Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - House Democrats have convened at the State House for a closed-door discussion of an issue that was not even on their special-session agenda last week: the state's financial crisis.

In a letter informing his fellow Democrats of the caucus, Speaker William J. Murphy wrote: "The purpose of the caucus will be to hear your input and freely discuss some potential plans of action for the current fiscal situation. Because of the economic morass the state is in...I want the House to be fully prepared for action regardless of whether the Governor adheres to the mandates of when his budget must be presented.

"I believe this caucus will be a significant first step in helping the House of Representatives organize a forward thinking plan of action,'' he added.

But with Democrats controlling all but 6 of the 75 House seats, not all lawmakers agree on the need for the ruling party to meet behind closed doors to discuss in private what is arguably the state's most urgent problem as it grapples with plummeting revenues and record-high unemployment.

Earlier this week, an economist with Moody's Economy.com told the state officials the end of the "Great Recession" is in sight, but Rhode Island's economic recovery will lag that in every other New England state and the nation, with unemployment climbing to a new high of 13.8 percent by the second quarter of 2010.

"I think the fact that we are having a caucus could be a step in the right direction,'' said Rep. Gregory Schadone, one of the House Democrats vying to replace Murphy when he makes good on his vow to make next year his last at the rostrum. But Schadone, D-North Providence, questioned the need for secrecy in this instance and said "Republicans should be included.''

"The public's confidence in the General Assembly right now is obviously at a low, and the fact that we are meeting behind closed doors to discuss the biggest issue facing the state is certainly not going to bolster public confidence or help them understand what we are trying to do,'' he said.

Added Rep. Rene Menard, D-Lincoln : It should be open. We should not disregard the six members of the minority party [because] it's an issue that's facing the state, and not just the Democratic caucus.''

"I mean, ultimately, we are talking about the public's business...[and] whatever decision we make is going to affect each and every person who resides within the districts we represent,'' he said. "We shouldn't be plotting a secret path.''

But Murphy, D-West Warwick, stood firm, saying earlier this week "It is appropriate to have a closed Democratic caucus to allow party members to freely discuss issues for the coming year.''

He noted his leadership teams plans to hold what he is calling an open "economic forum'' on Dec. 1. Unmentionned, but hovering over the discussion, was the threatened revolt that forced House leaders to restore a big chunk of the local aid they had planned to cut last spring.

The House leadership did not respond to follow-up questions about why the meeting was closed, and House members interviewed in recent days said they had no clear idea on the agenda for the caucus, and how far it might stray.

And some legislators suggested their colleagues would not feel as free as they do to talk in public.

"Maybe some people need [a closed meeting] to hash out whatever is on their minds,'' said Rep. Joseph Almeida, D-Providence.

Maybe, "we need to have a meeting and correct ourselves...and stop acting like a bunch of actors on the House floor, so I think that is a sense of professionalism that needs to be spoken about,'' he added.

Almeida did not name names, or attribute the behavior that troubles him to the members of any one political party. He said: 'It's everybody... I think we need to come up with a better idea of how to make a plan, a financial plan for the State of Rhode Island, and I don't think we should be acting foolish in front of cameras and reporters.''

But House Minority Leader Robert Watson, R-East Greenwich, said he told Murphy, "I thought it was a mistake to exclude the six Republicans'' who, over the years, have championed some of the municipal-cost saving ideas now gaining traction at the State House, such as relief from state mandates.

"I don't see why they need a secret meeting to discuss that,'' Watson said.

 Tags  Rhode Island House of Representatives Speaker William J. Murphy

Comments

Bob from Cranton said:

Hold on to your wallets, the Democrats are meeting in closed session!!!! Nothing good can come from this.

Link | November 5, 2009 5:51 PM
Report Abuse

---

Chris said:

If they represent us, they shouldn't be allowed to hold secret meetings. What are they trying to hide?

Link | November 6, 2009 9:44 AM
Report Abuse

---

Leave a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.