A Blatant, Corrupt Power Grab by Rhode Island’s Governor

National Review ^ | September 1, 2021 | MIKE STENHOUSE

[george76]

After it looked like the legislature was finally about to reclaim its authority, Governor McKee plunged the state back into unilateral rule.

For all the wrong reasons earlier this summer, the Rhode Island General Assembly finally did the right thing in restoring a proper balance of powers. But just weeks later, the governor double-crossed lawmakers with an audacious, and likely illegal, power play.

Now some lawmakers are speaking out against their own party’s governor and asking leadership to intervene against his latest gambit.

In a state where COVID-19 case and fatality rates have persistently ranked among the worst in the nation — and where economic recovery is among America’s weakest — Rhode Island’s General Assembly, in June, finally felt compelled to step in and exert its legal authority to put an end to the emergency powers of the sitting executive. But little did most realize that the governor had a major trick up his sleeve.

After former governor Gina Raimondo seized unilateral control over the state’s pandemic response by issuing and extending states-of-emergency and executive orders — later to be continued by current Governor Dan McKee — the do-nothing General Assembly sat idly by and failed to engage while Rhode Islanders suffered.

The unexpected June legislative action was not inspired by the executive branch’s failed attempts to balance health and economic outcomes. Nor was it about putting a stop to some of the abusive and unconstitutional executive orders.

Not surprisingly, the issue that shocked legislators into action was money. When the executive branch suggested it had authority — under its ongoing emergency powers — to spend the billion-plus dollars in federal pandemic-relief aid headed to Rhode Island, this proved a bridge too far for legislative leaders. The fight was on — albeit secretly.

For 15 months, the General Assembly ignored the tyranny of the executive branch, which failed to act with “strict regard to the rights of the people,” as the law requires. Legislation submitted in early 2021 to restore balanced governance was killed by Assembly leadership.

But, in the late spring, it was the smell of money — over a billion dollars’ worth (and all the favor and votes that could be bought with it) — that finally spurred action.

[slapshot]

You own this GOPE NRO- looks like your cruise can now be held in a canoe-

[george76]

Rhode Island’s former Governor Gina Raimondo caught Maskless at a bar after telling the slaves ( formerly known as citizens ) to stay home.

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3916569/posts

[AndyJackson]

It is comforting to see that NRO has finally become the laughing stock that they have been working to become for the last 5 years or so. It is always gratifying when hard work pays off.