JIM: THIS WEEK ON "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT," CHANGES COMING TO THE TRAFFIC PATTERNS IN PROVIDENCE IN AN EFFORT TO EASE CONGESTION FROM THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE.

AND A HEAD OF RIPTA IS ON THE HOT SEAT.

IS HIS JOB IN JEOPARDY?

"A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR OVER 30 YEARS, "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS.

I'M ABOUT SUPPORTER OF THIS PROGRAM AND PBS.

JIM: JOINING DISPARATE -- US ON THIS PROGRAM, ANTONIO FAR ZAN, AND DAVID SALVATORI.

[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] JIM: HELLO AND WELCOME.

OVER THE FERVENT OBJECTIONS OF BIKING ENTHUSIASTS, THE MAYOR OF PROVIDENCE ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY THAT THE CITY WILL REMOVE A CONTROVERSIAL BIKE LANE ON SOUTH WATER STREET NEAR THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE.

PART OF A LARGER PLAN TO DEAL WITH YEARS OF TRAFFIC PROBLEMS MOTORISTS WILL FACE BECAUSE OF THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE REPLACEMENT.

HE REMAINS STEADFAST AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN HIS DECISION SAYING EVERYBODY SHOULD JUST TAKE A BREATH.

DAVID, IT'S GREAT.

FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME, YOUR FIRST TIME ON, WELCOME.

YOU WERE THERE WITH THIS ALL WENT ON.

I BELIEVE THAT YOU WERE THE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT AT THE TIME.

TAKE US BACK TO THAT TIME, IT WAS A LITTLE CONTROVERSIAL THAT IT WENT THROUGH?

DAVID: IT DID.

AT THE TIME, THERE WAS A STRONG ADVOCACY PUSHED BY THE MAYOR AND ACTIVISTS IN THE COMMUNITY TO INSTALL BIKE LANES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

WHERE I LIVE, MY NEIGHBORHOOD, WAS WHERE THE FIRST CONTROVERSIAL BIKE LANE WAS INSTALLED.

IT WAS CONTROVERSIAL BECAUSE, FRANKLIN -- QUITE FRANKLY, IT WAS THE WRONG STREET TO TEST A DEDICATED BIKE LANE.

JIM: THEY WOUND UP GETTING RID OF IT?

DAVID: THEY DID, IT COSTS THEM $65,000, AND HERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A NEWLY INSTALLED DEDICATED BIKE LANE INSTALLED TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO.

THE COSTA REMOVE IT AND REPLACE IT IS THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS.

JIM: DOES THAT SEEM HIGH TO YOU?

DAVID: I WAS SHOCKED BY THE HIGH-COST TO MOVE THE BIKE LANE FROM THE ROAD TO THE SIDEWALK.

I DO THINK THAT THE MAYOR HAS THE RIGHT APPROACH.

MOVING INTO TO THE SIDEWALK MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

WHERE I LIVE THERE IS A SIMILAR MODEL NEXT TO THE NATHANAEL GREENE HEADING INTO PLEASANT VALLEY PARKWAY.

I THINK THAT COMPROMISE IS GOING TO BE ORTON, HERE.

IF I WERE THE MAYOR, I WOULD LOWER THE VOLUME OF LITTLE.

I KNOW THAT WE CALLED IT AN ILL-CONCEIVED CONCEPT.

INSTALLED SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

KEEP IN MIND, MANY OF THE ACTIVISTS COMING OUT IN OPPOSITION TO THE REMOVAL WERE INVOLVED IN THE INSTALLATION.

LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE NEED TO COME TOGETHER.

I THINK HE HAS THE RIGHT IDEA AROUND COMPROMISING, BUT THE 700 $50,000 TO MOVE IT FROM THE STREET TO THE SIDEWALKS SEEMS COSTLY.

>> I TOTALLY AGREE.

ARE WE GOING TO GET THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS IN TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR THAT?

I UNDERSTAND THE MONEY IS GOING TO WHATEVER NEED TO HAPPEN TO LIFT UP THE SIDEWALK SO THAT CYCLISTS CAN USE IT.

BUT EVEN PICTURING THIS AS A THING WHERE ONE MAYOR PUTS IT IN, ANOTHER TAKES IT OUT, WHERE DOES IT STOP?

JIM: IT'S NEVER BEEN A SURPRISE TO ME.

IT'S CLEAR THAT BRETT SMILEY IS DIFFERENT AND HIS PRIORITIES ARE DIFFERENT.

>> I CHAMPION WHAT HE'S DOING.

THE ILL-CONCEIVED CONCEPT, THAT'S RIGHT, IT WAS HARSH TO COME OUT AND SAY THAT, BUT I DO THINK HE WAS MAKING A POWER MOVE ON THEM, SAYING IT TO POINT OUT THE FACT.

COSTS OF CONSTRUCTION HAS GONE UP.

IT'S NOT LIKE WE ARE JUST GOING TO MOVE A COUPLE OF CONES.

THEY'VE GOT TO PULL UP CONSTRUCTION ON THE CURBING, MOVE THE LINAGE, AND THE WORKERS COMING IN.

WILL WE SEE IMPROVEMENT?

HOPEFULLY.

WE HAVE TO WORK FOR WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW AND RIGHT NOW BASED ON EVERYTHING GOING ON IN THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC GOING THROUGH THE AREA, WE NEED TO IMPROVE THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO NEED TO GET TO WORK AND CAN GET HOME AGAIN HAVE THE ROOM TO DO IT.

BICYCLES RIGHT NOW ARE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO BEAR THE BRUNT.

JIM: THIS WAS PART OF A LARGER PRESS RELEASE.

THIS GOT THE LION'S SHARE OF THE COVERAGE.

I WOULD THINK THE BICYCLISTS WOULD HAVE A BETTER ARGUMENT IF YOU SAW ANYBODY IN THE BIKE LANE NEVER.

DAVID: NOT ONLY THAT ONE, BUT THE CYCLES THAT HAVE BEEN -- THE LANES INSTALLED ACROSS THE CITY.

THE COCA-COLA FACTORY, THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL, DEDICATED TO LANE BIKE LANE THAT IS NEVER USED.

SO, I THINK I AGREE WITH YOU.

THE ADVOCACY PUSHED NEEDS TO BE DEMONSTRATED BY USE AND DEMAND OF BICYCLE LANES.

LOOK, CITIES ARE CHANGING ACROSS AMERICA.

SMART WROTE METHODS ARE BEING INSTALLED.

PROVIDENCE SHOULD BE NO DIFFERENT.

WE NEED TO BE THOUGHTFUL IN THESE POLICIES AND USE TAXPAYER MONEY WISELY WHEN THINKING ABOUT INSTALLATION.

JIM: THE LARGER ISSUE, JOE, THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE.

THE DAY OF RECKONING IS COMING AND THAT HAS BEEN POSTPONED INDEFINITELY.

WE ARE TAKING ON A FRIDAY MORNING.

BY THE TIME YOU WATCH THIS, THE GOVERNOR WILL HAVE A ANNOUNCED -- WILL HAVE ANNOUNCED THE NEW LEGAL TEAM.

I WAS SURPRISED HE PUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AT ARMS LENGTH.

WE ARE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY FIGHTING THESE TRUCK TOLLS WITH A LOT OF LAWYERS MAKING MONEY.

JOE: THE DAY OF RECKONING, IT'S KIND OF LIKE IF WE MADE PHONE CALLS ON JUNE 5 INSTEAD OF JUNE 7, D-DAY, LET THEM KNOW WE ARE ON OUR WAY, WE WILL HIT NORMANDY FIRST.

LETTING PEOPLE KNOW, WE NEED TO FIND OUT.

THERE ARE MORE AND MORE PORTS COMING OUT.

LAST NIGHT ON TWITTER THEY RELEASED SOMETHING A CALM AND PUT IN BACK IN 2012, THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE RESTRICTED A CERTAIN NUMBER OF CERTAIN SIZE TRUCKS GOING ACROSS.

THE DOT AT THE TIME SAID WE WILL FIGURE IT OUT AS IT COMES.

THIS LITTLE SURPRISE GOING ON, IT WASN'T A SURPRISE.

TO ME THEY KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND THE DAY OF RECKONING NEEDS TO HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY.

THIS AGAIN BRINGS UP THE WHOLE IDEA OF HAVING AN INSPECTOR GENERAL, SOMEONE IN CHARGE OF DOING THESE THINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THESE SITUATIONS PRIOR TO IT BLOWING UP.

I WILL GO BACK TO THE BIKE LANES BECAUSE ACCORDING TO KEN BLOCK, REPAIRS ARE GOING TO BE ABOUT $8 MILLION.

I'M INTERESTED IN THESE MILLIONS COMING OUT IN THE DISRUPTIONS TO RHODE ISLAND'S EARS AND THESE TRAVEL PLANS WILL BE ASTRONOMICAL.

IF WE HAD SOMETHING IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE WE WERE PAYING ATTENTION TO IT, WE COULD'VE TAKEN CARE OF IT PRIOR TO.

>> I LOVED THE TWEET THIS WEEK FROM "THE BOSTON GLOBE," SEEMING LIKE THE ONLY PERSON WHO WILL FACE CONSEQUENCES IS THE SOUTH WATER STREET BIKE LANE.

BUT THE WAY THAT THINGS ARE HEADED IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S SOMETHING WHERE YOU END UP WITH A LEGAL SEDIMENT -- SETTLEMENT, WILL THESE DETAILS EVER COME OUT?

>> I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY.

THE GOVERNOR IS CORRECT IN HOLDING FOLKS ACCOUNTABLE FOR NOT NECESSARILY ANY MISDEED, BUT OVERSIGHT THAT WAS NOT PROVIDED.

AT THE SAME TIME, THIS INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT MEETS TO GET OFF THE GROUND SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND OTHER STATE LEADERS HAVE IN TALKING WITH FOLKS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

HALF THE STATE IS IMPACTED BY THIS.

WE KNOW THERE ARE SMALL BUSINESSES IN EAST PROVIDENCE IN THE EAST BAY.

THE BRIDGE NEEDS TO GET REPLACED SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

SO, WHY HOLD FOLKS ACCOUNTABLE?

LET'S PUT A GAME PLAN IN PLACE.

JIM: BUT IF YOU ARE FILING LAWSUITS, THAT WOULD BE COMPANIES.

DOESN'T SOUND LIKE ANYBODY'S JOB WILL BE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK.

NOT THAT WE WANT TO BE OUT FOR BLOOD, BUT PEOPLE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, PEOPLE WOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, FIRED, LOSE A PAYCHECK, WHATEVER.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN HERE BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE PUBLIC IS LIKE -- WHAT, YOU WILL SUE A COMPANY THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY MONEY?

>> LET'S GET THE FACTS FIRST AND WE WILL SEE WHAT THIS REPORT HAS TO SAY IN THE DIRECTION THAT THE GOVERNOR AND HIS TEAM MOVE IN.

I'M NOT SUGGESTING ANYBODY SHOULD LOSE THEIR JOB OVER THIS, HOWEVER LET'S DIG A LITTLE DEEPER AND FIND OUT WHO KNEW WHAT AND WHEN AND THEN TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION AT THAT POINT.

JIM: WHAT ABOUT THE WAY THE GOVERNOR HAS HANDLE IT?

>> IT KIND OF GOES BACK TO PEOPLE THROWING OUT THAT'S HASHT TAG NO PLAN DAN.

JIM: WAS THAT YOURS?

>> PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY.

WE CAN BLAME WHOEVER WE WANT TO, HOLD WHOEVER WE WANT ACCOUNTABLE , BUT IN THE INTERIM THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE INTERRUPTED.

I'M GETTING PHONE CALLS HEATEDLY FROM MY BARRINGTON PEOPLE, EVERYONE IN THE EAST BAY, TALKING ABOUT HOW HORRIBLE IT IS.

THEY CAN TRY TO SUE AS MANY PEOPLE AS THEY WANT, BUT IT WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE, IT WILL BE STUCK IN COURT.

THIS GOVERNOR IS GOING TO BLAME THE LAST GOVERNOR.

IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR 50 YEARS, EVERYONE HAS PUSHED IT DOWN THE ROAD.

IT'S GOT TO BE HANDLED, GOT TO BE FIXED.

SOMEONE HAS TO STEP UP, RUN THIS THING, GET IT DONE AND STOP MESSING AROUND.

JIM: WE HAVE TALKED A LOT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ABOUT RIPTA.

THE FORMER MAYOR OF WARWICK, HE'S BEEN THERE FOR SEVERAL YEARS, GOT INTO A HIT AND RUN.

HE WAS IN COURT THIS WEEK.

SOME PEOPLE ON THE POLICE REPORT SAID IT LOOKED LIKE HE MIGHT BE INTOXICATED.

THERE'S NO FORMAL CHARGE BUT THE GOVERNOR IS NOW SAYING THE BOARD SHOULD MEET TO DISCUSS HIS JOB.

HE HAS ALREADY BEEN ON THE FIRING LINE BECAUSE THE SENATE IS NOT A BIG FAN OF HIM AND IT'S NOT GOOD TIMING.

ANTONIA: I'M SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TAKING -- GRATEFUL IT'S TAKING THE ATTENTION OFF OF THE BRIDGE SAGA.

BUT ONE GREAT OUTCOME OF THIS, PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT IF HE HAS TO TAKE THE BRUNT -- THE BUS FOR A WHILE, COULD BE GOOD FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT AGENCY.

JIM: NOW THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT MOVING THE HUB FROM KENNEDY.

DID THEY TALK ABOUT THAT WHILE YOU WERE THERE, GETTING IT OUT OF KENNEDY PLAZA?

>> THIS CONVERSATION HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MORE THAN A DECADE NOW.

THAT IS PRIME REAL ESTATE IN DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE AND I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE SHOULD BE BUILDING HOMES OR APARTMENT BUILDINGS AT THAT SITE, BUT IT SHOULD BE USED AS A SPACE THAT ENHANCES OUR DOWNTOWN WHILE NOT INTERRUPTING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

THE PLAN MOVING FORWARD WHERE THEY WANT TO PUT THE NEW BUS HUB WILL BE ADVANTAGEOUS TO A LOT OF FOLKS WHO REQUIRE A LOT OF DIFFERENT AMENITIES AND SERVICES IN PROVIDENCE.

ESPECIALLY OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO WALK WITHIN 10 MINUTES TO THEIR SCHOOL.

THAT COULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCE RIDERSHIP IN PROVIDENCE.

LOOK, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS A BROKEN QUAD STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

A SERVICE THAT MANY RESIDENTS RELY ON, BUT WHEN I TALK TO FOLKS, THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE BUS BECAUSE IT IS NOT EASY TO USE.

LET'S CREATE A SYSTEM, INVEST RESOURCES IN A SYSTEM THAT COULD BE UTILIZED WHERE COMPANIES SAY PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND IS A GREAT PLACE TO EXPAND OR OPEN UP SHOP, ONLY IF THEY HAD A MORE ORGANIZED FORM OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

>> I HAVE TO AGREE WITH ANTONI,: I THOUGHT THE SAME THING.

IF FOUND GUILTY, WHAT IF HE GOT HIS LICENSE REVOKED AND WAS FORCED TO TAKE RIPTA AND SEE THE JOB HE'S DONE.

HARKENING BACK TO THE EARLY DAYS, I CAN REMEMBER USING KENNEDY PLAZA AS THE TRANSFER GOING TO DOWNTOWN.

THAT'S HOW YOU GOT THERE.

IT'S HOW YOU GOT TO THE MALL, HOW YOU DID EVERYTHING.

I HAVEN'T BEEN ON A RIPTA BUS IN YEARS, BUT IT'S CONSTANTLY IN THE NEWS, OBVIOUS THINGS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED.

I THINK THAT THEIR FOCUS NEEDS TO BE ON FIXING THE ENTIRE SITUATION.

JIM: YOU KNOW WHO TOOK RIPTA FOR A WHOLE WEEK?

YOU ARE LOOKING AT HER.

TELL US ABOUT THAT ADVENTURE.

ANTONIA: I SPENT THE WEEK GETTING AROUND ON THEIR EXCLUSIVELY.

JIM: DID YOU CHEAT ONCE?

YEAH, YEAH.

I HAVE BEEN SPEAKING TO TRANSIT ACT -- ADVOCATES FOR A FOLLOW-UP STORY THAT HASN'T COME OUT YET BUT ONE THING THAT INTERESTED ME IS THAT THEY REALLY LIKE RIPTA AS AN AGENCY, SAY IT'S EFFICIENT AND THAT THE PEOPLE WORKING THERE ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN WITH LIMITED RESOURCES.

IT'S NOT LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW THE THINGS I POINTED OUT.

THEY KNOW THAT THE SERVICES NEED TO BE IMPROVED AND THAT THE BUSES DON'T HAPPEN OFTEN ENOUGH.

JIM: YOU HAD A GREAT COMPARISON ABOUT HOW LONG IT TAKE TO GET HERE FROM KENNEDY PLAZA AS OPPOSED TO THE NEW LOCATION BY THE JEWELRY DISTRICT.

DAVID MADE THE POINT THAT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE BETTER, BUT SOME MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A LOT LONGER.

ANTONIA: IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET A CLASSICAL, THAT'S CLOSER.

YOU'RE TRYING TO GET YOU ANYTHING IN THIS JEWELRY DISTRICT, YOU WILL BE BETTER OFF.

I HAVE A FURTHER WALK.

>> THERE IS ALSO THE AFFORDABILITY ISSUE.

THE TRANSFER FEES ARE NOT IN LINE WITH WHAT A PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM SHOULD CALL FOR AND IT PROHIBITS A LOT OF FOLKS FROM USING RIPTA FROM TIME TO TIME.

WHEN WHERE I AM ON ELMHURST, THE 57 ON SMITH STREET, IT COSTS SIX DOLLARS TO $10.

JIM: YOU HAVE GOT TO DECIDE, ARE WE TRYING TO BALANCE THE BUDGET OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE INVEST IN?

LIKE THE CONVENTION CENTER, HOW MUCH MONEY DO WE LOSE EVERY YEAR TO SUBSIDIZE?

LIKE THE FAST FERRY, WE SUBSIDIZE IT AND RIPTA HASN'T REALLY MADE MONEY OVER THE YEARS.

SO, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ANOTHER ISSUE.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR WITH OTHER SPEAKERS AND THE WHOLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PACKAGE BILL GOING THROUGH AND THERE IS EXPECTED PUSHBACK FROM SOME LOCALITIES.

ONE THING THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT IS ALLOWING MORE DENSITY IN SOME AREAS FOR RESIDENTIAL UNITS TO BE BUILT IN COMMERCIAL AREAS.

JOE, YOU ARE IN REAL ESTATE AND I KNOW THAT YOU FOLLOW THIS ISSUE.

I'M SURPRISED THE PUSHBACK HASN'T COME SOONER.

BUT IT'S STATE LAW ON SOME OF THESE THINGS, BUMPING UP STATE LAW VERSUS SOME COMMUNITIES TRYING TO FIND MAYBE CREATIVE WAYS TO GET AROUND THESE LAWS.

DAVID: -- JOE: MINE COMES DOWN TO TAKING AWAY LOCAL AUTHORITY FROM CITIES AND TOWNS, I'M NOT A FINE OF THAT.

I'M A CHAIN OF COMMAND KIND OF GUY FROM THE MILITARY, CITIES AND TOWNS SUPERSEDE STATES, STATE PROCEEDS FEDERAL, FEDERAL CAN AROUND AND WAIT.

JIM: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T THINK THAT WAY.

JOE: THEY TRY, YEAH.

I PERSONALLY THINK THAT EACH CITY AND TOWN KNOWS WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM.

I DON'T THINK THE STATE SHOULD BE DICTATING WHAT COULD AND COULDN'T HAPPEN.

I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THEY ARE GOING ABOUT IT WRONG AS FAR AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IT'S AN ECONOMIC PROBLEM.

I DON'T REALLY THINK IT IS AN AFFORDABLE HOUSE PROBLE, IT'S AN ECONOMIC PROBLEM.

THE ECONOMY IS SO BAD, NUMBERS HAVE BEEN RISING, BUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT LANDLORDS WHO ARE PEOPLE IN RAISING RENTS SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THEY CAN, IT'S NOT TRUE.

THERE MIGHT BE ONE OR TWO PEOPLE OUT THERE DOING THAT, BUT IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR INSURANCE BILLS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, THEY HAVE SKYROCKETED.

DOUBLED AND TRIPLED IN SOME CASES.

ONE FRIEND OF MINE WENT FROM $75 A YEAR TO $200 PER YEAR IN INSURANCE.

IS HE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT WORD IS THAT HAVE TO GET PASSED ON TO THE RENTERS?

THE HOUSING AND THE CHANGING OF ZONING TO WORSE FEED CITIES AND TOWNS TO BRING MORE HOUSING IN AFTER THEY DEVELOP A CERTAIN AREA, THE ZONES ARE THERE FOR A REASON.

I THINK IT SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE, NOT A STATE ISSUE.

IT'S A CITY AND TOWN ISSUE.

JIM: ISN'T IT INVENTORY, TOO?

ANTONIA: EXACTLY, THERE IS NO INVENTORY, NO IT IS SELLING UNLESS THERE'S A MAJOR CATASTROPHE.

DAVID: TO JOE'S POINT, WE HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST VACANCY RATES OF ALL TIME IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.

WE HAVE AN INVENTORY PROBLEM ON THE RENTAL SIDE AND ON THE HOMEOWNERSHIP SIDE.

IN RHODE ISLAND WE ARE NOT PRODUCING HOUSING FOR TODAY'S PEOPLE.

WHILE INCORPORATING SOME DENSITY INTO THE CITIES AND TOWNS MAKE SENSE, WE ARE STILL ONLY SEEING A HANDFUL OF MUNICIPALITIES REACHING THE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME 10% MANDATE.

EVERY CITY AND TOWN IS MANDATED TO HAVE 10% OF THEIR HOUSING STOCK DEEMED AS LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSING.

IT'S STILL ONLY A HANDFUL, BUT THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SOME MUNICIPALITIES TRYING TO CIRCUMVENT IT, THAT SPEAKS TO THE PROBLEM.

IT TOOK US DECADES TO GET HERE AND WE ARE FINALLY STARTING TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS.

WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH?

WHEN CAN WE START PRODUCING THE HOUSING THAT IT'S TODAY'S DEMAND?

PEOPLE ARE NOT SELLING THEIR HOMES BECAUSE THEY ARE LOCKED IN AT 3% INTEREST RATES, THEY WON'T GO OUT AND PURCHASE A NEW HOME AT 7.5%.

THERE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WAYS OF GOING ABOUT THIS.

FROM THE SPEAKER, THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SOME CITIES AND TOWNS LOOKING TO CIRCUMVENT WHAT HE IS TRYING TO DO IS TROUBLESOME.

JIM: -- JOE: I AGREE, INVENTORY, THERE WOULD NORMALLY HAVE BEEN UPWARDS OF 4000 PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET IN THAT WE HAVE LESS THAN 1000.

FOR ME, IN THE TRENCHES ON A DAILY BASIS, IT'S NOT THE LACK OF HOUSES, IT'S WHAT DAVID SAID, PEOPLE ARE NOT WILLING TO SELL.

PART OF MY JOB IS PROSPECTING AND WHEN I CAR SIR -- CALL CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO HAVE BUYERS, THEY AREN'T SELLING BECAUSE THEY WON'T GO FROM A 3% TO 7%.

I'LL WAIT.

THAT'S WHERE THE INVENTORY SHORTAGE COMES UP, PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO SELL.

>> PRICES AREN'T GOING TO COME DOWN EITHER.

THEY HAVE PLATEAUED.

THE FACT THAT IN THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE, THE MEDIAN PRICE OF A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME IS $430,000, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE THAT .

I DON'T THINK THE PRICES WILL COME DOWN.

WE COULD SEE A DIFFERENCE WHEN RATES FINALLY START TO COME DOWN, BUT THE FED RECENTLY ANNOUNCED ONLY DAYS AFTER THEY SAID WE COULD SEE INTEREST RATE CUTS LATER IN THE YEAR, ONLY TO SAY IN THE NEXT BREATH THAT THAT COULD BE DELAYED NOW.

JIM: A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY GENERATION, WE BOUGHT OUR HOUSE 25 YEARS AGO AND WE SAY WE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO AFFORD HER HOUSE NOW.

THEY JUST DID REEVALUATION BASED ON MARKET VALUE.

EVALUATION OF MY HOUSE WENT UP $200,000 AND I KNOW THAT YEARS AGO PEOPLE SET -- IF YOU PAY ME THAT, I WILL GIVE YOU THE HOUSE.

THEY WON'T SAY THAT ANYMORE.

30 YEARS AGO PEOPLE WOULD BE APPEALING THEIR RATE AND SAY WHO WOULD EVER PAY THIS MUCH?

NOW THEY WILL PROBABLY PAY THAT AND MORE.

ANTONIA HAD A GREAT STORY THIS PAST WEEK.

I'M GOING TO CALL IT THE GRAINY CAM STORY.

-- GRANNY CAM STORY.

HOW DID YOU GET ONTO THIS?

ANTONIA: THIS BILL WAS INTRODUCED THAT ESSENTIALLY ADVOCATES OF NURSING HOMES HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR.

YOU COULD INSTALL A CAMERA IN THE ROOM, YOUR CAMERA, SO THAT YOU GET TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THERE AND YOU COULD MONITOR HOW THEY AREBEING TAKEN CARE OF .

THE IDEA IS TO PROTECT AGAINST NEGLECT, ABUSE, THAT KIND OF THING.

THE NURSING HOME INDUSTRY IS STRONGLY AGAINST IT.

THEY SAID IT WOULD BE INVASIVE AND ASSAULTING -- INSULTING TO STAFF, WHICH I COULD SEE.

I WAS INTERESTED THAT SCI YOU CAME OUT AND SAID NO, WE SUPPORT THIS, THEY SAID IT COULD ACTUALLY HELP TO EXONERATE WORKERS WHO ARE FALSELY ACCUSED AND HELP THEM CLARIFY WHEN THEY THOUGHT IT WASN'T ANYONE'S.

JIM: ALMOST LIKE A POLICE BODYCAM, RIGHT?

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, IS REMINISCENT OF THAT.

JIM: AND YOU WERE THERE FOR THAT DISCUSSION.

>> I WAS.

THERE WAS SOME PUSHBACK, BUT I DON'T THINK ANY GROUP LOVES THOSE BODY CAMERAS MORE BECAUSE NOW YOU CAN SEE BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY.

>> WHEN I SAW THE TITLE, I THOUGHT I'M NOT EVEN TOUCHING THIS THING, HE'S TRYING TO GET ME TO GO TO SOME WEBSITE.

JIM: I WAS RUDE TO GET YOU TO GO TO A NURSING HOME, JOE.

JOE: SAVE ME A SEAT.

[LAUGHTER] I SEE BOTH SIDES OF THIS THING.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, FROM BOTH SIDES, PROTECTING THE RESIDENCE AND THE WORKERS AT THE EXACT SAME TIME IS A SMART MOVE.

IT'S BASICALLY A CLOSED CIRCUIT.

YOU ARE NOT PUTTING THIS ON THE WEBSITE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WE HAVE WEBSITES LIKE THIS WITH PUPPIES WHERE YOU CAN SEE FIDO RUNNING AROUND WITH A TOY TO SEE IF ANOTHER DOG IT IT.

WHY NOT WITH OTHER PEOPLE?

A LOT OF THESE RESIDENTS, I HAVE AN ELDERLY DAD.

WE HAVE LOOKED INTO THESE NUMBERS.

YOU COULD SPEND A LOT OF MONEY THERE.

TECHNICALLY YOU COULD ALMOST MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT I OWN THE ROOM AND WHY CAN I NOT DO WHAT I NEED IN THAT ROOM WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE WILL BE SPENDING ON IT?

JIM: I KNOW IT IS ALWAYS HELP, FURTHER STUDY, BUT DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF HOW THINGS ARE GOING?

DOES THIS HAVE A CHANCE OF PASSING?

ANTONIA: THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED AND IN MY EXPERIENCE, THAT THE RABBIT.

THERE ARE TECHNICAL WORDING CONCERNS THAT COULD BE ADDRESSED.

THERE COULD NEED TO BE SOME MASSAGING IN TERMS OF THE LANGUAGE.

>> BUT I LIKE ABOUT THE BILL IS THAT IT IS NOT A MANDATE.

JIM: YEAH.

WANT TO PUT IT IN, FIND.

THE PROOF IN THE PUTTING -- THE PROOF IN THE PUDDING IS THAT THE WORKERS DON'T MIND.

THE OWNERS, ARE THEY WORRIED ABOUT LIABILITY?

LAWSUITS, MAYBE?

ANTONIA: I MEAN, POTENTIALLY?

I COULD SEE HOW INITIALLY IF YOU HEAR ABOUT CAMERAS IN THE ROOM OF A PERSON, THE KNEE-JERK REACTION IS THAT IT SOUNDS ORWELLIAN, THE TERM A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE USING.

BUT LIKE DAVID SAID, IT'S NOT A MANDATE.

THE ELDERLY PERSON WOULD HAVE TO CONSENT, IF THEY ARE CAPABLE OF DOING SO.

JIM: LET'S DO OUTRAGEOUS OR KUDOS.

WE GOT SOME NATIONAL STUFF THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO.

MR.

POWERS, LET'S BEGIN WITH YOU.

>> OUTRAGE HAS TO BE THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE.

LISTEN, I WAS UPSET OVER EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH THE AMOUNT OF PHONE CALLS AND I THINK IT COMPOUNDS THE ISSUES, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE I GET THESE PHONE CALLS FROM, HOW COME NOTHING IS HAPPENING?

LAST NIGHT'S NEWS BREAK FROM KEN BLOCK GOES THROUGH AND SHOWS THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED IN 2012, 2013.

THAT'S JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF POOR LEADERSHIP IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.

EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON HERE, THEY WILL FOCUS ON WHAT IS GOOD FOR THEM AND HOW THEY CAN PROGRESS THEMSELVES, BUT THEY DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CONSTITUENTS.

THIS JUST GETS GLOSSED OVER OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

LIKE EVERY OTHER PERSON IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, I'M OUTRAGED.

PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED THEIR SCHEDULES.

I HAVE A FRIEND OF MINE THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AT WORK UNTIL 8:00 AND SHE LEAVES AT 5:30 TO MAKE SURE SHE CAN GET THERE IN TIME.

JIM: IT'S A BIG THING NOW, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS, YOU GO FROM EAST BAY TO BAYVIEW, PEOPLE SAY I'M NOT GOING TO DO THIS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, I'M GOING TO PULL MY KIDS.

>> I HAVE TWO CLIENTS I'M WORKING WITH RIGHT NOW, ONE OF THEM WORKS IN THE DEPARTMENT OUT IN THE TIVERTON AREA.

SHE'S BORN AND BRED, LOVES IT, SHE'S GETTING A HOUSE THERE BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T WANT TO MAKE THE TRANSFER.

>> WHOLE FOODS IS COMING.

OUTRAGE OR KUDO?

DAVID: I HAVE TO TIP MY CAP TO CHARLIE BAKER, FORMER GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS, NOW PRESIDENT OF THE NCAA.

HE WANTS TO BAN PROP BETTING, PLACING A BET ON AN INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL OR COLLEGIATE ATHLETE.

HE WANTS TO BAN THAT.

HIS CHALLENGE WILL BE REACHING OUT TO EVERY STATE WITH LEGALIZED GAMBLING AND ASKING THEM TO OUTLAW THIS PRACTICE.

LEE WAS SEE WHERE IT LANDS.

I SUSPECT STATES WILL BE RELUCTANT TO DO IT, BECAUSE IT WILL IMPACT THEIR COFFERS.

I TIP MY CAP TO CHARLIE BAKER, GOVERNOR BAKER.

I THINK IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, WE WANT TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THESE COLLEGIATE SPORTS AND PROTECT THE YOUNG ATHLETES, BECAUSE I CAN SEE WHERE THEY WOULD BE HARASSED IF THEY WERE NOT HITTING CERTAIN STATS AND A-GAME.

JIM: WHAT A TIME TO BE THE NCAA PRESIDENT.

10 YEARS AGO THEY PENALIZE SKIDS FOR TAKING FREE SNEAKERS AND OUT THEY HAVE THESE ENDORSEMENT DEALS.

THAT'S A TOUGH ROAD TO NAVIGATE.

ANTONIA: I WAS OUTRAGED READING THIS WILD STORY FROM MY COLLEAGUE AMY.

THE PROVIDENCE MUNICIPAL COURT WAS GETTING A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT TRAFFIC TICKETS, MORE THAN THEY COULD HANDLE, SO THEY HIRED AN OUTSIDE CUSTOMER SERVICE COMPANY WHOSE EMPLOYEES WERE RUDE, PRETENDING TO BE CITY OF PROVIDENCE EMPLOYEES, THEY GAVE OUT LEGAL ADVICE AND ASKED ONE PERSON FOR MEDICAL RECORDS TO EXPLAIN WHY THEY MISTAKE COURT DATE.

THE WHOLE REASON CAME OUT IS WHEN A MUNICIPAL JUDGE CALLED TO FIND OUT WHY THEY WERE SO RUDE.

SHE HERSELF CALLED AND THEY SAID THEY WORK FR THE STATE OF PROVIDENCE AND SHE SAID GIVE ME A STATE YOU NOW ADDRESS AND THEY COULDN'T.

VERY SCAMMY.

JIM: THEY WERE AUTHORIZED?

ANTONIA: EXACTLY.

JIM: THE TICKET IN THE MAIL SAYS PAWTUCKET, BUT YOU MAIL IT TO MASSACHUSETTS.

SOUND SKETCHY.

ANTONIA: EXACTLY.

THEY HAVE JUST FINISHED AN AUDIT AND WE WILL LET YOU KNOW IF MOORE COMES OUT OF THAT.

>> KUDOS TO MAYOR SLIME -- MAYOR SMILEY, HE HAS ADDRESSED THE ISSUE OF HOME ALARM SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTY.

THERE WAS A COMPANY IN BOSTON THAT I THINK WAS CALLED CRY WOLF.

YOU COULD NEVER GET A HOLD OF THEM.

THEY WORK DOUBLE CHARGING RESIDENTS AT TIMES ARE NOT REGISTERING ALARM SYSTEMS.

JIM: THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE, BUT WE WILL DO A SPECIAL ONLINE BONUS SEGMENT FOR WHEN 30 MINUTES IS NOT ENOUGH.

IF YOU CAN STAY WITH US, GO TO RIPBS.ORG/LIVELY.

IF YOU CAN'T, WE BID AND DO -- ADIEU, WE HOPE YOU CAN COME BACK.

WE ARE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, WE ARCHIVE ALL OF OUR SHOWS AT RIPBS.ORG/LIVELY.

TAKE US WITH US -- TAKE US WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO FOR YOUR FAVORITE PODCASTS.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

[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 -- I'M JOHN JUNIOR AND FOR OVER 20 YEARS, "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT" HAS