Over the next thirty days, the RIGOP will select a new leader. We must all remain focused, energized, and be 100% supportive of the new leader whomever it may be. Ken’s moving on is but a bump in the road which the RIGOP will weather just fine.

I look forward to continue working with the RIGOP on issues of building an effective Party, an army of candidates, and addressing the issues that face us all in the State of Rhode Island, from taxes to illegal immigration to pension reform, to an out of control General Assembly, and as we all know, the list goes on.

Conservatively yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, RIRA

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly, like just about every other person and organization concerned about the solvency of the State of Rhode Island, adamantly opposes binding arbitration. Monetary issues in public-sector union contracts should not be decided by unelected individuals, who cannot be recalled by the election process if they saddle the taxpayers with budget-busting contracts. It is the responsibility of our elected representatives to make decisions in the public interest for the general welfare. Appointed bureaucrats should not be making decisions that are going to financially affect the taxpayers who then have no ability to reward or punish those decisions at the ballot box.

As the state and local cities and towns all struggle with out-of-control spending, the last thing we need is to permit binding arbitration which would allow our elected representatives to continue to avoid the hard fiscal decisions which must be made.

In a recent Projo article, it was pointed out that “…subjecting monetary issues to the binding-arbitration process would allow for quicker resolutions of contract disputes.” Perhaps so, but faster is not necessarily better. It is always faster to surrender than to fight, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the right decision.

In that same Projo article, Daniel Beardsley, Jr., executive director of the League of Cities and Towns was quoted as saying that allowing binding arbitration “…would put another half-dozen communities on the precipice of bankruptcy.” Agreed, and if bankruptcy were to be avoided, it would put such an increased burden on the taxpayers that more Rhode Islanders would be forced to leave the state in self-defense.

Another aspect of House bill 5700, in addition to the binding arbitration provision, is that contract benefits would automatically continue until a new agreement is reached. This is absurd! The taxpayers cannot afford what we have now, as evidenced by the red ink flowing everywhere. This continuation of salaries and benefits after a contract has expired renders it virtually impossible to ever reduce the pay and benefits of public-sector union workers. There is a business cycle, and labor is one component of the production of goods and services. If the cost of labor is only allowed to go one way – up, regardless of the economic environment, the inevitable consequence will be fewer goods and services. In the current economic environment, many private-sector workers have taken pay cuts, lost their health insurance coverage, or even lost their jobs. If we are all going to “share the sacrifice,” then workers in the public sector are going to have to make downward adjustments in their expectations as well.

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly urges, in the strongest possible terms, that the R.I. House, the representatives of all the people of RI, vote against House bills 5700, 5817, and 5961. Their passage would be a disaster both for the state and for the people.

Conservatively yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, RIRA

Press Release from the Rhode Island Republican Assembly
Media Contact: president [at] ri-ra [dot] org or (401) 487-2514

The American conservative voters and other like-minded voters throughout our state and nation now realize that our government can no longer be sustained at its current levels and that structural changes must be made at all levels of government and by all citizens.

Waking up in the morning and expecting money from the government is not the American way, nor is it what made this country great. Rhode Island’s budget shortfalls these past several years, which have been plugged by federal money, not by changes in Rhode Island government, is proof that out state and municipal governments’ way of doing business is broken and that we need and demand change.

Zebras do not change the colors of their stripes, nor will the one-party system we have in the General Assembly change itself overnight for the betterment of the people. Time and time again, the Democrats in the General Assembly have sided with unions and those looking for handouts, not with those looking to create prosperity in Rhode Island.

The answer to our financial problems is certainly NOT to increase state taxes. We must embrace one nation, one people, one language — for “United we Stand” a strong American People. Divided, we shall surely fall into the world of Socialism that will wipe out the middle class.

Change must start on many levels, from the Congress, to our Statewide offices, to the General Assembly, and all the way down to the local level.

We must all sit with our friends and family to Get Out The Vote for change. While this is one communication, it does not reach the approximately 600,000 possible voters in Rhode Island. For real change to take affect, YOU MUST become a grassroots activist and encourage your family and friends over the next day and a half to vote the Right Way this Tuesday. The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Everyone should be able to find time within that fourteen (14) hour span to vote for the Right Change.

The following individuals were nominated and endorsed at the Rhode Island Republican Assembly’s Biennial Endorsement Convention back on June 12th, 2010. They were endorsed based on our by-laws, which require a two-thirds vote of those members present and eligible to vote. To the best of our knowledge — and we pay close attention — NO candidate listed has compromised his or her standing throughout the campaign season for RIRA to consider revoking their endorsement.

The 2010 RIRA endorsed candidates are:

U.S. Congress, District 1: JOHN LOUGHLIN

U.S. Congress, District 2: MARK ZACCARIA

R.I. Governor: JOHN ROBITAILLE

R.I. General Treasurer: KERNAN “KERRY” KING

R.I. Attorney General: ERIK WALLIN

RHODE ISLAND STATE SENATE:

Steve Gerling – District 18
Dawson Hodgson – District 35
Beth Moura – District 19
Dr. Chris Ottiano – District 11

RHODE ISLAND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

Representative Brian Newberry – District 48
Representative Joseph Trillo – District 24
Donald Botts – District 16
Timothy Burchett – District 34
Giovanni Calise – District 25
Michael Chippendale – District 40
Thomas Clupny – District 62
Doreen Costa – District 31
Phil Duquette – District 33
Daniel Gordon – District 71
William Grapentine – District 69
Michael Grossi – District 58
Matthew Guerra – District 46
James Halderman – District 35
Jennifer Hirons – District 44
Michael Picillo – District 39
Daniel Reilly – District 72
Erich Sturn – District 4

In closing, I again ask that you please sit with your family and friends over the next day and a half and discuss voting for a new lease on life by voting for the above candidates. YOU and your vote can make the change! YOU are the activist! YOU must get your friends and family out to vote so that their votes, along with yours, will ensure that change happens!

Thank you for your time and attention to this important issue.

God’s speed and blessings to you, your family, friends, and our hard working candidates and all their volunteers and staff.

Conservatively Yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, Rhode Island Republican Assembly
president [at] ri-ra [dot] org

The event was attended by over 100 people, including all of the Republican statewide and federal candidates. The candidates were all allowed to speak to the convention, putting forth why RIRA should endorse them, and were allowed to answer questions from all in attendance.

The following candidates were endorsed the Rhode Island Republican Assembly:

First Congressional District – John Loughlin

Second Congressional District – Mark Zaccaria

Governor – John Robitaille

Lt. Governor – No Endorsement

Attorney General – Erik Wallin

Treasurer – Kernan “Kerry” King

Secretary of State – No Endorsement

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly will meet again on July 15, 2010 to take up any additional endorsements based on last minute filings.

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly also voted on several resolutions pertinent to this year’s elections. These resolutions also required a 2/3rd’s vote in the affirmative from the voting membership:

1) PASSED – Abolition of the office of Lieutenant Governor. RIRA’s stance is that this office should be combined with the office of the Governor.

2) PASSED – Opposing binding arbitration / perpetual contracts. RIRA opposes any effort by the General Assembly to pass laws which would create unending contracts or require state and local governments and school committees to be subjected to binding arbitration.

3) PASSED – Urging Governor Carcieri to veto the FY 2011 state budget. RIRA’s stance is that the General Assembly has ignored its duty and responsibilities by putting forth a budget that is not balanced, relies on Federal Funds that have not been appropriated yet, and that said Federal Funds would be coming from an unbalanced Federal Budget with a $14 Trillion deficit.

4) PASSED – Opposing efforts to change the name of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The Rhode Island Republican Assembly believes that the State of Rhode Island’s historic, formal name should not be changed.

5) PASSED – Support of Arizona illegal immigration law. The Rhode Island Republican Assembly supports Arizona’s use of the 10th amendment to protect the American Citizens and require all people who are in the United States of America to adhere to the laws of this sovereign nation and supports the efforts to enforce Federal Laws that have been written years prior to the Arizona law.

6) PASSED – Opposing Deepwater wind project. The Rhode Island Republican Assembly, while supporting green initiatives and technology to make our environment better and to create jobs in Rhode Island, opposes the effort by the General Assembly to intervene in the free market system on behalf of one company or any companies. If the Wind Project is valid and cost justifiable through private market investments and calculated Return on Investments, then it should go forward on its own merits without State guarantees or creating laws that allow for by-passing the due process that has been established over the years.

What a wonderful feeling to be covered by the national news when you are from a state as small as Rhode Island. One’s pride must swell at such an honor! But wait…

Thanks to over 40 years of Rhode Island Democrat Control, we can legally Prostitute our Daughters and have Career Pole Dancers at Age 16 in our home state as was reported on Fox News, locally by the Providence Journal, posted on Facebook, and other outlets today and this evening.

As many of us heard this evening, even the big players in “Sin City”, Las Vegas, require their strippers to be of legal drinking age, which happens to be 21.

Rhode Island Democrats have financially bankrupted our state for years using the tobacco settlement to balance budgets and this past year used $266M of stimulus money to balance their 13% increased State budget.

Now we see that while the Democrat Controlled General Assembly was busy running businesses out of the State, giving free reign and benefits to illegal immigrants, not making the hard choices to control and shrink our government in these hard economic times, they quietly allowed laws to be in place that morally bankrupted us and brought us this infamous night of recognition in our nation.

With Law Makers enacting laws or creating Laws with such unforgivable loopholes that allow minor children to be exploited, there is no longer any room for discussion: The one Party, Democrat controlled General Assembly is bad for Rhode Island. The “General Assembly is bad but my Democrat Senator / Representative is good” lie can no longer be allowed.

There is no such thing as “too big” to not be run out of office. It is time for the Taxpaying, hard working American Citizens of Rhode Island to rise up and to “tar and feather” those that will embarrass us and make a mockery of this once great State.

In 2010, we Rhode Islanders must take back our State, our integrity, our honor and replace all those that are in the General Assembly.

Media Contact: President Raymond McKay
president [at] ri-ra [dot] org / 487-2514

There are a number of different organizations who are planning to get together this Saturday afternoon, July 11th — people from the RI Tea Party, We the People, the RIGOP, and people from RIRA — to Protest against Statism, Liberal Fascism, the Obama Administration, PATRICK KENNEDY and House Speaker NANCY PELOSI, who will be in Rhode Island on Saturday hosting a swanky fundraiser for Patrick Kennedy and other House Dems.

Tickets for the event are about $20,000.00 a plate, but we are going for FREE!

After the Democrats attend another event in Middletown, they will be heading to Jamestown for the big backyard fundraiser under a tent at a waterfront home located at 13 Walcott Ave, in Jamestown, RI.

All the groups of protesters will be set-up across the street from there from about 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For maximum flexibility, you can drive directly there and park nearby. The home for the fundraiser is just beyond Jamestown Center, past the BankNewport branch.

If you’d like, you can also meet others at 3:30 p.m. sharp at the ‘Park and Ride’ on Route 102 (next to the North Kingstown Home Depot and across from the Stop and Shop Plaza), where there will be a caravan to 13 Walcott Avenue. The Peaceful protesters will be setup across from the home to assemble at about 4:00 p.m. It is thought that the “guests of honor” will arrive sometime around 5:00 p.m.

Things to bring and remember: Signs expressing feelings towards Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Patrick Kennedy, and the Cap & Trade, lawn chairs or blankets, snacks and drinks, and possibly rain gear (however, the current forecast looks okay). This is a peaceful protest to send a message to our congressional delegation and our “leaders” in Washington that we are fed up! The Tea parties across America have been a great success. By organizing peacefully and legally across the street from the home we will send Nancy Pelosi, Patrick Kennedy and the Democratic Socialist movement a message: GET BACK TO WORK for all Americans! or get FIRED!

RIRA needs to support this Call for Freedom / Peaceful Protest by coming out in force!

Jamestown is a beautiful little town with quaint restaurants and shops for your extra-curricular enjoyment, supporting the American economy the way true conservatives do, with our own earned money, not with government tax handouts that came from other people’s pockets. So after the protesting is done, feel free to go shopping or go out to dinner, or stop by nearby Newport for the music festival and other weekend activities!

It should be a night to remember! Hope to see you there!

P.S. If you have access to a boat, we understand you can also protest from the water on Narragansett Bay, as this is a waterfront home.

Best Regards and Conservatively yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, RIRA

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly (RIRA) urges Governor Carcieri to veto the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last week and recommends the Governor’s original budget be approved.

Governor Carcieri submitted a balanced budget to the General Assembly that directly addressed three of the most important economic issues facing our state: reform of an actuarially unsound pension system that is far more generous than what prevails in the private-sector; a fair contribution by state employees to healthcare costs in line with what private-sector workers are paying; and reform of our tax system which is a primary factor in making our state one of the most unfriendly business environments in the nation. The Governor’s budget recognized that the best way to grow revenues to our state and local governments is to grow the economy by encouraging job-creating businesses to stay in, or come to Rhode Island.

The changes made to that budget by the General Assembly do not represent a constructive compromise or even “kick the can” a few months down the road. We note that the Assembly’s budget increases taxes on investments in businesses, fails to reduce any taxes, and increases the gasoline tax at a time when Rhode Islanders are already hard hit by the recession. The token changes in the state pension system and health-insurance premiums for government employees are ineffectual in the face of enormous, and increasing, unfunded liabilities that Rhode Islanders in the private sector simply cannot afford. We note that the Assembly, in a self, cynical gesture, voted to continue free health insurance for themselves. The longer we wait to address these issues head-on, the worse they will be.

RIRA believes that raising taxes beyond the level that the people consider fair has the perverse effect of reducing, rather than increasing, state revenue. We have the current examples of California, Maryland, New Jersey and New York as evidence of that simple economic reality. The exodus of once-proud Rhode Island companies to other states or overseas will not be turned around by higher taxes. We believe that the Assembly’s budget will fail to meet its revenue projections and even worse, that shortfall will be due to lower incomes for Rhode Islanders as our economy is damaged further.

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly believes that the solution to our state’s fiscal problems lays in reducing the burden of government on our economy and making Rhode Island an attractive state for job-creating, private-sector businesses to locate. Governor Carcieri understands this businesslike approach to Rhode Island’s cash-flow problem. RIRA supports the Governor and hopes that when given a chance to reconsider its budget, the members of the General Assembly will focus realistically on the key issues of pension and tax reform.

Press Release: For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Raymond T. McKay at president [at] ri-ra [dot] org or (401) 487-2514.