Chris Fierro

STATE HOUSE – Rep. Chris Fierro has been appointed to the House Finance Committee by Speaker Gordon D. Fox.

The Finance Committee is considered one of the most influential assignments in the House, since that committee is largely responsible for shaping the state budget and all other bills that have a potential financial impact on the state. It is also one of the busiest committees, meeting daily and sometimes twice a day throughout much of the legislative session.

Representative Fierro (D-Dist. 51, Woonsocket), who is serving his first term as a legislator, is also a member of the Municipal Government Committee.

He said he is looking forward to helping the state address the challenges it is facing in terms of the budget deficit and its lagging economy, and is particularly interested in working to pass legislation to eliminate the flat tax option for high-grossing income-tax payers, as well as on efforts to address the urgent needs of the state’s distressed community hospitals, including Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket.

“Being on the Finance Committee means that I’ll be in a better position to advocate for the people of our state earlier in the budget process, when the budget proposal is still fluid and easier to amend. My first goal will be to push to eliminate the flat tax, because our state is getting nothing in return for this tax break for the rich. We need to enact less regressive tax policies that help Rhode Islanders and the state itself get back on their feet,” said Representative Fierro.

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/pr1.asp?prid=6223

Annoucements, Press Releases

STATE HOUSE – Rep. Chris Fierro has been appointed to the state’s Long Term Care Coordinating Council by House Speaker William J. Murphy.

The Long Term Care Coordinating Council develops and coordinates state policy concerning all forms of long-term health care for the elderly and adults with chronic disabilities and illnesses, ranging from at-home and community-based care and respite care through intensive nursing care to long-term hospital care. The council examines and makes recommendations on standards of care, personnel training, enforcement of regulations, access and eligibility and funding for long-term care in the state.

Representative Fierro, a freshman Democrat who represents District 51 in Woonsocket, is slated to serve a two-year term on the 37-member panel, which is chaired by Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work on issues that have a very significant effect on most of us at some point in our lives. With a greater percentage of Americans moving toward their senior years, the demand for long-term care is increasing more rapidly than ever. Funding it and making sure that patients are getting high-quality care as the demand grows is going to take creativity, hard work and smart policies. I’m grateful for the chance to be part of a group that continually works to make the system work better for the people who need it,” said Representative Fierro. “I’m looking forward to the chance to help improve the lives of seniors not only in Woonsocket, but all across Rhode Island.”

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/pr1.asp?prid=5960

Press Releases

The Secretary of State has a sample ballot for tomorrow’s municipal election. It is available here.

All of the regular Woonsocket polling places are open, so vote at your normal spot. If in doubt, you can find out here.

Press Releases

Woonsocket residents have until Saturday to register to vote in order to participate in November’s municipal election. The primary is this coming Tuesday, and the general election is on Tuesday, November 3rd.  The Valley Breeze has got details:

State law requires voters to be registered at least 30 days prior to an election. In order to register to vote in the municipal election, you must be at least 18 years of age by Election Day, a U.S. citizen and a resident of Woonsocket.

Although the deadline to register falls on a Saturday, Woonsocket officials have made arrangements for residents to register at the Harris Library, 303 Clinton St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Voters who have moved or changed their names since they last registered can update their voter records as required by state law.

You can check your current voting status–address and party affiliation at the Secretary of State’s website: www.sec.state.ri.us/elections

Press Releases

I consider this good news–Caritas Christi Health Care has formally asked for permission to enter in to talks with Landmark:

Landmark Medical Center has revealed its intention to become part of Caritas Christi Health Care, a Massachusetts-based chain of six Catholic hospitals.Superior Court Judge Michael A. Silverstein, who has been supervising the struggling hospital’s management for more than a year, on Thursday approved Landmark’s proposal to negotiate exclusively with Caritas Christi.

It will take many months to bring the proposal to fruition. But Thursday’s ruling marks a significant milestone in the effort to save the Woonsocket hospital, which asked for court supervision in 2008 because it was in danger of financial collapse.

You can read the whole ProJo article here. I’ll add my press release to this shortly…

Press Releases

As we head into the rush at the end of the session, let me take this opportunity for a quick bit of shameless self promotion.

WRNI’s Ian Donnis has a great spot on new media and local politics.

You can also download the MP3 here.

Despite my inclusion, the piece is well worth the listen!

On The Issues, Press Releases, Twitter, video blog

The budget for FY 2010 appears on the general assembly website, but it is not exactly easy to find.  So, in case anyone is looking for the budget, here you go. (Each link will open up a PDF file)

Press Releases

Join me at Senator Whitehouse’s upcoming event.

Press Releases

Just by way of a quick update, I think that we expected to see the House Finance Committee’s budget this week. The process would have been a caucus on Thursday and a hearing on the actual budget today. This hasn’t happened, and as far as anyone can tell, it is supposed to happen next week.

I’ll make a video update when the budget document is revealed. Until then, have a nice weekend!

Press Releases

Here are a few random things that I thought were worth sharing:

• The American Cancer Society is having a fundraiser at the Burrito Co. on June 22, from 3 to 7 PM. I’m going to try to get there, but at the very least, I’ll make a donation.  The ACS is a great cause, and the Burrito Co. is a fantastic eatery in Woonsocket–a home run of an event.
• It may be hard to believe, but sometimes I agree with Arlene Violet. I saw her at the Tea Party at the State House yesterday, but wasn’t able to get over to introduce myself. Political ideologies aside, she has been a fighter for what she believes in, and I admire that.
• Speaking of the tea party, here is a sample of the emails that I’ve been receiving from some of the Woonsocket taxpayer coalition folks:
  

  1. Pass Fair Funding Formulas for the State- Don’t lose federal stimulus money because we do not have a formula-

  2. Request waivers and extensions to S3050 mandating changes to the tax class gaps now!
  Providence has a waiver, why shouldn’t Woonsocket??

  3. General and massive cuts to spending to close budget gaps- stop supporting the Lobbyists..
  Support the taxpayers!

  4. Restore state aid to cities and towns like Woonsocket that desperately need it and that are educating inner city children.

Well, that seems like a sensible agenda to me, bearing in mind that massive cuts per #3 are easier said than done. We seem to be getting to the point where the next cuts will likely hurt the areas of community hospitals and MRDD services, neither of which will really help Woonsocket taxpayers in the long run. Striking a balance in the cuts has got to be a priority as well.

Press Releases