Jim Taricani and Bill Rappleye had an interesting extended conversation with state Senator Stephen D. Alves, chairman of Senate Finance, during the 10 News Conference broadcast yesterday morning.
Among the highlights:
-- Alves says he has not been interviewed by the FBI in relation to Operation Dollar Bill and has not received a "target letter" concerning the investigation.
-- Despite the anticipated pushback from labor, Alves expects growing support for pension reform, due to the severity of the costs facing the state.
-- Alves, who was criticized for a proposal to increase a tax on businesses, says it would affect less than a quarter of the businesses operating in Rhode Island. He called it a minimum fixed tax that represents a very small amount for large corporations.