State politicians sometimes stand as sharp contrasts. On the one hand you have an example of someone who can see beyond his own self-interest and actually propose something that benefits the common …
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State politicians sometimes stand as sharp contrasts. On the one hand you have an example of someone who can see beyond his own self-interest and actually propose something that benefits the common good. This orientation is quickly countermanded by another who only sees politics as a route for self-aggrandizement. Here are some prominent examples that popped up in the month of July.
General Treasurer Seth Magaziner
Last week the General Treasurer announced that he would seek legislation in the upcoming General Assembly that would require pension plans managed by religious organizations to send regular updates on the financial health of the pensions to their plan participants. Treasurer Magaziner evidenced a real concern not only for the St. Joseph’s pensioners but also for everyone involved in a plan managed by a religious entity. His call for transparency with regular and truthful updates to participants harbingers well for the future avoidance of a similar catastrophe facing those who rely upon the promises made to them. Analogizing to the responsibilities in ERISA which requires most private pension plans to send members a letter every year outlining the health of their plan, he noted that all workers and retirees deserve to know the truth about the health of their retirement savings. He has taken a step in the right direction in avoiding future blindsiding which has plagued the pension funds of those who worked for the Catholic Diocese. Legislators should pass his proposed legislation.
Senator Gregory Acciardo
The Providence Journal reported that a former senator is seeking his old seat again. His history is strewn with one wreck after another. He seriously injured and killed a 62 year old woman in a head-on crash. He was charged with domestic assault, and arrested in conjunction with a burglary ring. One by one these cases went away: sealed, dismissed or reversed by judges.
As you read this, he is due in court to ask a judge to expunge the record of a 2009 drunk driving charge. He has and should have a potential problem since he was again arrested in 2010 for drunk driving. He was then charged as a “first time offender” since his earlier 2009 drunk driving case was on appeal (he ultimately pled no contest in 2009).
He certainly lives a “charmed life”. When the Projo reporter tried to find his name online in the court history portal there was no report of his 2010 drunken driving arrest or subsequent plea. He apparently shares the good fortunes of former Senator John Carnevale. Apparently, the RI state police lost 1440 hours of surveillance video that is crucial to the case against the former legislator/now candidate-again Carnevale who is accused of lying about where he lived. This error is inexcusable and taints the reputation of this once fine police force.
Democratic Party Chairman Joseph McNamara
When the Democratic party chairman initially endorsed a Trump-backing former Republican male candidate over incumbent Moira Walsh, he reinforced the image of the party being the good ole boys club. Other female incumbents were also dissed at the local level. While eventually Mr. McNamara reversed his endorsement, it certainly wasn’t one of the finer moments for gender equity. Time will tell whether he will be handed his walking papers as more and more progressive candidates win seats.
Arlene Violet is an attorney and former Rhode Island Attorney General.