>> THIS WEEK ON A LIVELY EXPERIMENT, GOVERNOR MCKEE'S FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE, WE BREAK OUT THE SCORECARD FOR HOW HE HAS DONE.

AND THE HOME STRETCH TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEGINS NEXT WEEK.

PART TWO OF OUR INTERVIEW WITH HOUTZ SPEAKER JOSEPH ARCHIE.

>> A LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENERALLY -- GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> LIKELY EXPERIMENT HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT, AND I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS GREAT PROGRAM OF RHODE ISLAND PBS.

>> JOINING US ON THE PANEL, BILLY HON, CHAIRMAN OF THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF RHODE ISLAND.

LISA PULL OC, BROUGHT PUBLICAN STRATEGIST.

-- LISA PELOSI, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST.

WELCOME TO LIVELY.

I AM JIM HUMMEL.

YOU MAY BE SURPRISED DAN MCKEE HAS BEEN WE GOT -- HAS BEEN GOVERNOR FOR 100 DAYS, BUT HE HAS ANNOUNCED WHAT DAY IT IS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION AT VIRTUALLY EVERY PUBLIC EVENT.

IT IS A SUBTLE REMINDER HE IS STILL NEW TO THE JOB, EVEN THOUGH HE IS A FAMILIAR NAME AND STATE GOVERNMENT.

BY MY COUNT, THIS IS THE NINTH GOVERNOR, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT MAKES YOU FEEL OLD.

[LAUGHTER] THIS IS THE NINTH GOVERNOR YOU HAVE COVERED.

LET'S GO AROUND AND DO A SCORECARD.

WE DID THIS MONTHS AGO, BUT NOW HE HAS 100 DAYS.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> SOMETIMES IT IS BETTER TO HAVE GOOD INSTINCTS THEN GOOD INTENTIONS.

I THINK THE WAY MCKIE HAS PRESENTED HIMSELF NOW IS THAT HE IS ONE OF US.

WE HAVE KNOWN HIM FOR LONG TIME IN CUMBERLAND AND REMINDS ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TWO SUCCESSFUL GOVERNORS.

HE IS ALSO LUCKY THERE IS MONEY, BECAUSE THE PANDEMIC, LUCKILY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS COME THROUGH WITH MONEY, AND THE PANDEMIC COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM THAN IT HAS BEEN.

WHAT IS HAPPENING FOR HIM, AND THIS IS NOT UNIQUE TO RHODE ISLAND, THIS IS TRUE FOR ALL OVER NEW ENGLAND, OUR VACCINATION RATE IS PRETTY GOOD, MID 70%.

THE TWO BETTER STATES THAN US RUN BY REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS.

L SCOTT IS AROUND 82%-83 PERCENT, AND MASSACHUSETTS IS ABOUT 79% OR 80% WITH CHARLIE BAKER.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE PUBLIC HEALTH ASPECT, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY, I THINK MCKIE, SO FAR, IS DOING PRE-WELL.

>> I HAVE TO AGREE WITH THAT.

HE IS GROWING INTO THE JOB, AND I HAVE BEEN WATCHING HIM DO THAT FOR THE NUMBER OF MONTHS.

WHEN HE FIRST STARTED, HE ALMOST HAD THE DEER IN THE HEADLIGHT LOOK, NOT USED TO THE SPOTLIGHT ON HIM.

AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, HE WOULD GO OUT AND ABOUT.

AS GOVERNOR, HE USUALLY HAS A CONTINUE WITH HIM, NOT ONLY HIS STAFF REPORT BUT NOT -- A LOT OF MEDIA FOLLOWING HIM TOO.

HE SEEMS TO HAVE A GOOD EXPERIMENT -- GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THEY WILL HAVE A FUNDRAISER FOR HIM LATER TODAY.

I THINK THE SUN, MOON, AND STARS LINED UP FOR HIM, BECAUSE AS YOU SAID, COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, WE HAVE THE VACCINE ROLLING OUT, A SURPLUS IN THE BUDGET, $1 BILLION COMING IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO WORK WITH, SO THINGS ARE LINING UP FOR HIM.

>> SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME AGO THAT BEFORE HE WAS GOVERNOR, HE TALKED ABOUT GETTING THE TEACHERS VACCINATED, AND THERE WAS A BIT OF A MISSTEP IN PUBLIC OFFICIALS, AND THAT SEEMS LIKE SO LONG AGO.

I AM ALSO INTERESTED IN SOME OF THE LEGISLATION PASSED.

YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

I READ ONE OF YOUR THINGS THE OTHER DAY.

HE SEEMS LIKE A MODERATE GUY BUT THEN HE IS VEERING TO THE LEFT.

>> THAT IS THE NATURE OF BEING AN ELECTION YEAR COMING UP AND THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IS ALREADY STARTING AND ERNST.

THE FACT THAT IN ORDER TO WIN IN A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, HE WILL HAVE TO MOVE TO THE LEFT, AND I THINK THAT'S A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING TO THE PEOPLE WHO EXPECTED HIM TO BE MORE OF A MODERATE DEMOCRAT AS A GOVERNOR.

THAT IS SOMETHING TO WATCH OUT FOR, AND THAT IS PROBABLY THE PROBLEM WITH HAVING THE DEMOCRATIC SUPER MAJORITY IN RHODE ISLAND IS THAT THESE ELECTIONS CAN HAPPEN IN THE PRIMARY IN SEPTEMBER BEFORE ANYBODY IS AN POLITICAL MODE AND THINKING ABOUT THAT THING.

IF YOU ARE SOMEBODY IS MORE LOOKING FOR A MORE MODERATE CANDIDATE, YOU NEED TO GET OUT IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES, OR HE WILL BE CONTINUED PUSHING FURTHER AND FURTHER TO THE LEFT TO APPEASE THE PROGRESSIVE AGENDA.

>> ONE THING THAT STRIKES ME, AND THIS IS A BIG CHANGE, IS THAT IT SEEMS HE AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MATOS ARE -- >> AT THE HIP.

>> THEY ARE.

THEY ARE TOGETHER WITH EVERYTHING.

HE WAS HONEST ENOUGH TO SAY THAT WHEN GOVERNOR RAIMONDO WAS IN THERE AND HE WAS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THEY BARELY HAD NO RELATIONSHIP AT ALL.

THIS IS MUCH MORE LIKE YOU SEE WITH CHARLIE BAKER AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR POLITO IN MASSACHUSETTS WHERE THEIR PRESS RELEASES COME OUT TOGETHER AND THEY HAVE SCHEDULES TOGETHER, OF COURSE THEY RUN TOGETHER.

WE SO HAVE THIS CRAZY SYSTEM IN RHODE ISLAND WITH A GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ARE OFTEN OF DIFFERENT PARTIES.

THAT'S I DO NOT THINK IS A GREAT WAY TO DO IT BUT THE WAY OUR CONST TOUCHE AND -- OUR CONSTITUTION PRESCRIBES.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, IT IS A PRETTY LIBERAL ELECTORATE.

AND IT IS MUCH MORE CONCENTRATED IN THE EASTERN, URBAN PARTS OF THE STATE, THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY PROVIDENCE ARE VERY IMPORTANT THERE, NEW POINTS, EAST PROVIDENCE HAS CUMBERLAND.

YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES, AND THERE ARE PRETTY LIBERAL PLACES IN THERE.

AND YOU HAVE PLACES LIKE CICILLINE, SOME OF THE FOLKS OUR ANCESTRAL FROM THE DEMOCRATIC -- TO BILLY'S POINT IS YES, THIS IS A SUPER MAJORITY, BUT WHOSE FAULT IS THAT?

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

HAVE BRIAN NEWBERRY ON AND HE WILL SAY IF THE PROGRESSIVES WOULD COME OVER WITH US ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES, BUT THE REPUBLIC LANES -- REPUBLICANS ARE LEAVING 40% OF THESE RACES UNOPPOSED.

>> WE WILL GET TO THAT.

LISA, IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE YOU CANNOT PIN MCGEE DOWN.

THINK OF THE CLIMATE ACT, THE ACT ON CLIMATE, WHATEVER IT WAS, THE GREEN NEW DEAL TO RHODE ISLAND FOR A LESSER EXTENT.

HE SIGNED IT.

BUT THEN HE HAS SAID THIS CHARTER SCHOOL MORATORIUM, I AM NOT SO WILD ABOUT.

IT IS HARD TO PIN HIM DOWN WHERE HE IS POLITICALLY.

>> HE HAS HAD A LITTLE PAST.

I THINK WE GAVE HIM THAT THREE-MONTH HONEYMOON AND HE HAS NOT BEEN CHALLENGED ON ANY MAJOR ISSUES, AND THEY'RE ALL LOCKED COMING UP -- ARE A LOT -- AND THERE ARE A LOT COMING UP.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT COMING UP.

I AM WAITING FOR HIM TO HAVE TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS AREA DID YOU MENTIONED THE CHARTER SCHOOL BILL.

WILL HE VETO THAT BEFORE THEY ADJOURN AT THE END OF THE SESSION?

AND THERE IS ALREADY TALK ABOUT RETURNING IN THE SUMMER OR PERHAPS THE FALL, AND WILL THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY VETO IT?

THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES IN THE PROVIDENCE SCHOOL SYSTEM, SO HE HAS CHALLENGES AHEAD HE WILL HAVE TO FACE.

I THINK WE WILL SEE WHERE HE TRULY STANDS IN THE COMING MONTHS.

>> IT'S A MIXED BAG.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE BILL WAS AN IMPORTANT BILL THAT WOULD LOOK BAD IF YOU VOTED AGAINST IT WHEN HE CAME INTO THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

HE WAS A CHAMPION FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS WHEN IN CUMBERLAND AND HIS TIME AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, HE WAS A BIG CHAMPION FOR SMALL BUSINESS.

IT IS SURPRISING HE IS TEXTING -- LOOKING TO TAX THE PPP FUNDS WHICH THE CPAS ARE UPSET WITH.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO PUT IT ALL IN THE LIGHT OF THE ELECTION CYCLE, WHO HE WILL BE UP AGAINST IN THE PRIMARY.

>> WE EXPECT SETH MAGAZINE OR JORGE, HOW THAT ALL SHAKES OUT IN A YEAR, AND WE TALKED ABOUT O'MALLEY -- TALKED ABOUT NELLY GETTING IN QUICKLY.

THERE WAS A STORY EARLIER SAYING THERE BASICALLY IS A TWO-PERSON RACE, SO I THIK SHE FELT LIKE SHE NEEDED TO GET IN.

WHAT YOU LOOK AT?

>> I THINK THE SECRETARY GOT IN BECAUSE SHE NEEDED TO RAISE MONEY.

THIS IS AN IMPERATIVE FOR HER.

YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS TRAUMATIZED TO ORGANIZE LABOR AND -- WHO HAS STRONG TIES TO ORGANIZED LABOR.

I THINK SHE NEEDED TO GET IN THERE QUICKLY TO RAMP THAT UP.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS IS, EVERYTHING SHE DOES WILL BE VIEWED THROUGH THE PRISM OF RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

ANYTHING SHE DOES, PEOPLE WILL SAY, "WELL THAT IS JUST NELLY RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR."

>> IS THAT A GOOD OR BAD THING FOR HER?

>> IT IS A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD.

A LOT OF STUFF OR OFFICE DOES IS MINISTERIAL.

SHE KEEPS THE RECORDS, THE ARCHIVES.

IF THE DUST BUILDS UP ON THE ARCHIVES, I DON'T SEE -- [LAUGHTER] >> GROUNDBREAKING.

>> THE MAIN THING SHE DID IS THE SPECIAL ELECTION, ESPECIALLY THE REFERENDUM IN MARCH AND THE MAIL BALLOT INITIATIVE IN THE LAST ELECTION.

IT IS A GOOD TIME FOR HER TO ANNOUNCE, BECAUSE SHE HAS THE CACHE AND VISIBILITY IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

IF SHE GETS IN THE RACE NOW, SHE CAN CAPITALIZE ON THAT AND RIDE THAT ALL THE WAY TO THE NEXT ELECTION.

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO BE HONEST TO LISA'S POINT, THERE ARE LANDMINES OUT HERE FOR THE GOVERNOR, PARTICULARLY THE RICH TAX.

THIS TAX ON WEALTHY PEOPLE.

THIS IS A LOT EASIER TO DO IN MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND BECAUSE BOSTON HAS THE KIND OF ECONOMY, WITH THE VCS AND BIOTECH AND ALL OF THE STUFF WORK, THEY CAN'T REALLY GO ANYWHERE.

WHERE YOU GOING TO GO?

THE PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY WANTED TO BE THERE TAXES TO MOVE TO NEW HAMPSHIRE, BUT PROVIDENCE, IF WE GET OUR TAX STRUCTURE TOO FAR AWAY FOR MASSACHUSETTS, SOMETHING GOVERNOR ALLMOND ALWAYS WORRIED ABOUT, THEN WE GIVE INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO PUT THEIR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE.

>> I THINK IT IS TRYING TO MEASURE THE WEIGHT OR POWER OF THE PROGRESSIVES IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE HOUSE AND SENATE SIDE.

WE HAVE SEEN THE MINIMUM WAGE BILL GET PAST, SO THAT IS THAT.

CLIMATE CHANGE, THAT YOU MENTIONED, ANOTHER ISSUE THAT IS PROGRESSIVE, IS THAT GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO GO FORWARD OR ARE THEY GOING TO PUT ON THIS TAX?

GOVERNOR MCKEE SAID THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO RAISE TAXES.

WE HAVE THE SURPLUS IN THE BUDGET, FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN, WHY DO WE NEED TO TAX THAT AND HARM OUR BUSINESS CLIMATE?

THAT WILL BE ANOTHER CHANGE -- CHALLENGE GOING FORWARD.

WE ARE GETTING THROUGH COVID, GETTING PEOPLE VACCINATED, TRYING TO GET BUSINESSES GOING, BUT I THINK THE COVID PANDEMIC SHOWED THE WEAKNESS IN OUR SERVICE INDUSTRY, THE DEPENDENCY IN THE ECONOMY.

WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE INDUSTRIES WE ARE GOING TO BRING IN TO INVEST IN THE ECONOMY SO SOMETIME SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT HURT US WE CAN BE COMING OUT OF IT SOONER?

>> ALL THAT IS A 100 YEAR PROBLEM WE HAD.

[LAUGHTER] IT IS LOVELY THAT RHODE ISLAND HAS SUCH A GREAT FOODIE CULTURE.

I THINK WE ALL ENJOY IT, AND THERE ARE SMALL BUSINESSES, BUT YES THEY ARE VERY VULNERABLE.

ABOUT 80,000 PEOPLE EARN THEIR LIVINGS IN THE RESTAURANT AND HOTEL BUSINESS IN RHODE ISLAND.

THAT IS A BIG CHUNK.

INTO THE SUMMER, WE SEE ALL OF THESE FOLKS COMING HERE.

SOME PEOPLE IN SOUTH COUNTY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE NEWER -- NEW YORK PLAY STACY AND THE BEACHES.

>> THAT HAS BEEN 35 YEARS THAT WAY.

[LAUGHTER] LET'S SHIFT OVER TO THE LEGISLATURE.

WE ARE HEADING INTO THE HOME STRETCH.

IT IS JUNE.

THE BIG THING IS, WHEN IS THE BUDGET GOING TO COME OUT?

EASIER THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE BUDGET FIGURES LOOK BETTER.

I SAT DOWN WITH SPEAKER JOSEPH CARTY LAST WEEK AND YOU HEARD HIM TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET IN LAST WEEK'S SHOW, TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES IN PART TWO OF MY INTERVIEW.

HE STARTED WITH THE BUDGET AND ROLLED INTO A COUPLE THINGS.

HERE'S PART OF MY INTERVIEW.

>> I WANT TO USE THAT MONEY TO HELP RHODE ISLAND IN THE LONG TERM.

I DO NOT WANT TO LOOK AT IT AS A SHORT-TERM FIX.

I WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT CAN WE DO TO CHANGE THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT AND BENEFIT PEOPLE FOR THE LONG-TERM?

>> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> I'M STILL KEEPING AN OPEN MIND.

THERE'S A LOT OF PLANS WITH COMPETING ISSUES.

IT WILL BE HARD TO ACCOMPLISH THAT THE NEXT THREE WEEKS, BUT WERE KEEPING AN OPE MIND.

IF IT DOES NOT GET DONE, WE WILL CONSIDER IT HOPEFULLY LATE THIS JUNE.

>> YOU ANTICIPATE KEEPING THE CAR TAX AT THE ORIGINAL FIGURE?

>> YES.

THAT IS PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, AND IT ENJOYS STRONG SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE.

>> WHAT ABOUT GUN LEGISLATION?

>> IT IS VERY MUCH UNDER CONSIDERATION.

I HAVE MET WITH THE SECOND AMENDMENT PEOPLE, WITH THE MOMS DEMAND ACTION, WITH BOTH SIDES.

THEY ARE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, EACH SIDE MAY NOT ADMIT THIS PUBLICLY, BUT THEY ARE NOT THAT FAR APART ON SOME LEGISLATION.

THEY ARE VERY FAR APART ON OTHER LEGISLATION, BUT THERE IS SOME STUFF THAT IS NOT THAT MUCH RAGE TO GAP -- MUCH OF A BRIDGE TO GAP.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE LEGISLATION, I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT.

>> SO THE GAME PLAN IS ALWAYS TO GET OUT BEFORE THE FOURTH OF JULY, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.

BILLY, LET ME START WITH YOU.

GUN CONTROL IS SOMETHING THAT COMES UP EVERY YEAR.

WE HAVE NOT HAD THE HUGE DRAWS AT THE STATEHOUSE OUTSIDE.

I WONDER IF THERE WILL BE SOME MOVEMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE A DIFFERENT SPEAKER THIS YEAR.

>> I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS COME UP.

THERE IS THE FLIP THAT DAN MCKEE HAD WHERE HE THOUGHT BILL WAS ALREADY SIGNED AND THAT WAS A LITTLE CONFUSION.

IT MAKES YOU WONDER IF SOME OF THESE BILLS ARE A FOREGONE CONCLUSION THAT THEY HAVE THE VOTES IN THE HOUSE AND DON'T HAVE THE OPPOSITION TO GET INTO THE STATEHOUSE AND TALK TO THE LEGISLATORS AS THEY NORMALLY WOULD BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE STATEHOUSE CLOSED.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS CONCERNING AND THE IDEA THAT WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON WITH THE COVID AND LOCKED DOWN, THE ZOO MEETINGS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS BEING RESTRICTED, THE FACT THEY ARE PASSING SO MUCH LEGISLATION, IT SEEMS TO ME -- >> THEY ARE SIGNING A BILL EVERY DAY, RIGHT?

>> THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A YEAR THEY TOOK CARE OF THE V-6, CLEANED UP THE PANDEMIC, AND IT SEEMS THEY ARE USING IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEIR PET LEGISLATION THROUGH UNDER PUBLIC SCRUTINY.

THAT IS NOT A GOOD THING TO DO FOR ELECTIVE OFFICIALS.

>> I THING I HAVE TO REMIND EVERYBODY, IF IT WAS JUST REPUBLICANS AGAINST THE GUN BILLS, WHEN YO LOOK AT THE COMPOSITION OF HOUSE AND SENATE, THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN FAST -- BEEN PASSED ON THE FIRST DAY.

EVEN THOUGH THE SPEAKER WAS ONE OF THE BASTION WAS MAKING SURE CERTAIN BILLS DID NOT GO FORWARD, EVEN WITH THE SPEAKER GONE, THERE ARE A LOT OF DEMOCRATS, PEOPLE WHO HAVE D'S AFTER THEIR STANDING THAT ARE AGAINST GUN LEGISLATION.

I THINK THAT IS THE WHILE THEY ARE HITTING RIGHT NOW.

>> I THINK THERE ARE REALLY KNOTTY PROBLEMS IF YOU LOOK AT EDUCATIONS.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE MESS.

I KNOW THE PANDEMIC HAD A LOT TO DO WITH IT.

GOVERNOR REMINDER'S PROMISE PROGRAM, WHICH IS FINE AS A RELATES TO SEE CRI -- CCRI AND THE TOO YEARS OF SCHOOLING, BUT IT -- TWO YEARS OF SCHOOLING, BUT THEIR ENROLLMENT IS WAY DOWN BECAUSE OF THAT.

I THINK THIS IS THE PATH TO GOOD INTENTIONS IS PAVED TO -- AND THIS SOUNDED GREAT AND IT IS FINE FOR CCRI BUT YOU WONDER IN THE LONG-TERM TERM, DOES IT HURT A PLACE LIKE RICK AND RHODE ISLAND?

>> WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT THAT, AND I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS, WHEN YOU HAVE THE SPEAKER SAYING IT, DON'T WANT TO START INVESTING IN NEW PROGRAMS OR PUT THIS MONEY INTO PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE PERPETUAL GOING FORWARD LIKE THE PROMISE FOR CCRI.

THERE IS A BILL PENDING TO HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP FOR RHODE ISLAND STUDENTS, THEN YOU HAVE THE PRESIDENT OF URI SAYING TO DO THAT.

SO WHERE IS GOING TO BE THE DISCIPLINE WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBL AND THE GOVERNOR?

>> AND THE STAPLE -- SAME PEOPLE WILL COMPLAIN WHEN URI TAKES PEOPLE OUT OF STATE TO GET HIGHER TUITION.

THERE'S NO EASY ANSWER TO A LOT OF THESE THINGS.

AS YOU POINTED OUT, WE DID NOT REALLY THINK ALL OF THIS THROUGH.

WELL-INTENTIONED.

>> THERE IS AN EASY ANSWER, STOP SUBSIDIZING AND HAVING THE GOVERNMENT GET INVOLVED WITH EDUCATION AT THE HIGHER LEVEL.

IF THEY HAD NOT FAILED CHILDREN K-12, THERE WOULD NOT HAVE TO BE A NEED FOR THIS TWO YEARS OF COLLEGE.

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES IS A PROBLEM WHEN DEALING WITH THE GOVERNMENT INFLUENCING THE MARKET FORCES AND CREATING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THERE TO BE PROBLEMS THAT NOBODY CAN FORESEE.

THAT IS WHY THE MARKET IS THE BEST WAY TO RESOLVE ISSUES.

>> JOSEPH CARTY SAID HE WAS COGNIZANT ABOUT THE FACT OF THOSE OUT YEARS AND WE CANNOT LOOK AT THE COVID BODY BECAUSE IN THREE YEARS, ALL THESE PROGRAMS.

I DID A STORY THREE TO FOUR YEARS AGO ON THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON HOW MUCH IT SPENDS ON ITSELF, AND I LOOKED AT THE RHODE ISLAND BUDGET.

IT GOES ABOUT ONE BILLION YEARS UP ABOUT FOUR YEARS.

WHERE WE GOING TO BE 10 YEARS FROM NOW IF WE DON'T, AT SOME POINT, HOLD THE LINE?

THEY SAY IT IS ONLY GOING UP 2% TO 3% AND WE HAVE FEDERAL MONEY TO BACK IT.

THAT IS THE CONCERN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS MONEY IS COMING ON THE -- THIS MONEY IS COMING IN, AND UNLIKE THE STIMULUS MONEY, WE HAVE TO SPEND THAT MONEY AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.

THE MONEY COMING IN, WE HAVE TWO TO THREE YEARS TO SPEND IT BEFORE WE HAVE TO GIVE IT BACK.

WHERE'S THE THOUGHTFUL LEADERSHIP HAPPENING, COMING TOGETHER TO SAY WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING HERE?

I KNOW SPEAKER SICK ARCHIE REFERRED TO THE BRYAN UNIVERSITY BUT WHERE'S THE COLLECTIVE GROUP COMING TOGETHER TO SAY HERE IS THE PLAN?

WE HAVE HEARD GOVERNOR MCKEE SAY HE HAS A 20/30 PLAN SO I WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE WHERE THAT WILL LEAD THE STATE AND WHAT THE INVESTMENT WILL NEEDED -- WILL BE NEEDED TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> OBVIOUSLY OF A BIG FORCE HERE IS HOW QUICKLY DOES THE ECONOMY REBOUND, BECAUSE THAT GENERATES THE REVENUE, IT IS THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT GENERATES A LOT OF THE REVENUE.

HOPEFULLY, WE CAN PUT THE MONEY INTO ONE-TIME THINGS THAT WILL HELP.

>> INVESTMENT, NOT SPENDING.

>> RIGHTS.

I THINK INFRASTRUCTURE, OBVIOUSLY, IS ONE OF THE BIG THINGS.

IF YOU LOOK AROUND AT TAXES AND YOU WONDER AMAZON PAY NO TAXES, WHO USE OF THE ROADS TO THE AIRPORT MORE THAN AMAZON TO DELIVER THEIR STUFF?

FOR THEM TO PAY ZERO DOLLARS TAXES -- >> BECAUSE WE HAVE YOU ON, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S CONGRATULATIONS OR CONDOLENCES BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF RHODE ISLAND.

SCOTT, YOU NEED TO STAY OUT OF THIS CONVERSATION.

[LAUGHTER] SO YOU ARE A YEAR OUT, TALK ABOUT YOUR EMPHASIS IN TERMS OF TRYING TO RECRUIT PEOPLE TO RUN.

>> IT IS A TOUGH SELL THESE DAYS.

>> IT IS A TOUGH SELL.

I THINK THERE IS THIS IDEA IF YOU'RE NOT RUNNING AS A DEMOCRAT, YOU CAN'T GET ELECTED OR YOU DON'T HAVE A SHOT.

THAT IS NOT THE POINT.

TO SCOTT'S POINT EARLIER, THERE IS SO MANY RACES IN THE STATE RUNNING UNCONTESTED THAT EVEN IF YOU PUT A CANDIDATE IN THERE, THEY ARE TAKING RESOURCES AND FORCING THOSE PEOPLE TO CAMPAIGN.

IF YOU COMPARE NICE BAY, THE ELECTION OF SUE DONOVAN AND HER OPPONENT VERSUS JASON KNIGHT WHO RAN UNOPPOSED, THERE WAS A LINE OF JASON FOR THE ABILITY TO RAISE MONEY BUT NOT SPEND IT ON HIS CAMPAIGN.

THE OPPOSITION, WHICH COULD BE LIBERTARIANS, REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS, THE MORE CANDIDATES WE GET INTO THE FIELD, THE MORE RESOURCES WE TAKE AWAY FROM THE DEMOCRATIC MACHINE AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN WIN RACES AND BUILD UPON THAT.

TO YOUR POINT, IT IS A DIFFICULT SELL TO GET PEOPLE, AND I THINK THAT WILL BE MY PRIMARY GOAL AS CHAIRMAN OF THE PARTY, TO GET PEOPLE TO RUN FOR OFFICE AND GET VOLUNTEERS AND MEMBERSHIP TO SUPPORT THE CANDIDATES.

>> I THINK THERE ARE PASIONATE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT DO WANT TO DO COMMUNITY SERVICE OR PERMANENT -- OR SERVE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

I CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR EFFORTS WORKING IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I CAN TELL YOU IT IS A LONG ROAD AHEAD.

[LAUGHTER] I JUST FEEL, FOR ME, IT IS A DINOSAUR.

I FEEL LIKE I'M A DINOSAUR TO BE A MODERATE REPUBLICAN.

I WAS HEARTENED TO SEE THE FITZPATRICK STORY FOR FORMER MAYOR OF CRANSTON MIGHT BE RUNNING AGAIN.

I'M HOPING WE MIGHT HAVE A REPUBLICAN BACK AND GENERAL OFFICE, BUT I THINK IT WILL BE A LONG TIME BEFORE WE SEE A LIBERTARIAN.

>> IT IS A PROCESS.

YOU HAVE TO BUILD UPON IT.

JOURNEY OF 1000 STEPS STARTS WITH ONE STEP.

YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE IT IS SOMETHING THAT'S WORKING WITH SUE SANKEY AT THE REPUBLICANS, MAY BE DIVIDING UP THE STATE TO SAY LIBERTARIANS TAKE THESE DISTRICTS AND REPUBLICANS TAKE THOSE, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED -- IF YOU ARE UPSET WITH WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE STATE HOUSE AND UPSET WITH THE VISION AND SINGLE VOICE OUT THERE, YOU NEED TO STEP UP, RUN FOR OFFICE, AND YOU CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT IT IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.

>> A LOT OF IT IS THROW THE BOMBS OUT BUT I LIKE MY BOMB.

[LAUGHTER] WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE BALLOT BOXES, IT IS THIS FAMILIAR DEMOCRATIC SHOE.

>> EVERYBODY HATES THE CONGRESS, MARK TWAIN, COUNTRY'S ONLY NATIVE CRIMINAL CLASS, BUT REELECTION RATES ARE 90% OR MORE.

I THINK THESE ARE FRIENDS IN NEIGHBORS RACES.

PEOPLE ASKED ME WHAT YOU WOULD WOULD YOU -- WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

BY THREE PAIRS OF SNEAKERS.

IT'S THE KIND OF THING YOU DO IN SMALL ENDORSEMENTS FROM UNIONS AND FELLOWS AT THE PORTUGUESE CLUB, WHATEVER YOUR DISTRICT HAS.

ONE THING I SAY, REPUBLICANS HAVE NEVER BEEN THAT STRATEGIC.

THEY SHOULD LOOK AT EVERY DEMOCRAT WHO GOT ELECTED WITH LESS THAN 50% -- 53% OR 55%, GO IN THERE, FIND AND RECRUIT GOOD CANDIDATES TO DO THAT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS WILL DEVOLVE, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE A GROUP OF TRUMP FULKS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY -- FOLKS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND PEOPLE LIKE LISA FROM THE MODERATE SIDE, AND I DON'T KNOW IF NEVER THE TWAIN SHALL MEET OR IF THEY PUT OUT FOR A GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, BUT WE KNOW MODERATE REPUBLICANS CAN WIN STATEWIDE.

IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.

WE JUST DO NOT SEE THE ENERGY ON THAT SIDE OF THE PARTY ANYMORE.

THE ENERGY IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, FOR BETTER OR WORSE, HAS BEEN ON THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE RECENTLY IN THE SAME WAY THE ENERGY ON THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS BEEN WITH YOUNGER PROGRESSIVE FOLKS AND MINORITY FOLKS.

>> WHAT ABOUT THAT?

>> I AGREE WITH YOU, SCOTT.

[LAUGHTER] >> OH GOD.

>> I KNOW.

I FEEL LIKE THERE'S SO MANY VOTERS THAT ARE SEEING AN R AFTER THAT PERSON'S NAME AND DON'T HAVE A COMFORT LEVEL IN RHODE ISLAND TO VOTE FOR THEM.

THERE'S A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> THAT'S THE PROBLEM WE HAVE WITH LIBERTARIANS.

THEY SAY THEY THINK I'M A LIBRARIAN.

[LAUGHTER] THE IDEA IS YOU NEED TO HAVE THE FARM TEAM.

PART OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS THEY NEED TO THROW ALL THEIR EGGS IN A BASKET FOR HIGHER OFFICE FOR GOVERNOR FOR CONGRESS.

THEY NEED TO FOCUS ON GETTING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND TOWN COUNCIL SEATS STILL.

THAT IS WHAT MY GOAL IS FOR THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY, TO GET THE LOWER RACES SO WE CAN HAVE A FARM TEAM AND ALSO REDUCE THE TABOO OF PEOPLE GOING TO THE BALLOT BOX AND VOTING FOR A LIBERTARIAN OR REPUBLICAN.

>> WHAT IS INTERESTING IS THE REALIGNMENT.

IF YOU LOOK AT A PLACE LIKE WHERE YEARS AGO THE TOWN COUNCIL WAS ALL DEMOCRATIC, NOW IT IS MAJORITY REPUBLICAN.

THE TRUMP VOTE THE SAME WAY.

WE USED TO LOOK ELECTION NIGHTS, PEOPLE LIKE JIM AND I SITTING IN THE NEWSROOM, HOUSE EAST GREENWICH GOING?

NOW YOU LOOK AT THE DEMOGRAPHICS, BARRINGTON I THINK VOTED FOR BIDEN ALMOST AT THE SAME LEVEL AS PROVIDENCE.

>> THE WORLD IS TURNING UPSIDE DOWN.

[LAUGHTER] I THINK THE TRUMP FACTOR IS A WHOLE ANOTHER DISCUSSION.

LET'S DO OUTRAGES OR KUDOS.

>> I WAS HOPING TO DO A KUDO THIS WEEK, BUT THIS ISSUE THAT JUST KEEPS COMING IN THE NEWS HAS BEEN SO DISTURBING TO ME, THE VERDICT THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK IN SOUTH KINGSTOWN IN DISTRICT COURT A WOMAN CHARGED WITH DISORDERLY CONDUCT FOR VERBALLY ACCOSTING A BLACK FAMILY OUTSIDE OF THE COAST GUARD HOUSE LAST YEAR.

SHE WAS CONVICTED, AND SHE IS GOING TO APPEAL TO THE SUPERIOR COURT.

OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL ONCE TO INCLUDE -- WANTS TO INCLUDE THE HATE CRIME ENHANCEMENT WHEN IT GOES THERE.

FOR ONE, THE WOMAN IS A PHYSICIAN, SO A HIGHLY EDUCATED WOMAN DOING THIS.

THEN WE LEARNED TODAY WE ARE TAPING ON FRIDAY THAT SHE IS NOT LICENSED IN RHODE ISLAND, NOT A PRACTICING DOCTOR.

I REALLY FEEL FOR THE FAMILY ON THIS.

THAT HAS BEEN MY OUTRAGE, WATCHING THIS ALL ISSUE UNFOLD.

>> MY OUTRAGE IS DONALD TRUMP'S 20% -- SORRY GINA RAIMONDO'S 20% ON LUMBER SHE IS PROPOSING.

>> HAS SHE NOT BEEN TO HOME DEPOT RECENTLY?

>> IS SOMEONE WHO WORKS IN THE ENTRANCE INDUSTRY, DEALING WITH REPLACEMENT COST VALUES AND INCREASING CONSTRUCTING COSTS -- CONSTRUCTION COSTS, I ALWAYS SAY THEY ARE GOING TO DELIVER LUMBER ON TRUCKS BECAUSE IT'S GOING THROUGH THE ROOF.

FOR HER TO PROPOSE SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THE TARIFFS SEEM TO BE A DONALD TRUMP LIKE TAX PLAN.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HIS NEW BOSS THE SAME AS THE OLD BOSS.

>> YOU HAVE THE WHACKED YOU KNOW ROMANO AND SHE IS NOT EVEN [INDISCERNIBLE] [LAUGHTER] SCOTTY, YOU HAVE THE LAST MINUTE.

>> I'M GOING TO SAY IT IS ABOUT TIME RHODE ISLAND GOT WITH THE MARIJUANA PROTOCOLS, AND WE ARE LOSING REVENUE ALL THE TIME TO MASSACHUSETTS, WHICH IS GETTING TAX REVENUE FROM SALES OF MARIJUANA, AND WE SHOULD GET OUR ACT TOGETHER AND DO SOMETHING SIMILAR IN RHODE ISLAND INSTEAD OF DRAGGING IT OUT.

THE OTHER KUDO WAS FOR THE AG WHO STEPPED IN ON THIS LATEST HOSPITAL THING WITH TURNER CARE.

I THINK WE NEED MORE OVERSIGHT OF THE HOSPITALS, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE TAXPAYERS ARE NOW FOOTING THROUGH MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND OTHER PROGRAMS MORE THAN 60% OF THE REVENUES OF HOSPITALS.

>> YOU HEARD IN THE SOUNDBITE, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY MIGHT BE COMING BACK INTO THE FOLD FOR A MARIJUANA LEGISLATURE.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHY IT HAS TAKEN THIS LONG.

>> I THINK IT IS COMPETING BETWEEN THE SENATE PRINTED -- SENATE PRESIDENT ON HOW TO DISTRIBUTE IT.

>> YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THEIR ACT TOGETHER ALREADY BECAUSE MASSACHUSETTS HAS BEEN COLLECTING TAXES FOR QUITE A WHILE.

>> OR YOU CAN GO TO YOUR DEALER, RIGHT SCOTTY?

[LAUGHTER] >> FOLKS, WE WILL LEAVE THAT OFF THE RECORD.

THAT IS OFF THE -- THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE, BUT IT IS NOT OVER.

WE HAVE ONE OTHER HUGE ISSUE WE DID NOT TALK ABOUT ON THE BROADCAST AND WE WILL DO OUR ONLINE BONUS SEGMENT LIVELY EXTRA, SO GO TO RIPB S.ORG/LIVELY.

FOR THE REST OF YOU, COME BACK HERE NEXT WEEK FOR THE HEART OF THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE WILL HAVE THAT COVERED FOR YOU AS LIVEY EXPERIMENT CONTINUES.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK.

♪ >> A LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS GENEROUSLY UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, A LIVELY EXPERIMENT PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF IMPORTANT POLITICAL ISSUES OF BASE RHODE ISLANDERS.