There was no more dramatic political story in 1998 than the re-election
of Gov. Lincoln Almond.
That was, until former Gov. Edward DiPrete, a Republican, pleaded guilty
in December to 18 counts of corruption related to state contract
kickbacks while he was governor from 1985 to 1991. DiPrete was sentenced
to spend a year at the Adult Correctional Institutions. He is expected
to leave the prison each day to work at his Cranston insurance agency.
But his state pension is now under review and his name, forever linked
to all that has been wrong with state government in Rhode Island.
Republican Almond – widely perceived as the ‘pro-business’ candidate –
defeated challenger Myrth York, a Democrat, by nine percentage points.
Almond distanced himself from York, in part, by neutralizing the impact
of organized labor, traditionally a supporter of Democratic candidates.
His campaign, however, did not always seem energized and until the last
few days several prognosticators predicted a race “too close to call,”
Almond was consistent in calling attention to the economic development
initiatives and accomplishments that marked his first four-year term.
The Almond administration indeed succeeded in luring several financial
services companies – most notably, Fidelity Investments – to the Ocean
State. And in October of this year, Almond and Providence Mayor Vincent
A. Cianci, Jr. jointly announced that Boston Financial Data Services
would soon be bringing hundreds of jobs to the capital city.
Voters seemed to want to “stay the course” with Almond, riding along
with what has been a strong economy. That certainly appeared to be the
approach being taken by the business community.
In sharp contrast to several television and other newspaper polls, two
Providence Business News “Executive Polls” leading up to the November
election showed Almond with a commanding lead over York. And in fact,
the race was never as close as some predicted.
The business community was especially supportive of the incumbent.
Ted Almon, president of Claflin Co. of East Providence, a distributor
of medical supplies, was glad to see the Almond administration earn
another term.
“It would have been a shame not to give Lincoln Almond a chance to
complete the initiatives in economic development that he started,” Almon
said.
Gary Palardy, director of software development at Blue Moon Industries
Inc. in East Providence, said after the November election that Almond
has “set a nice balance” during his tenure. Palardy also said that a
more aggressive Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation has done
much to improve the state’s fiscal picture, and better prepare the state
for possible economic downturn.
“I think the steps they’re taking are hedging against that happening,”
he said. “The work they’re doing targets growth and improvement the
things they’re doing are insulating us. The types of businesses they’re
attracting, the initiatives they have for biotech, the financial
services industry they’re bringing in a lot of solid companies.”
Joseph Martins, president of Wood Fence Co., Inc., in Pawtucket, said he
was happy to see Almond re-elected.
“I think he’s been doing a good job and has a lot of irons in the fire
that he needs to get wrapped up, like the development of Quonset Point,”
Martins said.
If it weren’t for the governor’s race, Election 1998 would have clearly
belonged to the Democrats. Sen. Charles J. Fogarty, in the race for
lieutenant governor, Secretary of State James Langevin, Sheldon
Whitehouse, as attorney general, and Sen. Paul J. Tavares, as general
treasurer, all Democrats – who came out on top in races for the state’s
general offices.
And in fact, the political news of 1999 may well revolve around how
first-time statewide office holders, notably Fogarty, Whitehouse and
Tavares approach their jobs?
The election also proved to be a great boost to Almond’s alma mater, the
University of Rhode Island.
The school will benefit from the approval of a $21 million education
bond. The money will be used to renovate and construct classrooms at URI
and the Providence campuses of Rhode Island College and the Community
College of Rhode Island.
Almond – along with General Assembly leaders — has promised funds to
build a new athletic arena and convocation center at the school. In
recent weeks, planning efforts have picked up pace and school officials
are talking about opening the facility in 2001 or 2002.
The arena at URI would never have been given a green light had it not
been for a state budget surplus.
Money may not cure all evils, but in the first half of 1998, it helped
to soothe the often strained relationship between the Democratically-
controlled General Assembly and Republican Gov. Lincoln Almond.
A surplus of $132 million can do that sort of thing.
In 1996, the General Assembly adopted a state budget over the governor’s
veto. It was typical politics. There was plenty of posturing and name-
calling, with each side depicting the other as the villain. And 1998
started out much the same, until that surplus came into play. With a
$132 million cushion, there was a brief, almost half-hearted debate as
to where the money should be invested, but in the end there was plenty
of financing for the projects each side held closest to its heart.
The Senate passed the $2 billion spending plan for 1999 unanimously and
the governor signed it into law without hesitation.
The budget includes a 10-year phase-out of the inventory tax, a move
that is being applauded by the business community. A comprehensive debt-
reduction plan has also been put in place, as has a plan to gradually
eliminate local automobile taxes. The budget also includes the seed
money for the athletic complex/convocation center at URI.
Beyond Cash Donations: How New Forms of Giving Are Transforming Not-for-Profit Accounting
Evolving Funding Landscape for Not-for-Profits Not-for-profit organizations are being asked to do more with less,…
Learn More
