Wednesday, October 24, 2012
If elected, Tina McKendall promises to serve no more than three terms in the State Senate.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, October 24, 2012
To the editor, The evolution of the career politician has been a problem in state politics for several decades. As local congressmen and woman make longterm connections, it becomes more difficult for the representative of a specific district to say “No!” How would it be possible to say, “That’s really not a good investment for a cash strapped state,” to the people whose votes you need two years later? If I’m elected to the State Senate this year, I pledge to remain in the Assembly no longer than three terms. That’s six years. If I can’t help reduce the state debt and ease the oppressive tax burden on everyone in that amount of time, then it will be time for someone else to give it a shot. Jim Sheehan has been in the State Senate for…
Friday, October 19, 2012
Tina McKendall, Republican candidate for State Senate District 36, missed the deadline to file her campaign finance reports.
The Oct. 9 filing deadline for Rhode Island political candidates to submit their pre-election campaign finance reports came and went with only one missing report from North Kingstown. Tina McKendall, Republican candidate for State Senate District 36, was the lone North Kingstown candidate who failed to file her reports (disclosing campaign contributions and spending) by the deadline. McKendall's opponent, incumbent Sen. James Sheehan, issued a press release the following week calling on McKendall to release the information. "Disclosure of a candidate's donors is an essential part of transparency and accountability in government," said Sheehan. "The public has the right to know who is supporting Mrs. McKendall's campaign, especially as a …
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Former State Sen. J. Michael Lenihan praises the work of Sen. James Sheehan.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Dear editor, In the 40 years of my public service, I’ve served with hundreds of colleagues. Rarely have I had the opportunity, however, to serve with one as determined and relentless in pursuit of honorable goals as Sen. James Sheehan. Once Jim has studied a problem and selected the best options to address that problem, he will pursue his options purposefully and creatively. Jim and I have had the opportunity to work together on many issues affecting the community and our state such as Separation of Powers, ethics disclosure laws, Narragansett Water quality, government accountability and oversight, economic development and so on. In working together, Jim Sheehan has shown himself to be an ardent, intelligent and effective legislator…
Monday, October 15, 2012
One North Kingstown resident explains why she supports Sen. Sheehan.
- OPINION
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Monday, October 15, 2012
I first came to know Senator Jim Sheehan through his leading the opposition to defeat the mega container port at Quonset years ago. I've been following him since, and am pleased that he doesn't just oppose things, he helps build them, too. Years ago, he was a staunch advocate of building out the new roads and rails at Quonset which now boasts well over 8,000 jobs! Senator Sheehan championed Separation of Powers, opening public records to public scrutiny, quasi public agency reform, eminent domain reform etc... No wonder he was twice named the top good government legislator by nonpartisan Common Cause. In these trying times, Senator Sheehan successfully opposed the Governor's new sales, hotel and meals taxes! He has also been a leader …
Friday, October 12, 2012
Sen. Sheehan is seeking a sixth term in the State Senate.
- ELECTIONS
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Friday, October 12, 2012
Name : Mr. James Christopher Sheehan Also known as : Jim Date of birth : 27 January 1966 Place of residence : North Kingstown Attended college : Yes College : University of Rhode Island Degree : BA Year of graduation : 1988 University : Catholic Unversity in DC Degree : Masters in History Year of graduation : 1992 Job titles held : Regional Marketing Associate and Educator Employers : American Finance Group and Warwick Public Schools Party affiliation : Democrat Running for a: State office Running for position: State Senate Chamber/district: District 36 Incumbent: Yes First elected: 07 November 2000 Previous elective offices : N/A Unsuccessful bids for elective offices : Congress in 1998 Website : www.senatorsheehan.com Twitter : @…
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Sen. James Sheehan responds to a recent letter from his Republican opponent.
- OPINION
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Thursday, October 11, 2012
Dear editor, I was puzzled by the recent letter submitted by my Tea Party Republican opponent Tina McKendall. She correctly stated that I championed new laws to regulate quasi-public agencies like the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). But, she somehow twists that to suggest I support more regulation on non-governmental, private sector businesses, which is absurd. The EDC is a publicly owned, privately-acting government agency. I was surprised that my opponent apparently did not know the difference. The 38 Studios debacle clearly showed us we need to assert more oversight, not less on quasi-public agencies, particularly the EDC! The gross lack of fiduciary responsiblity also made obvious to everyone what I've been saying for years…
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
A Wickford gallery owner supports Sen. James Sheehan and a tax-free art district for Wickford Village.
To the editor, For over a decade I’ve owned Five Main, an art gallery in Wickford, and in recent years I’ve witnessed many local businesses downsize and close. Wickford is known as an art community and I fear that it's art galleries will be the next to go. This has inspired my thinking of ways to prevent further decline and spark new commerce. Last spring I supported Senator James Sheehan's bill (2012-S2448) to designate Wickford as a tax-exempt art district. This would have allowed Wickford's artists and galleries the same benefits provided to nine other Rhode Island communities. Although this bill was passed unanimously by the Senate, the House bill was never put on the agenda nor heard. Rhode Island is a leader in the arts and in 1998 …
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Republican candidate for State Senate District 36 Tina McKendall disagrees with her opponent's approach to economic oversight.
- OPINION
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012
To the editor, Sen. James Sheehan wrote recently that quasi-public agencies, such as the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), need more governmental oversight following the 38 Studios debacle. In fact, he proposed three legislative initiatives to increase his own committee's oversight of such quasi-public agencies. I disagree. As a successful small business owner, I know the effects of choking business regulations on area businesses. Instead of increasing government oversight, we need to reverse this trend and reduce regulations. The EDC has become overbearing and its recent role in the 38 Studios disaster only highlights it as a redundancy. Government should not be in the business of venture capital at all. What we need, instead, is to…
Monday, October 1, 2012
Sen. James Sheehan speaks about RIPEC's proposal and the future of the state's economy.
- OPINION
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Monday, October 1, 2012
To the editor, In a presentation to the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Economic Development, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council outlined proposals for a restructuring of the way the state pursues economic growth. RIPEC – an independent, nonprofit public policy research organization, recently released a report on its study of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation that focused on the essential functions, structure and resources of the EDC. The report was prompted, in large part, by the collapse of 38 Studios, which received $75 million in EDC-backed loans. As a co-chair of the joint committee, I welcomed the RIPEC report and presentation, and compliment the organization for its initiative and effort and its …
Thursday, September 27, 2012
North Kingstown's two state senators butt heads over the 38 Studios debacle.
North Kingstown's two state senators' differing opinions on probing the failed 38 Studios have come to light following a review of legislative correspondence by the Associated Press. AP reports that Sen. Dawson Hodgson (R - North Kingstown, East Greenwich, Narragansett, and Exeter) asked Sen. James Sheehan (D- North Kingstown and Narragansett) twice in August to convene hearings into 38 Studios. This summer, the video game studio led by former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling collapsed after receiving a $75 million loan guarantee from the state. Sheehan – who heads the State Senate's government oversight committee – denied the requests, citing the inquiries into the controversy could interfere with the current investigations. …
Politics Sheriff of NK
11:21 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
I dont like this bird anymore than any other of the NKGOP ilk. "I’m Tina McKendall and I can get this done." HUH? Wow. I personally cant stand Jimmy Sheehan, but give me a CREDIBLE alternative please, because he does get some things done. more ›