Promises, promises and high aspirations

By Christopher Curran
Posted 1/11/17

Pomp and circumstance, passionate promises and astronomical aspirations flew flamboyantly around the chamber as state reps and senators were sworn in and set positions for individual recognition. The over-sized, over-blown structure of our unnecessarily

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Promises, promises and high aspirations

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Pomp and circumstance, passionate promises and astronomical aspirations flew flamboyantly around the chamber as state reps and senators were sworn in and set positions for individual recognition. The over-sized, over-blown structure of our unnecessarily bloated bicameral legislative branch of government provides a grand stage for theatrical self-aggrandizement or the rarified beauty of citizen-participant democracy.

Of course, there are the well meaning newly elected officials who initially believe they can affect something positive and they are willing to give of themselves for a nominal stipend in order to do so. Unfortunately, many new reps find the barriers to significant change, the required supplication to the assembly’s hierarchy, and the confounding minutia of the legislative process alienating. Sadly, the current system that jams through numerous unread bills and votes in the waning hours of each General Assembly session perplexes many. Yet candidates have sufficient hope to run for office to see if they can defy the encrusted labyrinth under the capital dome and succeed where others have not.

Our democracy may be imperfect in practice, but it always instills inspiration in theory. As a result, principal politicians like the speaker of the house and the senate president, along with principled politicians like the newly elected have grand plans that they hope to bring to fruition. This session is no different.

So, what ideas do our leaders in the legislature want to bring to fore in this session? And what alternative format to the current legislature’s structure would improve its effectiveness? The answers to these and other questions of note will be realized as the new assembly session transpires. We will know what promises are kept and what aspirations are met.

With the sprite ceremonies and garrulous speeches of the opening day in the General Assembly, one cannot help wonder why so grandiose? In a state with only about a million people, we have a super-sized legislative body. Considering there are four United States cities with around the same number of citizens as Rhode Island and their legislative branches of government consist of 22 to 30 councilmen, one might question why we have two costly bodies with 75 representatives and 38 senators.

Our diminutive populous would be much more effectively served by a much smaller full-time unicameral legislative body. Instead of ramming through hundreds of unexamined bills in the last days of a session, a dedicated and contemplative legislature would dissect pending laws prior to voting on them. However, without a citizen-involved constitutional convention it is doubtful the General Assembly would vote to lessen their size and relegate their own power.

Furthermore, the assembly’s present size lends itself to some officials who are enchanted with their titles. Consequently, they fill the superfluous role of parading peacocks prone to displaying their plumage rather than acting constructively. They go along to get along and usually conform to the wishes of their party leaders.

Also, the current structure insures the continuum of union centered, single party rule by the Democrat Party. Thus, the assembly will stay packed with unionists, teachers, and lawyers who exercise their special concerns with votes that favor their interests.

A dozen nascent representatives and four new senators may either seek to fulfill their legislative dreams or they may fall into the category of titled nobodies. Time will tell. Or new members will start out with the best of intentions and will quickly become disenchanted by the crusty and ineffective manner that the cumbersome legislative format entails.

The King of Smith Hill, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nicholas Mattiello won reelection in Cranston’s District 15 in a squeaker of a race.

Spending over a quarter of a million dollars to retain the seat and making more promises than a schoolboy on prom night, Mattiello prevailed in a way too close election. In the waning days of the election season, the speaker started to tell voters he would address the universally hated car tax. Responsible for 215 million dollars in revenue, still Mattiello promised a phase out of this ridiculous burdensome tax. “Make no mistake, this year’s budget will provide significant relief from this regressive tax”.

Considering there will be an estimated 112 million dollar shortfall in this upcoming budget, one wonders if the speaker will uncharacteristically cut at least some of the 8.9 billion dollar enormity of the state budget to accommodate his campaign promise.

Mattiello has also said he would like to give retirees more tax relief. He would like to remove the tax on leased vehicles. He would like to further raise the exemption on the estate tax. Additionally, he wants to concentrate on job creation, and increasing “general economic activity” in Rhode Island.

The speaker sometimes talks like a DINO (Democrat in name only) and that is not a bad thing in bluer than blue Little Rhody.

The Queen of Smith Hill, Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed, who heads the rubber stamp and conspicuously unnecessary Upper House of the General Assembly, has spoken of generic, trite, notions for this year’s session. She has talked of a “competitive tax and regulatory environment”. She also wants to address mental health issues in the state and try to improve services.

Another closeted DINO may be House Majority Leader Joe Shekarchi. He wants not only to address the phase out of the car tax, but wants to “prepare for 21st Century Jobs and Economy”. “We’ve lowered the corporate tax rate, created new job tax credits, lowered the cost of unemployment insurance, invested in a long-term plan to improve our infrastructure”.

Well, two percent less in the overall corporate rate and a 50 dollar reduction in the minimum corporate tax are small steps in the right direction. A conversion from an easy entitlement state to a low business tax and deregulated state would be the correct paradigm to really attract business investment and create an abundance of new jobs.

To that end, vibrant fighter for Republican values Representative Patricia Morgan (R-Coventry), is now the House Minority Leader. She has long spearheaded the Republican Policy Group and although their past suggestions have been ignored by reckless spending Democrats, perhaps her voice will be more likely considered in her new position. She wants the car tax eliminated, and to eliminate various wasteful programs, and to address disability pension reform.

As Rhode Islanders, we have been conditioned not to expect too much from the General Assembly. We may like our own representative as we stand next to him or her at our kid or grandkid’s little league game. We see our rep at the church bazaar, the local drug store, and about town, so with familiarity grows affection. However, when we look at the General Assembly as a whole in the wake of the impending Bridge Tolls, the 38 Studios debacle, the excessive and regressive taxation, and so many other either detrimental, special interest oriented, or stupidly superfluous laws we know we are not being adequately served.

Nevertheless, good luck to the newcomers and for that matter the old guard in the Assembly and their aspirations. I am sure some wish to do well in serving their neighbors. That is the beauty of a democracy. With every new legislative session, and every new election, and every new official, there is hope.

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  • Justanidiot

    gud words from a columnist in name only

    Friday, January 13, 2017 Report this