JIM: THIS WEEK ON "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" -- IT IS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE A TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FACING RHODE ISLAND.

HEAR HOW THE THREE TOP ELECTED LEADERS IN THE STATE INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER AND WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES ARE FOR THE COMING YEAR.

[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- JOHN: FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS "A , LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED IMPORTANT INSIGHT.

I AM JOHN, AND I AM PROUD TO PROVIDE A GREAT PROGRAM FOR RHODE ISLAND PBS.

JIM: JOINING US ON THE PANEL, GOVERNOR J DAN MCKEE, SENATE PRESIDENT DOMINICK RUGGERIO, AND HOUSE SPEAKER JOSEPH SHEKARCHI.

HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT."

I AM JOHN HUMMEL -- JIM HUMMEL.

ON ANY GIVEN WEEK, OUR LIVELY PANEL TALKS ABOUT THESE THREE MEN AND THE DECISIONS THAT THEY MAKE.

TODAY, WE GET TO SPEAK WITH THEM.

FIRST OF ALL, GUYS, WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING WITH US.

WE ARE MAKING HISTORY HERE.

GOVERNOR, LET ME START WITH YOU.

I WILL SAY IT, EVEN IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO, YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNOR RAIMONDO BEFORE YOU WAS NOT THE GREATEST, AND YOUR PREDECESSOR HAS BEEN BACK AND FORTH.

TELL ME ABOUT THE COMMUNICATION, HOW THAT HAS GONE, HOW OFTEN YOU GET TOGETHER, AND WHAT THAT IS DAY TO DAY.

GOV.

MCKEE: YES, I KNOW WE HAVE DIFFERENT JOB RESPONSIBILITIES, AND WE HAVE TO RESPECT EACH OTHER'S POSITION.

THE SPEAKER AND SENATE PRESIDENT MEET WEEKLY, AS I CAME INTO OFFICE, AND WE KEPT THAT GOING THROUGH THE ENTIRE BUDGET PROCESS.

GOOD THINGS CAN HAPPEN, IN UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENT ROLES WITH THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND I DID THAT AS A MAYOR.

JIM: MR. PRESIDENT, YOU ARE THE ONE, THE CONSTANT, CHANGING WITH GOVERNOR RAIMONDO AND SPEAKER MATTIELLO.

DID YOU HAVE TO MEDIATE SOMETIMES BETWEEN THEM?

WHAT ROLE YOU PLAY?

SENATOR RUGGERIO: I TRIED TO WORK WITH BOTH GOVERNOR RAIMONDO AND SPEAKER MATTIELLO, AT THE TIME.

I THOUGHT THE GOVERNOR HAD GREAT PROGRAMS WE SHOULD HAVE SUPPORTED, AND EVENTUALLY, THE SPEAKER WAS IN SUPPORT OF THOSE PROGRAMS.

I THINK MAYBE I PUT THE PARTIES TOGETHER, LET THEM KNOW WHAT I WAS THINKING, LET THEM KNOW WHAT THE SENATE WAS THINKING, AND I THINK IT WORKED OUT RELATIVELY WELL AT THE END.

JIM: EVERYBODY'S STYLE IS DIFFERENT.

TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNICATION YOU HAVE.

DO YOU JUST TEXT THE GOVERNOR?

>> I GOT A HAIRCUT AT IS BARBARA COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

[LAUGHTER] I TOOK A SELFIE, SAID I AM USING YOUR BARBER.

THEY ARE BOTH GREAT GUYS, VERY CONSCIENTIOUS, GOOD LEADERS.

THESE MEETINGS YOU TALK ABOUT, THEY ACTUALLY MORPHED INTO DINNERS, BECAUSE WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME.

WE TALK ABOUT OBVIOUSLY BUSINESS, THINGS IMPORTANT TO THE STATE.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT MY FRIENDS, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EVERY SPEAKER HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE PRESIDENT.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR MY STATE, IMPORTANT FOR MY CAUCUS THAT WE GET ALONG, AND THE PRODUCT IS THE TRUTH.

WE HAVE SOME AMAZING THINGS, THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE A GOOD PARTNER AND BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNOR, WAS THERE WITH BILL SIGNINGS, WHETHER TO ACT ON CLIMATE OR A WHOLE HOST OF ISSUES, ANY DISCRIMINATION, THE SOURCE OF INCOMES.

WE'LL WORK TOGETHER ON THOSE THINGS.

IF YOU LOOK BACK HISTORICALLY -- I HAVE NOT BEEN AROUND AS LONG AS MY GOOD FRIEND THE SENATE PRESIDENT, BUT IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THE 10 YEARS I HAVE BEEN IN THE SENATE ASSEMBLY -- IN THE ASSEMBLY, WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT.

JIM: WHAT YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST DISAGREEMENT, WHERE YOU SAID YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT ON THE SAME PAGE ON THIS?

GOV.

MCKEE: YES, AGAIN, I DON'T REALLY HAVE DISAGREEMENTS.

I THINK YOU HANDLED THINGS PROFESSIONALLY AND MOVE FORWARD.

I THINK WE WORKED MANY OF THE ISSUES OUT IN TERMS OF THE BILLS COMING THROUGH ANYWAY THAT, I WOULD SAY ONE OF THE PIECES, NOT ONLY THE COMMUNICATION THAT IS THERE, BUT WITH OUR STAFFS, TOO, RIGHT?

THE STAFF LEVELS ARE THERE.

THEY HAVE A GREAT LEVEL TO DEAL WITH.

I CANNOT SAY THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WE WOULD DISAGREE ON.

JIM: THERE WAS A LITTLE HICCUP ON THE EMERGENCY ORDER.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT WITH A MASK MANDATE.

I TALKED TO YOUR MEN, YOUR PEOPLE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, GOVERNOR RAIMONDO, FOR BETTER OR WORSE, DID A LOT OF GUIDING US THROUGH THE PANDEMIC WITH THE EMERGENCY ORDERS.

WHAT ABOUT THAT NOW?

CAN YOU CLARIFY -- YOU GUYS REALLY HOLD THE POWER IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE EMERGENCY ORDERS, VIS-A-VIS THE LEGISLATURE VERSUS THE GOVERNOR, YOUR UNDERSTANDING?

>> DURING A PANDEMIC, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT IS THE ONE IN CHARGE.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL REMEMBER THAT.

I KNOWS AND PEOPLE THINK THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS THE END-ALL AND BE-ALL, BUT THESE ARE HEALTH ORDERS.

BECAUSE WE HAVE COVID, BECAUSE WE HAVE A DELTA VARIANT, THE GOVERNOR AND HIS TEAM HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB, AND I SUPPORT HIS DECISIONS.

JIM: THERE WAS A DISCUSSION IN THE LEGISLATURE -- >> WE NEED TO COME BACK.

REASONABLE MINDS CAN DIFFER ON INTERPRETATION, BUT IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT, AT LEAST IN MY MIND, AS ATTORNEY AND AS A SPEAKER, MY LEGAL COUNSEL, THE GOVERNOR HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND ISSUE ORDERS, AND HE DID THAT.

WE HAVE A MASK MANDATE, AND IT IS WORKING.

JIM: MR. PRESIDENT?

SENATOR RUGGERIO: I THINK HE ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY TO ISSUE NEW AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION AND THE CRISIS WE ARE FACING.

AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED, AS FAR AS OUR LEGAL COUNSEL HAVE MADE THE DETERMINATION, THAT POWER RESIDES IN THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR.

GOV.

MCKEE: AND I WOULD SAY, LOOK, I AM NOT GOING TO ABUSE EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

WHERE WE NEED THEM, I WILL USE THEM.

WE TALKED ABOUT VISITING, AND WAS ASKED, ANSWERED IN A WAY THAT GAVE A GREEN LIGHT, ON SCHOOLS, WE TALKED ABOUT THE SCHOOL MASKING MANDATE.

I TOOK THE APPROACH THAT WE COULD GET ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ON BOARD, AND WE GOT 90% OF OUR SCHOOL THIS TRIP'S ONBOARD.

WE PARTNERED WITH THEM.

THEN WE PUT IN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE A MASK MANDATE IN SCHOOLS.

WE DO NOT.

I WOULD LIKE TO REPEAT -- WE DO NOW.

I WOULD LIKE TO REPEAT A COUPLE OF THINGS.

WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE, WE WERE THE MOST INFECTED STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE WERE A RED DOT ON THE WORLD MAP OF BEING MOST INFECTED IN THE WORLD AT ONE POINT IN TIME.

TODAY, YOU KNOW, THE LAST STATUS IS WE ARE THE THIRD LEAST INFECTED STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE HOSPITALIZATION RATES THAT ARE AROUND 45TH.

ONLY FIVE STATES HAVE LESS THAN A HOSPITALIZATION RATE THAN US.

WE HAVE A VACCINATION RATE, WE WENT FROM VERY LAST -- WE WERE DEAD LAST, AND WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN THE TOP FIVE VACCINATION RATES, APPROACHING 85% OF OUR ADULT POPULATION WITH THE SHOT.

JIM: MR. PRESIDENT, LET ME START WITH THE.

YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE SINCE WILLIAMS ARRIVES, SEEMINGLY, A LONG TIME, GOING BACK IN THE HOUSE IN THE SENATE, AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE LAST MINUTE, EVERYTHING GOES THROUGH, AND THERE ARE CHIPS TRADED ABOUT BUDGET AND EVERYTHING.

IT IS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.

THE ACT ON CLIMATE WENT THROUGH, THE BILL, THERE WAS A LOT OF STUFF BEFORE THE END OF THE SESSION.

WHY IS THAT?

IT IS NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL ANYMORE?

WERE YOU IN FAVOR OF THAT, OR WHAT WAS YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT?

SENATOR RUGGERIO: WELL, IF YOU THINK BACK A LITTLE, IF YOU THINK BACK TO THE ELECTION HAVING A NEW SPEAKER, WE SAT DOWN, WE DECIDED THAT THERE WERE SOME BILLS THAT WE WANT TO PASS EARLY.

THEY WERE VERY IMPORTANT BILLS.

BASICALLY WE DID NOT DO A HECK OF A LOT WHEN IT CAME TO LEGISLATION DURING 2020 BECAUSE OF A COVID VIRUS.

HOWEVER, WE DID MANAGE TO GET A BUDGET OUT IN DECEMBER, WHERE OUR COLLEAGUES CAME OUT AND SUPPORTED IT UNANIMOUSLY, FOR THE MOST PART.

FAST-FORWARD TO JANUARY.

WE CAME BACK.

WHEN WE HAD OUR CAUCUS, DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS IN NOVEMBER, WE TOLD OUR COLLEAGUES THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE MOVING QUICKLY ON BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE LEGISLATION DURING THE COURSE OF 2020.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID WE WERE NOT IN SESSION, AND THAT IS TRUE, HOWEVER, THE WORK CONTINUES, AND A LOT OF MY COLLEAGUES SPEND A LOT OF TIME, ESPECIALLY SOME OF THE NEWER COLLEAGUES, WORKING ON LEGISLATION THAT THEY FELT WAS VERY IMPORTANT.

SO THAT ENABLED US TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING COME JANUARY.

SENATE BILL NUMBER ONE, THE FIRST BILL WE PASSED THIS YEAR, WAS THE MINIMUM WAGE BILL.

AFTER THAT, WE HAD A WHOLE SLEW OF LEGISLATION THAT, AS YOU SAID, THE CLIMATE BILL, A NUMBER OF OTHER PIECES.

I THINK ONE OF THE GREAT PIECES THAT WE PASSED THIS YEAR, THAT WAS SPONSORED BY ONE OF OUR FRESHMAN COLLEAGUES, WAS A FUNDING STREAM FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THE FIRST TIME THAT HAS HAPPENED IN 40 YEARS, THAT I HAVE SEEN, BUT THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE HOUSING ISSUE IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.

SO WE PASSED A LOT OF BILLS EARLY, AND WE TALK ABOUT TELEMEDICINE, A LOT OF THINGS RELATED TO CORONAVIRUS, SO WE WERE VERY AGGRESSIVE, AND WE TOLD OUR COLLEAGUES, FROM THE BEGINNING, THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE MOVING QUICKLY ON A LOT OF PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

AND AS YOU MENTIONED, AND AS THE SPEAKER MENTIONED, WE HAVE DONE SOME AMAZING THINGS THIS YEAR LEGISLATIVELY.

JIM: THE EARLIEST I REMEMBER WAS THE TRUCK TOLLS, REMEMBER, THAT WAS IN FEBRUARY.

THAT WAS A HUGE PIECE OF LETTUCE LASER.

THE SPEAKER DROVE A LOT OF THIS.

WHAT WAS YOUR THINKING ON THAT?

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID KID WE DID TWO YEARS OF LEGISLATION IN ONE LEGISLATIVE CYCLE.

THAT IS WHY USE ALSO MUCH OF IT.

THE COLLEAGUES WANTED IT, THE CAUCUS WANTED IT.

STAFFING WAS A BIG BILL, BODY CAMERAS WAS A BIG BILL.

WE WORKED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

WE NEGOTIATED THAT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

WE WERE ABLE TO USE A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY.

THERE IS A TONE OF COOPERATION THAT IS A VERY PRODUCTIVE TONE, AND YOU CAN GET A LOT DONE.

THAT IS WHAT YOU SAW ABOUT THAT.

I DON'T FUNCTION WELL AT THE END.

THERE'S TOO MUCH COMING AT YOU, LAST TWO OR THREE DAYS, LATE NIGHTS.

THE HOUSE DID NOT SUSPEND.

WE HAVE NOT SUSPENDED IN THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS.

THAT LEADS TO A AN ORDERLY CLOSING.

JIM: DOES THAT MEAN WE ARE ALL GETTING OLDER, SPEAKER?

MAYBE 10:00 IS A GOOD BEDTIME.

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO BED AT 9:00, IF I COULD.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE PHONE CONTINUES TO RING.

[LAUGHTER] WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY NOT BE HAVING FORMAL SESSIONS, BUT MY GOOD LORD, WE ARE HAVING STUDIES GOING, REDISTRICTING, BASELINE, SHORELINE ASTERISK -- BEACH LINE/SHORELINE ACCESS.

WE HAVE SO MUCH GOING ON RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A HOUSING COMMISSION.

WE ARE WORKING, OUR STAFFS AT THE STATEHOUSE ARE WORKING ALMOST AROUND-THE-CLOCK.

IT IS A VERY PRODUCTIVE OFF YOUR.

JIM: GOVERNOR, LET ME ASK YOU, I PROPOSE MERGER AGAIN BETWEEN LIFESPAN AND CARE NEW ENGLAND.

THIS GOES BACK 25 YEARS.

IT HAS FALLEN APART FOR VARIOUS REASONS.

WE ARE AT THE POINT NOW WHERE BOTH OF THE HOSPITALS ARE FACING TREMENDOUS FINANCIAL ISSUES.

WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT ABOUT THE MERGER, WHAT ROLE YOU PLAY, AND ULTIMATELY -- I WILL THESE QUESTIONS DO YOU GUYS, TOO -- IF IT DOES NOT GO THROUGH, WHAT IS THE STATE'S ROLE IN ALL OF THIS?

GOV.

MCKEE: THAT HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF OUR DINNERS, MORE THAN ONE, AND ALL THE OPTIONS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAN PLAY, THAT ROLE.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS KIND OF, YOU KNOW, WATCHING THIS.

WE CAN HAVE OUR SAY ON WHETHER THEY ARE SHOULD BE A MERGER OR NOT.

THERE ARE SOME DOWNSIDES.

JIM: DO YOU FAVOR THE MERGER?

GOV.

MCKEE: I WANT TO SEE MORE, BECAUSE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT AS UCH AS 80%, 90% OF ALL THE HOSPITAL, YOU KNOW, ACTIVELY COMING OUT OF THAT ONE SPACE IN THE MERGER.

THERE IS A NEED TO ADDRESS THAT.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS MORE THAN READY TO STEP IN, AND WE HAVE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM, BUT, AGAIN, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS GOING TO KIND OF DETERMINE A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THAT MERGER.

JIM: BUT NATIONALLY, THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION HAS HAD A SEACHANGE WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION, AND HE IS NOT SO WILD ABOUT THESE MERGERS.

HOW DOES THAT FACTOR IN, IN YOUR MIND?

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: LET'S TALK MORE GLOBALLY, BECAUSE THERE IS A PENDING APPLICATION BEFORE THE FTC.

WE WILL LET THAT PLAY ITSELF OUT.

I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THEM.

THEY FEEL CONFIDENT THEY HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB PUTTING THE APPLICATION TOGETHER.

LET'S HOPE THE FTC APPROVES THE MERGER.

IF NOT, THEN IT WOULD BASICALLY FLIP BACK TO THE STATE, AND THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION WHAT WE WANT TO DO AND WHAT WE CAN DO.

THERE IS VERY STRONG FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS WHY THERE SHOULD BE A MERGER.

A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT WILD -- WHY THERE SHOULD NOT BE A MERGER.

AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL WEIGH IN ON IT.

THERE IS NO ROLE FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO PLAY AT THIS TIME.

I AM CONCERNED WITH, NUMBER ONE, QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE AND NUMBER TWO, THE JOBS IN RHODE ISLAND.

JIM: BECAUSE IN A MERGER, IT IS ECONOMY OF SCALE, RIGHT?

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

BUT YOU HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT IN RHODE ISLAND, WE ARE NOT COMPETING AMONGST OURSELVES.

IN OTHER STATES, 40 MILES AS PART OF THE SAME STATE.

IN RHODE ISLAND, 40 MILES GETS YOU TO BOSTON, AND THAT GETS YOU, YOU KNOW, A WHOLE WEALTH OF HEALTH CARE, INFORMATION, AND AVAILABILITY.

SO WE ARE COMPETING, TO SOME DEGREE, WITH THE BOTON SYSTEM.

YOU HAVE YALE, YOU HAVE CRIME AND PROSPECT HERE, SO THERE ARE OTHER HOSPITAL CHAINS.

SOUTH COUNTY IS INDEPENDENT.

WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHAT WE DO, WHEN AND IF IT EVER COMES TO US, BUT FOR RIGHT NOW, THERE IS NO ROLE FOR US.

JIM: MR. PRESIDENT, THE QUESTION SOME HAVE IS IF THIS DOES NOT GO THROUGH FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEN YOU HAVE GOT THIS FINANCIAL CRISIS.

PHILOSOPHICALLY, IS THAT SOMETHING THE STATE MIGHT GET INVOLVED IN WITH DOLLARS, OR IS THAT SOMETHING THE STATE IS NOT INVOLVED IN OVER THE LONG RUN, AND YOUR MIND?

SENATOR RUGGERIO: LET ME SAY THIS, I HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THE MERGER HAS JUST COME ABOUT IN THE LAST YEAR, HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME HOSPITALS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE IN JEOPARDY OF CLOSING.

FATIMA B AND ROGER WILLIAMS BEING THE OTHER.

I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF THE CORONAVIRUS GOING FORWARD.

JIM: THERE'S A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY SLOSHING AROUND, BUT THAT DOES NOT HELP FOR THE LONG RIDE.

SENATOR RUGGERIO: THAT IS TRUE.

MONEY IS GOING TO DRY UP AT SOME TIME.

WE HAVE TO BE VIGILANT IN HOW WE ADDRESS THE SITUATION WITH THE MERGER.

AND LIKE THE GOVERNOR SAID, THAT PROCESS IS ONGOING RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE NO INPUT INTO THAT PARTICULAR SITUATION AT THIS POINT IN TIME, BUT I AM LOOKING AT THE OVERALL HEALTH CARE PICTURE IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND HOW IT IS GOING TO BE, WHAT IT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN THE NEXT TWO, THREE, OR FOUR YEARS.

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: ONE OF THE POINTS IN THE OFF-SEASON IS WE HAVE A STUDY OF REPRESENTATIVES LOOKING INTO HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SERVICES AND WHERE WE NEED TO BE GOING FORWARD.

JIM: I THOUGHT YOU SAID THERE WAS NO OFF-SEASON.

[LAUGHTER] SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: THERE IS NO.

OBSESSION, BUT BELIEVE ME, IT IS A LOT OF WORK GOING ON.

GOV.

MCKEE: LET ME SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ON THAT, BECAUSE THAT IS AN AREA WE DO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT.

THERE WAS GREAT NEWS THIS WEEK THAT WE RECEIVE THE FULL ACCREDITATION, THAT WE PUT THAT BACK.

THAT HAS A GREAT DEAL OF WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE BY STAFFING.

OUR OFFICE AS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS WELL.

WE KNOW THAT IS A BIG ISSUE, AND WE CONTROL THAT ISSUE.

WE WILL BE, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, PROVIDING A BUILDOUT STRATEGY FOR THE FACILITY IS OUT OF OUR OFFICE COMING OUT OF THE NEXT BUDGET, AND WE WILL HAVE MADE A GREAT DEAL OF PROGRESS MAKING SURE THE PATIENTS, THEIR FAMILIES OUR TOP PRIORITY COME THE STAFFING IS A SERIOUS PRIORITY FOR US, AS WELL AS THE FACILITIES THAT THEY SERVE.

THERE HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS PROGRESS IN THE AREA OVER CONTROL AND SALE, SO THANK YOU TO THE STAFF AND THE LEADERSHIP, THE DIRECTORS FOR THAT.

JIM: SPEAKER, FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY.

THE GOVERNOR PRETTY MUCH STAYED OUT OF IT FOR THIS BUDGET SESSION -- THERE WERE LITTLE POCKETS HERE AND THERE -- BUT IT IS A HUGE TRUNK OF MONEY.

YOU AND I HAD THIS CONVERSATION COME INVESTMENT AS OPPOSED TO SPENDING.

I AM SURE I CAN GO TO ALL THREE OF YOU AND HAVE SPECIFIC THINGS YOU WANTED.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, EACH OF YOU, FROM THE 30,000-FOOT VIEW ON THIS MONEY THAT IS GOING TO ROLL OUT THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS?

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: I HAVE SAID THIS BEFORE, MY PREFERENCE IS FOR THE MONEY TO BE INVESTED AND NOT SPENT, SO WE GET SOME LONG-TERM -- JIM: FOR EXAMPLE, WHAT?

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES OR WHAT?

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: POSSIBLY.

IT IS MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS FOR ME.

I WANTED TO BE A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM BRYANT UNIVERSITY, THEY ARE DOING A STUDY, AND I WANT TO HEAR MY COLLEAGUES IN THE GENERAL SIMILE.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM -- I WANT TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR, I WANT TO HEAR FROM THE SENATE PRESIDENT, THOSE ARE THE PRIORITIES OF RHODE ISLAND.

OBVIOUSLY, MONEY WILL BE SPENT IN THOSE AREAS.

WHEN AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO BE HIRING IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS, A NEW HOUSING CZAR TO REALLY TACKLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE STATE GOING FORWARD.

WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THAT.

THE GOVERNOR SENDS ME, YOU KNOW, HIS PROPOSALS, WE WILL HAVE HEARINGS ON IT, AND WE WILL CONSIDER EVERY ONE OF THEM.

I WOULD LIKE TO HOLD SOME OF THE MONEY BACK.

I DON'T WANT TO SPEND IT ALL IN ONE YEAR.

WE HAVE FOUR YEARS TO SPEND THE MONEY.

I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT IT AND SPEND A GOOD PART OF IT -- BECAUSE RHODE ISLAND NEEDS IT, AND I UNDERSTAND IT -- BUT WE SHOULD SAVE SOME FOR THE FUTURE.

ONE THING I WANT TO POINT OUT, THE FEDERAL FUNDS YOU TALKED ABOUT, WE STILL DO NOT HAVE GUIDANCE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT YET.

WE EXPECT IT AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

THERE IS STILL ANOTHER STIMULUS PACKAGE PENDING IN CONGRESS RIGHT NOW, THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS GOING TO INCLUDE.

THAT MAY BE MORE INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED.

LET'S SEE WITH THOSE REQUIREMENTS ARE GOING TO BE, WHETHER IT IS ROADS OR BROADBAND.

THAT IS GREAT.

I WILL TAKE EVERY FEDERAL DOLLAR WE CAN GET, BUT THAT MEANS WE DO NOT HAVE TO USE THE MONEY FOR ROADS OR BROADBAND, BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE THE INTRO STRUCTURE MONEY.

JIM: WHEN YOU THINK OF YOUR YEARS IN THE INTRO STRUCTURE, HOW MANY OF THOSE YOU HAD TO LUG A HUGE HOLE, A ONCE IN GENERATION OPPORTUNITY.

WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR HEAD ABOUT HOW TO SPEND THIS MONEY?

SENATOR RUGGERIO: WELL, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE EVER BEEN IN A BETTER SITUATION, SINCE I HAVE BEEN THERE.

AS YOU SAID, WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR MONEY.

THE ECONOMY PRIOR TO CORONAVIRUS WAS DOING VERY WELL.

WE WERE DOWN TO 3.4% UNEMPLOYMENT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKING, AND THE ECONOMY WAS GOING ALONG VERY WELL.

THEN CORONAVIRUS HIT.

BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY, AND AS THE SPEAKER SAID, WE HAVE TO BE PRUDENT AS TO HOW WE SPEND THE MONEY.

WE WANT TO GET THAT MONEY OUT TO THE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN DANGER OF GETTING EVICTED.

WE HAVE TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK, AND TO DO THAT, WE NEED AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE.

AND ALSO, I THINK, I THINK THAT YOU NEED ALL DAY PRE-K, BECAUSE THAT WILL HELP KEEP THE KIDS IN SCHOOL, THE PARENTS WILL NOT HAVE TO LEAVE EARLY TO PICK UP THEIR CHILD.

I THINK THOSE ARE TWO IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW.

THE HOUSING ISSUE -- AND THAT HOUSING ISSUE HAS EVOLVED FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO NOW THE EVICTION SITUATION.

A LOT OF OUR HOUSING AGENCIES ARE GOING FORWARD AND TRYING TO NTIFY PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RELIEF ON THEIR RENT, AND ALSO, WE PROVIDE THE PAYMENTS TO THE LANDLORD TO, OVER EIGHT PERIOD -- WHO, OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO EVICT PEOPLE FOR NONPAYMENT.

IT IS A GREAT PROGRAM.

WE NEED TO PROMOTE IT MORE.

I THINK THE OTHER HOUSING AFFILIATES ARE STARTING TO DO THAT.

THOSE ARE TWO ISSUES WE ARE STARTING TO LOOK AT IN THE SENATE.

JIM: GOVERNOR?

GOV.

MCKEE: YES, WE WANT TO BE QUICK BUT NOT IN A HURRY.

WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE ONE OF THE FASTEST RECOVERING ECONOMIES IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

THIS WEEK, AGAIN, I THINK WE LEAVE THE NORTHEAST IN TERMS OF RECOVERY.

NATURALLY, I THINK WE RANK ANYWHERE FROM TWO TO SEVEN.

AND WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THAT POSITION.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME FUNDS GOING TO THE ECONOMY, WHETHER IT IS INTO TOURISM, HOSPITALITY, SMALL BUSINESSES IN PARTICULAR.

EDUCATION WISE, WE ARE MAKING A GREAT DEAL OF EDUCATION.

I WANT TO HELP EVERY COMMUNITY IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, HELPING THEIR CITIES AND TOWNS ON EDUCATION.

WE WILL BE ASKING FOR THAT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

AND AS WELL AS THE ISSUES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH HOUSING.

WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

JIM: THAT IS GOING TO BE A PRETTY LONG DINNER FOR YOU GUYS TO WORK ON?

"OK, THIS WEEK WE ARE GOING TO DO LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.

NEXT WEEK, THREE HOURS FOR FEDERAL MONEY."

[LAUGHTER] GOV.

MCKEE: IN OTHER STATES -- WE ARE THE LAST STATE I THINK IN THE NORTHEAST TO USE ANY OF THE MONEY, AND NOW THEY ARE INVESTING THOSE DOLLARS IN THE ECONOMY, AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY CATCHING UP TO US.

SO WE ARE KIND OF A HEAD ON THE FIRST QUARTER TURN IN THE KENTUCKY DERBY, SO TO SPEAK.

WE WANT TO GIVE THAT POSITION.

I THINK THERE ARE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS THAT NEED TO BE MADE NOW, AND THEN CLEARLY, LIKE I SAID, CLICK A BUTTON NOT IN A HURRY IN TERMS OF TWO OR THREE YEARS.

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: I DON'T DISAGREE.

I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING WE ALL HAVE TO REMEMBER, AND TO ALL THE VIEWERS OUT THERE, THIS IS ONE-TIME MONEY.

THIS IS NOT REOCCURRING MONEY.

JIM: A $13 BILLION BUDGET, AND IT WAS $9.4 BILLION A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, SO YOU HAVE GOT TO ROLL THAT BACK A LITTLE BIT NEXT YEAR, RIGHT?

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: A LOT OF THAT IS FEDERAL MONEY.

THAT IS A VERY MISLEADING STATISTIC.

JIM: WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO START OUT NEXT YEAR?

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: WE ARE GOING TO BE A REVENUE-DRIVEN BUDGET.

WHATEVER THE REVENUE FORECAST, WE HAVE A TALENTED TEAM IN THE HOUSE, SENATE, THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.

THEY MEET, THE PHYSICAL CONFERENCE, THE REVENUE ESTIMATES, THEY COME UP WITH A REVENUE, AND THAT IS WHAT WE BASE OUR BUDGET ON.

IT HAS BEEN VERY ACCURATE.

WE FINISHED THIS YEAR WITH A SLIGHT SURPLUS.

SO THEY ARE DOING A VERY GOOD JOB.

IT IS NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE.

YOU HAVE TO PREDICT THIS.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.

ONE OF THE THINGS, ALSO, WE TALK ABOUT THE STATE MONEY.

THE CITIES AND TOWNS OF GOTTEN A LOT OF MONEY THEMSELVES, TOO, AS WELL.

MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHERS THE AISLE, "THE BUDGET IS OUT OF CONTROL."

A LOT OF THAT SPENDING, A SERMON IS A BENEFIT'S GROWTH.

IT IS DRIVEN BY THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS THAT DONALD TRUMP AND JOE BIDEN HAS SENT TO US THROUGH CONGRESS, AND THAT HAS TO GO TO THE STATE.

THEY DON'T SEND MONEY TO JIM HUMMEL, THEY SEND MONEY TO THE STATE, IN THE STATE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE SENDS THE MONEY OUT TO JIM HUMMEL.

SO ALL OF THIS ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT, THAT ALL FLOWS THROUGH THE STATE BUDGET, AND THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCREASE OF THE BUDGET.

JIM: JUST QUICKLY, WILL BCA FALL SESSION?

-- WILL BCA FALL SESSION?

-- WILL WE SEE A FALL SESSION?

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: IT IS VERY POSSIBLE, IF WE SEE A BUDGET.

JIM: MR. PRESIDENT, CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN NEWPORT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WHAT -- FOR THOSE OF US, YOU KNOW, YOU SNE EZE AND THE POWER GOES OUT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND I DID NOT LOSE IT DURING HENRI.

WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS FOR THE LONG RUN, AS THIS NEW COMPANY ACQUIRES NATIONAL GRID?

SENATOR RUGGERIO: WHAT IS MY NATURE -- ONE OF MY MAJOR CONCERNS IS WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING OF SUBSTANCE AND THAT NATURE, I KNOW THEY OPERATE IN DIFFERENT AREAS.

THEY OPERATE IN KENTUCKY, PENNSYLVANIA.

I WANT TO ENSURE THAT, WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS, THEY HAVE THE ADEQUATE PERSONNEL TO ADDRESS THOSE SITUATIONS UP HERE, WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO COME FROM KENTUCKY.

SO I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.

ADDRESSING THOSE SITUATIONS IS A SENSE OF IMMEDIACY, SO I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

I THINK THAT THEY HAVE A PLAN THAT THEY CAN ADDRESS THAT WITH, SO I AM WAITING TO SEE, WAITING TO HAVE SOME MEETINGS WITH THEM LATER ON IN THE YEAR TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE THINKING, WHAT THEY ARE PROPOSING.

JIM: AND YOU HAVE BEEN, GOING BACK TO YOUR DAYS OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

GOV.

MCKEE: YES, THREE THINGS THERE.

WE ARE HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH INCOME A FRIDAY NIGHT, SATURDAY NIGHT BEFORE THE HURRICANE HIT, SAYING YOU NEED TO GET PEOPLE UP HERE, A SHOW OF GOOD EXAMPLE, AND THEN BE WITH ME TO SEE WITH ME TO SEE WHAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE LOOKS LIKE.

RHODE ISLAND DID GET HIT, 20 FIVE TIMES HARDER THAN MASSACHUSETTS DID ON A PER CAPITA BASIS, 15 TIMES HARDER THAN CONNECTICUT.

IT WAS THE SAME STORM.

SO WE CLEARLY HAVE ISSUES WE NEED TO ADDRESS ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE OUTAGES.

I WILL JUST POINT OUT ANOTHER THING, AS THE SPEAKER WAS TALKING ABOUT, THE LEGISLATION THAT GET PAST THIS YEAR.

WE DID PUT AN ARTICLE IN OUR BUDGET THAT HOLDS UTILITIES ACCOUNTABLE NOW, AS NEW YORK AND MASSACHUSETTS DOES.

IF THERE IS AN OUTAGE, AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT, STARTING NEXT YEAR, THEY WOULD PAY PRICE IF, IN FACT, THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR A LONG-TERM OUTAGE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PRE PREVENTED.

JIM: A LOT OF TIMES, IT IS LIKE GROUNDHOG DAY COME OVER AND OVER UNTIL THE CRISIS HITS.

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: WE TOOK SOME PROACTIVE RESPONSIBILITY IN THAT.

I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THAT, REPRESENTING EAST PROVIDENCE, CONCERNING NATIONAL GRID, THE LACK OF BEING HELD TO STANDARDS, MAKING SURE THEY HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLAN IN PLACE.

WE ARE GETTING THERE, AND WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON IT, AND THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN A BIG ADVOCATE AND A BIG ALLY ON THAT FIGHT.

GOV.

MCKEE: ANOTHER THING WE ARE DOING IS THE OFFICIALS, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME NEED FOR SOME FUNDING.

WE HAVE IDENTIFIED -- OUR OFFICE HAS -- THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACCOUNT, APPROXIMATELY $40 MILLION, IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, GETS THROUGH THE NATIONAL GRID IN THAT PROGRAM, EITHER IN PROFIT, INCENTIVES, MANAGEMENT FEES, AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, MANAGING PROJECTS.

WE THINK ABOUT $40 MILLION, THAT A GOOD AMOUNT OF THOSE DOLLARS COULD BE REDISTRIBUTED INTO GETTING THE CLEAN AIR THAT WE NEED, AND WE DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO ANY RATEPAYER'S POCKETS.

JIM: GENTLEMEN, THAT IS ALL THE TIME.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

30 MINUTES.

WILL YOU COME BACK?

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: YES!

JIM: INVITE ME TO ONE OF THOSE DINNERS.

CAN I COME IN, OFF THE RECORD?

SPEAKER SHEKARCHI: ONLY IF YOU PAY.

[LAUGHTER] JIM: SENATE PRESIDENT RUGGERIO, SPEAKER SHEKARCHI, AND GOVERNOR MCKEE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

FOLKS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEK.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK NEXT WEEK, AS THE "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" CONTINUES.

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

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] ♪ >> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- JOHN: FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF IMPORTANT POLITICAL ISSUES THAT