAVING TO CLOSE SCHOOLS AND THE WAY NEIGHBORHOOD PARK ASSOCIATION WAS THERE NOT ONLY TO OPPOSE IT, BUT WITH PROPOSED SOLUTIONS.

I WOULD URGE THEM TO INCORPORATE AND TO WORK WITH THEWEST BROADWAY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

I THINK THEY JUST DID A MODEL FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING THAT IT IS VERY UNIQUE.

THE QUESTION IS MONEY.

MAINTENANCE OF IT.

TALKING ABOUT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

TO KEEP IT EMPTY.

THE ISSUE COMES DOWN TO MONEY.

WE ARE IN A DIFFERENT TIME, INFO STRUCTURE FUNDING, HOUSING FUNDING, A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES.

BETTER FINANCIAL FOOTING.

THE FEDERAL MONEY WILL DRY UP AT SOME POINT.

>> DID YOU BRAINSTORM POTENTIAL USES?

>> IT IS A BIG ISSUE, BUT AT THAT POINT, KEEPING THE CITY AFLOAT.

p>> EXTRA MONEY?

>> I WAS WORKING FOR THE GOVERNOR WHEN WE SHUT DOWN IN THE 1990'’S.

I CANNOT REMEMBER THE EXACT TIME, I THINK IT WAS A COUPLE YEARS LATER.

HOSTING THE FILMMAKER, HE WANTED TO GO IN AND DO IT AS A FILM STUDENT.

THE WAY I'’M LOOKING AT THIS IS THE STATE IS GOING TO BE PAYING MONEY TO MAINTAIN IT.

CAN IT WORK OUT THE TRANSFERS TO THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE AND THE MONEY GOING TO MAINTAIN THEM, AT LEAST OF TO $3 MILLION, BUT ALSO -- IN LINE WHO WAS THE DIRECTOR OF THE ADMINISTRATION WITH SCOUT.

SO NOW THAT HE'’S MAYOR, HE HAS THE INITIAL PERSPECTIVE OF WHY THE STATE ENTERED THE AGREEMENT TO BEGIN WITH.

SCOUT IS NOT PART OF THIS ANYMORE.

LOOKING AT USES OF IT.

CURIOUS WAY, I DON'’T THINK HE'’S BEEN ASKED ABOUT HIS THOUGHTS BEYOND TURNING IT OVER TO THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE.

>> I THINK THE STATE SHOULD PROVIDE FUNDING, AND IT WILL COST A COUPLE MILLION A YEAR TO MAINTAIN IT WITH THE STRUCTURAL AND PLUMBING PROBLEMS.

BUT FOLKS IN PROVIDENCE HAD A TAX INCREASE, I DON'’T THINK THEY SHOULD PICK ON THE NEXT OR BURDEN, ESPECIALLY IF PROVIDENCE HAD TO HAVE THE NEW MONEY.

I THINK THE STATE SHOULD PROVIDE THE FUNDING.

>> THE LINE THAT STRUCK ME WAS THE MAYOR SAID WE DON'’T WANT TO ABSORB THE MAINTENANCE.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF IT OVER THE YEARS.

SOMETIMES FREE IS NOT ALWAYS FREE.

>> DO YOU THINK SOMETHING IS GOING TO GET WORKED OUT?

I KNOW IT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF IT -- WE TALKED ABOUT IT LAST WEEK, IT IS AN ICONIC BUILDING.

WE HAD TWO PANELISTS SAY IT IS NOT THAT ICONIC THAT YOU CANNOT KNOCK IT DOWN.

IF IT IS A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX -- >> IT WOULD BE A HUGE MISTAKE.

PART OF WHAT MAKES PROVIDENCE REALLY UNIQUE AND BETTER THAN SOME IS THE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE.

I THINK IT IS A GRADUATE NOW.

AND I THINK THAT IS ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL ICONIC BUILDING THAT MAKES US UNIQUE.

I DON'’T HAVE AN ANSWER, MY HOPE IS HE WILL STEP UP AND SUPPORT THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE AND GIVE IT BACK TO PROVIDENCE.

MAYOR SMILEY WILL BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN A WAY TO GET SOMETHING DONE ON IT.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY NOW THAT HAS NOT EXISTED.

THERE ARE RESOURCES I THINK YOU CAN BRING TO BEAR ON IT.

>> LATE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION, KIND OF UNEXPECTEDLY, THE LEGISLATURE AT THE LAST MINUTE ADDED MONEY FOR WHAT IS CALLED THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP.

THE TAXPAYER-FUNDED TUITION.

SO HAVING A RESIDENT, TALKING ABOUT DR. WARNER, GOVERNOR MCKEE.

SET THE TABLE ABOUT WHAT THIS DOES, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT IT DOES NOT DO.

>> THIS IS ONE OF TWO LEGISLATIVE WINS THAT CAME OUT OF THAT.

STUDENTS HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL OF THEIR OTHER FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES LIKE THE PELL GRANTS AND WHATNOT.

SO YOU CAN GET A BACHELORS DEGREE FOR $22,000, HALF THE PRICE.

ONE THING IT IS GOING TO DO IS HELP RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE'’S AND RETENTION, WHICH HAVE SUFFERED SINCE.

>> YOU HAVE TO GO THE FIRST TWO YEARS AND PAY YOUR OWN, THEN IT IS THE LAST TWO YEARS.

>> YOU HAVE TO ENROLL AS A FRESHMAN, HAVE 60 CREDITS COMPLETED BY THAT TIME.

BUT IT REALLY IS WORTH IT.

IT REALLY IS THE MOST AFFORDABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL OUT OF THE STATE READ IT AS A WORTHY INVESTMENT.

ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING IT IS CREATING THE REVOLVING DOOR.

TEACHERS, NURSES, ALL OF THE PROFESSIONS HE'’S KNOWN FOR CREATING FOLKS TO TAKE STEP IN.

>> WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT TAXPAYER-FUNDED TUITION.

>> I WILL SAY THIS AGAIN.

>> NO OFFENSE -- >> ONE, BECAUSE IT IS NOT MEANS TESTED.

IF I'’M COMING FROM WEALTH AND I GO TO RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE, HE HAS ALL OF THEM COVERED UP INTO THAT LAST, $1000 TAXPAYER.

I DON'’T GET SCHOLARSHIPS, I DON'’T QUALIFY.

MY $10,000 COMES FROM THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.

AND I COULD AFFORD TO DO IT.

THAT IS ONE CONCERN.

THE SECOND CONCERN IS THE RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE HAS A ERY LOW GRADUATION RATE.

FOR FOUR YEARS, 21% OF STUDENTS GRADUATE.

OVER SIX YEARS, 44%.

I DON'’T KNOW HOW MUCH IS GOING TO BUMP UP THE GRADUATION RATE.

THE THIRD THING OF CONCERN IS TAXPAYER MONEY.

IN THE BILL, IT SAYS GRADUATES SHOULD STAY IN RHODE ISLAND.

THERE IS NO ENFORCEMENT.

COULD BE YOU GET FREE TUITION AND THE WORK IN MASSACHUSETTS.

>> A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE STUDENTS LIVE IN RHODE ISLAND.

TYPICALLY THEY STAY IN RHODE ISLAND.

A LOT OF ALUMNI HAS DONE RATE THINGS.

SOME EVEN IN GOVERNMENT, SOME IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

47% OF STUDENTS ALREADY HAVE A PELL GRANT.

THEY ARE ALREADY GETTING FINANCIAL AID.

IT WAS A SMALL CHUNK OF THE BUDGET.

I THINK THE STAT THAT I READ WAS 10% OF STUDENTS DROPPING OUT IN BETWEEN THE SOPHOMORE AND JUNIOR YEARS.

THE REASON IS FINANCIAL REASONS.

>> THAT MAY AFFECT THE DROPOUT RATE.

>> THE OTHER THING IS YOU CANNOT GO TO CCRI FOR TWO YEARS AND TRANSFER FOR RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

YOU CANNOT GET BOTH.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT FOUR YEARS OF SCHOOL -- >> IT WOULD PICK UP THE FIRST TWO.

>> I THINK WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO HELP MORE STUDENTS COMPLETE COLLEGE AND MAKE THEIR ROAD A LITTLE BIT EASIER IS A GOOD THING.

THE DROPOUT RATE THAT YOU CITED, I HAVE NO DO YOU THINK THAT IS COMING -- >> RHODE ISLAND IS SO SMALL, YET WE HAVE ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT LITTLE KINGDOMS.

I THINK URI AND RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER.

HELPING RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE INCREASE IS A BIG THING, BUT I DON'’T WANT TO HURT URI EITHER.

>> RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE IS ESSENTIAL TO THE ECONOMY, THE MOST AFFORDABLE FOR YOUR SCHOOL.

I'’M GOING THERE BECAUSE IT WAS THE MOST AFFORDABLE OPTION TO ME.

BUT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IT LIKE THIS.

ESPECIALLY THE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE.

THE STUDENT LIFE SUFFERS AND SO DOES THE LAYOFFS AND OTHER PROBLEMS AS ENROLLMENT GOES DOWN BECAUSE YOU DON'’T HAVE MONEY COMING IN.

IT IS CREATING A REVOLVING DOOR OF MORE ISSUES FOR RICK, WHICH HURT THE STATE AS A WHOLE.

IT PROVIDES THOSE GENERATIONS OF TEACHERS AND NURSES AND OTHERS IMPORTANT TO THE ECONOMY.

>> THE GOVERNOR ALLOCATED OR ASKED FOR $9 MILLION, YOU SAID THE FIGURE WAS $4 MILLION?

>> YES, THE ARTICLE I DID SAID 4 MILLION.

IT IS NOT THAT MUCH OUT OF THE BUDGET.

THE BUDGET IS $14 BILLION NOW?

>> STILL RINGS AROUND IN MY HEAD.

I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'’S THIRD INDICTMENT.

LET'’S DO OUTRAGEOUS AND/OR KUDOS.

>> IT HAS TO BE THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

IT HAS BEEN SUCH AN OUTRAGE.

REALLY A DERELICT OF DUTY.

WHEN WE SEE WHO SHOULD BE THE ENEMY VERIFYING SIGNATURES, IT IS ON THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

THEY JUST SAID THIS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND WHO IS APPOINTED, THE APPOINTEES HAVE BEEN APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR RAIMONDO AND GOVERNOR MCKEE.

NO REPUBLICANS ON THIS.

SO WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE DEMOCRAT SECRETARY OF STATE SAYING IT IS NOT ME.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DEMOCRAT SAYING NOT ME.

THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS THAT HAS BEEN APPOINTED AND ARE DEMOCRATS, IT MAKES ME THINK MORE WE ARE BEING HARMED AS A STATE, WE DON'’T HAVE A GOOD TWO-PARTY SYSTEM RIGHT NOW.

>> GET ON THAT.

>> YOUR TIME IN THE TRENCHES IS PAST?

>> THE OTHER THING WITH THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, ONE OF THE VERY FEW BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS WHERE THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE GET PAID.

>> MY OUTRAGE, NATIONAL REPUBLICANS.

WE HAVE A PRESIDENT JUST INDICTED FOR THE THIRD TIME.

YOU DON'’T HEAR ANY OUTRAGE FROM MOST REPUBLICANS.

THIS INDICTMENT, THIS ONE IS EVEN MORE SERIOUS.

45 PAGE INDICTMENT, VERY DETAILED.

DON'’T TELL ME I LIKE HIS POLICIES, I LIKE THIS.

I LIKE MOST OF OUR GOVERNOR CUOMO'’S POLICY, AND I'’M GLAD HE'’S NOT GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK AND HE SHOULD NOT BE.

I'’M GLAD HE RESIGNED.

WE DO NOT SEE THAT NOW.

I UNDERSTAND PARTLY WHY, THAT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR SELF-INTEREST AND BEING REELECTED ABOVE THE INTERESTS OF THE COUNTRY.

THAT IS AN OUTRAGE AND IT IS WRONG.

>> I HAD AN OUTRAGE A COUPLE LAST TIMES, SO I WILL DO A KUDOS.

JUST A FACT WE ARE HAVING THESE FORUMS AND DEBATES, ALL OF THESE FORMS AND DEBATES HAPPENING BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THREE THINGS AND THE 12 CANDIDATES, WHO THEY ARE, WHAT THEY STAND FOR, AND HOW TO GET THE STUFF DONE.

>> LET'’S GO BACK TO THE NATIONAL.

IF YOU READ THE INDICTMENT, I WOULD SAY 74% OF REPUBLICANS WHO SAY THEY DON'’T THINK IT IS MORE POLITICAL, THEY MAY NOT HAVE READ THE INDICTMENT.

BUT I WONDER THE INITIAL BUMP DONALD TRUMP IS GETTING NOW, WHERE THAT IS GOING TO BE IN SIX MONTHS.

FOX NEWS IS ALL OVER IT -- GETTING MORE INDICTMENTS, AND THAT IS BETTER.

BUT AMERICA IS TIRED OF IT.

>> I DON'’T KNOW.

WE DIDN'’T GET TO SEE HIM.

BUT WHAT STRUCK ME WAS HE DID NOT HAVE TO GO.

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DONE VIRTUALLY.

BUT HE DECIDED TO GO.

HE'’S SEEING THE VALUE OF GOING THERE AND COMING BACK AND USING IT TO RALLY HIS TROOPS.

HE'’S REALLY BOOZE DURING THE SUPPORT HE HAS AMONG HIS SUPPORTERS.

SOMEWHAT COUNTERINTUITIVE THE WAY THIS HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH.

SEEING ANY OTHER REPUBLICAN BREAKING THROUGH TO CHALLENGE HIM, HE SEEMS TO BE THE ONE -- I'’M A REPUBLICAN AND I'’M NOT BEHIND HIM.

I'’M NOT ONE OF THE ONES YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

YOU SEE HOW HE'’S USING THIS FOR HIS FAVOR RIGHT NOW.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANYBODY ELSE IN THE FIELD YOU LIKE?

>> NOT REALLY.

THAT HAS BEEN TOUGH.

SO I THINK RIGHT NOW, NO ONE IS REALLY BREAKING THROUGH.

>> A LOT OF DEMOCRATIC FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE SAY OUT OF 350 MILLION PEOPLE, WE CANNOT DO BETTER THAN JOE BIDEN.

WE WILL SEE WHERE PEOPLE ARE A YEAR FROM NOW.

AS AN ATTORNEY, YOU READ THE INDICTMENT, WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> IT IS SCARY TO THINK WE CAME THAT CLOSE.

I WANT TO HAND IT TO MIKE PENCE WHO IS A REPUBLICAN.

PEOPLE SAY HE'’S DOING HIS JOB.

THAT IS A BIG DEAL.

IT MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

I REMEMBER SOMETHING DURING -- RIGHT AFTER THE ELECTION.

I REMEMBER SEEING ON CNN HE'’S GOING TO CONCEDE, PROBABLY ON FRIDAY.

I SAID THIS GUY IS NEVER GOING TO CONCEDE.

AND HE NEVER DID.

QUITE FRANKLY, BUT FOR THE COURAGE OF PEOPLE LIKE THE SPEAKER, I THINK IN ARIZONA, SOME FOLKS ON ELECTION BOARDS IN MICHIGAN, VICE PRESIDENT PENCE, WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED?

SO IT IS SCARY.

AND THE IDEA THAT NOT MORE PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST IT, NOT MORE REPUBLICANS, THAT IS WHAT WE NEED.

THE FOUNDERS OF THE COUNTRY ANTICIPATED SOMEONE LIKE DONALD BE A PARTY THAT WOULD CONDONE IT OR ACCEPT IT AND BE SILENT ABOUT IT.

>> SUCH A GRIP ON THE REPUBLICAN BASE AND REPUBLICAN PARTY, I DON'’T FORESEE THEIRS HURTING HIM IN THE PRIMARY.

IN THE GENERAL ELECTION, YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER THESE ARE SERIOUS CHARGES.

THEN HOW MUCH HE IS GOING TO GET TIED UP IN COURT DURING THE GENERAL ELECTION CYCLE WHEN HE WINS THE PRIMARY.

I'’M ALSO LOOKING AT IT FROM THE KEY VOTING GROUPS THAT HAVE STOPPED HIM AND THE REPUBLICANS GETTING IN GAMES SINCE 2018, THEY PROBABLY DON'’T ALREADY LIKE TRUMP.

BUT IT IS GIVING ME MORE OF A REASON TO WALK OVER BROKEN GLASS TO GO OVER THE POLLS.

>> THAT IS IT, A QUICK 30 MINUTES.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

GOOD TO SEE YOU BACK.

AND FOLKS, A MONTH LEFT OF PRIMARY DAY.

WE WILL HAVE ALL OF THE LATEST AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT BREAKS.

WE HOPE YOU JOIN US NEXT WEEK AS A LIVELY EXPERIMENT CONTINUES.

>> A LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENERALLY UNDERWRITTEN BY.

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

I'’M A PROUP