THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WILL PERENNIAL BILLS MAKE IT TO THE GOVERNOR'’S DESK?

A LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY >> I AM JOHN HAYES AND WHY TO JUNIOR.

FOR OVER 30 YEARS A LIVELY EXPERIMENT PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

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

>> JOINING US IS JOE POWERS CHAIRMAN OF THE RHODE ISLAND REPUBLICAN PARTY.

RETIRED POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR MURRAY MOBLEY AND POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR DON ROACH.

I'’M JIM HUMMEL.

WITH GOVERNOR MCKEE ON VACATION THIS WEEK, DISCUSSION ABOUT KEY PIECES OF LEGISLATION HAS KICKED INTO HIGH GEAR ON COMMIT -- IN COMMITTEE ROOMS AND ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

WHILE HOUSE PHYSICAL ADVISORS CRAFT A BUDGET BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, THE PUBLIC DEBATE FOCUSED ON BILLS INTRODUCED SEEMINGLY EVERY YEAR BUT NOT QUITE MAKING IT OVER THE FINISH LINE.

WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT, DON.

LET ME BEGIN WITH YOU.

THE LAST TIME WE WERE HERE, JOE, WE HAD YOU TAPED.

NOW WE HAD FEW -- HAVE YOU LIVE.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE POLICEMAN'’S BILL OF RIGHTS.

IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY YEAR WE WILL GET OVER THE FINISH LINE.

IS THIS YEAR?

>> I THINK SO.

I LIKE HOW THE TONE OF THE CONVERSATION.

TYPICALLY, WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT POLICE REFORM, MANY TIMES, POLICE ARE VERY HESITANT AND RESISTANT.

IT DOES FEEL LIKE THE POLICE ARE BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND CONCERNS AND THEY ARE WILLING TO CONCEDE.

SO I LIKE THAT TONE.

>> I THINK IT WILL PASS.

I AGREE.

IT'’S RIGHT THAT WE ARE READY FOR COMPROMISE.

THERE MIGHT BE A FEW DETAILS WE HAVE TO WORK OUT.

ANNA QUEZADA THE SENATOR WAS OBJECTING.

I THINK THEY WILL GET OVER THAT.

ANNA IS RUNNING FOR CONGRESS SO ANYTIME SHE CAN GET HER NAME IN THE PAPER IT IS A GOOD THING.

BUT I DO THINK THIS IS THE YEAR AND THEY ARE GETTING CLOSE TO A COMPROMISE.

IT'’S A QUESTION OF WHO IS ON THE BOARD.

BUT I THINK IT WILL PASS.

>> THE LAW ENFORCEMENT WENT IN YEARS AGO TO PROTECT BROKE CHIEFS THAT WOULD MAY DISCIPLINE OFFICERS.

IT HAS KIND OF SWUNG THE OTHER WAY.

YOU CAN ONLY DISCIPLINE AND OFFICER WITH A TWO DAY SUSPENSION SHORT OF A VRY LONG HEARING.

SO THE PROPOSAL IS TO MAYBE INCREASE THAT TO A 10 OR 14 DAY SUSPENSION TO INCREASE A THREE-MEMBER PANEL TO FIVE TO BRING IN CIVILIANS AND LET THE CHIEFS TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT.

THOSE ARE THE THREE MAIN THINGS.

JOE, AS YOU WATCH THIS, WHAT YOU THINK WILL PLAY OUT?

>> THERE IS NO DOUBT CHANGE SHOULD BE HAPPENNG.

THAT IS JUST PART OF THE WAY WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE WORLD.

WHEN IT COMES TO POLICE REFORM, AS FAR AS THE BOARD ITSELF, I AM A MILITARY GUY.

WE HAD A THING CALLED CAPTAINS MAST BACK IN THE DAY AND WHEN YOU GOT IN TROUBLE YOU GOT IN FRONT OF THE CAPTAINS MAST TO PUT YOU IN FRONT OF A JURY OF YOUR PEERS AND WHAT BETTER JURY THAN PEOPLE THAT SERVED BESIDE YOU?

THEY KNOW THE RANK AND FILE.

THEY KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BEHAVING AND WHAT YOU SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT BE DOING.

I THINK OPENING IT UP, AND THIS IS MY PERSONAL FEELING, TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, A LOT OF EMOTION ENDS UP COMING IN TO IT.

WHICH SHOULD BE KEPT INSIDE.

IT IS NOT TO SAY THINGS WERE NOT DONE IN FAVOR OF CERTAIN PEOPLE FOR A PARTICULAR REASON.

THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME SEE WHAT IS OVER WITH IT BUT THE JURY OF YOUR PEERS WILL BE THE SMARTEST MOVE.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE SKEPTIC THAT SAYS COPS WILL PROTECT COPS?

THERE IS ONE FROM THE POLICEMAN SIDE, ONE FROM THE OTHER AND A SUPPOSEDLY NEUTRAL PERSON.

BUT THEY HAVE A LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND.

THE CRITICS SAY YOU ROLL THE DICE BECAUSE THE PERSON WILL BE WEIGHT LOW -- PRO POLICE OR NOT.

IT DOESN'’T WORK THAT WAY IN THE MILITARY?

>> IN THE MILITARY IN THE CAPTAINS MASS IS YOU ARE BROUGHT IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY ENDED THE CAPTAINS WOULD LISTEN TO ALL THE INPUT AND EVIDENCE BROUGHT BEFORE THEM.

DOING IT WITH AN OUTSIDE FORCE, HAVING A THIRDPARTY THERE TO REGULATE WHAT IS GOING ON, I AM NOT SURE IF A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS THE RIGHT MOVE.

MAYBE THERE IS SOME SORT OF ATTORNEY THAT CAN BE BROUGHT IN, SOME SORT OF JUDGE OR MAGISTRATE.

>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE OUTSIDE VERIFICATION.

THIS IS NOT THE MILITARY AND THESE ARE PUBLIC SERVANTS THAT WORK FOR THE PUBLIC.

I THINK SOME RECOMMENDATIONS ARE REASONABLE.

IT'’S A QUESTION OF WHO WILL BE ON THE BOARD AND IT'’S IMPORTANT TO OUTSIDE INFLUENCE.

>> I LIKE THE PROPOSAL TO HAVE TWO CIVILIANS AND THREE POLICE.

I THINK THAT SENATOR SAYING THAT THE MAJORITY SHOULD BE CIVILIANS, I DO NOT AGREE WITH THAT BECAUSE I HAVE FAITH IN OUR POLICE OFFICERS TO ACCURATELY JUDGE THEIR PEERS.

I ALSO FEEL LIKE THE STANDARD WITH WHICH THEY WILL JUDGE THEIR PEERS IS GOING TO BE HIGH.

I THINK IT SHOULD BE.

I THINK IT SERVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

I THINK WHERE I MAY BE DIVERTED FROM JOE IS I THINK HAVING CIVILIANS ON THERE, EVEN IF THEY ARE EMOTIONAL, IT'’S GOOD TO HAVE THE CONTEXT BECAUSE THEY ARE PUBLIC SERVANTS AND I DON'’T THINK ALL CIVILIANS WILL BE EMOTIONAL IN THE PROCEEDINGS BUT THEY WILL PROVIDE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THAT I THINK IS NEEDED TO HELP PUBLIC TRUST.

>> AND MAY BE HAVE TRAINING ALONG THE WAY.

ONE THING THE CHIEFS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT, THESE POLICEMEN BILL OF RIGHTS THINGS SOMETIMES GO ON FOR YEARS.

THE ACCUSED PERSON IS CONTINUING TO DRAW A PAYCHECK AND YOU CAN ONLY HAVE A TWO DAY SUSPENSION.

IT MAY BE WILL DO 10 OR 14.

I READ SOMETHING ABOUT, YOU WILL DO IT IF YOU ARE TAXED WRONG.

IT IS FOR SERIOUS STUFF.

I THINK THAT IF A CHIEF COULD GIVE 10 OR 14 DAYS IT WILL ELIMINATE A LOT OF HEARINGS.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.

I THINK THE CHIEFS MAY NEED MORE SAY.

I THINK THE COMPROMISE IS LOOKING GOOD AND WE NEED CIVILIANS ON BOARD.

>> THE 10 OR 14 DAYS DO THINK THAT WOULD HELP?

>> EITHER ONE WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT PUNISHMENT.

I THINK EVERY PROFESSION NEEDS ACCOUNTABILITY WHETHER YOU ARE A POLICE OFFICER, A TEACHER, JANITOR, WHATEVER THEIR NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY.

I DON'’T THINK THAT WHAT WE HAVE TODAY FOSTERS ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> I AGREE.

I THINK THE IDEA IS THE PUNISHMENT WILL FIT THE CRIME.

THE IDEA OF MAKING IT A LITTLE MORE PAINFUL, IF YOU WOULD, WHETHER IN THE POCKET OR DISCIPLINARY ACTION OF SOME KIND WHERE IT WILL BEST BENEFIT AND THEY WILL LEARN THEIR LESSON.

TO DON'’S POINT, THE IDEA OF THE MOTION BEING BROUGHT INTO THE THING IS IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING REGULATED AS FAR AS EMOTION IS CONCERNED.

WHEN EMOTIONS GO UP INTELLIGENCE GOES DOWN.

TO TRY TO KEEP A STRAIGHT HEAD, THIS IS WHY JUDGES ARE THE WAY THEY ARE.

THEY TRY TO KEEP JUDGMENT OUT OF THE EMOTIONAL SIDE OF THINGS.

>> YOU WILL NOT APPOINT SOMEBODY THAT WILL BREAK DOWN AND CRIED.

YOU NEED SOME SORT OF PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND THEY WILL BE A REASONABLE PERSON.

>> SURE.

OUTSIDE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO MIGHT THAT BE?

>> CITIZENS.

CITIZENS WITH DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE IN DIFFERENT ASPECTS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPETENT CITIZENS THAT WILL NOT BREAK DOWN AND CRY.

>> I AM NOT SAYING SOMEBODY WILL GET TO THE PANEL AND START CRYING.

I AM JUST SAYING IT NEEDS TO BE ORCHESTRATED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS FOLLOWING A PROCESS AND A POLICY AS FAR AS COMPARED TO YOU KNOW SOMEBODY GETTING UPSET BECAUSE THEY THINK SOMETHING A CERTAIN WAY.

THAT IS ALL I AM SAYING.

>> WELL .

>> THE JEAN-LUC OK'’S IS THE CLASSIC EXAMPLE WHERE LEADERSHIP WANTED TO FIRE HIM.

THAT CASE AT FIRST BLUSH MAY BE LOOKED WORSE THAN IT WAS AND HE ENDED UP GETTING HIS JOB BACK WITH ONLY A COUPLE DAY SUSPENSION.

I WONDER IF LEADERSHIP HAD THE OPTION WITH A HEAVIER SUSPENSION THEY MIGHT HAVE DONE THAT AND IT WOULD HAVE NOT HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT WHOLE PROCESS.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK THE POLICE FORCE IS VERY WELL-RUN AND THEY SERVE US WELL.

BUT THERE ARE A FEW REALLY EGREGIOUS ONES.

THEY HAVE TO SET OUT FOR TWO DAYS.

I THINK GIVING THE LEEWAY TO HAVE THIS EXTENDED STAY OUT OF THE SUSPENSION, SO TO SPEAK, IS THE RIGHT THING.

I THINK THE PACKAGE LOOKS REALLY GOOD.

>> RESPONDING TO JOE ABOUT THE EMOTION, MAYBE I TOOK HIS PREMISE AS IS.

BUT, I THINK HIS PREMISE, CONTAINS BIAS.

BECAUSE, IF LIKE THE SENATOR FEELS LIKE POLICE ARE BIASED TOWARDS POLICE, AND SHE HAS A VERY REAL REASON AS TO WHY SHE THINKS THAT WAY, I DO NOT THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT CIVILIANS WILL BE EMOTIONAL.

I THINK PEOPLE WILL TAKE THE PROCESS VERY SERIOUSLY.

THEY WILL JUST NOT HAVE A POLICE BIAS BECAUSE MAYBE THEY DON'’T HAVE A POLICE BACKGROUND.

I THINK IT IS YET TO HAVE DIVERSE OPINIONS MAKING A DECISION.

WHEN YOU HAVE DIVERSE OPINIONS YOU CAN COME TO THE BEST SOLUTION.

I DO NOT THINK PEOPLE WILL BE NARROWLY EMOTIONAL JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE CIVILIANS.

>> IT IS INTERESTING.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE SENATOR.

SHE HAD AN AX TO GRIND.

BECAUSE IN TRACTION WITH POLICE.

AND SHE IS RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.

SHE GETS HER NAME IN THE PAPER.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THOSE KINDS OF QUIRKS TO THE SYSTEM.

GENERALLY, I THINK IT WILL BE MANAGED WELL.

>> TO BE CLEAR IN REGARDS TO WHAT I AM SAYING IS, YES, YOU NEED TO HAVE SOME SORT OF MIND UP THAT WILL HAVE PEOPLE THAT WILL HAVE A LOT OF MULTIFACETED BACKGROUNDS TO GET THE INFORMATION CORRECT.

I AM NOT SAYING CIVILIANS WILL WALK IN EMOTIONAL.

I HAVE YET TO SEE A SINGLE DEFUND THE POLICE OR RALLY OR ANYTHING THAT DID NOT GET EMOTIONAL AND LOUD.

WHEN YOU HAVE THAT AND PEOPLE CHEERING IT ON IT GETS OUT OF HAND.

WHEN THE EMOTION GOES UP THE INTELLIGENT FACTOR GOES AWAY.

>> THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS ON WHO YOU CHOOSE TO THE PANEL.

>> OBVIOUSLY.

>> WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT AS WE HEAD TO THE HOMESTRETCH?

THE SALES TAX IS MODERATE, HOUSING REFORM, ALL THE STUFF.

>> I AM REALLY INTERESTED IN NEW PROPOSALS ABOUT HOUSING.

YOU ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THE FACT STEPHEN BREYER HAS TAKEN OVER AND CONSOLIDATED A LOT OF THESE THINGS.

IN TERMS OF KEEPING IT UNDER ONE ROOF AND FUNDING.

I THINK HE HAS VERY COMPETENT.

THAT SHE IS VERY COMPETENT.

AT THE NEW PROPOSAL I THINK IS INTERESTING IS THE STATE MAY GO IN AND TAKE OVER SOME PROPERTY AND BE THE VENDOR.

THAT IS A VERY INNOVATIVE.

>> EXISTING BUILDINGS?

>> YES.

IN OTHER WORDS, IT IS A PACKAGE.

THERE ARE 14 BILLS.

ONE OF THEM IS THE NEW PROPOSAL.

THAT THE STATE CAN GO IN AND USE ABANDONED PROPERTIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT HANDBUILT AFFORDABLE HOUSE -- AND BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MANAGE THE THING.

IT IS TRICKY WHEN USING ABOUT THE STATE MANAGING THIS PROCESS.

>> THE STATE DOES A GREAT JOB WITH EVERYTHING ELSE, RIGHT?

>> I THINK THEY DO A GOOD JOB, BUT I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

ONE OF THE THINGS IN THE PROVISION SAYS -- PROVISIONS IS THEY WILL CO-OPT LOCAL CONTROL.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IS THERE ARE 39 CITIES AND TOWNS AND I THINK ONLY 12 HAVE REACHED THEIR COMMITMENT ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> IT IS ACTUALLY FEWER THAN THAT, SEVEN.

>> THAT IS WHAT SETS SOME PEOPLES HAIR ON FIRE, LOTS OF LOCAL CONTROL, RIGHT?

>> NOT NECESSARILY HAIR ON FIRE, BUT IT MAKES THE HAIR STAND UP, RIGHT?

YOU HAVE SAID THE GOVERNMENT I AM IN REAL ESTATE AND HAVE BEEN FOR A LONG TIME.

EMINENT DOMAIN IF USED CORRECTLY WILL BENEFIT EVERYBODY.

BUT I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT HAS EVER BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE ANY TYPE OF REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS AND IN THE BILL, IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN IT IS THAT THEY CAN TAKE SESSION OF ANCEL PROPERTIES.

VENTING ON THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELLING IT.

I AM CURIOUS IT WILL BE SELLING IT.

WILL THEY WILL BE LICENSED AS REAL ESTATE BROKERS?

>> SOME GUY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF MINISTRATION, RIGHT?

>> PASSING OUT HIS BUSINESS CARD BIKE, I WILL SELL YOUR EMINENT DOMAIN PROPERTY.

I HAVE A FIRE SALE.

THE BILL OPENS IT UP FOR THEM TO TAKE ANY PROSPERITY THEY WANT AND TAKE IT AWAY FROM LOCAL ZONING.

THE LAST THREE OR FOUR BILLS I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING, 801, COMING TO THE FLOOR AND IS 3036 OR 3063 IS COMING.

THESE THINGS FEEL LIKE MORE OF AN OVERREACH FROM GOVERNMENT FOR THE STATE LEVEL ABSOLUTELY IMPEDING UPON WHAT LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES ARE DOING.

>> I THINK I WOULD AGREE.

I DEFINITELY FEEL LIKE WE HAVEN'’T AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROBLEM BUT I DO NOT THINK WE NEED MORE GOVERNMENT CONTROL.

I WOULD LIKE MORE GOVERNMENT ENABLEMENT.

THAT WOULD BE BETTER.

SO, I THINK WHILE THE SOLUTION SEEMS VERY WELL-INTENTIONED THAT MAUREEN IS TALKING ABOUT I AGREE WITH JOE THAT IT IS KIND OF SCARY TO YOUR POINT, JIM.

WHAT HAS THE STATE RUN WELL?

WE WILL TALK ABOUT RIPPED UP.

WE COULD TALK ABOUT THAT FOR DAYS.

BUT I THINK GOVERNMENT AND THEY BLEND IS BETTER THAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL IN THIS SPACE.

>> SOME OF THE PUSHBACK I AM HEARING, MAUREEN.

WHEN YOU SUPERSEDE IT -- I UNDERSTAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING WILL NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT AND THE SPEAKER HAS BEEN HERE THIS IS NOT ONE OF HIS PRIORITIES.

I HAVE HEARD FROM LOCAL ZONING BOARD, WHY ARE YOU HERE IF YOU WILL OVERRIDE?

LITTLE MODIFICATIONS TO WHAT THEY CALL THE GRAINY FLATS.

LAST YEAR THEY HAD A BILL THAT THEY BACKED OFF ON THAT SAID EVERY COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE TO PUT TOGETHER A REGISTRY OF ALL VACANT BUILDINGS.

THEN YOU THINK, WHAT IF YOU HAVE TO MOTHBALL A SCHOOL YOU MIGHT BRING BACK?

I THINK THAT IS CONCERN FROM LOCALS.

>> I KNOW FROM THE LOCALS THAT RHODE ISLAND HAS A REALLY STRONG TRADITION OF LOCAL CONTROL.

I THINK THAT'’S GOOD.

BUT, THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY -- AS THE SPEAKER HAS TALKED ABOUT.

I MEAN, YOU CANNOT GO TO STUFF BECAUSE IT IS ALL THIS MINUTIAE THAT YOU CANNOT GET AROUND.

I THINK IT HAS GONE TOO FAR.

I THINK WE HAVE TO STEP IN IN SOME LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND PUSH THE IDEA OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND GET AWAY FROM SOME OF THE REGULATIONS.

THEY DON'’T WANT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THEY DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR SCHOOLS.

ONE REPUBLICAN SENATOR, WHICH WAS GOOD, TALKED ABOUT THE FACT WHEN THEY COME IN AND DO THIS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY PERHAPS THEY SHOULD ALSO BRING IN A COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE WITH IT SO THE TOWNHOUSE THE RESOURCES TO PAY FOR THE SCHOOLING AND THE ADDITIONAL CHILDREN THAT WILL BE THERE.

BUT, I ALWAYS KNEW THAT RHODE ISLAND HAD A STRONG TRADITION OF LOCAL CONTROL.

BUT WHEN I LOOK INTO SOME OF THESE ISSUES, IT IS REALLY STRONG.

AND, I THINK THE STATE HAS TO STEP IN.

>> I WILL NOT TOTALLY DISAGREE.

HOWEVER, I THINK THAT IF IT HAS BEEN SO STRONG, THERE HAS TO BE A REASON FOR THAT END WE SHOULD PROBABLY LEAVE IT ALONE BECAUSE ANY LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT CAN RUN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY, PEOPLE SAY IT ALL THE TIME.

PEOPLE IN POLITICS ALL THE TIME, YOU DO NOT KNOW BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT FROM HERE.

THE SAME CAN BE SAID FOR RHODE ISLAND.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT WORLDS AND DIFFERENT LIVES.

IS THERE AN ELEMENT IN THE LIKE YOU SAID ABOUT SOME BUDDY PROPOSING BRINGING IN SOMETHING COMMERCIAL?

TO ME COMMERCIAL MEANS BUSINESS.

I DON'’T REMEMBER ANY TIME THAT SOMEBODY OUTSIDE WANTS TO COME TO RHODE ISLAND TO DO BUSINESS.

IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT STATE TO ACTUALLY RUN A BUSINESS IN.

ISN'’T THERE A PROPOSAL IF YOU POTENTIAL YOU HAVE A VACANT BUILDING?

MAYBE THERE IS A TIME THE BUILDING IS ALLOWED TO SAY VACANT BECAUSE -- BEFORE THE STATE SAYS, HEY LISTEN LET'’S GET SOMETHING DONE WITH THE PROPERTY .

NOT TO GET OVER.

THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO -- I MEAN, THERE ARE STILL SCHOOLS OUT THERE THEY HAD TO CLOSE DOWN THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE SCHOOLS.

THAT CONTROL SHOULD REMAIN WITH THE CITIES AND TOWNS BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IT WAS CONSTRUCTED.

>> I AM STILL STRUCK -- STUCK ON THE HAIR ON FIRE COMING FROM EARLIER.

NOWHERE OVER HERE.

>>[LAUGHTER] >> IT IS ONLY AS BAD AS SOMEBODY SANG THE REDHEADED STEPCHILD.

THAT'’S A PHRASE I'’M NOT WILD ABOUT.

JOE, I INTERVIEWED YOU WHEN YOU WERE FIRST ELECTED AS GOP CHAIRMAN.

I DON'’T KNOW IF I SHOULD SAY CONGRATULATIONS OUR CONDOLENCES.

I AM SURE YOU HAVE HEARD BOTH OVER THE YEARS.

IT'’S NICE TO HAVE YOU ON.

SINCE YOU AND I TALK YOU WILL HAVE TO LOOK TO THE 2024 ELECTION CYCLE.

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK.

IT IS NOT AN EASY SELL TO HAVE REPUBLICANS COME ON BOARD.

>> I WAS RECENTLY READING A BOOK AND A VERY POWERFUL LINE STUCK OUT.

"PAY THE PRICE FOR PREPARATION."

THAT MEANS, TAKE THE TIME TO ACTUALLY CREATE THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT YOU WILL ACTUALLY BE WORKING ON.

WORKING ON PUTTING A PROPER SYSTEM TOGETHER RATHER THAN JUST A KNEE-JERK REACTION GETTING OUT IN FRONT.

OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THAT IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING.

OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE HICCUPS HERE AND THERE THAT WE WILL HAVE TO FACE.

CD1, AND UNFORTUNATELY THE PASSING OF MARYELLEN GOODWIN.

WE HAVE THAT RACE COMING UP AND ALSO WHAT IS GOING ON IN CRANSTON AT THE EXACT SAME TIME.

I WAS NOT EXPECT ANYTHING DIFFERENT IN THE POLITICAL PARTY OR THE LANDSCAPE OF POLITICS IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.

HOWEVER, WE ARE WORKING ON THINGS NOW WHERE WE ARE INVOKING A PRETTY MUCH HUGE TEAM EFFORT.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME YOU HAVE SEEN AN ENTIRE PARTY RALLYING AROUND EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE A LOT OF INPUT FROM LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

FROM LOCAL CITIES AND TOWNS.

A LOT OF NEW CHAIRS.

A LOT OF NEW DELEGATES.

MY PHONE DOES NOT STOP RINGING FROM IDEAS, THOUGHTS, PROCESS, PEOPLE VOLUNTEERING, PEOPLE WANTING TO THIS, WANTING TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE WE ARE WORKING WITH NOW TO GET THAT FOUNDATION.

WE ARE, RIGHT NOW, CONTINUOUSLY, PAYING THE PRICE FOR PREPARATION MAKING SURE WE ARE PUTTING EVERYTHING IN PLACE PROPERLY BEFORE WE ACTUALLY TAKE ACTION.

>> YOU RUN IN A CITY, CRANSTON, THAT HAS DONE WELL FOR REPUBLICANS.

BUT BEING A REPUBLICAN IN RHODE ISLAND IS CHALLENGING.

TELL ME FROM A CANDIDATE PERSPECTIVE WHAT YOU NEED FROM THE PARTY.

>> PLEASE, JUST BE COMPETENT.

DO NOT MAKE IT HARDER FOR SS CANDIDATES TO RUN.

-- FOR US AS CANDIDATES TO RUN.

>>TALK ABOUT ISSUES THAT REALLY IMPACT RHODE ISLANDERS.

FOR ME, SECOND AMENDMENT STUFF IS JUST NOT SUPER REAL FOR RHODE ISLANDERS OTHER THAN, I WOULD SAY, THE MAJORITY OF RHODE ISLANDERS, AS THEY SAY -- SEE ALL THESE DIFFERENT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, THE MAJORITY ARE PROBABLY SAYING, LET'’S CURTAIL GUN RIGHTS FOR -- VERSUS EXPANDING THEM.

FOR ME, IS BEING COMPETENT.

PEOPLE YOU CAN TALK TO.

ALSO, SUPPORT.

LIKE, REAL SUPPORT.

NOT JUST PLATITUDES.

HAVING LIKE A TRAINING SESSION THAT IS LIKE TWO HOURS ON A SATURDAY AND IS NOT REALLY DO ANYTHING.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS.

IT'’S NOT A LOT.

JUST, PUTTING FORTH CANDIDATES THAT ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE A VIABLE CHANCE OF WINNING AS WELL.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR REPUBLICANS AND WE NEED MORE REPUBLICANS.

WE NEED A STRONGER TWO PARTY SYSTEM.

WE NEED MORE REPUBLICANS.

BUT, I THINK THE IDEA OF WORKING TOGETHER, PULLING TOGETHER.

IN THE PAST YEARS THERE WERE THESE FACTIONS AMONG THE REPUBLICANS.

ALL 26 OF THEM.

THEY WERE NOT GETTING TOGETHER.

I THINK THE IDEA OF TRYING TO CREATE A COHESIVE STATE ORGANIZATION.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT PREPARATION.

MAY BECOME BUILDING FROM THE GROUND UP.

YOU CAN ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES DON HAD WHEN HE RAN.

I WISH YOU WELL.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT.

THANK YOU.

>> CD1.

I ASKED YOU 10 MONTHS AGO WHEN WE TALKED, YOU HAVE ANYBODY LINED UP?

>> WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS.

WE HAVE SPOKEN TO FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

SOME ARE VERY SINCERE.

SOME ARE JUST KINDA FLAPPING IN THE WIND.

>> IT IS TOUGH BECAUSE OF THE DYNAMICS AND THE SHORT TIMETABLE.

>> JUST THE DISTRICT IN AND OF ITSELF THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED TO FACILITATE A CERTAIN PARTY.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE SOMEBODY THAT IS ACTUALLY READY AND WILLING TO GO.

WE HAVE HAD A VERY DEEP CONVERSATIONS.

THEY HAD DEEPER CONVERSATIONS ALONG THE WASHINGTON FRONT.

THEY ARE NOT READY TO ANNOUNCE YET.

YOU HAVE FIVE WEEKS UNTIL YOU HAVE TO PULL THE PAPERS.

>> IT'’S NOT THAT I JUST HAVE FIVE WEEKS I STILL HAVE FIVE WEEKS.

WE ARE WORKING ON IT NOW RIGHT OR WRONG DEPENDING ON HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.

WE DEFINITELY HAVE SOMEBODY THAT IS READY AND WILLING AND ABLE AND I AM PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

BECAUSE, THEY HAVE A VERY GOOD HISTORY.

THEY ARE A ROCKSOLID PERSON.

IT IS SOMEBODY THAT I THINK WILL DO VERY WELL.

>> IF YOU HAD AN EEG HOOKED UP TO MY HEAD.

>> I CAN SMELL THE SMOKE.

>> ARE PEOPLE RELUCTANT TO RUN OTHER REPUBLICAN?

BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GO DOWN TO THAT MORASS IN WASHINGTON.

GETTING INTO THAT MESS.

EVEN AS A DEMOCRAT.

IS THERE ANY RELUCTANCE YOU HAVE PICKED UP ABOUT THAT?

>> ONE THING I ENJOY ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS WE ARE NOT AFRAID TO GET DIRTY HAND IN THE MESS.

WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF PUTTING UP THE PIE ASH IN THE FIGHT.

A REAL REPUBLICAN IS NOT AFRAID TO STAND UP FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN.

REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, HELLO?

YOU CANNOT GET MORE BLUE THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> I FEEL FOR JOE IN TERMS OF FINDING CANDIDATES.

JUST BECAUSE HE HAS TO GET THE ANSWERS HE GAVE.

IF HE WAS THE DEMOCRATIC CHAIR HE CAN LIST A BUNCH OF NAMES THAT WAS VERY CREDIBLE TO THE PEOPLE OF RHODE ISLAND.

WE HAVE TO BUILD A BASE.

REPUBLICANS HAVE A LOT OF GREAT POLICIES THAT ARE VERY APPEALING TO PEOPLE.

BUT WE HAVE NOT POSITIONED OURSELVES IN THAT WAY.

I AM >> GIVE ME YOUR SNAPSHOT ANALYSIS ON THE DEMOCRATIC TIME.

WE NOW HAVE 17 PEOPLE.

THE LATEST IS BILL ANOKA FROM THE NARRAGANSETT INDIAN TRIBE.

LOOKING AT THIS FROM AFAR, TOWARDS THE FILING DATE.

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING.

I THINK THERE WILL BE REFORM BUT THAT'’S ANOTHER TOPIC.

I THINK A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE WILL STAY IN.

I THINK THAT JOE FLEMING TALKED ABOUT THE FACT YOU NEED $.5 MILLION.

THING IS, IT SEEMS IN THIS PARTICULAR RACE WITH THE SMALL CONSTITUENCIES YOU NEED A GROUND GAME.

IF YOU HAVE A CONSTITUENCY LIKE THAT, JOHN GONZALEZ HAVE $34,000 IN HIS ACCOUNT.

HE HAS IN THE GAME.

>> -- HE IS IN THE GAME.

BUT I THINK IT WILL BE LESS ABOUT MONEY WHEN ADS COME OUT OVER THE SUMMER.

I THINK THE GROUND GAME WILL BE REALLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK THAT MATTERS.

AND GETTING FREE MEDIA.

THAT'’S ONE THING CANDIDATES ARE TRYING TO DO.

IT IS ANYBODY'’S GUESS.

I CANNOT TELL YOU WHO IS THE FAVORITE.

LATINO COMMUNITIES USUALLY STICK TOGETHER BUT WE HAVE SPLITS AS OTHER PEOPLE RUNNING.

IT WILL BE VERY INTERESTING.

I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT WILL COUNT.

>> LET'’S GO TO OUTRAGES AND KUDOS.

DON, WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU.

>> I THINK MY OUTRAGE IS DIRECTED TOWARDS AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED IN CRANSTON.

WE HAVE MATT RILEY WHO FORTUNATELY WAS -- HE HAD TO RESIGN AS A CITY COUNCILMAN AND CHAIR OF THE CRANSTON REPUBLICAN PARTY.

FOLKS MAY NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHERE I AM GOING WITH THIS.

WHEN PEOPLE GO THROUGH THINGS IN LIFE, WE ARE VERY QUICK TO JUMP ON THEM AND SAY THEY ARE A BAD PERSON AND THEY NEED TO DO THIS AND BE OUT OF OFFICE.

THE COUNCIL CULTURE IS SOMETHING I HATE.

WE ASK HUMAN BEINGS GO THROUGH STUFF AND MAKE MISTAKES AND DO THINGS WRONG.

I DON'’T WANT US TO BE DEFINED BY OUR MISTAKES.

IF I AM DEFINED BY MY MISTAKES I CANNOT DO ANYTHING.

I FEEL FROM ACT.

I ASKED PEOPLE IN CRANSTON TO TAKE A SECOND PAUSE, MAYBE REACH OUT AND SEE IF HE IS OK AND NOT JUST PILE ONTO HIM, WHICH IS VERY EASY TO DO.

>> MIND IS ABOUT FLORIDA.

ARSON ACADEMIC I AM OUTRAGED BY WHAT IS GOING ON THERE IN TERMS OF DESCENDANTS AND THE WAY HE IS MANIPULATING THE CURRICULUM TALKING ABOUT WHAT CAN BE TAUGHT AND WHAT CANNOT BE AND IN DETAIL.

AS AN ACADEMIC I AM REALLY OFFENDED BY THAT.

IT REALLY DIMINISHES THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION.

WHEN I WAS TEACHING CERTAIN COURSES IN THEORY I WOULD ASSIGN THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO.

IT'’S A CLASSIC WORK OF LITERATURE.

WE'’LL TALK ABOUT IT CRITICALLY.

YOU CANNOT DO THAT IF YOU ARE NOT EVEN ALLOWED TO TALK ABOUT IT.

IT'’S REALLY AWFUL.

MOREOVER PARENT INPUT HAS GOTTEN RIDICULOUS.

ONE PARENT OBJECTED TO AMANDA GORMAN'’S HILLS WE CLIMB.

IT WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE LIBRARY.

ONE PERSON.

THAT IS IN FLORIDA.

OTHER STATES ARE POKING UP ON THAT.

>> JOE, AGAIN, GREAT TO HAVE YOU.

DID HE PASS THE TEST?

SHOULD WE HAVE HIM BACK?

HE KEPT HIS CELL PHONE OFF, THE BIGGEST THING.

SO MANY CELL PHONES GO OFF.

>> I HAVE A HUGE KUDOS.

I MENTIONED EARLIER THE UNFORTUNATE PASSING OF SENATOR GOODWIN.

AT THIS TIME NAYAK POWELL WHO RAN FOR THAT SEAT IN 20 ANNOUNCED SHE WILL BE RUNNING.

WHAT EVERYBODY LOVES ABOUT HER IS SHE IS AN EXTREMELY HARD-WORKING PERSON.

SHE IS SECOND IN COMMAND.

SHE HAS AN AMAZING PERSON.

NOT ONLY A HARD-WORKING MOM, SHE IS SOON TO BE GETTING MARRIED.

SHE HAS AN EMIGRANT.

YOU ARE THE ONE THAT SET FREE MEDIA, NOT ME.

MY POINT BEING, SHE IS AN AMAZING PERSON AND WILL DO AMAZING THINGS FOR THE CITY OF CANTON.

>> JOE, THANKS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

DON AND JOE GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

AND MARIE.

FOLKS NEXT WEEK WE ARE HEADING TO THE HOMESTRETCH.

THREE OR FOUR WEEKS LEFT UNTIL THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE WILL SEE WHICH BILLS MAKE IT AND WHICH DO NOT.

WE WILL HAVE THE FULL ANALYSIS NEXT WEEK ON THE LIVELY EXPERIENCE.

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

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] THE LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY.