From the 36...
My perspectives on the issues impacting Rhode Island and District 36
Welcome to From the 36. It’s a place where I share what’s happening in and around our corner of Rhode Island, from Narragansett to North Kingstown to Block Island.
Sometimes it’s policy, sometimes it’s personal, but it’s always about the people and issues that shape our community.
Check in often to see what’s on my mind, what’s going on in District 36, and how together we can keep turning the tide in the right direction.
A Millionaire's Tax Worked in Massachusetts. Will It Work in Rhode Island?
Massachusetts has generated billions from its millionaire's tax, but Rhode Island's smaller economy, smaller tax base, and growing budget should give us pause.
Before asking taxpayers for more money, we should ask a simpler question:
Are Rhode Islanders getting their money's worth?
Running Against Apathy
Too many Rhode Islanders care deeply about the future of our state but choose to sit on the sidelines.
On top of that, one of the most common things I hear is, "I don't get involved in politics."
Whether we participate or not, decisions are still being made.
The only question is whether we'll have a say in them.
Rhode Island’s $233 Million Jackpot
Rhode Island’s budget just hit a “jackpot.”
The state suddenly has an extra $233 million to work with, but where did the money actually come from?
A closer look at the numbers reveals a more complicated story about capital gains, inflation, affordability, and whether this revenue surge is temporary or sustainable.
Employment Numbers Are Moving in the Wrong Direction
Rhode Island lost 1,000 jobs in February.
Unemployment ticked up to 4.6%, and over the past year, there are fewer Rhode Islanders working today than there were a year ago.
These aren’t isolated data points. They’re signals.
A Plan to Help Small Businesses… That Doesn’t
A new proposal aims to help small businesses by encouraging local investment.
It sounds like a win, but a closer look reveals a program that may be too narrow, too complex, and too limited to make a real impact.
The rules, restrictions, and real-world costs raise a bigger question: who does this actually help?
Who’s Checking the Bill?
Before you pay a restaurant bill, you take a look to make sure everything adds up.
Similarly, Rhode Island spends billions each year on healthcare and social services.
When it comes to billions in taxpayer dollars, we need to ask: Who’s checking the bill?
Something Smells in Quonset And It’s Not Just the Sludge
The sludge project in Quonset was approved in 2024 and is only now becoming a public issue.
That raises a bigger question.
How did something like this move forward without people knowing about it sooner?
What We’ll Be Watching at the State House This Session
As the new legislative session begins on January 6th, we’re focused on accountability, not rhetoric.
We outline the key issues we’ll be watching at the State House, and how decisions affect cost of living, growth, and opportunity for Rhode Islanders.
Holding our elected officials accountable to outcomes matter to Rhode Islanders and help us overcome apathy.
“an education in knowledge pays the best interest.”
— BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Inventor & Statesman