A Thriving Economy with Long-term Budget Solutions
The Best in Health Care including:
        – Preventative Health Care and
        – Mental Health Care Programs
The Best Child and Family Services
Safer Streets and Neighborhoods
The Opportunity for EVERY Student to Succeed by:
        – Choosing a Charter School or
        – Attending an Excellent Traditional School
Programs that will Make Rhode Island not only
    “The Ocean State” but also “The Green State”
Safe, Attractive Homes that are Affordable
Not less corruption, NO corruption
A Clean and Healthy Environment from our Shores
    to the Inner City

These are the issues that I feel strongly about, and I pledge to work diligently to turn these ideas into reality. I am confident that, with your support, we will get this done!

About the Providence Area
Throughout my life I have been proud to be a citizen of the “Renaissance” city we call Providence. After growing up in the Silver Lake section, I attended Providence public schools, went on to college and then returned to reside on the East Side of the city. Providence has blossomed into a spectacular city that is flooded with some of the nation’s finest schools, universities, restaurants, and historic landmarks. Both Providence and nearby East Providence are wonderful places to live, work, and visit. Centrally located between New York and Boston, our area is extremely appealing to the six million people that live within an hour of our Capitol city. And our beautiful landscape along the river helps these cities stand out in stark contrast to many other cities. With entertainment, fine art, cultural diversity, and an historic atmosphere, Providence and Southern East Providence are truly the heart of Rhode Island, as well as the heart of New England. Rhode Island may be small but we still have plenty of room for smart growth! We can only get better!

I will provide the best constituent service for the citizens of the District.

A place where residents can afford to live and work
A place where residents can afford to live and work
We need homes people can afford and jobs that allow our residents to live and work in our area. District 2 has the unique opportunity to become a model for this type of community throughout our state. By using existing lots and under-used property to create integrated neighborhoods, with homes, businesses and transportation, we can retain our open space and have vibrant, walkable communities. At this very moment the Iway project that is currently underway is revealing an incredible amount of reusable land that would be perfect for this purpose. Imagine a thriving, waterfront community that retains the natural beauty and character of our fine cities while average wage earners can afford to live there. To get a better idea of how something like this can happen, visit www.keepspace.org. The KeepSpace initiative is one example of this type of integrated community development that I support.

An end to domestic violence
We should have absolutely no tolerance for domestic violence and child abuse. As human beings, it is our duty to protect those who are being physically and mentally abused. I will work toward passing tougher legislation to protect the innocent, with absolutely no exceptions. And I will work toward developing better resources to help those affected by this terrible crime.

Education
Every single child deserves excellence in education. By developing a statewide system to eliminate expensive redundancies and level the playing field, we would take a huge step toward equalizing education. Children in Providence and East Providence could get the education they deserve – the same education as those in Barrington and East Greenwich. We need to look at creating predictable funding for schools and avoiding further cuts or putting more property tax money into a broken system. I support our state’s new statewide curriculum, the addition of more charter schools including the new "Mayoral Academies" and the strengthening of individualized learning. Our future depends on getting our kids the education they deserve and then finding ways to work more closely with colleges and businesses to keep our young adults in the state.

Advocating for patients
Through my efforts with Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition (RIPAC), I advocated and negotiated for Rhode Islanders in the halls of the State House and met residents in every East Side neighborhood. I know what it takes to work for the people to help their cause and to be dedicated to a cause that is near and dear to me. I intend to use that same energy and ambition to fight for my constituents. Visit their website to become more informed.
www.ripatients.org.

I work for you
As your State Representative, I will listen to what is important to you and dedicate my time in office to making sure your voice is heard. I believe that with a fresh start, much enthusiasm, and a new approach to old issues to the state Government, we will make a great change for our City and State. I intend to hold monthly, open door District meetings on behalf of you, the voters, and my fellow neighbors. Your voice will be heard and I will respond!

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you for taking the time to visit our site. In the upcoming weeks, I encourage you to frequently stop by to find out the latest information about our growing campaign. In addition to our policy developments, our site will help you find ways that you can get involved in what is shaping up to be one of the most important campaigns of 2008.

Please contact us without hesitation if there is an issue you would like to see addressed on our site. If you would like to join our growing list of dedicated volunteers or donate to the campaign, just click on the donate button below or email vote@richrodi.com!

Thank you again for your support.