>> THIS WEEK ON "A LIVELY EXPERIMENT," THE RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE RETURNS FOR A HOME SESSION, AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IT REMAINS UNDER FIRE FROM THE TEACHERS UNION, ONE ALLY RESPONSE.

>> EXPERIMENT -- EXPERIMENT CODE -- >> I AM JOHN HAYES AND WHITE JR. AND I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.

JOINING US ON THIS WEEK'S REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE, PATRICK ANDERSON, STATEHOUSE REPORTER FOR THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, TARGET 12 INVESTIGATOR STEPH MACHADO AND ED FITZPATRICK, REPORTER FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE.

WELCOME TO THE LIVELY.

IT IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH THIS.

I AM JIM HUMMEL.

LIKE MANY THINGS, THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE NOT SEEN SINCE EARLY 2020, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN SESSION AT THE STATEHOUSE, A LOT OF MINGLING AND NO PLEXIGLAS.

IT IS CRUNCH TIME FOR A LOT OF LEGISLATORS, AND I SAT DOWN WITH THE SPEAKER ON WEDNESDAY TO TALK ABOUT BEING BACK AND SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS GOING ON ABOUT THE BUDGET NEXT YEAR.

>> I AM EXCITED TO BE BACK.

THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF EXCITEMENT ON THE FLOOR YESTERDAY, AND I THINK IT SENDS A GOOD SIGNAL TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE ARE HERE WORKING, AND THE PANDEMIC IS ENDING.

I SAY TO PEOPLE, WE ARE IN RECOVERY AND THIS IS JUST ANOTHER STEP, AN IMPORTANT ONE, THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE ARE MORE IN ABUNDANCE THIS YEAR, THEY ARE ALL ONE-TIME BENEFITS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF DEFICITS.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE HOSPITAL WILL BE RUNNING AT A DEFICIT.

PEOPLE SAY THE REVENUES ARE UP, BUT EXPENSES ARE UP AS WELL.

WE HAVE TO BALANCE ALL OF THAT.

WE WILL HAVE A CAUCUS SOON WITH THE MEMBERSHIP AND FIND OUT THE BEST WAY TO DO IT.

NEXT YEAR, WE WILL HAVE A CONDITIONAL AMOUNT OF FEDERAL MONEY, AND ESSAY TRY TO STRIVE, THAT MONEY IS REALLY NOT TO BE SPENT.

IT IS TO BE INVESTED.

I WANT TO USE THE MONEY TO HELP RHODE ISLAND LONG-TERM.

THERE ARE A LOT OF LEGISLATORS THAT KNOW WE GO THROUGH CYCLES, AND IT MIGHT BE A GOOD CYCLE AT THE MOMENT, BUT WE ALL KNOW A BAD CYCLE IS COMING WHERE THE REVENUES GO DOWN AND EXPENSES GO UP.

WE NEED TO BALANCE ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

JIM: THE SENATE HAS DECIDED TO FINISH UP THE REST OF THIS YEAR AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE.

THE HOUSE WAS AT THE VETERANS AUDITORIUM FOR A LONG TIME.

I TALKED WITH THE SPEAKER ABOUT BEING BACK COME AND THAT THIS IS REALLY THE TIME.

IT IS THE BUDGET WE ARE LOOKING FOR.

PATRICK: THEY ARE NEGOTIATING THE BUDGET RIGHT NOW AND WE WILL SEE HOW THEY DEAL WITH HAVING EXTRA MONEY, THIS FEDERAL MONEY, WHETHER ANYONE WILL GET THEIR WISH LIST OR NOT OR HOW THEY WILL MANEUVER THAT.

WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR MAYBE SURPRISE ISSUES COMING UP.

THEY USUALLY IS TWIST THE END OF THE YEAR, THINGS THAT WERE NOT ON THE AGENDA FOR MONTHS BEFORE AND THEY KIND OF SNEAK OUT, MAYBE HAVING TO DO WITH HOSPITALS.

WE HAVE A BIG MERGER IN THE WORKS.

THERE IS STILL GONE OUT THERE, A LOT OF ISSUES IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE STUFF WITH THE BUDGET.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES WE HAVE NOT FACED A $300 MILLION DEFICIT, BUT THE SPEAKER SAID THAT IS GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS.

>> IT TOOK A LOT OF THE PRESSURE OFF, BUT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT GUIDANCE THEY GET FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND HOW THEY CAN USE THAT MONEY AND HOW MUCH THEY PUT AWAY FOR FUTURE USE.

AS PATRICK SAID, THERE IS STILL SOME OUTSTANDING ISSUES, THE GUN BILLS, THE MARIJUANA BILL, WHAT FORM THAT MIGHT TAKE AND IF IT IS KICKED TO THE PAUL, A PAY EQUITY BILL, AND WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH ALL OF THE PLEXIGLAS?

>> THERE'S ALSO SOMETHING THAT COULD HAPPEN WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BILL OF RIGHTS.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO GET RID OF IT, WHICH SEEMS UNLIKELY, BUT REFORMING IT COULD BE ON THE TABLE.

A LOT TO DO IN THE NEXT THREE WEEKS AND THAT IS WHY WE MIGHT SEE SOME ISSUES GET PUSHED OFF TO A POTENTIAL FALL SESSION.

>> I REMEMBER YOUR OUTRAGE LAST TIME, THE CITY COUNCIL, THE WHOLE BUDGET NOT -- THE GOVERNMENT BY ZOOM IN PUBLIC ACCESS.

WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE COVERING GOVERNMENT THE SPRING?

STEPH: THE FACT THAT YOU CAN WATCH ON ZOOM HAS BEEN GOOD FOR THE PUBLIC WHO CANNOT GET DOWN TO CITY HALL OR THE STATEHOUSE TO WATCH THESE PUBLIC HEARINGS, BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT IT HAS ALSO RESTRICTED ACCESS IN THE SENSE YOU CANNOT SPEAK TO YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL AFTER THE MEETING AND EXPRESSED CONCERNS.

YOU CANNOT ACCESS HAND OUT DOCUMENTS DURING THE MEETING THAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

PROVIDENCE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF TREND GET THIS UPLOADED, BUT OTHER MUNICIPALITIES DON'T NECESSARILY DO THAT.

I THINK ZOOM WAS GOOD FOR HEALTH CONCERNS DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT AS SOON AS IT IS SAFE TO GO BACK IN PERSON AND EVERYONE IS VACCINATED, I DON'T THINK ZOOM MEETINGS SHOULD BE THE WAY OF THE FUTURE, BUT THEY SHOULD STILL KEEP STREAMING THEIR MEETINGS, EVEN WHEN THEY GO BACK IN PERSON SO PEOPLE CAN KEEP WATCHING THEM.

>> THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER HAS A BILL IN COME AND HE HAS PUT IT IN EVERY YEAR, TO CONTINUE DOING REMOTE MEETINGS.

I THINK THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN HAVING THE BOARDS COME TOGETHER, BUT FOR THE PUBLIC, IF YOU HAVE KIDS AT HOME, IT CAN KIND OF OPEN UP GOVERNMENT.

I HOPE WE TAKE THE GOOD AWAY FROM IT BUT GET EVERYBODY BACK IN THE SAME ROOM.

>> IT WILL BE ODD IF THERE ARE MEETINGS THAT ARE NOT RECORDED.

RIGHT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, THE STATE SENATE WAS NOT EVENING RECORDING AUDIO OF SOME OF THEIR COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

I THINK PEOPLE WILL FIND IT ODD IF WE EVER GO BACK TO A SYSTEM WHERE YOU HAVE TO BE THERE AND THERE IS NO ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO WHAT GOES ON.

>> I BELIEVE YOU ARE AT THAT CONFERENCE WHERE THEY DID THE LITTLE PRESSER ON TUESDAY.

I HEARD YOU ASKING QUESTIONS.

WE ASKED THE GOVERNORABOUT THIS WHOLE ACCESS, OPENING UP THE STATEHOUSE.

IT IS OPEN FROM 9:00 UNTIL 3:00, AND CLEARLY WE CAN GET IN, BUT WHAT MESSAGE DOES THAT SEND?

THE SPEAKER TOLD ME THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING PAYS IS PRETTY MUCH OVER AND NOW WE ARE GOING INTO THE VOTING.

WHAT MESSAGE DOES IT SEND?

WE ASKED THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THAT, WHY ISN'T THE STATEHOUSE OPEN?

>> AFTER I LEFT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, I WANDERED INTO THE WRONG HALLWAY, AND THE POLICE WERE LIKE HEY, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

I DID NOT GET TASED OR ANYTHING, BUT I THINK THEY SHOULD OPEN IT UP AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN.

>> I THINK IT LEADS TO THE BIGGER QUESTION THAT WE ARE STILL IN A STAGE ABOUT URGENCY.

HIS ANSWER WAS NOT PARTICULARLY SPECIFIC OR MEANINGFUL, HE SAID SOMETHING LIKE WHEN IT MAKES SENSE, BUT NOT WHAT IT MEANS.

BEFORE HE WAS GOVERNOR, HE DID SAY MID-MAY, AND HE SAID I WILL LOOK AT IT WHEN 70% OF THE ADULTS ARE VACCINATED.

WE HAVE PASSED THAT POINT SO I THINK HE COULD BE A LITTLE MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT HIS GUIDELINES ARE.

>> THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION EVEN WITHIN THE PRESS CORPS.

I AM ASKING WHO CONTROLS THE STATEHOUSE?

SOMEONE HAVE YOU BELIEVE, STEVE INSISTED THAT IT WAS THE LEGISLATURE AND ITS THE SPEAKER THAT AND HE SAID IT IS THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION.

>> THERE IS A SEPARATION OF POWERS ISSUE, AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR CONTROLS -- THE GOVERNOR IS IN CHARGE OF THE CAPITOL POLICE, SO IF HE TELLS THEM TO KICK PEOPLE OUT AT 3:00, THEY WILL.

WHO COMES INTO THE HEARINGS, I THINK IS UP TO THE LEGISLATURE.

THE COURTS ARE KEEPING THE RULES IN PLACE REGARDLESS OF THE GOVERNOR.

>> ONE OF THE BIG CONCERNS, DON'T YOU THINK FILLING THE ROTUNDA, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, THAT JUST FOR THIS SESSION MAYBE THEY WERE WORRIED QUESTION MARK -- WORRIED ABOUT THAT?

>> I AM SURE THEY HAVE FOUND IT KIND OF CONVENIENT AND NICE AND EASIER NOT TO HAVE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SWARMING THE BUILDING UNTIL ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT AND HAVING TO NEGOTIATE SOME OF THAT STUFF.

IT MAKES IT A LITTLE EASIER FOR THEM TO DEAL WITH THE LAST PARTS OF THE SESSION, TO BE ABLE TO RESTRICT SOME OF THAT STUFF AND KEEP PEOPLE FROM GOING WHEREVER THEY WANT.

>> IS THERE ANY REPORTERS POOL ON THE OVER UNDER?

WE USED TO DO THAT BACK IN THE DAY.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FEELING?

>> I THINK YOUR GAS IS THE BEST GUESS AT THIS POINT.

>> I THINK PROBABLY THE LAST WEEK OF JUNE.

>> THE SPEAKER ASSURED ME HE WOULD CONTINUE THE TRADITION OF BEING DONE AT 9:00 OR 10:00.

I REMEMBER WALKING OUT OF THAT STATEHOUSE AND WATCHING THE SUN COME UP ONE YEAR.

THEN IT WOULD TAKE YOU FOUR MONTHS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY PASSED.

IS THAT YOUR THOUGHT?

>> I DON'T THINK -- I THINK IF THEY ARE COMING BACK TO MAY BE A JOINT JUDGES SESSION IN THE FALL , MARIJUANA AND CONFIRMING SOME JUDGES, AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO GET EVERYTHING DONE IF THERE'S SOMETHING STICKY TOWARDS THE END OF JUNE.

>> PROVIDENCE HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS A LOT.

THE PANDEMIC HIT, AND NOW WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT LEAVING, HARRISON PETER UNDER A CLOUD, THE FOCUS GO BACK TO THE COMMISSIONER, AND NOW SHE IS SHE ADDRESSED THIS LAST NIGHT ABOUT RACISM COMING IN.

I AM NOT SURE HOW MUCH THAT PLAYS IN.

IT WILL BE CONTINGENTS -- CONTENTIOUS WITH THE UNION, SO IF SHE FEELS IT, I CERTAINLY AM NOT GOING TO DISCOUNT THAT.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE?

>> THERE'S BEEN A PERSISTENT FEELING FOR MONTHS THAT THERE IS THIS PREDOMINANTLY WHITE TEACHERS UNION THAT HAS BEEN PERSISTENTLY GOING AFTER THE COMMISSIONER, ESPECIALLY ON TWITTER.

PART OF THIS IS JUST THE EASY ACCESSIBILITY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF ANONYMOUS ACCOUNTS THAT SEEM TO BE RUN BY TEACHERS BECAUSE THEY ARE USING SIMILAR LANGUAGE.

>> AND NO FOLLOWERS.

>> SOME OF THEM DO HAVE FOLLOWERS THAT HAVE BEEN TWEETING THE DISPLEASURE WITH THE COMMISSIONER, AND VALID CRITICISM IS OBVIOUSLY VALID, BUT IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE THERE HAS BEEN CRITICISM THAT HAS HAD RACIAL UNDERTONES OR EVEN OVERTONES.

SO JIM VINCENT SPOKE OUT ABOUT IT LAST NIGHT SAYING THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

THE COMMISSIONER SPOKE OUT ABOUT IT AND SHE SAID IT WAS DISRESPECTFUL.

I THINK THE BOTTOM LINE IS, LIKE YOU SAID, SHE IS IN A CONTENTIOUS NEGOTIATION WITH THE TEACHERS UNION, AND APPARENTLY SHE IS NOT GOING TO BE IN THE ROOM ANYMORE, WHICH IS UNUSUAL TO HAVE THE COMMISSIONER IN THE ROOM.

WE STILL NEED A SUPERINTENDENT.

THEY NEED TO GET THIS STATE TURNAROUND BACK ON TRACK TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> AND SHE RUNS THE ENTIRE STATE.

PROVIDENCE HAS SUCKED UP ALL OF THE AIR IN THE ROOM, AND SHE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE PANDEMIC, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TEST SCORES FROM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WHICH IS ALMOST SEEM TO BE HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN.

>> THE MAYOR HAS BEEN EXPRESSING HIS FRUSTRATION WITH THE TURNAROUND.

HE SAID THE ONLY REASON HE AGREED TO THE IDEA OF A STATE TAKEOVER WAS TO ADDRESS THE CONTRACT AND USE THE CRAWLEY ACT TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING.

THE PRESSURE IS ON TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING.

>> I THINK YOU LOSE SIGHT OF WHETHER, WHAT THE ISSUES ARE IN THIS FIGHT BETWEEN THE TEACHERS UNION AND THE STATE.

WE HEAR SENIORITY, BUT I THINK THE MORE THIS GETS PERSONAL AND UGLY, WE KEEP GETTING FURTHER AWAY FROM WHAT THEY ACTUALLY ARE DEBATING AND NEGOTIATING, AND WHAT IS ON THE TABLE, IS THERE SOMETHING SUBSTANTIVE ABOUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO EDUCATE THE STUDENTS IN PROVIDENCE THAT IS ACTUALLY BEING HASHED OUT.

I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER OF WHAT THE MAIN STICKING POINT IS OR WHAT THE SUBSTANTIVE ISSUE IS, BUT THAT IS THE THING THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW, WHAT IS THE PLAN TO TURN THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT AROUND.

REGARDLESS OF WHO IS IN CONTROL.

>> THERE IS AN ARGUMENT THAT THEY SHOULD GO TO COURT BECAUSE IF THEY COME DOWN AND BREAK OPEN THE CONTRACT WHICH IS WHAT THE MAYOR WANTS THE STATE TO DO, THE UNION WILL SUE AND IT WILL END UP IN COURT.

THERE IS AN ARGUMENT THEY SHOULD JUST GO TO COURT, ASK FOR A DECLARATORY JUDGMENT AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO TO CHANGE THE CONTRACT.

IT IS BEEN ALMOST TWO YEARS, IF THEY AREN'T COMING TO AN AGREEMENT, YOU MIGHT AS WELL.

THEN A LOT MORE OF IT WILL BE OUT IN THE OPEN IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY ARE PROPOSING.

WE HEAR A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT IS GOING ON, BUT THERE IS AN ARGUMENT THAT IT IS TIME TO TAKE SOME KIND OF ACTION, WHICH THE COMMISSIONER SAYS WE SHOULD KEEP NEGOTIATING.

>> TODAY IN THE GLOBE THE HOPE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL WROTE AN ARTICLE TALKING ABOUT HOW LEADERS OF COLOR ARE LEAVING THE DISTRICT, AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE DISTRICT IS IN A TIME OF CHAOS.

>> WE HAD BOB WALSH ON IT LAST WEEK, AND I SAID WHY DON'T THEY JUST GO IN AND IMPOSE THE CONTRACT.

I COULD HEAR BOB, HE SAID THEY WILL WIND UP IN COURT RATE AND OF COURSE THEY WOULD.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAID THE AGE-OLD THING IS WHY DON'T WE HAVE NEGOTIATIONS IN THE OPEN.

DON'T YOU THINK THE TAXPAYERS, NOT ONLY -- THROUGHOUT THE STATE SHOULD REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT?

>> NO DOUBT.

THEY ARE PAYING A MEDIATOR, AND I HAVE NOT DONE THE MATH, BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC MONEY, A PUBLIC CONTRACT AND THE CONTRACT WILL BE PUBLIC, BUT NEGOTIATIONS ARE ALWAYS PRIVATE.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE START TALKING IN PUBLIC AND THE OTHER SIDE SAYS YOU SHOULD NOT NEGOTIATE IN THE PRESS.

I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD BE WILLING TO SPEAK ABOUT IT PUBLICLY.

>> I REMEMBER THE TEACHERS STRIKES, AND THEY WOULD GO ON STRIKE AND BRING THEM INTO COURT , AND I REMEMBER SOME TEACHERS WENT TO JAIL.

IT WAS AN EYE-OPENER FOR ME, AND THEY DO NOT ACTUALLY NEGOTIATE FACE TO FACE.

A ROOM HERE, AND A ROOM HERE, AND THEY GO BACK AND FORTH.

>> I AM TOLD THEY ARE BACK IN THE SAME ROOM NOW.

>> IF I WAS A MEDIATOR, I WOULD PUT THEM IN THE ROOM AND SAY NO COOLERS IN YOU CANNOT GO TO THE BATHROOM UNTIL WE GET SOMETHING ON.

THERE HAS BEEN TALK ABOUT, EVEN WITH THE COMMISSIONER RESIGNING, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW SHE CAME IN UNDER THE GOVERNOR, I GET THE FEELING SHE WANTS TO STAY.

ALMOST LIKE LEAVING WOULD BE A DEFEAT AND KIND OF CAVING TO >> I THINK IT SURPRISE SOME PEOPLE THAT SHE STAYED, AND A LOT OF THAT CABINET HAS DAY.

A LOT OF TIME THERE IS A MUCH HIGHER RATE OF TURNOVER WITH THE CHANGE OF GOVERNOR.

BECAUSE SHE CAME IN FROM NEW YORK, A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPECTED SHE MIGHT NOT STAY.

IT DOES SEEM LIKE SHE REALLY IS INVESTED IN RHODE ISLAND AND BEING HERE AND HAS DOUG IN AND DOES NOT WANT TO DO -- WANT TO SEE THAT AS A DEFEAT BEFORE THIS IS RESOLVED.

>> SHE HAS YOUNG KIDS, SO YOU DON'T WANT TO UPROOT THEM.

I THINK THE SAME THING WITH THE MCKEE ADMINISTRATION, THE DOT AND THE STATE POLICE ARE ALWAYS KIND OF SEPARATE FROM THE CHANGES.

I WONDER IF A COUPLE MONTHS FROM NOW WE WILL SEE CHANGES IN THE CABINET.

GET THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND THE SUMMER, BECAUSE YOU CANNOT BLOW UP THE ENTIRE THING IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC.

>> I THINK HE IS STILL GETTING HIS MIND AROUND SOME ISSUES.

IT WOULD NOT BE SURPRISING TO SEE CHANGES.

I THINK THE COMMISSIONER ONCE TO SEE THIS THROUGH, HAVE SOME KIND OF FINALITY TO THE TURNAROUND BEFORE SH MAKES ANY KIND OF MOVE.

IT WAS INTERESTING WHEN THE GOVERNOR SAID IT DID NOT WORK TO HAVE THE DECISION-MAKER IN THE NEGOTIATIONS, AND TO CHANGE THAT UP AND GRAB THE WHEEL A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> AND MAYBE FREE HER UP TO DO SOME OTHER STUFF.

YOU HAD AN INTERESTING STORY OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL SITUATION.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS PASSED -- WHERE IS IT?

>> THE SENATE PASSED A THREE-YEAR MORATORIUM ON CHATTER -- CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE GETTING READY TO OPEN THIS FALL AND THEY ARE WAITING ON FINAL APPROVALS.

THE MORATORIUM WOULD BLOCK THEM, BUT GOVERNOR MCKEE HAS SAID HE WILL VETO IT IF IT REACHES HIS DESK.

TECHNICALLY I'M TOLD IT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION IN THE HOUSE, BUT THEY NEED A TWO THIRDS MAJORITY TO OVERRIDE -- >> HE MIGHT VETO IT TOWARDS THE END OF THE -- >> IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT, AS IT IS WRITTEN, THE MORATORIUM AS IT IS WRITTEN, BEING RETROACTIVE, IS GOING TO PASS.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WILL BE SOME SORT OF COMPROMISE.

THE ARGUMENT ON THE OTHER, AND THAT THE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE CANCELED MADE IS THERE IS THIS DEMAND FOR CHARTER SEATS.

THE SCHOOLS HAVE BETTER TEST SCORES ALTHOUGH THEY SAY THE SCORES ARE NOT EVERYTHING.

THEY ARE SERVING THE MAJORITY URBAN CORE STUDENTS, ONE OF THE STATISTICS THAT BLEW ME AWAY WAS THAT ONE THIRD OF STUDENTS IN CENTRAL FALLS ARE CHOOSING TO GO TO CHARTER SCHOOLS INSTEAD OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND MAYBE EVEN MORE IF THEY HAD MORE SEATS BECAUSE THERE IS A WAIT LIST.

THE ARGUMENT IS THE DEMAND IS THERE.

WE SHOULD HAVE THESE SEATS FOR THESE KIDS.

>> GOING BACK TO PROVIDENCE, THERE IS BUT PROVIDENCE PRINCETON ISSUE WHICH IS COMING DOWN THE PIPE AT THE SAME TIME, AND IT FEELS LIKE GROUNDHOG DAY'S WITH MAYOR ELORZA ASKING FOR A PENSION FIX AT THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE YEAR.

I DON'T THINK -- >> SO HE WANTS TO BOND IT OUT.

>> HE WANTS TO BORROW 750 MILLION TO RECAPITALIZE THE PENSION FUND, AND THERE IS RISK BECAUSE YOU ARE ADDING NEW BORROWING COSTS AND RELYING ON YOUR INVESTMENT TURNS TO EXCEED WHAT THE BORROWING COSTS ARE GOING TO BE LONG RUN.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IT GOT GREAT RECEPTION.

ANOTHER BIG PENSION FIX IDEA AT THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEFORE WE HAD SELLING THE PROVIDENCE WATER AUTHORITY, THAT DID NOT GO OVER WELL.

THERE IS THAT HANGING OVER PROVIDENCE AT THE SAME TIME.

THEY ARE DEBATING THE CHARTER SCHOOL ISSUE.

>> WE ARE GETTING TO THE 11TH HOUR.

>> I THINK THE MAYOR WOULD BE BEHIND THAT, BUT AS YOU SAW AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE SAID THAT WOULD BE LIKE ROLLING THE DICE AND HE DOES NOT THINK THERE IS TIME LEFT TO DO THE REPORTS TO SEE IF THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE.

I DON'T KNOW.

THAT SEEMS LIKE A HAIL MARY AT THIS POINT, BUT TO GO BACK -- THE SCHOOL FUNDING, THEY HAD A REPORT A COUPLE MONTHS AGO ABOUT HOW MAYBE WITH THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO DO IS CHANGE THE FUNDING FORMULA TO GET INTO PLACES WHERE -- SOME OF THE POORER DISTRICTS.

>> AND IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF MONEY, OK, IF IT WILL REALLY TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS, MAYBE WE HAVE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE.

WHERE IS THAT GOING TO BE IN THE OUT YEARS?

>> THE BIG ARGUMENT IS BECAUSE THE MONEY FOLLOWS THE STUDENTS, IF A LOT OF LEAVING THE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO GO TO CHARTERS, THERE WERE ABOUT -- THERE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH MONEY.

THEY SAID YOU COULD HAVE SOME TRANSITIONAL MONEY WHERE THERE IS A GRADUAL -- YOU GET THE DISTRICTS MORE MONEY, BUT THEN IT WOULD PETER OUT.

AS YOU MENTION, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE IS UNDETERMINED.

>> LET'S GO TO OUTRAGES AND ARE KUDOS.

MR. FITZPATRICK DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING?

YOU HAVE A LITTLE GRID.

>> THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS THING LATELY WAS HOW BELARUS TOOK A PLANE OUT OF THE SKY TO GET A BLOGGER WHO DISAGREED WITH THE PRESIDENT.

>> THEY SAID THERE WAS SOME -- >> THEY SAID IT WAS A BOMB THREAT AND YESTERDAY HE WAS IN A TORTURE CHAMBER.

IT HAD THE SPOTLIGHT ON HIM AND HE WAS SAYING I THINK THE PRESIDENT IS A GREAT GUY, ALL OF A SUDDEN THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS.

PATRICK: I WILL GO POSITIVE, KUDU'S TO THE HOUSE FOR COMING BACK AND NOT STAYING AT THE VETERANS, BUT IT RAISES THE QUESTION OF RAISING THE SENATE -- ARE THEY GOING TO BE FEELING LEFT OUT?

WILL THE HOUSE MOVE IN AND TAKE UP MORE SPACE, AND THE SENATE NEEDS TO COME BACK AND RECLAIM THE TURF.

>> THE SNACKS ARE TOO GOOD OUT AT THE STADIUM.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF WALKING BACK AND FORTH.

>> WILL THEY DO IT REMOTELY?

>> JOE IS SITTING IN THE BACK% WITH A CIGAR.

>> YOU STEPPED ON MY OUTRAGE WHEN WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE MEETINGS, BUT I STILL HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GET IT THROUGH MY HEAD THAT WE HAVE LIFTED RESTRICTIONS AND YOU CAN GO TO A NIGHTCLUB, RUB SHOULDERS WITH STRANGERS, BUT YOU CANNOT GO WATCH YOUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES IN A ROOM AND SPEAK TO THEM FACE TO FACE.

YOU CAN TESTIFY ON THE PHONE IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS OR SOMETIMES ON ZOOM, BUT YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE STATE HOUSE BY 3:00.

THAT JUST DOES NOT SQUARE.

>> WE HAVE READ ABOUT SOME HORROR STORIES ABOUT THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WHEN THEY START ASKING QUESTIONS.

YOU HAVE A MINUTE.

>> THAT TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES EXIST, AND THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A FACE-TO-FACE CONVERSATION.

>> WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES LEFT.

WE DO NOT WANT TO CALL YOU THE POT GIRL, BUT ARE THEY PUTTING YOU IN THE CANNABIS COMMISSION?

WE WERE TALKING EARLIER, AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL GET PUSHED OFF.

>> IT IS REMARKABLE WHERE WE HAVE COME BECAUSE LAST YEAR THE ARGUMENT WAS ABOUT SHOULD BE LEGALIZED.

IT IS JUST HOW WE SHOULD DO IT.

THERE WAS A LOT OF LAMENT THEM AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION.

THE LEADERSHIP PUT FORWARD A PROPOSALAND THE GOVERNOR PUT FORWARD A PROPOSAL.

THE STICKING POINT IS WHO IS GOING TO HAVE OVERSIGHT, SHOULD IT BE THIS INDEPENDENT COMMISSION, WHERE IT IS A FIVE-MEMBER PANEL THAT IS DOLING OUT LICENSES AND DECDING HOW MANY TO GIVE OUT, HE SHOULD GET THEM.

OR SHOULD IT STAY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS REGULATION, WHERE THEY ARE DOING AT NOW AND SORT OF HAVE A SORT OF ESTABLISHED STAFF, AND THEY CRACKDOWN ON ANY WRONGDOING OR IMPROPRIETY.

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE AT, WHERE THE GOVERNOR MCKEE WANTS TO KEEP IT THERE.

THERE IS A NEW HOUSE BILL FROM LAST WEEK THAT WOULD KEEP IT IN DPR.

THEY NEED TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT AND I JUST DON'T SEE ANY HUGE URGENCY TO -- >> DO YOU RECALL IF IT WAS WRITTEN INTO THE BUDGET?

SO THEY WILL HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT?

>> BELOW THAT, OF ALL OF THE PROCEDURAL QUESTIONS OF WHO CONTROLS THIS DECISION-MAKING, WHO ACTUALLY CONTROLS THE PLANTS AND WHO GETS TO SELL, HOW THAT IMPACTS WHO HAS THE DISPENSARIES AND WHO GETS TO OPEN THE STORES.

IT WOULD BE A REALLY INTERESTING WAY FOR LEGALIZATION NOT TO HAPPEN, FOR EVERYONE TO AGREE THAT IT HAS TO HAPPEN FOR IT THAT IS KIND OF THE GALAXY WAY TO KILL IT.

I HAVE HEARD THERE IS A PUSH TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING HAPPENS AND WE DON'T GET TO THAT POINT.

>> WHO CONTROLS THE PLANTS, THE HEADLINE.

>> I DON'T THINK IT IS A DEALBREAKER FOR THE BUDGET, BUT I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT THE SLATER BILL AND SOME OF THE OTHER LEGISLATORS ARE PUSHING FOR THE SOCIAL EQUITY PART OF IT TO KIND OF MAKE UP FOR THE WAR ON DRUGS.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF IT.

>> THAT WAS A QUICK 30 MINUTES.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE YOU ON THE SET.

GET OUT THERE AND DO YOUR JOBS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US EVERY WEEK.

WE ARE GOING INTO A BUSY SESSION AT THE LEGISLATURE.

WE WILL HAVE IT COVERED FOR YOU.

COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK.

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