Lincoln Chafee - Independent Candidate for Rhode Island Governor

Press Releases: June 2010 Archives

Chafee criticizes Board of Governors Chairman Frank Caprio for lack of free and open discussion concerning need for combined school of nursing

June 30, 2010

Click here to download PDF of press release.

DATE: June 30, 2010
CONTACT: John R. Pagliarini
#456-0003 (work)
#261-5811 (cell)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHAFEE CRITICIZES BOARD OF GOVERNORS CHAIRMAN FRANK CAPRIO FOR LACK OF FREE AND OPEN DISCUSSION CONCERNING NEED FOR COMBINED SCHOOL OF NURSING

Warwick - Lincoln Chafee, independent candidate for governor, today expressed his deep concern over comments made by Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education Chairman Frank Caprio concerning a proposed combined nursing facility to be shared by the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.

Chafee was referring in particular to Chairman Caprio's characterization of questions raised by the dean of Rhode Island College's School of Nursing as "insulting." The remark was reported in today's edition of The Providence Journal.

"Before we spend $60 million on a bond issue, vigorous debate should be encouraged, not stifled," said Chafee. "I want questions asked and research done. The state has made enough mistakes that have cost the taxpayers' money due to hasty decisions."

Chafee added, "It seems appropriate to me that you would want to consult the very academic professionals that will be using the new building and determining from them whether they think it's beneficial or not."

Chafee said that he agrees with the statement by the dean of the Rhode Island College School of Nursing, Dr. Jane Williams, that the two schools serve distinctive populations. Chafee said he believes we should be vigilant about protecting the current opportunities for first generation students to advance in the nursing field. "I feel that that it is a legitimate concern that should be addressed," said Chafee. He also mentioned that a greater number of Rhode Island College students come from within the state and a large number of those from minority communities.

"Lastly, I think it's important to remember that in state tuition for the University of Rhode Island is approximately $7,000 higher than for Rhode Island College," said Chafee. "There is no question that Rhode Island College is working hard to provide an accessible and affordable quality education, and that is certainly reflected in its outstanding nursing program."

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Press Release: Chafee Deplores False and Misleading Political Attack Web Site

June 24, 2010

Click here to download the press release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Name: J.R. Pagliarini
June 23, 2010 Number: 401.456.0003 (w), 401.261.5811 ©
e-mail: jrpag@chafeeforgovernor.com

Chafee Deplores False and Misleading Political Attack Web Site
-Condemns Democratic Governors Association Disinformation Campaign
-Calls www.SenatorChafee.com Deliberate Effort to Confuse Voters -

Warwick, R.I. - Senator Lincoln D. Chafee, independent candidate for Governor of Rhode Island, today called out the Washington D.C.-based national Democratic Governor's Association (DGA) for attempting to confuse voters and mislead the public by establishing a political attack web site (www.senatorchafee.com) that falsely distorts Senator Chafee's record of service as United States Senator and Mayor of Warwick.

"The DGA's attack web site represents everything that is wrong with politics today," Senator Chafee said. "It's a deliberate political ploy, paid for by out-of-state special interest groups, to confuse and mislead voters about the Chafee for Governor campaign and my record of public service."

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RI gov. candidates spar on taxes, budget gaps

BusinessWeek
By, MICHELLE R. SMITH

Former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee criticized some of his fellow candidates for Rhode Island governor for persistent state budget deficits and faced criticism himself for his proposal to put a 1 percent sales tax on items such as groceries and medicine during a candidates forum Wednesday.

The forum, hosted by the Rhode Island Latino Civic Fund at the Providence campus of the Community College of Rhode Island, featured the sharpest exchanges yet among a crowded field of candidates, as General Treasurer Frank Caprio hammered the independent Chafee's sales tax idea as too much of a burden for Rhode Island families.

Chafee says his proposal would raise about $100 million and keep the state from making further cuts to local communities, which are then forced to raise property taxes, something he says hurts homeowners, tenants and business owners alike. Caprio, a Democrat, went after the idea.

"Sen. Chafee, we cannot put another bill on working families' tables across our state," he said. "Adding more taxes is not going to cut any property tax, it's just going to add one more bill to the kitchen table."

Caprio told the audience that Chafee's sales tax plan would "add $400 to the average family's pile of bills," a claim Chafee took issue with following the debate.

"I think it's more like $100," Chafee said.

Chafee said some of the $100 million would come from spending by people from out of state who are visiting the tourist mecca of Newport or attending a convention in Providence. His spokesman, J.R. Pagliarini, pointed out that by Caprio's math, a family would have to spend $40,000 on currently exempt items, which include clothing, heating fuel and farm equipment, every year to get an additional $400 tax bill.

"I'd be hard pressed to find anyone who spends that amount," Pagliarini said.

He said Chafee's $100 million estimate comes from a 2008 report by the Department of Revenue that estimated the amount the state would bring in if several dozen exempt items were subject to sales tax.

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R.I. gubernatorial debate centers on illegal immigration

ProJo.com
By, Steve Peoples

PROVIDENCE -- Seven men fighting to become Rhode Island's next governor confronted their differences on illegal immigration Wednesday night, sparring publicly over an issue that has divided the state and nation in recent months.

The candidates were blunt at times during a passionate discussion that spanned two hours. And a running feud between the front-runners prompted complaints of mudslinging.

But Wednesday's debate at the Community College of Rhode Island's Providence campus offered voters a fresh and explosive angle by which to judge those fighting for the state's top elected post.

"Due to the extent that the population continues to grow, Latino issues are more prominent," said Doris De Los Santos, president of the Rhode Island Latino Civic Fund, which sponsored the debate. "There is a lot at stake with these gubernatorial elections."

Facing a crowd packed with Latinos, the candidates were asked about Arizona's recent immigration law, Governor Carcieri's 2008 executive order cracking down on illegal immigration, in-state college tuition for undocumented immigrants, and the controversial "E-Verify" proposal, which would require private employers to check workers' immigration status.

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Chafee says expanding R.I. sales tax could raise $89.3 million

June 18, 2010

PolitiFact Rhode Island

Former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee shook up the political world in January when he called for a sales tax increase as part of his formal announcement of his candidacy for governor.

Specifically, he proposed a two-tiered sales tax in which exempt items, including food, clothing and over-the-counter drugs, would be taxed at 1 percent to help close the gap between state revenue and state spending.

He outlines the plan on his website: "Currently all exempt items total $8,936,785,714 in untaxed revenue. If we were to tax these items at 1% the state would receive an additional $89,376,857. This money plus reforming the mandates on cities and towns and continuing to cut government spending could help us be the master of our economic destiny in this state."

Such specificity begs to be verified, so we decided to see whether Chafee's numbers add up. Would Chafee's plan raise what he promises?

The most authoritative source of information on how much the state collects from the assorted taxes and fees it levies is the state Department of Revenue.

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Gubernatorial Candidates Share Their Views On The Arts

June 11, 2010

GoLocalProv.com

The candidates for Governor voiced their opinions and demonstrated their knowledge about the arts as a business segment of the economy. Hear their views, see what they know, learn about their vision. Watch Part 1, Jobs and Part 2, Policies and Practices.

The Arts & Business Council and RI Citizens for the Arts sponsored the candidates interviews in conjunction with GoLocalProv.com.

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Linc Chafee is a tested leader of unquestioned integrity and a strong independent voice. As Governor, he will work hard to create new jobs, rebuild our economy, solve our chronic budget problems, end corruption, and forge a new way forward for Rhode Island.

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