[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] >> COMING UP THIS WEEK ON "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT," A PORPOISE REPORT SAYING THAT YEARS AGO -- NEW THAT THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE WAS IN TROUBLE.

BRITTA WILL BE LOOKING FOR -- RIPTA WILL BE LOOKING FOR A NEW LEADER AFTER, THE CONTROVERSY.

>> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> HI, I’M JOHN HAZEN WHITE, JR. FOR OVER 30 YEARS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS TO THE POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

I AM A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS GREAT PROGRAM AND RHODE ISLAND PBS.

JIM: JOINING US, BILLY HUNT, CHAIRMAN OF THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF RHODE ISLAND.

WEAYONNOH NELSON-DAVIES OF THE PROGRESS INSTITUTE.

THE PUBLIC’S RADIO POLITICAL REPORTER, IAN DONNIS.

I AM JIM HUMMEL, IT IS GREAT TO BE BACK WITH YOU.

A MIDWEEK ARTICLE BY THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL TIED TOGETHER INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN COMING OUT IN BITS AND PIECES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE.

THE CONCLUSION, THE STATE NEW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS YEARS AGO BUT DID NOTHING.

PETER IVD SAYS A RECOMMENDATION THAT HIS AGENCY REJECTED PUTTING WEIGHT LIMITS ON THE BRIDGE A DECADE AGO IS NOT A SMOKING GUN AND THAT THERE WERE OTHER REPORTS CONTRADICTING THE ORIGINAL FINDING.

WE HAVE A MAJORITY EAST BAY PANEL THIS WEEK.

IT WAS EASY GOING COMING IN.

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT IT?

BILLY:BILLY: IT WAS VERY IN-DEPTH.

IT IS TOP OR THE AVERAGE PERSON TO DIG THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE DOT IN GIVEN BASIS.

TO HAVE SOMEONE WAIT TO THE DETAILS AT SPELL THAT OUT ABOUT WHAT WAS KNOWN WHEN AND WHAT IT’S WORTH SAYING, HE CAME UP AFTERWARD AND SAID THERE WERE CONTRADICTING REPORTS.

IF THAT WAS SO, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THOSE REPORTS ARE AND WHAT THOSE ISSUES WERE.

TAKE AWAY THE TRUCK WEIGHT LIMIT RECOMMENDED BY THE REPORT IN 2012.

EVEN IF THAT WAS A MINORITY REPORT, YOU WOULD THINK SUCH A VITAL PIECE OF INFRASTRUCTURE, THEY WOULD GIVE IT WEIGHT AND THEY WOULD BE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE WAY TO BEEN ON THE BRIDGE ITSELF.

WEAYONNOH: FOR ME, WHAT WAS SHOCKING WAS THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, THAT WE DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.

IN DECEMBER IN THE PRESS CONFERENCES, THERE WAS SURPRISE ABOUT HOW BAD THE BRIDGE WAS BUT NOW WE ARE LEARNING THAT IN 2018 AND 2019, WE RELIST THE PROBLEM WAS WORSE.

THERE WERE BIDS TO TRY TO REPAIR THE BRIDGE AND THEN THERE WERE CONTRACTS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PRINT -- OF HIS PETITION KNEW THERE WAS AN ISSUE -- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEW THERE WAS ANY ISSUE.

IAN: THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST STORIES THAT HAS BEEN DONE ON THE BRIDGE DEBACLE.

THE MEASURE OF THIS ISSUE AND POLITICS IS A SWEET SPOT FOR RICHARD.

EVEN IF AE, BACKTRACKED AND RECONSIDERED ITS ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATION, WHICH IT DID ACCORDING TO PATRICK’S REPORTING, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT CHANCE OF SOME KIND OF UNDERLYING ISSUE WITH THE BRIDGE.

IVD CAN DOWNPLAY IT -- HE CAN DOWNPLAY IT BUT EVEN IF THERE IS A 30% CHANCE OF SOME -- SHOULD BUT HAVE BEEN A FOCUS WILL BE FOR -- SHOULDN’T THAT HAVE BEEN THE FOCUS BEFORE?

JIM: IN 2013 THEY PUT THE CONTRACT OUT.

THERE WAS A 70 MINUTE DOLLARS CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS BRIDGE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS BECAUSE THAT IS A PROJECT THAT STARTED AND STOPPED.

IAN: PETER ALVITI’S MESSAGING IS THAT THEY HAVE UPGRADED SO MUCH REQUEST THE STATE BUT IT IS NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.

195 IS A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE TROUBLED BY MANY RHODE ISLANDERS AND PEOPLE FROM OTHER STATES EVERY DAY AND GIVEN THESE INDICATIONS FOR A POSSIBLE PROBLEM, EVEN IF SOME COLD WATER WAS POURED ON THE INITIAL REPORT, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SCRUTINY OF WHAT WAS GOING ON.

JIM: AND WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE DAY OF RECKONING.

WEAYONNOH: WE ARE.

JIM: YOU ARE LIKE BRINGING IT ON.

WEAYONNOH: OUR FAMILIES ARE ON THAT BRIDGE.

IS IT REALLY SAFE?

WE DO NOT KNOW.

WE ARE NOT GETTING TRANSPARENCY.

WE HAD THE PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES ON THAT BRIDGE IN 2022.

JIM: THAT IS SOBERING.

IAN: THAT IS A GREAT POINT ABOUT TRANSPARENCY BECAUSE ACCORDING TO PATRICK ANDERSON’S STORY, DOT DECLINED TO COMMENT ON THE FINDINGS AND REPORTS ON EARTH -- ONUNEARTHED IN THE FINDINGS.

THEY SHOULD HAVE RESPONDED TO THE QUESTIONS RAISED BY PATRICK STORY.

JIM: THIS ARTICLE GAVE GOVERNOR MCKEE A LITTLE BIT OF DISTANCE.

SOME OF THIS WAS GOING ON BEFORE HE TOOK OVER BUT HE CONTINUES TO STAND RIGHT NEXT TO PETER ALVITI AND YOU WONDER HOW LONG THAT IS GOING TO BE.

BILLY: IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE BOOK -- BUCK STOP WITH THE DIRECTOR, IT STOPS WITH THE GOVERNOR.

SOMEBODY’S HEAD WOULD ROLL AND SOMEBODY WOULD BE TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS.

AS WE WAIT FOR THE DAY OF RECKONING TO COME, THAT IS NOT HAPPENING.

ANOTHER INTERESTING PART OF THIS WHICH WOULD HELP NAVIGATE OR COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC POSSIBILITY WOULD BE SABINA MATOS.

SHE HAS BEEN SEVEN ON THIS ISSUE.

THIS IS SOMETHING WHEN THE TENANT GOVERNOR -- HE HAD AN EMPHASIS ON SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE CRISIS IN THE PROCESS.

SABINA MATOS HAS BEEN SILENT.

THIS WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR HER TO STEP IN AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE STATE THEMSELVES, HELPING FACE THESE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND PEOPLE WORKING ON THIS.

THERE IS NOTHING FROM HER OFFICE.

JIM: THERE ARE LAWYERS WRITTEN CASES BEFORE AND YOU HAVE GOT TO THINK WITH WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN, THEY SNIPPED SOMETHING OUT.

YOU WONDER IF THE STATE WAS SIGNING OFF ON THESE INSPECTIONS AND ULTIMATELY TRYING TO GO AFTER A PRIVATE COMPANY, THAT IS THEIR FIRST OFFENSE.

WEAYONNOH: THE DEFENSE HAS TO END SOMEWHERE.

WE HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF DEFENSIVE RESPONSES, NOW WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE SOLUTIONS ARE.

I AM GOOD TO GO BACK TO WHAT THEY KNEW AND WHAT THEY DID AND DID NOT DO.

NOW THAT DAY OF RECKONING IS HOPEFULLY HOLDING PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE BUT MAKING SURE THE ILLUSIONS THAT FOLLOW ARE JUSTIFIED.

THERE ARE CITY CONFERENCE WITH THE CONCERNS ON EAST SIDE.

EXPERTS ARE SAYING THAT IS NOT A SAFE MEASUREMENT FOR HOW MUCH FEET WE NEED BETWEEN EACH -- WHEN I AM URGING BETWEEN MAINS, I AM NERVOUS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 95.

WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THE SOLUTIONS ARE.

IAN: ONE OF THE LAWYERS HIRED BY THE STATE IS A BULLDOG AND I’M SURE HIS FINDINGS WILL PROVE PROVOCATIVE.

HERE IS THE THING, NO ONE THINKS DAN MCKEE WERE PETER IVD -- PETER ALVITI CREATED THE BRIDGE OR THE STRUCTURAL FLAWS THAT LED TO THE CLOSURE OF THE WESTBOUND BRIDGE BUT THE COVER-UP IS WORSE THAN THE CRIME.

WHAT IS TELLING ABOUT PATRICK ANDERSON’S STORY IS HOW IT CONTRADICTED DINNER TO AND CONTRADICTED WHAT WAS SAID.

-- AND IT CONTRADICTED WHAT WAS SAID.

AND ASKED WHETHER THERE WAS A LOAD WEIGHT RESTRICTION RECOMMENDED FOR THE BRIDGE AND THE ANSWER WAS NO OR IT WAS FUZZED OVER.

THE ADMINISTRATION’S RESPONSE IS IMPORTANT.

JIM: WE ARE TAPING ON A FRIDAY MORNING.

WE REFERENCED THE THREE LANES COMING WESTBOUND, IT IS A CONJECTURE QUESTION, BUT WE WONDER HOW THAT IS GOING TO WORK.

IF PEOPLE WOULD JUST STOP TEXTING, WE WOULD ALL BE A LOT BETTER OFF.

BILLY: I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED WITH THE EASTBOUND CHANGEOVER MINUS THE HICCUP.

THAT IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE, WHEN YOU HIT ANY AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC FOR ANY AMOUNT OF TIME, PEOPLE HAVE THE INSTANCE TO START CHECKING THEIR PHONES.

AS SOON AS THERE IS AN OPENING, PEOPLE WANT TO GO FROM ZERO TO 100.

THERE IS THE FRUSTRATION OF THIS BEING AN ONGOING EVERYDAY ISSUE.

IT WEIGHS ON PEOPLE.

THE TRAFFIC WEIGHS ON PEOPLE OVER TIME.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH WHEN WE GET TO THREE LANES.

JIM: NEXT TIME WE HAVE THE ONE WE WILL DO A TRAFFIC STUDY.

I WAS OFF LAST WEEK, A LOT HAPPENED.

CEO AND PRESIDENT OF WRITZ TO -- RIPTA RESIGNED AFTER INFORMATION CANNOT ON A HIT AND RUN HE HAD.

THE LARGER QUESTION IS WHO IS WORK THIS AGENCY.

SCOTT WAS A POLITICAL POINT DS AND WHAT HAD BEEN.

GINA RAIMONDO APPOINTED HIM.

WHO ARE YOU GOING TO GET TO COME TO AN AGENCY LIKE RIPTA THAT HAS BEEN SO BESIEGED WITH PROBLEMS?

IAN: THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION AND I THINK RIPTA HAS BEEN HANDICAPPED IN TERMS OF TRYING TO CREATE A MORE ROBUST SUPPLY OF TRANSIT DUE TO FUNDING ISSUES.

IT IS A DISTINCT TO NOTE HOW PEOPLE ARE CRITICIZED RIPTA LIKE THE TRANSIT ADVOCATES, SINGING FROM THE SAME HYMNAL SAYING IT SHOULD BE A TRANSIT PROFESSIONAL RATHER THAN A POLITICAL APPOINTEE WHO WAS HIRED TO LEAD RIPTA INTO THE FUTURE.

PERHAPS THERE COULD BE SOME COMING TOGETHER DECIDING WHETHER -- I DON’T THINK RIPTA WILL BE A HUGE PROFIT CENTER BUT TRANSFER TORSION -- TRANSPORTATION IS IMPORTANT.

IN RHODE ISLAND IT IS SUCH A STRUGGLE TO HAVE SOME DECENT TRANSIT.

PERHAPS THERE CAN BE A MEETING OF THE MINDS.

RIGHT NOW THAT FUNDING IS ELUSIVE.

WEAYONNOH: I DON’T KNOW WHETHER THE TIMING IS BAD OR GOOD.

LOOKING FOR A CEO WITH OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS HAVING VACANCY, I AM CONCERNED IT MIGHT LAST LONGER THAN WE NEED IT TO.

WITH THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE HAD, FACING A DEFICIT RIGHT NW.

WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH WITCHES FOR DRIVERS OR WE HAVE A DRIVER SHORTAGE PROBLEM AND WE ARE THREATENING TO CUT SERVICES.

IT IS NOT AN ATTRACTIVE JOB POSTING FOR ANYONE TO COME IN.

TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN AND MAKE THAT HAPPEN QUICKLY, THE ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATIVE NEEDED TO PUT SOME INVESTMENTS IN RIPTA.

JIM: IT IS A DEATH SPIRAL BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SHORTAGE OF DRIVERS AND A DEFICIT BUT IF YOU START CUTTING ROOTS, WHAT HAPPENS?

BILLY: THE TINY COULDN’T BE WORSE FOR THE GOVERNOR -- TIMING COULDN’T BE WORSE FOR THE GOVERNOR.

THIS WAS BACK TO WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WITH ALVITI AND TRANSPARENCY ON THE DOT.

PEOPLE WANT MORE TRANSPARENCY ON HOW THIS SEPARATION TOOK PLACE.

IF YOU ARE AND I WERE INVOLVED IN A HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT WITH THE ALLEGATIONS OF POSSIBLY BEING INTOXICATED, WE WOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT KEEPING OUR JOB AND NEGOTIATING THE TERMS OF KEEPING OUR RESIGNATION.

WE WOULD BE MORE ABOUT THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS.

IT GOES TO THE SAME FEELING THAT THERE IS THIS DIFFERENT CLASS OF PEOPLE, THE WITHIN CLASS OR THE GOVERNING CLASS AND EVERYBODY ELSE.

ALL THE WAY FROM -- THE PRESIDENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE LOCAL POLICE OFFICER WHO IS PROTECTED BY THE BILL OF RIGHTS.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A DIFFERENT LEVEL THAT PEOPLE DON’T AFFORD THE SAME AS THOSE RULING OVER THEM AND THEY DON’T LIKE IT.

IT IS BAD TIMING FOR THE GOVERNOR THAT THIS CAME OUT WHILE THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE TOUGH IS GOING ON.

JIM: IT HAS BEEN A BONE OF CONTENTION FOR THOSE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

WHAT I LET THE CHANNEL SIX, I HAD A BOXES FILLED ON ITS.

-- A BOX OF STALE DONUTS.

YOU GET PAID FO SICK AND UNUSED VACATION TIME.

THAT IS A TOUGH SWALLOW FOR TAXPAYERS SOMETIMES.

IAN: BILLY IS RIGHT DISCUSSING THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

THEY’RE NOT GOOD TO GET THAT MONEY.

JIM: I DIDN’T THINK IT WAS AN OVERLY BIG PAYOUT.

THEY COULD HAVE HAD A REALLY CONTENTIOUS -- ALLEGATIONS OF DUI.

NONE OF THAT WAS PROVED SO IT COULD HAVE BEEN A COURT FIGHT.

FOR ME, IT DID NOT SEEM LIKE A LOT.

WEAYONNOH: HE PROBABLY WANTS TO GET OUT OF RIPTA NOW.

IT MAY HAVE BEEN A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM TO LEAVE THIS, FOR THE GOVERNOR TO FIGURE IT OUT WITHOUT HIM HAVING TO BE THERE.

IT IS AN EFFICIENT THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE BEEN FACING, WE HAVE A MASTER PLAN THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED.

HAVING A BOLD PERSPECTIVE COME IN AND TALK ABOUT HOW CAN WE EXPAND SERVICES SO WE HAVE MORE FREQUENT AND LONGER SERVICE HOURS, ADD MORE ROUTES TO WHAT WE HAVE NOW, THIS COULD BE ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE THE WORLD-CLASS TRANSIT SYSTEM.

JIM: WE NEED TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT PEOPLE SAY RIPTA LOSES MONEY.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A LOSS LEADER?

LOOK WHAT WE SPENT ON THE CONVENTION CENTER.

ARE WE GOING TO RUN A DEFICIT AND KNOW THIS IS A SERVICE YOU NEED TO HAVE IN A COMMUNITY IF YOU HAVE A VIBRANT COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE?

OR ARE YOU GOING TO SAY IT IS NOT GOING TO WORK IN RHODE ISLAND AND ALL THE PLUG -- AND PULL THE PLUG?

ISN’T THAT THE DISCUSSION WE NEED TO HAVE?

BILLY: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE TRANSIT SYSTEM BUT THAT -- IT SHOULD BE FREE FOR RIDERS.

WE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON STUPID THINGS AND A TRANSIT SYSTEM WOULD SOLVE PROBLEMS IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND HOW MUCH MONEY WE WASTED ON THE FERRY SYSTEM FROM BRISTOL TO PROVIDENCE.

THE ACCOUNTS SHOWED THE BUSES TRAVELING FROM THE EAST BAY OVER THE BRIDGE HAVE CHRONICALLY LOW RDIERSHIP -- RIDERSHIP.

IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE HIS SYSTEM, WE SHOULD MAKE IT SO IT IS MORE ROBUST.

WE SHOULD COMBINE IT WITH MEDICAL TRANSPORT.

WE ARE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY ON THAT.

COMBINED THOSE POOLS OF RESOURCES TOGETHER AND FOCUS ON A UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

IT WOULD BE A BETTER USE OF OUR FUNDS.

JIM: THERE IS ALLEGES THAT A SESSION GOING ON.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

WHAT THEY ARE ON VACATION BUT WHEN IT COMES BACK IT WILL BE THE BACKSTRETCH.

USUALLY THEY GET UP BY LATE JUNE.

THIS IS RIGHT IN YOUR WAREHOUSE -- YOUR WHEELHOUSE.

WHAT PRIORITY FOR EPI AND WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT MOST?

WEAYONNOH: WE STARTED WITH THE BUDGET.

ON APRIL 26, THE REVENUE AND CASELOAD ESTIMATE CONFERENCES WILL BE TAKING CLOSE.

WHY THAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT IS WHEN WE FIND OUT WHETHER WE HAVE A SURPLUS IN THE REVENUE FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR 2024, WHETHER WE HAVE LOWER CASE NUMBERS.

IF WE HAVE THAT, THAT IS A GOOD THING.

WE HAVE MORE MONEY TO SPEND ON SERVICES INCLUDING THE BRIDGE AND TRANSPORTATION.

THAT WILL SHOW US WHETHER WE ARE CLOSER TO WHERE WE SHOULD BE FOR FISCAL 2025 TO PROVIDE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE WITH NUMBERS WE NEED TO MAKE CLEAR DECISIONS.

WHAT IS IN THE BUDGET?

WHAT FISCAL POLICIES ARE GOING TO BE IMPACTED BY WHAT THOSE CONFERENCES ARE?

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS THE BIG-TICKET ONE.

THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED $10 MILLION.

RIPTA IS ADVOCATING FOR $18 MILLION TO ADDRESS DRIVER ISSUES AS WELL AS SERVICES.

THAT WOULD BE A BIG FISCAL POLICY ISSUE.

WE HAVE MEDICAID ISSUES AS WELL, MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES ARE LOW IN RHODE ISLAND AND THAT IS NOT ATTRACTING MEDICAL PROVIDERS.

WE WILL BE LOOKING TO SEE IF WE CAN EXPAND THOSE REIMBURSEMENT RATES.

WE TALK ABOUT THE SAFETY NET PROGRAM, WE PERSONALLY ADVOCATE ALONG WITH RHODE ISLAND ABOUT INCREASING OUR CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO MAKE SURE FAMILIES MEET BASIC NEEDS IN RHODE ISLAND AND COST-OF-LIVING EVERY YEAR.

THOSE ARE A FEW FISCAL POLICIES WE ARE LOOKING AT VERSUS OTHER POLICIES THAT MAY NOT HAVE A ISCAL IMPLICATION BUT ARE IMPORTANT.

JIM: THE SALAD DAYS SEEM TO BE OVER WITH ARBA RUNNING OUT.

IT IS NOVEMBER AND MAY THEY CALL THE REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE.

IAN: THE BUDGET IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING DONE BY THE LEGISLATURE EVERY YEAR.

THE SPEAKER HAS BEEN SAYING THERE IS A VAST GREATER AMOUNT OF MONEY.

THIS REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE WILL SHED THE LIGHT ON IF THERE IS MONEY TO DO MORE THINGS.

THE HOUSING SECRETARY WAS ON MY SHOW THIS WEEK AND ASKED IF HE SUPPORTS A PROPOSED HOUSING BOND FROM A $100 MILLION TO $150 MILLION.

HE WAS COOL TO THAT IDEA.

SOME OF THESE THINGS WILL COME DOWN TO HOW MUCH MONEY IS AVAILABLE.

ONE OF THE OTHER TOP ISSUES AT PLAY IS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BILL OF RIGHTS.

CRITICS SAY THAT INHIBITS EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE OF POLICE, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS PROMISED EARLY ACTION.

THAT IS SEALED TO THE SENATE EARLY -- SALE THROUGH THE SENATE EARLY.

THE STATE IS BOGGED DOWN IN THE HOUSE AND ADVOCATES THERE ARE PUSHING FOR WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS MORE MEASURES TO RAISE ACCOUNTABILITY.

IT IS A MORE CONTENTIOUS ISSUE IN A LARGER LEGISLATIVE BODY.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHERE THAT WILL GO FROM HERE.

BILLY: USUALLY IT COMES TOGETHER WITH THE HORSETRADING AT THE END OF THE SESSION WHEN THEY ARE PULLING THESE THINGS OUT OF THE COMMITTEE.

ME AND THE LIBERTARIANS HAVE OUR OWN BILL IN THE COMMITTEE, HOUSE BILL 776 WE ARE TRYING TO GET PAST THAT WOULD CHANGE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A POLITICAL PARTY TO BECOME RECOGNIZED BY A STATE.

THIS IS NOT A LIBERTARIAN BILL, IT WOULD BE A NONPARTISAN BILL.

GREEN PARTY, MARGARET PARTY, ANYBODY.

WE NOT ONLY WANT TO LOWER THE THRESHOLD, BUT WE WANTED TO CREATE A MINOR PARTY STATUS SO THESE MINOR PARTIES CAN BE BROUGHT INTO THE FOLD AND RECOGNIZED HER TO REACHING THAT THRESHOLD SO THERE IS NOT THIS CHICKEN AND EGG SITUATION WHERE ANY ORGANIZATION HAS TO ORGANIZE AND ACT LIKE A PARTY BEFORE THEY CAN BE RECOGNIZED.

THAT IS IN COMMITTEE RIGHT NOW AND WAS HEARD.

WE ARE LOOKING TO HAVE SUCCESS WITH THAT.

JIM: HAVE YOU GOTTEN ANY SENSE FROM THE LEADERSHIP?

IAN: -- BILLY: WE HAD PUT THEM IN A MEETINGS.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS BEEN A HUGE HELP AND EVERYONE AND HIS OFFICE, INCLUDING ROB ROCK WHO HAS DONE A GREAT JOB WITH HELPING US FORMULATE THE LEGISLATION.

THEY HAVE COME OUT NOT OFFICIALLY ENDORSING IT WOULD SAYING IT WOULD HELP INCREASE VOTER ACTIVISM AND PEOPLE GETTING INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS IF THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY WERE PRESENTED BY THE TWO MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES.

JIM: PAYDAY LENDING AND PAID LEAVE YOU VERY MUCH HAVE YOUR EYES ON.

WEAYONNOH: WE FINALLY GOT A VOTE ON PAID LEAVE.

WE ARE HOPING FOR A COMMUNITY VOTE HOUSE -- VOTE IN THE HOUSE.

IT WOULD INCREASE FROM SIX WEEKS TO 12 WEEKS.

IT WOULD INCLUDE CHILDREN AND SIBLINGS AND CAREGIVERS.

IT IS A REALLY EXCITING BILL AND WE ARE HOPING THE HOUSE WILL MOVE ON IT.

WE HAVE BEEN ON THIS 14 YEARS.

WE HAD A HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARING.

WE ARE GETTING WORD THE HOUSE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS AFTER THE LAST YEAR WITH THE HISTORIC VOTES ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

WE ARE WAITING UNTIL THE LAST WEEK.

JIM: LET ANOTHER.

-- LIGHTEN UP.

WEAYONNOH: IT IS A BIG ONE IN AN ELECTION DAY -- ELECTION YEAR.

JIM: IS A STORAGE BILL PASSED SAFELY.

I WONDER IF THAT NEXT HE FINAL CUT.

IAN: WE HAVE SEEN A CHANGE IN THE LEGISLATURE WITH A BIGGER PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS.

IT USED TO BE A STRONGLY RHODE ISLAND COHORT OF PROGRAM DEMOCRATS.

WE HAVE SEEN MORE ACTION ON BILLS LIKE THIS AND THERE IS CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT FOR THAT.

ONE NOTE ON PAYDAY LENDING, I TRACKED THIS ISSUE HERE LONG TIME WHERE TOP ELECTED OFFICIALS WENT TO A HIGH SCHOOL IN PAWTUCKET TO SUPPORT A FISCAL EDUCATION BILL.

THE STATE IS PROMOTING PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHICH IS GREAT WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ALLOWING BEING AN OUTLIER AND ALLOWING THE EQUIVALENT OF SUCH A HIGH INTEREST RATE FOR PAYDAY LENDERS.

IT IS LIKE TAKING TOBACCO MONEY AND USING IT TO PAY THE -- JIM: TAKING TOBACCO MONEY AND USING IT TO FILL THE WHOLE.

BILLY: OUR FOCS HAS BEEN THE MAIN BILL.

THE BILL LISTENING WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON AND DO THE TRANSFER BE LOOKING AT THE GUN STORAGE BILL.

IT HAS BEEN INTERESTING.

IT HAS BEEN A QUIET SESSION.

THE SENATE SIDE HAS ACCEPTED THE NUMBER OF BILLS THEY WILL BE ACCEPTING -- LIMITING THE NUMBER OF BILLS THEY ARE ACCEPTING SO IS GETTING A COMPANION BILL WAS DIFFICULT.

LIKE I SAID, IT ALWAYS COMES DOWN TO THE END OF THE SESSION IN JUNE WHEN THOSE DAYS GET HOT.

JIM: LET’S GO TO BEVERAGES -- OUTRAGES AND/OR KUDOS.

WEAYONNOH: IT IS SPRING BREAK AND A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS HAVE HAD YOUTH LEADERSHIP SUMMITS.

THE YOUTH FOUNDATION OF RHODE ISLAND FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

MY SPECIAL KUDOS IS THE WINNER’S CIRCLE -- THAT COMPETES THIS WEEK.

ABOUT 10 MIDDLE SCHOOLS ARE PARTICIPATING IN USING VIRTUAL REALITY TO SOLVE VISUALS -- A SOCIAL JUSTICE PROBLEM.

THE ECONOMIC PROCESS INSTITUTE HAS.

UP WITH US AND OUR PROBLEM IS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

THEY WILL PRESENT A SOLUTION TO THE SOCIAL JUSTICE PROBLEM THIS FRIDAY.

JIM: MAYBE THEY WILL HAVE THE SOLUTION.

WEAYONNOH: I THINK THEY DO.

JIM: CAN WE DO SOMETHING WITH SPRING WEATHER?

IT STILL FEELS LIKE FEBRUARY.

IAN: I WANT TO CONGRATULATE RAYMOND BACCARI.

HE HAS A NEW JOB AS PRODUCER AND ASSIGNMENT EDITOR AT CHANNEL 12.

THE OUTRAGE IS THE ALARMING NUMBER OF DEATHS OF YOUNG CHILDREN IN RHODE ISLAND.

NEWS ORGANIZATIONS REGULARLY GET THESE DISCLOSURES FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES.

ANY ADVOCACY GROUP ENCOMPASSING MORE THAN 40 GROUPS THIS CALLING FOR THE STATE TO TAKE ACTION TO PUT MORE MONEY AND SUPPORT BEHIND POLICIES THAT WILL PROMOTE BETTER HEALTH AND AWARENESS FOR THESE ISSUES THAT AFFECT YOUNG CHILDREN.

IT SEEMS THERE IS NOT ONE SINGLE ISSUE RESPONSIBLE.

IT IS IN A ALARMING SITUATION.

THE GOOD PART IS THAT THERE IS MORE ATTENTION ABOUT IT FROM MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS.

HOPEFULLY WE WILL SEE SOME IMPROVEMENT.

IAN: I HAVE ANY OUTRAGE ABOUT THE SCHOOL BONDS.

THE BRISTOL WARREN SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND THE WAR IN TOWN COUNCIL WHO HAD SOME EXPLAINING TO DO AFTER THE BOND PASSED THAT THERE WAS PENDING LITIGATION.

WARREN HAD A SIGNIFICANT LAWSUIT WHICH EXCEEDED OUR LIMITS WITH OUR POLICY WITH THE LOCAL TRUST.

IT MADE US TRAIN OUR RAINY DAY FUND AND PUT US ON THE HOOK FOR $1 MILLION FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

THE TOWN IS FACING A 5% PLUS PROPERTY TAX INCREASE WHICH WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO GET APPROVAL FOR.

AFTER THE ELECTION, OUR TOWN MANAGER SKIPPED OFFICE TO WORK ON THE CAMPAIGN.

THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TOOK OFF AND -- NOW COME TO FIND OUT THE BOND FUNDING IS GOING TO NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR BUDGET IN FISCAL YEAR 26.

IT IS A REAL MESS AND A QUAGMIRE.

IT GOES TO SHOW THAT STUFF GETS PUSHED THROUGH AND THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PENDING LITIGATION BEFORE THEY SUPPORTED THIS.

JIM: KATHY GREG HAD AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE CENTRE -- THE SENATE PRESIDENT RUGGERIO.

I WONDER WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE SENATE LEADERSHIP?

IAN: FOR A LONG TIME RYAN PEARSON HAS BEEN SEEN AS THE HEIR APPARENT BUT HOW MUCH SHE STEPPED INTO IT BY ENCOURAGING HIM TO LEAVE EARLY.

JIM: DO YOU THINK HIS CHAIR WILL BE IN THE BATHROOM?

IAN: IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

EITHER HE CAN HEAL HIS RELATIONSHIP OR WHETHER RUGGERIO SUPPORTS SOMEONE ELSE IS HIS NUMBER TWO.

JIM: IT WILL BE UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE CHAMBER THIS SPRING.

IAN: A LITTLE BIT.

JIM: WE APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME WITH US.

COME BACK THIS TIME NEXT WEEK.

WE ARE IN THE HEART OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IF YOU DON’T CATCH US, WE ARCHIVE ALL OF OUR SHOWS.

YOU CAN CATCH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND TAKE US WITH YOU ON YOUR PODCASTS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" CONTINUES.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

♪ >> "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> HI, I’M JOHN HAZEN WHITE, JR. FOR OVER 30 YEARS "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS TO THE POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

I AM A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS GREAT PROGRAM AND RHODE ISLAND PBS.

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