Gina Raimondo in 2018 RI Governor's race

On Drugs: Legalize marijuana, since we're surrounded by legal states

Facing the "inevitable" prospect of being surrounded by states that have legalized recreational marijuana, Gov. Gina Raimondo will propose that Rhode Island do the same. "I do this with reluctance," she said. "I have resisted this for the four years I've been governor. Now, however, things have changed, mainly because all of our neighbors are moving forward" with legalization.

The proposal, included in her budget plan, would create one of the most regulated recreational pot industries in the country, the governor said, aimed at reducing the health and safety problems experienced in some of the 10 other states that have approved recreational use in recent years.

For instance, it would prohibit home-growing of recreational pot, now allowed in MA, ME, and VT, and ban high-potency products from recreational store shelves, such as "dabs," which are concentrated resins that are smoked.

If the proposal is approved by lawmakers, the first recreational stores could open by next January.

Source: Providence Journal on 2018 Rhode Island gubernatorial race Jan 13, 2019

On Gun Control: Ban all firearms from public school buildings and grounds

Gov. Gina Raimondo has taken executive action to ban all firearms, except those carried by police officers, from public school buildings and grounds in the state. Raimondo's announcement at the Department of Education offices in Providence was in response to what her office described as uncertainty among education and community leaders and a lack of consistent practices across districts.

The ban on guns in schools comes in the form of a "binding directive" issued to all Rhode Island school superintendents.

Meanwhile, Republican candidate for governor Patricia Morgan said the governor, instead of coming up with sensible solutions, has chosen to "disrespect the Constitution in a deceitful attempt win primary votes. If she were serious about securing our schools and making our children safe she would have acted sooner to upgrade security measures in all our schools."

Source: Providence Journal on 2018 Rhode Island gubernatorial race Aug 30, 2018

On Jobs: Touts unemployment rate of 4.3%, lowest rate since 2001

Raimondo is also facing a primary challenge from Matt Brown, a former secretary of state of Rhode Island. Brown dismisses Raimondo's talk of a modern industrial revolution as pure hype. "I just don't think it's accurate and I don't think most Rhode Islanders think it's accurate," Brown said.

The economic facts that matter to most Rhode Islanders, according to Brown, are that the costs of health care, housing, education and child care have gone up, and continue to go up, while wages have "flatlined." "That basic fact means life has gotten harder for people and continues to get harder," Brown said.

Yet, a July 19 press release from Governor Raimondo's office trumpets 2,500 jobs created in June, "another all-time high jobs record," and an unemployment rate of 4.3 percent, the lowest unemployment rate since 2001. "This jobs report is another clear sign that our approach to economic development, commitment to job training and support for tourism is working," Raimondo says in a statement.

Source: Forbes magazine on 2018 Rhode Island gubernatorial race Aug 7, 2018

The above quotations are from 2018 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2018 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Gina Raimondo. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Feb 13, 2019