Welcome
to Ocean State Policy Research Institute. Our work
is focused on crafting sound public policy based on the
principles of free enterprise, limited
government,
and
traditional American
values. We offer
timely research and analysis on important issues to
be shared with elected officials, the media, business
leaders,
community
organizations
and individual citizens. |
What's
New?
All Aboard the Transparency Train!
Do you know what your government is doing?
Board the Transparency Train today to find:
RI Data - State, city, town and school district financial information
RI Votes - the General Assembly made easy
RI Donors - a searchable database of political donations
RI Schools - compare school districts using interactive graphs
Take Action - learn how you can make your government more accountable
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What else is
New? |
TODAY and EVERYDAY: A DISCUSSION ON BAIL-OUT ALTERNATIVES |
December 25, 2008: HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY!
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December 24, 2008: Press Release: OSPRI says: "Modified loads are re-defaulting at an alarming rate, bankruptcies the quicker surer path to stability in real estate markets"
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December 23, 2008: Press Release: OSPRI NAMES FATHER GIACOMO CAPOVERDI AS ITS NEWEST ADVISOR
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December 17, 2008: Please watch OSPRI president Felkner on Your World with Neil Cavuto today at 4:00 |
December 16, 2008: FOX NEWS: Student Says School Persecuted Him for Being Conservative |
December 16, 2008: Chronicle of Higher Education |
December 16, 2008: Helen Glover: Interview on WHJJ radio |
December 15, 2008: Graduate student sues RIC over liberal views  |
December 15, 2008: Election to two posts results in legal imbroglio |
December 15, 2008: Conflicts and hypocrisy |
December 15, 2008: RIDE writes, "Group paid for McWalters travels" |
December 12, 2008: Transparency Train update week ending 12/12 |
December 12, 2008: Felkner heads for high court |
December 11, 2008:Committee chair set poor standard for conflict of interest |
December 11, 2008: Not all the answers, just a few things that worked |
December 9, 2008: Constitutionally dubious mortgage modification |
December 9, 2008: The real first class |
December 5, 2008: Transparency Train update - week ending Dec 5 |
November 20, 2008: Warwick Beacon: Open records maverick ruffles many (pg 2 HERE) |
November 18, 2008: Warwick Beacon: School expenditures questioned |
November 12, 2008: Press Release: Barney Frank continues to sidestep the issue of property rights of mortgage holders |
November 7, 2008: OSPRI President on Trillo Talks |
November 6, 2008: New Web site posts public records |
November 3, 2008: Medicaid Modernization can start in the Ocean State |
October 30, 2008: Starting the discussion to find a free market solution to the bail out |
October 29, 2008: School committees endorse open talks on contracts |
October 28, 2008: OSPRI president and School Committee Member issues PR on contract negotiations |
October 27, 2008: Providence Journal: Grass-roots watchdog groups thriving |
October 27, 2008: Providence Journal: The Internet age opens floodgates on public records |
| October 22, 2008: Press Release: OSPRI brings transparency to RI State House |
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Article: Felkner heads for high court
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A Chariho Regional School Committee member recently ousted by colleagues plans to challenge his peers’ decision before the state’s highest court.
At issue is whether William J. Felkner of Ashaway can continue to serve on the School Committee since he became a member of the Hopkinton Town Council last month. Felkner began his four-year School Committee term in 2006.
Last month the committee disqualified Felkner from participating in its meetings, after Chariho Solicitor Jon M. Anderson said Felkner vacated his committee seat when he was sworn in to the council. The committee said its judgment would stand unless the state Board of Elections or a court rules otherwise.
After the School Committee refused to reinstate Felkner on Tuesday, Felkner’s attorney Nicholas Gorham said his client has no choice but to appeal to the state Supreme Court.
Continue reading HERE
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Article: Committee chair hypocritical on conflict of interest
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On Nov. 17, I was sworn in to the Hopkinton Town Council. I’m also a member of the Chariho Regional School Committee. On Nov. 18, Bill Day, the outgoing chair of that committee, had me removed from that seat claiming my service on the town council presented a “conflict of interest.”
Whether or not the committee has the authority, or even justification, for this action is now a matter for a judge to decide, but for Mr. Day to claim that I have a conflict of interest is the epitome of hypocrisy.
Continue reading HERE
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Article: Not All the Answers, Just a Few Things That Worked |
According to Rasmussen, when given a choice between a government that provides fewer services and sets lower taxes and one that demands higher taxes but offers more services, Americans choose smaller government by a 59% to 28% margin. So, if these views are in the majority, why is it that our elected representatives do the opposite?
Maybe the answer lies in how we communicate with them.
Read more HERE
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Article: School committees endorse open talks on contracts |
EAST PROVIDENCE — Nine members of school committees around the state yesterday pledged their support of the city board’s efforts to hold teachers’ contract negotiations in public.
The schools’ current contract with its nearly 500 teachers expires on Friday. Since August, the sides have debated whether to hold closed-door bargaining sessions, with the School Committee against them and the East Providence Education Association favoring them.
A union representative did not return a call from The Journal yesterday.
“Many times the School Committee members themselves want to keep the public out, so this is certainly a positive sign,” wrote William Felkner, of the Chariho Regional School Committee, in a news release yesterday. The release was also signed by school board members Douglas Roth and Renee Cockerill, of North Kingstown; David Coughlin, of Pawtucket; Sandra Gabaree, of Johnston; Mark Baker, of Glocester; Jean Ann Guliano, of East Greenwich; Paul Cannistra, of Warwick; and Joseph Quinn, of Tiverton.
Felkner said, “There really is no reason for this secrecy. If taxpayers had a say, I’m sure they would insist on open meetings.”
Continue reading here...
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