Latest news with #MarciaRanglinVassell
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
There's only one General Assembly race this year, for SD4. Meet the Dem primary candidates.
The lone General Assembly campaign this year is to replace the late Dominick Ruggerio in Senate District 4 in North Providence and northwestern Providence, a seat he held for four decades. Four Democrats made the July 8 primary ballot, and the winner will face Republican Alexander Asermely in the Aug. 5 special general election. The Democrats are: Lenny Cioe Jr., a registered nurse from North Providence who challenged Ruggerio in the last three elections. Stefano Famiglietti, a North Providence town councilman and attorney who has been endorsed by Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone and the Rhode Island AFL-CIO. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, a Providence schoolteacher who served three terms in the House of Representatives and wrote a book on trauma-informed schools. Manny Taveras, brother of former Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, former City Hall staffer and current account executive for a pharmacy benefits manager. Political Scene asked each of them about key issues facing the state. These are their answers. Ranglin-Vassell: The first bill I would introduce would be to increase funding for those affected by federal cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, including seniors, veterans and children. I will fight to safeguard against Trump's inhumane policies, which will be devastating to health, safety and dignity. Our elders should never have to choose between food and medicine. Veterans should never be left without the care that they have earned, and also children should never fall through the cracks. Famiglietti: The first bill that I would introduce would be a bill that would increase the state aid to the Town of North Providence and to the City of Providence. Specifically, I would like to raise the amount of state Payment In Lieu of Taxes reimbursement to local municipalities more than the current 27% that state law currently allows. For years, the state PILOT reimbursement fund has been level funded, and it's time for that fund to be increased so that the financial burden doesn't fall squarely on folks who pay residential property taxes. Taveras: I'd introduce a bill to reduce or waive licensed clinical social worker licensing fees based on income. We're facing a mental health provider shortage, and the current costs are a barrier − especially for diverse, working-class candidates. This small step could help open the door to a more inclusive behavioral health workforce that reflects and serves our communities. Cioe: As state senator, the first bill I introduce would strengthen protections against utility terminations for those with serious illnesses. Our neighbors deserve to know that Rhode Island Energy can't turn off the lights, or ventilators, on them. I will also introduce bills to create a Percentage-of-Income Payment Plan to help low-income residents pay their utility bills, as is done in other states, and create a commission to study lowering Rhode Island Energy's allowed profit margin. Famiglietti: While there aren't many people in my district who make over that amount, I do believe that $625,000 is too low. I am open-minded to adjusting our tax structure. However, I would only support such a change with evidence-based studies supporting that there would be no detrimental impact on our economy, and that we directly commit the extra money towards essential services, rather than having all the money go to the general fund. Taveras: Yes. Fewer than 6,000 filers in Rhode Island earn over $625,000. A modest tax on this income could raise nearly $200 million – funds that could help cover gaps in education, public transit, housing and infrastructure. Asking the wealthiest to contribute more is not just fiscally smart – it's fair. Cioe: We need to introduce a new top marginal tax bracket of 8.99% on those earning over $1,000,000 a year. Much more importantly, we need a progressive corporate income tax structure that ensures no new taxes on small businesses while finally taxing multinational corporations like Amazon, which we are subsidizing with our higher taxes and reduction in services. The additional revenue should be used to defend Rhode Islanders from Trump's war on Medicaid. Ranglin-Vassell: Yes, I firmly believe that Rhode Island should increase taxes on income over $625,000. Fairness and equity requires taxing the rich − the wealthiest Rhode Islanders must pay their fair share. This isn't political rhetoric, it's grounded in love and care for our most vulnerable neighbors, as well as the working poor. These are values my parents taught me. Increasing taxes will generate funds to invest in failing infrastructures: education, health care, housing and senior services. Taveras: Yes − with conditions. These hospitals provide critical care and jobs in District 4. Any state investment must include long-term commitments to improve care for underserved communities, protect workers and return public benefit. This isn't just a bailout; it should be a reinvestment in health equity and economic stability. Cioe: Rhode Island used to have a vast network of community hospitals, like Cranston General and Memorial. Now, the number is critically low. Fatima and Roger Williams were bought out by an equity fund that used the hospital as a piggy bank, with one partner securing $424 million. The state must bail out the hospitals, if necessary, by placing a lien against Prospect Medical's shareholders' assets. If these hospitals go under, our health care system will collapse. Ranglin-Vassell: Roger Williams Medical Center is right in my neighborhood. Low-income communities, seniors and immigrants depend on the hospital for care. We cannot afford to let them fail. But public funds must come with conditions such as financial oversight, workers and patient protections and a plan for long-term sustainability. We must put people over profit. Famiglietti: Fatima Hospital and Roger Williams going bankrupt could be a major loss of revenue for the Town of North Providence and the City of Providence. However, of greater importance is the significant impact this would have on our state health care system. I am not sure our state's health care could absorb such a loss. I believe that the state should use any and all necessary resources to ensure that they remain open. Cioe: As a nurse, I have a unique view on gun violence. I have taken care of numerous young men disfigured or paralyzed by guns. While we need to ban the sales and possession of assault weapons, gun violence is also a symptom of wider societal problems. The lack of health care, mental health care and educational avenues for young people have them feeling abandoned. We must address all of these issues and invest in our society. Ranglin-Vassell: I've spent my political career fighting against gun violence. As a teacher, I've felt the fear that educators and students carry into classrooms across our nation. From Sandy Hook to Uvalde, the heartbreak of school shootings is real and personal. Teachers, students and all staff inside of these schools are like sitting ducks. I have wondered "Which school will be next?' So, yes, I would vote to ban weapons of war; they do not belong in our community. Famiglietti: I would not have supported the current version of the bill, as I'm unsure at this moment if the current version of the assault weapons ban is constitutional. I am very open to common-sense gun laws that protect people, and I believe that we should give law enforcement any and all resources necessary to combat the illegal guns that cause violence in our neighborhoods and communities. I also think it is extremely important that we as a state continue to address the mental health issues that are often the cause of the mass shootings that have plagued our country. Taveras: I would have voted yes on the Senate's bill to ban sales of assault weapons, but no on the House's possession ban. I support reasonable gun safety laws, but believe forced surrender of legally owned firearms risks overreach. We need legislation that protects public safety and constitutional rights. Ranglin-Vassell: I would have voted for the amendment. Transportation is an equity issue. People with disabilities, low-wage workers, poor families, seniors, veterans, students, the elderly depend on public transportation to get to work, to the doctor and to school. Public transportation should be free, period. My vote would be grounded in compassion and the belief that public transportation is a right, and I will fight to ensure that it is accessible to all who need it. Famiglietti: I would have voted against this amendment, given that we would not have known the effect that it could have had on the Department of Transportation. However, I do support finding a solution to fully fund RIPTA without redirecting resources from other state departments. Many residents in my district use public transportation to get to work and school, and I think it's important that we try to expand that over the next few years. I look forward to working with the Save RIPTA Coalition and the state to find creative solutions to ensure that RIPTA has the resources it needs to continue to provide the services that my district relies on. Taveras: I would not have supported the amendment without more transparency. While I believe deeply in public transit, moving $10M from DOT without clarity on which projects would be cut is risky. We need a sustainable funding plan for RIPTA − not a last-minute reallocation that creates more gaps. Cioe: I would have voted for this amendment. We should be incentivizing the use of public transit and making it more accessible to those who need it. To that extent, we must provide free bus fare to all seniors and people with disabilities by extending the current low-income program for those groups. This will reduce paperwork while ensuring seniors and those with disabilities can live with dignity. Famiglietti: I would encourage them to go throughout the district and visit our local shops and restaurants. There, they would be able to meet the people from our community that really make up its heart and soul. These are the people that I have the privilege of interacting with on a daily basis and they are the reason I am running for office. Taveras: Start with coffee at Brewgrindz, then hit The Push Factory for a morning workout. Refuel with a classic Italian sub from Santoro's, then relax with lunch at Notte Park by the water. For dinner, swing by Haus De La Vie and grab their signature pho – then treat yourself at U Scream Ice Cream. That's a perfect day in District 4. Cioe: I love living in North Providence. Some of my favorite activities are going to Shaw's, where you always run into somebody you know while planning dinner; going to Captain's Catch on a Friday, having Jessie or Tyler pick the best fish for you; stopping by Arigna, the local watering hole; and working out at YouFit (when I'm not getting my exercise by knocking on doors and earning votes). This is a community that isn't afraid to have fun, just like it isn't afraid to demand more from its leaders. Ranglin-Vassell: I'd tell my relatives to let's go to Governor John Notte Park – a freshwater beach. I've spentmany summers with my sons and daughter at Governor Notte, and it's still a great place to swim,have lunch and just 'catch a vibe!' This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Senate District 4 Democratic primary voter guide: Meet the candidates
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Where They Stand: Democratic candidates for RI Senate District 4
The four Democrats are Stefano Famiglietti, Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, Manny Taveras and Lenny Cioe. Whoever wins the primary will face Republican Alex Asermely in the Aug. 5 general election.
