Tagged: debates

Rhode Island to Raise Minimum Wage in 2016

In three years, Rhode Island has seen the minimum wage climb from $7.25 to $8 per hour. It just recently went up to $9 at the start of 2015. Now, state legislators will raise the minimum wage again, to $10.10 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2016.

Rep. David Bennett introduced the bill that would raise the current hourly minimum by $1.10, because he believes it is difficult to live off $9 an hour. He also argues that by boosting the minimum wage, they are hoping that will translate to more local money spent, which will help stimulate the economy.

“Now is a good time to give them another boost in their wages. As we come out of the recession, they’ll fare as well as everyone else,” said Bennett.

Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis, a Coventry Democrat, also supports an increase of minimum wage, but proposes that it be relative to the Consumer Price Index, and caps increases at 50 cents per year.

Though Gina Raimondo is in favor of raising the minimum wage, that decision was not unanimous. At the hearing on the bill, smaller businesses and organizations opposed the bill, saying it would be very difficult to afford

Rhode Island is taking the lead for raising minimum wage in New England with this action, however Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts are also planning future raises. 

Could this change help reduce the unemployment rate in Rhode Island, which is one of the worst in the country? It could add incentive for the many college students in the state to stay in the state after graduation. The job creation that could come from this may finally fuel the state’s brain drain that it has struggled with for years.

Picture obtained via domenic.izzi on flickr

Picture obtained via domenic.izzi on Flickr

Note: The content of this article has changed to support that this bill has passed

Elorza vs. Cianci: Who Will Claim Providence?

The stakes are very high for residents of Providence. Days away until the people will decide who they want to run their city. Democrat Jorge Elorza is focusing on building community schools, a concept that has not been initiated in New England yet. He is running against Independent Buddy Cianci, a two-time convicted felon and former Providence mayor, who talks about expanding the waterfront. Hawk the Vote will be covering all of election night to broadcast live coverage and stay updated on this controversial race to city hall.

Hawk the Vote Debate: College Democrats vs College Republicans

BRISTOL, R.I.__The Roger Williams University chapter of Society of Professional Journalists and the Hawk the Vote campaign media lab cosponsored a political debate between the College Democrats and College Republicans.

This debate was regarding local Rhode Island politics and the gubernatorial candidates, Democrat Gina Raimondo and Republican Allan Fung. Each political party backed their respective candidates and discussed their take on the most important issues.

The first question was about the job market in Rhode Island and the lack of college students staying in the state after they graduate.

Dylan Kelly, of the college Republicans made an interesting remark about this issue, commonly referred to as the brain drain.

“Rhode Island’s biggest export is college students,” said Kelly.

Though the first few questions did not spark much controversy, the ethical question about Raimondo’s high school, La Salle Academy, which removed Raimondo’s photo from the wall of notable alumni, got things heated up.

The Democrats stated that they are pro-choice and think that it was completely wrong of the school, when they should be proud to have a prominent woman like Raimondo as an alumni.

The Republican’s stance was less clear as they first stated that as a private Catholic institution, La Salle Academy has the right to remove any photos that go against the school’s beliefs, which are very strongly pro-life.

However, then Republicans said if they were the principle of La Salle Academy, they would handle the situation differently and not remove the picture.

Overall, the debate was riveting and after each side made closing statements, the RWU journalism reporters asked the parties more specific questions geared toward their beats.

“I think Jorge Elorza is a great person to succeed Angel Taveras, they have a lot of the great same policies,” said Democrat Dylan VanDrimlen. “Angel was very successful in moving the city forward, and I believe Jorge has some new and fresh ideas that can not only improve upon that, but can push the city to a better, more economic standpoint.”