Friday, March 14, 2008

Can conservatives increase their influence in RI?

One of the questions that bears watching this year, with the fiscal crisis and legislative elections, is whether voter discontent will yield significant turnover in the General Assembly.

A related question is whether grassroots activity of the GOP/conservative persuasion will have a tangible effect.

It seems like there's a growing level of this kind of activism, encompassing Anchor Rising, the Ocean State Policy Research Institute, the College Republican Federation of RI, Young Republicans (who plan to meet at the Wild Colonial next Thursday, March 20, starting at 5:30 pm), and the Rhode Island Statewide Coalition, to name a few of the most visible efforts.

RISC holds its annual winter meeting tomorrow. Here's a look at the program:

THE OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RHODE ISLAND STATEWIDE COALITION (RISC) INVITE MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA TO ATTEND RISC’S FIFTH WINTER MEETING ON SATURDAY, MARCH 15 AT THE TOWERS, 35 OCEAN ROAD, NARRAGANSETT, RI. A CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED, BEGINNING AT 9 A.M.

AMONG OTHER ATTENDEES:

RI SENATORS JAMES SHEEHAN AND LEONIDAS RAPTAKIS

RI REPRESENTATIVES STEVEN COATY AND DOUGLAS GABLINSKE

RI DIRECTOR OF REVENUE, GARY SASSE

LEGAL COUNSEL TO GOV. CARCIERI, KERRY KING

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR GOV. CARCIERI, JOHN ROBITAILLE

FORMER MAYOR OF CRANSTON, STEVEN LAFFEY

EDUCATION CONSULTANT AND PROJO COLUMNIST, JULIA STEINY

THE PROGRAM FEATURES:

• FINANCING OUR FUTURE – JAMES T. BEALE, JR.

• SAVING PUBLIC EDUCATION – THOMAS C. WIGAND

• IT’S GAMBLING, NOT GAMING – HARRIET S. LLOYD

• ENERGIZING THE ELECTORATE – ARLENE VIOLET

• WALKING THE WALK – TOGETHER – HARRY L. STALEY

THERE WILL BE A QUESTION/ANSWER SESSION, AND GOVERNOR CARCIERI WILL SPEAK.

PLEASE RSVP TO HARRY STALEY 322-2051 OR HARRY@RISC-RI.ORG