Rhode Island Tip Sheet: Paint it green
STATE OF THE STATE: Lots of beer, some of it green, will flow today in honor of St. Patrick . . . . Moody’s Investors Service downgrades Providence’s general obligation rating by two notches because of the city’s lack of green. Mayor Angel Taveras was still holding a St. Patrick’s celebration at City Hall today (12:30-1:30 pm) with special guest, Senator Maryellen Goodwin . . . . The state DOT has funded extra state police patrols to nab revelers who drink and drive today . . . . Conservatives (heart) Guinness.
BRETT GOES TO GOTHAM: Brett Broesder, an energetic presence last year on the campaign of Attorney General Peter Kilmartin, and someone who joined Kilmartin’s office as policy director, is heading to New York City. Broesder is returning to work at the global PR firm Hill & Knowlton. He sends the following word: “Not only is this a great opportunity to further utilize and develop my strategic media and public relations skills, it also provides a chance to once again live full-time in the same city as my long-time girlfriend – Katharine Ricci, who I met while writing for the Rhode Island College student newspaper in 2004 – which is key for us to move our relationship forward.” Broesder says he plans to remain active with the Friends of Peter Kilmartin. We wish him well in his move to NYC.
MOTHER’S MILK: A group of young professionals is holding a time for Senator Sheldon Whitehouse this Friday, March 18, 5-7 pm, at Fat Belly’s Pub in Providence (ex-Steeple Street, in Rhode Islandese).
FASHION: Lindsay Lohan is turning the perp walk into a fashion strut, says the NYT.
STAFFERS: Peter Asen, a former director of Ocean State Action who worked last fall for the state Democratic Party, has landed a job in the House policy office.
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: A time has yet to be set for a House Judiciary Committee vote on same-sex marriage legislation. But you can listen to my conversation about the bill and its merits with Representatives Doreen Costa and Christopher Blazejewksi.
GREAT NORTH: Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says he was taken by surprise by Fidelity Investments’ plan to move jobs from the Bay State.
GEORGE LIMA: The former state Rep. persevered after facing discrimination during and after WWII. He died at age 92.
NESI: Ted reports on Governor Chafee and Gina Raimondo considering far-reaching pension changes: “The result could be even more money withheld from state workers’ wages than under Chafee’s initial proposal to raise their contributions from 8.75% to 11.75% of each paycheck. At the same time, Raimondo has ordered a full review of Rhode Island’s long-term pension obligations and warned that actuaries may double their estimate of the state’s unfunded liability from the current $4.9 billion figure to as much as $10 billion. Since that number determines the size of the annual payment required to keep the pension fund solvent, hiking it could force a large increase in the yearly contribution paid for jointly by taxpayers and workers.”
BUDDY’S BOOK: Scott went to Buddy Cianci‘s book release event last night at PPAC. His report is here.
PATRICK KENNEDY: The former congressman lands a fellowship at Brown.
BUDGET: Politico says Democrats are puzzled on their next move.
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