Legislature

As the General Assembly prepares to go back into session in a few
days, it will do so with a plate full of issues that will have long-
range impact upon our state’s economy and its ability to compete
regionally, nationally and globally.
No longer will such issues as a Patriots’ stadium or full-fledged
Disney like amusement park clutter its thoughts, although the issue of
gaming is certain to surface in some form. Concentration, however, needs
to be on the substantive, core issues that will help shore up our
economic foundation.
At center stage is Quonset, and the stakeholders process, about which,
John Swen, director of the Rhode Island Economic Development
Corporation, said; “there (are) no proposals or set of facts that
everyone will agree to. That will never happen. But I believe that
there’ll be a set of outcomes on a number of the different proposals
that will be grossly acceptable to most people. And that’s the whole
point.”
Quonset could be our marquee economic project. But its development
needs also to recognize that the environmental concerns are significant,
as we preserve our most precious resource, Narragansett Bay. The Bay
remains a tremendous recreational benefit and has the potential to be a
significant economic generator. It is certain to be a point of major
discussion in this legislative session.
Health care as well will take center stage, with mergers continuing to
dominate the news, and with health care insurance rates climbing
rapidly. Sunday and bi-weekly pay, a multitude of taxes issues,
including income, corporate, property and inventory taxes. And other
issues will occupy what is certain to be an active, and, it is hoped,
productive session.
Our wish is that the cooperation that has developed between business
and labor continues, and that the governor and legislature have the
wisdom to compromise so our state can continue to improve economically,
strengthen its infrastructure, and provide for the health and safety of
all the state’s residents.