Warwick lawmakers get negative scores in 'Freedom Index'

By Tessa Roy
Posted 9/27/16

Warwick legislators have scored low in a new scorecard" released by the nonpartisan Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity. The General Assembly delegation for the city ranked 24th out of Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns in terms"

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Warwick lawmakers get negative scores in 'Freedom Index'

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Warwick legislators have scored low in a new “scorecard” released by the nonpartisan Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity. The General Assembly delegation for the city ranked 24th out of Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns in terms of “protecting the individual, economic, and educational freedoms of Rhode Islanders during the 2016 General Assembly session,” said a Center release.

Only 11 Rhode Island lawmakers, 10 Republicans and Independent Representative Blake Fillippi, received positive scores on the Center’s 2016 General Assembly Freedom Index and Legislative Scorecard. Rep. Patricia Morgan scored the highest with a .8 and Senator William Conley with a –73.1.

The overall score of Warwick’s delegation was –54.27, lower than the state General Assembly score of –54.1.

“During the 2016 legislative session, votes from Warwick lawmakers decreased freedom in the Ocean State,” said a release.

Lawmakers were scored in several categories, including Tax & Budget, Regulatory Environment, Constitutional Government, Public Sector Labor, and Education that contribute to one overall score.

“Our legislator scorecard is designed to inform voters of the voting records of their elected officials,” Mike Stenhouse, CEO for the Center, said in the release. “As the 2016 general election draws near, it is up to the people whether or not to hold lawmakers accountable for their actions, in either a positive or negative way.”

To determine scores, the Center assembles panels to read legislation that will get a floor vote, scores the legislation, and then scores lawmakers depending on how they vote. In short, voting records the Center believes have a negative impact on freedoms get negative scores, and records it believes have a positive impact on freedoms get positive scores.

“In general, the factor that ultimately determines the plus or minus on bills will be whether the legislation gives government more or less control over our lives.  That could be the obvious, as with new laws, regulations and taxes, or it could be more subtle, as when the government picks favorites by favoring labor unions, say, or by giving special deals to private corporations or seeking to push Rhode Islanders into a mold that some corporation would prefer for its employees,” said Research Director Justin Katz. “Obviously, such judgments become very complicated when applied to actual bills, particularly when a particular piece of legislation combines elements that are positive with elements that are negative.”

Overall scores for members of Warwick’s delegation were .80 for Rep. Patricia L. Morgan (R) of district 26, -15.6 for Rep. Joseph A. Trillo (R) of district 24, –63.2 for Rep. Joseph J. Jr. Solomon (D) of district 22, –66.2 for Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D) of district 19, -67.2 for Rep. Eileen S. Naughton (D) of district 21, -67.2 for Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D) of district 23, -67.2 for Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D) of district 27, -67.4 for Rep. David A. Bennett (D) of district 20, -68.6 for Sen. William A. Walaska (D) of district 30, -71 for Sen. Erin P. Lynch (D) of district 31, and –71.2 for Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey (D) of district 29.

Though Katz said the methodology for the online service is slightly different than official, final methodology, the Center has an online tool for citizens, Freedom Index Live, that lets Rhode Islanders “review the performance” of their legislators on their own. The tool filters and sorts by score, year, legislator, district, town, party, chamber and/or legislative category, which the Center hopes will raise awareness about voting records. Katz said he hopes the tool will help Rhode Islanders “get a sense of what their legislators are doing” and encourage elected officials to really think about ramifications of bills before voting.

Told of the ratings, House Communications Director Larry Berman said, “This scorecard was produced by a conservative, right-wing organization whose goal is to raise funds by constantly criticizing the General Assembly. The scorecard is not reflective of the hard work and dedication of the Warwick delegation in cutting taxes, reducing the burden on businesses, and reforming government."

Rep. Shekarchi had similar sentiments, saying though he’s willing to meet with the Center anytime, he was never interviewed or spoken to in regards to the scorecard.

“I don’t believe it’s fair or impartial,” he said. “I’m very proud of my legislative record, my attendance, and my accomplishments, including the elimination of Master Lever, among many others.”

He also raised speculations about the Center’s funding, saying he’s “always curious how a government transparency agency is funded: by who and how much” (the Center is a nonprofit and funded by “private, concerned citizens,” according to Communications Director Monique Chartier).

Shekarchi complemented CEO Mike Stenhouse’s performance as a Boston Red Sox player, but said he wasn’t sure how he’s doing now as a politician.

Comments

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  • JohnStark

    It's not surprising that Warwick's pols think poorly of Stenhouse and his organization. The Center for Freedom and Prosperity has always stood for small and limited government, reduced regulations, personal freedom, and low taxes. All of these are anathema to a RI and Warwick pol, which explains the state of the state, and city. Stenhouse makes more sense in a ten minute interview than Warwick's entire delegation will in the next ten years.

    Tuesday, September 27, 2016 Report this

  • patientman

    Shekarchi better get in shape if he's gonna keep patting himself on the back. The master lever was eliminated because Ken Block exposed it for what it was. Shekarchi is the ultimate party machine politician. Therefore, don't underestimate him.

    Tuesday, October 4, 2016 Report this