In the RI House and Senate, there are 102 Democrats,  10 Republicans ... and myself.

As the only member of the General Assembly without a party affiliation, I have a unique perspective as to how our legislature operates. Or to be more specific, why our legislature operates the way it does.

Aside from the huge and unhealthy imbalance of political party power in the legislature, I was at first aware of a glaring lack of grass roots business involvement in the political process. Special interests are openly front and center at the State House, with lobbyists constantly pushing their agendas. Small business and the average taxpayer, the core of our RI economy, is outgunned.

There is little doubt that organized labor has a powerful influence on the R.I. Legislature. Many Reps and Senators are openly supported financially by big labor. Question: Would organized labor and special interest groups continue to pour money into legislators' coffers if they weren't getting a satisfactory return?

Unions collect dues, operate powerful PACs, and spend money and man hours supporting the campaigns of their  “friendly” legislators.

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RI Businesses, Taxpayers Must Fight Like Unions

 

This month, I enter my second year in the RI State Senate. I am the only "independent" representative in the General Assembly.