Chris Fierro

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

Sorry for the delay–I have been meaning to update my video blog for over two weeks! I have been very busy with my day job, and answering a lot of constituent questions about the pension, the budget, and cuts to services for the developmentally disabled. Lots going on, so check out the video update.

As promised, here is the link to this Monday’s important City Council meeting. Hope to see you there!

Annoucements, video blog

A special video announcement:

On The Issues, Press Releases, video blog

It was a short but hectic week in the legislature. A few things to note from the video:

• H5986 is a bill that will amend the State’s building code to comply with some parts of the stimulus act–basically requiring that new home construction, starting in 2017, would be done with 2×6″ lumber rather than 2×4″s. This allows for more insulation in the walls and will result in higher energy efficiency. The trade off is that a higher up-front cost of building your home will quickly be recouped by savings in your energy bill.  I have a hard time with something that we currently do in construction–that is to build quick and cheap. Your house that was 10% cheaper to build could wind up costing you those savings over and over again in repair, upkeep, and in your energy bills. Sometimes we’re too eager to save now and it comes with a cost down the line. This bill should go part of the way to solving that issue, at least when it comes to residences.  And having it phase in over the next years should give more than enough time for everyone to prepare.
• The big event next week, for me at least, is an open house with Senator Roger Picard.  Here are the details:

  Sen. Roger A. Picard and Rep. Chris Fierro will host a joint open house for their constituents Monday, April 13, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 pm. at Senator Picard’s home, 764 Mendon Road, Woonsocket.

  All constituents in their districts – House District 51 in Woonsocket and Senate District 20 in Cumberland and Woonsocket – are invited, along with anyone else who would like to speak with them. To find your House or Senate district, visit http://www.sec.state.ri.us/vic/

  The event will be an opportunity for local residents to talk face-to-face in an informal setting to their legislators about any issue or concern, question or idea. In a year when the state is facing a massive budget deficit as well as determining the use of federal stimulus funds, both legislators said they are eager to hear what’s on their constituents’ minds.

• The full press release can be found here. I am looking forward to this event, and hope to get some good feedback.
• I hope everyone has a restful holiday weekend.

video blog

It has been far too long since I updated the blog on this website. Rather than try to catch up on the last few months, I am going to hit the ground running. One of my goals is to be open and accessible as an elected official. With that in mind, I am going to start out with a weekly video blog update. Just a few minutes on the week that passed in the legislature, maybe what is coming up, and what is going on in the district.

I have collected a couple of video clips as well as the first two installments of my video update on my YouTube channel, which can be found at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/FierroforWoonsocket

And here is this week’s video:

video blog vlog