Just how powerful are the public employee unions in this state? One minor example, if I may: A friend wanted to volunteer at his local public library to shelve books because a staff reduction has resulted in all of the shelvers’ being laid off. However, he could not volunteer to shelve books because the union would not allow it inasmuch as the jobs are union. So, the books stay on carts and staff members who are paid quite a bit more than the shelvers have to stop their regular duties so they can shelve books that the public wants to read.

The Providence Journal: Dick Waters: Calling the shots in Rhode Island, May 1, 2009

Governor Carcieri Announces Energy Review Committee to Develop State Energy Plan for Recovery Funds

Governor Carcieri today announced that the Office of Economic Recovery and Reinvestment has created an Energy Review Team to develop a statewide energy plan for the investment of funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and to develop a statewide, competitive grant process to distribute funds for energy programs.    The co-chairs for the Energy Review Team are Andy Dzykewicz, Commissioner of the RI Office of Energy Resources, and Jeffrey Seamann, Dean of the College of Life Sciences at the University of Rhode Island and co-chair of the RI Science and Technology Council.

Under ARRA, Rhode Island will receive $58 million in funds dedicated to a number of energy initiatives, including $20 million for weatherization programs, $14.5 million for state and municipal programs, and $24 million for other energy activities. 

"A main goal of the Recovery Act is support energy programs that create and retain jobs, realize energy savings for families, businesses, government and educational institutions, reduce our dependency on foreign energy sources, and achieve environmental benefits," said Governor Donald L. Carcieri.  "Rhode Island has set an aggressive goal of 20 percent of the state's energy use be renewable sources and is well poised to develop this nation's first off shore wind project.   These funds will help bring about clean, green power that is not subject to variations in fuel prices, and will bolster a new green economy and create green jobs for Rhode Islanders."   

The Energy Review Team will hold its first meeting on Monday, May 4, 2009, 6:00 p.m., at the Rhode Island Department of Health Auditorium, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI.  The public is invited to attend.  The Energy Review Team will provide a summary of federal expectations and performance metrics with regard to the use of ARRA funding and give an overview of the state plan as it is developed.  The meeting will provide communities and interested parties an opportunity to share thoughts and recommendations about local needs.  The Energy Review Team must provide a comprehensive plan to the Federal Department of Energy by May 12th.

Based on federal guidelines, grants will focus on:

• Loans, grants and incentives particularly for energy efficiency retrofits and installing renewable energy measures with a focus on:
  • Renewable energy projects including but not limited to:

• Offshore Wind
• Geothermal and solar hot water projects for public and non-profit buildings and facilities
• Training and demonstration of renewable technologies.
• Building Retrofits focusing on the following areas:

• Energy Efficiency Performance Contracting, providing assistance for technical support such as preparation of Requests for Proposals and Third Party Measurement and Verification for building and facility owners to work with Energy Service Companies on energy efficiency retrofits and conservation projects.
• o       Grants, loans and incentives for fuel neutral energy efficiency retrofits that to reach the 42 percent of the state that uses heating oil and is not served by existing programs.
• o       Establishing revolving loan funds for energy efficiency retrofits, particularly for sectors not reached by other programs including low, moderate income residents that do not qualify for low income heating assistance.
• o       Voluntary programs that impact new design including carbon neutral mixed use development projects.o       Outreach and education projects including use of smart metering, web pages and other computer applications to extend the reach of efforts to actively engage residents and businesses in efficiency and conservation effortso       Establishment and enforcement of energy efficiency building codes and standards, which are underway with the collaboration of the General Assembly and the State Building Code Office.

March RI Home Sales Ahead of National Average

Warwick, RI, April 30, 2009…Rhode Island existing home sales increased 21.5 percent from February to March in contrast to national sales data released from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which showed a 3 percent drop.  The data includes sales of condominiums and single and multi-family homes.  The Rhode Island statistics from the Rhode Island Association of Realtors (RIAR) showed a 12.4 percent increase in sales from March 2008 to March 2009 while the NAR data showed a nationwide 7.1 decrease in sales among all three categories combined during the same twelve months.  RIAR statistics include Rhode Island sales only, while NAR data includes the Fall River and New Bedford metropolitan areas.  Rhode Island seems to be bucking the national trend due to substantially lower prices, particularly in the lower price brackets and the multi-family home category.  NAR recently reported that distressed sales accounted for just over half the sales in March.  Likewise, Rhode Island distressed sales accounted for 52.6 percent of sales.

http://www.riliving.com/PressReleases/Archives/2009/May/2009-05-01.asp

OCG plans demonstration on May 13th

Press Release

Lance Chappell: Mr. Speaker, what makes you think you can make a deal to save this doghouse?

The Governor was correct to pull out of the Twin River's situation because we can't afford to do it.  Now we have the head cigar looking at this thing. Mr. Speaker, with a $1.2 Billion structured debt on your books and increasing, what makes you think you can make a deal to save this doghouse?  Remember, you can't print money. Oh, maybe Representative Fox will use the stimulus money to go after it. He blew the smoke settlement money to balance the bloated budgets for the last 3 years. Great leadership there! Oh and Mr. Venda Ravioli of the House Finance Committee can add his gravy to the deal. Watch out Rhode Island, their in the back room cooking up another wonderful deal for us. Get your wallets out because this is your government in action!

L.Chappell

Saunderstown, RI

Rhode Island Senate panel passes minimum-wage hike

PROVIDENCE — A bill calling for automatic annual increases in the minimum wage to keep it in line with “the rate of inflation” was approved by the Senate Labor Committee on Wednesday.

The state’s minimum wage has stood at $7.40 an hour since Jan. 1, 2007.

Under the version now headed for the full Senate, the state would use the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers in the Northeast to adjust the rate annually, starting in January 2011, “to maintain employee purchasing power by increasing the current year’s minimum wage rate by the rate of inflation up to, but not more than, 3 percent.”

Westerly: Algiere wants DOT to step on the gas

Westerly’s state senator leans on state transportation officials to expedite Route 1 resurfacing.
 By EMILY DUPUIS
 Sun Staff Writer
  WESTERLY — Westerly’s state senator has called on Rhode Is­land transportation officials to expedite resurfacing work on Route 1.
  Sen. Dennis Algiere said he has been in talks with state De­partment of Transportation (DOT) representatives in past weeks about resurfacing Westerly’s de­teriorated stretch of the state road —- specifically between the intersection of Routes 1 and 78 and the Dunn’s Corners intersec­tion.
  “They’ve assured me that some­thing will be done soon, but to what extent remains to be deter­mined,” the Westerly Republican said.
  Algiere said he did not know how much the project might cost or how it would be funded.
  Charles St. Martin, a spokesman for the state trans­portation department, confirmed that agency officials are analyzing how the resur­facing could be completed. “We recognize the deteri­orating pavement condi­tions and we’re looking at what we can do out there,” he said. He did not know when the work might start. St. Martin said this is just one of many state roads that took a beating this year.
  “This winter was espe­cially severe on the pave­ment,” he said.
  Algiere said he has spo­ken with the DOT director and chief engineer about ei­ther resurfacing the entire stretch or completing the work in phases.
  “But I am pushing for the entire stretch of road­way,” he said.
  Algiere said he has re­ceived numerous calls from constituents and business­es about the road’s condi­tion.
  “It’s in tough shape,” he said of the road, rife with potholes and cracks.
  Algiere added that the DOT has already identi­fied a number of road proj­ects to move forward this year — a significant amount funded by federal stimulus dollars.
  These projects include resurfacing 4.5 miles of Shore Road between Post Road and Ocean View Highway and 1.3 miles of Oak Street/Route 91 be­tween Route 3 and the Westerly maintenance fa­cility. The Oak Street proj­ect includes sidewalk re­pairs, minor drainage im­provements, water line in­stallation and new signage.
  edupuis@thewesterlysun.com

RI Illegal Immigrant Employer Bill Passes Committee

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A legislative committee has voted to approve legislation that would crack down on Rhode Island businesses that employ illegal immigrants.

The bill sponsored by Democratic state Representative John Brien of Woonsocket would require private businesses to sign statements pledging that all employees are in the country legally.

Violations could result in fines or even jail time.

Single Family Home Sales Increase in First Quarter

Warwick, RI, May 1, 2009….Existing single family home statistics released today by the Rhode Island Association of Realtors show sales increasing from first quarter 2008 to first quarter 2009 by .40 percent.  Overall, median price dropped from $245,000 last year to $180,000. Forty-five percent of the sales were distressed sales, sold through short sale or foreclosure. The price of non-distressed sales was $225,000.

“We’re continuing to see two markets with distressed sales selling for roughly 20 percent less than non-distressed sales,” said Paul Leys, President of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors.  “We’re encouraged that we continue to see increasing sales and decreasing inventory which tells us that we’re moving through the downturn,” he added.  Rhode Island has been ahead of the national curve in terms of sales volume.

Sales in Providence nearly doubled (up 93.8 percent) due to the substantial number of foreclosures and short sales in the city. Providence’s first quarter median price fell to $75,000 from $150,500 during the first quarter 2008.  Central Falls, Foster and North Kingstown saw a price increase.

“Real estate has always been local but never more so than today.  It’s critical that buyers understand the market they’re looking in when negotiating price,” said Leys.

For accompanying statistics, click here:

http://www.statewidemls.com/RealtorResources/SalesStats/Documents/1stQ-Single2009-w-distr.pdf

Sides argue validity of ballot requirements

PROVIDENCE — Kenneth J. Block says his Moderate Party of Rhode Island can’t attract candidates or campaign workers unless it can get on the ballot. But Assistant Attorney General Thomas A. Palombo said it shouldn’t get on the ballot unless it’s got candidates or members.

That political-science Catch-22 was dropped on U.S. District Judge William E. Smith’s lap Thursday morning, when he spent three hours hearing arguments on a lawsuit by Block’s Moderate Party that claims the petition system that state law sets for new parties to get on the statewide ballot is unconstitutional.

Bill outlawing indoor prostitution passes R.I. House panel

PROVIDENCE: The House Judiciary Committee Thursday evening swiftly approved a bill to criminalize prostitution that occurs indoors, with a full vote on the House floor expected as early as next week.

The bill, which the committee approved by 8-to-4 vote, with 3 members absent, seeks to rewrite a nearly 30-year-old law which outlaws streetwalkers and soliciting for prostitution outdoors, but has no prohibition against prostitution that occurs indoors.

Rhode Island is currently the only state, except for certain counties in Nevada, which has no prohibition against indoor prostitution.

Toll hikes sought to finance bridge repairs

PROVIDENCE — The state Turnpike and Bridge Authority needs to raise tolls to pay for $50 million worth of repairs to the Pell and Mount Hope Bridges, Chairman David Darlington told a legislative committee Thursday.

Darlington asked the House Finance Committee to approve borrowing the $50 million through a bond issue for the work, which would include repairing rusted steel and doing painting on both bridges. He said that a toll increase would be needed to cover the bond issue, but that the authority wants to avoid raising tolls for Rhode Island residents.

Darlington said it would be the first toll hike in the history of the Pell Bridge, which opened in 1969. And if tolls are reinstituted on the Mount Hope Bridge, it would be for the first time since they were eliminated in 1998. Maintenance on the Mount Hope Bridge is now paid for with tolls paid by drivers crossing the Pell Bridge.

Dick Waters: Calling the shots in Rhode Island

To those who read Steve Peoples’s April 4 front-page article (“State deficits seen persisting and worsening”): Are you a) depressed, b) angry, or c) both?

Put me in the both column.

I’m depressed, because I see so very little true leadership in the state — and certainly none in the General Assembly or the office of either the governor or lieutenant governor (why do we have that position? — it is a total waste).

I’m angry, because too many of us are apparently willing to sit back and take it, day after day, week after week, year after year.