Track Record
Since entering politics in 1985, Linc Chafee has distinguished himself as an independent politician embodying both fiscally conservative and socially liberal values. His moderate stances have allowed Chafee to effectively legislate with the cooperation of both Democrats and Republicans. As Mayor of Warwick, Linc led a bipartisan effort to get the city out of recession, initiated the plan to ensure intelligent growth near T.F. Green Airport, set aside more open space than any administration in the previous 40 years and ended seven consecutive years with a budget surplus. His Senate service is distinguished by his fiscal discipline, support for the environment, health care and individual liberties. Chafee often "crossed the aisle" in the face of Republican extremism: he was the only Republican Senator to vote against the war in Iraq, President Bush's unfunded tax cuts and support gay marriage. Chafee was also one of 14 bipartisan senators to forge a compromise on the use of judicial filibusters. Linc Chafee's past political endorsements include NARAL, the Human Rights Campaign, the Concord Coalition, the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters.
[Sen. Chafee] understands that reaching across the aisle and working together more often than not results in better decisions and better, longer lasting policy solutions." --Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Massachusetts
"Senator Chafee is an individual both with character and sincere devotion to our State and Nation, an honest, decent man who is always respectful, thoughtful, and fair-minded. He is someone with whom we are all proud to have served. He is someone in this House respected for his integrity and for his determination."
--Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island
"[Sen. Chafee] votes his conviction and his conscience, not just a party line. Senator Chafee's legacy will be defined by his leadership on environmental protection and fiscal responsibility. On both, he has had a forward-looking approach, grounded in common sense, for which our grandchildren will be grateful."
--Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan
"Senator Chafee was never afraid to put his beliefs ahead of party pressure. He has voted to support stem cell research and a responsible exit strategy in Iraq; and his strong environmental record, including opposition to oil drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve, has earned him the endorsement of prominent conservationist groups." --Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Connecticut
"Senator Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island has been an independent voice for his State and the issues he believes in, regardless of partisan consideration."
--Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana
"Senator Lincoln Chafee is a great man, a loyal Rhode Islander, and a great American."
--Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah
"Senator Lincoln Chafee came from a political tradition I am proud to share--that of the New England moderate. This tradition stands for a strong defense of freedom and for fiscal responsibility, for government that is unobtrusive in people's lives when it can be, yet compassionate and involved when it must be." --Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine
"Lincoln Chafee has also been a strong voice for fiscal discipline. He has repeatedly opposed reckless tax cuts and supported pay-as-you-go budget rules to bring the budget back into balance. The bipartisan Concord Coalition has twice recognized him for his fiscal responsibility."
--Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan
U.S. Senate Appropriations Highlights
Roadways and Transportation
- Warwick's Apponaug Bypass ($22 million)
- Kennedy Plaza ($2 million)
- Middletown's East Main Road ($5 million)
- Weybosset street ($750,000) Routes 1 ($2.75 million) and 138 ($4 million) in South Kingstown
- $500,000 improvements to the areas in and around the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol, RI
- Substantial Funds for the development of the East Providence shoreline, easing access to the area south of the Washington Bridge, near Taunton and Warren Avenue
- $12 million appropriation for the I-195 relocation project
Bridges- $15.5 million needed for the removal of the old Jamestown Bridge
- $11 million for the Warren Bridge, which connects Barrington and Warren
- $7 million will go to the repair of the Pawtucket Bridge
Bike Paths and Trails
- $31 million for Rhode Island's bike paths and trails:
- $10.5 million for the development of the Blackstone River Bikeway, along the Blackstone River between Providence and Woonsocket
- Coventry Greenway/Trestle Trail bike path ($8 million), which runs to the Connecticut border along the existing Trestle Trail
- Bike paths in and along the Woonasquatucket River Greenway ($6 million)
- Colt State Park ($2 million)
- Ten Mile Greenway ($3 million)
- The South County Bike path ($2 million)
Environment: Ponds and Clean Water- Pawtuxet Cove Federal Navigation Project: $1.44 million for maintenance dredging of the Pawtuxet Cove Federal Navigation Project
- Bullocks Cove Dredging: $630,000 for dredging Bullocks Cove in East Providence
- $108,000 to complete plans and construction on repairs to the East Dock in Old Harbor at Block Island
- Fox Point Hurricane Barrier: $525,000 for critical maintenance, repair, and upgrades to the electro-mechanical control system for the pumps at the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier
- South Shore Habitat Restoration Project: $750,000 million for the South Shore Habitat Restoration Project
- Town Pond (Boyd's Marsh): $500,000 for Town Pond (Boyd's Marsh) to complete construction on the restoration of 20 acres of salt pond and salt marsh habitat in Portsmouth's Allin's Cove
- $300,000 for Allin's Cove to complete construction on the restoration of salt marsh habitat in Barrington
- Ten Mile River Anadromous Fish Restoration $250,000 for the Ten Mile River Anadromous Fisheries Restoration in East Providence
- Brush Neck Cove: $150,000 for Brush Neck Cove in Warwick
- Charlestown Breachway: $90,000 for the Charlestown Breachway
- Project Condition Surveys: $360,000 for the Army Corps to assess and study the condition of federal channels throughout the state to determine whether dredging is needed
- $14,000 to be utilized by the Army Corps for the inspection of recently completed Army Corps projects in Rhode Island, including the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier
- Slater Mill: $250,000 for dam repair
- $21 million for dredging the Providence River
- $20,000 for a Rhode Island Ecosystem Restoration Survey
Community
- Brown University MRI Research Facility: $1 million to provide infrastructure and support to
facilitate research and educational activities using magnetic resonance
imaging technology at the University
- City of Providence: $250,000 for neighborhood investment program
- Pawtucket Armory Association: $250,000 for renovation of building as an Arts Center
- Westbay Community Center: $250,000 for building purchase
- Phoenix House:$100,000 for training
- Dorcas Place: $150,000 for curriculum and operating expenses
- Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence $100,000 for program to reduce substance abuse and violence
- Meeting Street National Center of Excellence: $650,000
- Rhode Island College: $250,000 for State Home and School Project
- Youth in Action: $50,000 for substance abuse reduction program
- CODAC Behavioral Healthcare: $100,000 for outreach programs
- $2.163 million to be devoted for Project Condition Surveys
Warwick HighlightsControlled Taxes and Spending
- Ended seven consecutive years with a budget surplus
- Maintained our A-1 bond rating, saving taxpayers millions in interest
- Managed an honest and equitable property revaluation
- Improved Education
- $5 million expansion of the Warwick Public Library
- $11 million in school improvements
- Over 70 percent of our graduating seniors went on to college
Protected Our Quality of Life
- Set aside more open space than any administration in the previous 40 years
- Brought back the street beautification and Adopt An Island programs
- Made Warwick a statewide model of recycling and cutting the tonnage of trash to be dumped at the landfill
Guided Growth- Initiated the Warwick Station Master Plan to ensure intelligent growth around the planned Warwick Intermodal Station near T.F. Green Airport
- Completed the first substantial rewrite of the city's development regulations in more than 40 years
- Insisted that the FAA enforce the 1999 deadline for outlawing the noisiest jets
- Created the first Memorandum of Agreement between the city and the state Airport Corporation, giving the city a voice in airport issues
Expanded Senior Services- Formed a nationally recognized partnership between JONAH Senior Center, J.A. Trudeau Center and West Bay Community Action
- Created the Pilgrim Under The Stars evening meal program
- Moved the Human Services Department from City Hall to Buttonwoods Senior Center, to ensure easier access to services
- Bought two new Transwick vans
Promoted Better Health and Fitness
- Built new tracks at Pilgrim, Warwick Vets and Toll Gate high schools
- New lights and track at Gorton Junior High
- Improved tennis courts at Toll Gate
- Improved the Father Tirocchi athletic complex and Clegg Field
- Renovated 11 neighborhood playgrounds
- Built a new bike path, boardwalk and boat ramp at Oakland Beach
Lincoln Chafee has forged a path of independence and he is now prepared, with your support, to bring his unquestioned integrity, proven record of working together for the common good, and ability to represent our state at the highest levels of business and government to the Governor's Office.
Wed., Mar. 10, 2010
Johnston Senior Center
Meet and Greet
Location: 1291 Hartford Ave JohnstonWhen: 11:30 AM
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Wed., Mar. 10, 2010
Pecha Kucha, Volume #12
Lincoln Chafee will be presenting at the 12th night and one-year anniversary of Pecha Kucha in Providence, a monthly adult-style show & tell. All are welcome!
Location: Waterplace Restaurant, 1 Finance Way, ProvidenceWhen: 7:20 PM
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Thu., Mar. 11, 2010
Coalition of New England Companies for Trade
Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) Annual Trade & Transportation Conference, Hyatt Regency, Newport, Rhode Island. Thursday, March 10, 8:45 - 9:15 AM. Senator Chafee will deliver the Senator John Chafee Memorial Scholarship to five deserving students.
Location: Hyatt Regency, Newport, Rhode IslandWhen: 8:45 AM
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