Well, this should be interesting. Steve Frias, the Rhode Island National Committeeman, the conservative with a penchant for history — is running against the Goliath of the Rhode Island Democratic political machine Nicholas Mattiello, the unlikable–yet more than likely–successor to former Speaker Gordon Fox, who went from the state house to the big house. How many stones does he have in his sack? David only needed one, and he was planning on knocking down Goliath’s four brothers. Surely it won’t take so much fire power to bring down the Democratic Speaker of the Rhode Island House, will it? I applaud anyone who will take on the leader of the rotten pack of wolves. Here in California, the state Speaker of the House, Anthony Rendon, is sleeping with every special interest in Sacramento.
Hardly anyone has heard of the Democratic dominator in California.
I am certain that everyone … everyone has heard of Mattiello in Rhode Island.
Government taking, taxes, fees … and now tolls!
What are those people on Smith Hill thinking?
I would have never believed that a state would go bankrupt, but Rhode Island is on the list right behind Puerto Rico, no doubt.
Thank goodness someone is willing to run up the hill and tackle the political general of the corrupt Democratic army.
Steve Frias, best of luck to you!
Read the press release issued from the Rhode Island Republican Party:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 23, 2016
Contact: Steve Frias 401-580-0802
FriasForRep@yahoo. com
FRIAS ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY TO UNSEATSPEAKER MATTIELLO”It’s time we clean house at the State House.”
CRANSTON,
RI – Steven Frias, a Rhode Island Republican leader and prize
winning writer, has announced his candidacy for Representative in District
15, which is currently held by House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello. The race
presents a clear choice between Speaker Mattiello, the chief defender of
Rhode Island’s failing status quo, and Frias, an articulate advocate for
dramatic reforms to make Rhode Island’s economy more prosperous and its
government more ethical. Indeed, the choice is crystal, crystal, crystal clear. Frias stated,
“Rhode Island’s most powerful politician, Speaker Mattielllo, believes
Rhode Island is in ‘excellent shape’ and that state ‘government actually
works very well.’ Well, I have to disagree. For example, Rhode Island
currently has the sixth-worst business-tax climate in the nation according
to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation. Further, Rhode Island’s structural
budget deficit will grow to over $300 million dollars in a few years
according to new budget projections. Moreover, in just the last two months,
Rhode Island has lost nearly 4,000 jobs. To make matters worse, in less
than two months, members of Mattiello’s House leadership team have become
mired in scandal. This is unacceptable.”The most powerful politician in every state will always say “Everything is fine!” How about “The fundamentals of our nation are strong!” That’s always a good one. Of course, all of the government spin cannot cover up the dwindling economic opportunities and anemic employment numbers. No matter how strongly Wall Street is rallying, if you cannot find a job, you cannot find a job. Steve Frias receives the 2015 Coolidge AwardFrias continued,
“To grow our economy, the cost of doing business in Rhode Island must
be significantly reduced. For starters, we should repeal the new tolls, and
implement dramatic reductions in Rhode Island’s tax rates to levels below
those of its neighboring states, like Massachusetts. To restore public
confidence in our state government, we need reforms such as requiring
legislative grants to be specifically listed in the budget, a line-item
veto, restrictions on fundraising while the General Assembly is in session,
requiring the General Assembly to follow open meetings laws, and term
limits. It’s time we clean house at the State House!”How many more times to concrete, sincere Republicans have to remind voters that the cost of doing business is just too damn high? How many businesses are actually left in the state. California also has some of the worst regulations, as well as high taxes and burdensome fees for individual entrepreneurs. Let’s face it. Rhode Island, California, and all other blue states hemorhagging to death need a strong executive with a keen business acumen, not pandering to ethnic groups or beholden to labor unions. We need those leaders to step up, and now!
As for the demand for more open government … What? No transparency? Restoring public trust in government .. like inviting a sheep to go on a date with a wolf, and trust him to pick up the tab for dinner. Laughing out loud!
Steven Frias, Esq.,
a graduate of Brown University and Suffolk University Law School, is an
attorney in the Boston law firm Keegan Werlin LLP. He specializes in
public utility and administrative law. Mr. Frias is currently serving
as the Republican National Committeeman for Rhode Island. He
has written numerous opinion columns about state and local government
usually from a historical perspective. He has been a contributor to the Providence
Journal and Cranston Herald, and was the 2015
recipient of The Coolidge Prize for Journalism. He is also the author
of Cranston and Its Mayors: A History. Originally born in
New Bedford, Massachusetts, the son of Portuguese immigrants, Mr. Frias
currently resides in Cranston, Rhode Island with his wife and three young
children.
Final Reflection
Mr. Frias had called me three years ago when I was investigating the RHode Island political scene. I remember some of his story, like his early life in Massachusetts. He also wrote a long history about Cranston.
Will he be able to make history in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and unseat a sitting House Speaker?
Let’s hope for the best. In California, a Republican is challenging Speaker Anthony Rendon, but it’s a perennial candidate who at best does not have much of a chance. The lack of unity and attention to the race should concern a lot of people.