Comparing this year’s legislative session to the New England Patriots most recent season, state political leaders say it will take teamwork and cooperation to keep Rhode Island focused and moving forward in the coming months.
That was the consensus at least among the political leaders who addressed a crowd of 700 people at the Legislative Luncheon sponsored by the Providence Chamber of Commerce held Feb. 6 at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet.
"While watching the Super Bowl, I couldn’t help but think that like the Patriots, Rhode Island can only benefit from team spirit," said House Majority Leader Gerard M. Martineau, a Woonsocket Democrat. "Everyone needs to be in this game together. The legislative process is not different than the business process. Let’s not get bogged down in the 20 percent of issues where we will never find agreement, but instead focus on the 80 percent that we can find agreement on."
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One agreement the legislature can and must address is a budget deficit this year of close to $70 million. It’s a challenge, Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere, said will take "fiscal restraint" to overcome.
"We need to make all of our decisions with an eye towards the future," the Westerly republican said. "We cannot be short sighted in this time of fiscal trouble. It was Abe Lincoln who said ‘You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.’ This is just one of many issues. I think it is in our best interest to work together."
Some pointed out strides the state has made in recent years, including the phase out of the capital gains tax, changes in the workers compensation laws, and a reduction in the wholesale inventory tax.
"I have seen Rhode Island on a roll," said Speaker of the House John B. Harwood, a Pawtucket democrat. "It has been a great effort – the legislature has chipped in, the executive branch has chipped in, labor and business have both come to the table. It’s a new era in the state where one side isn’t always trying to grab. I think that this needs to continue."
Many state leaders sitting at the head table said the state mandate to shrink the size of the legislature and the federal measure to create new districts will not hinder productivity.
"Every year there are issues and challenges," Martineau said. "This year issues and challenges exist, but it is our objective to create jobs, recruit employees, retain industry, and promote the overall economic advancement of the state. I am confident that we will be able to do that."
Senate Majority Leader William Irons, a Democrat representing Providence and East Providence, said it’s just as important for gubernatorial candidates to remain as positive as the legislators when it comes to moving the state’s agenda forward.
"These candidates should start talking about what’s good and how it can be made better, not attacking the legislature," he said. "In the last decade our state has had the sense for business, government, and labor to work together. We are now ahead of the curve and we were there before Sept. 11. I want the candidates to talk about bettering the lives of our citizens and I hope the business community will tell them to do just that."
