Perry's Politics

Rhode Island: Bridge Failures, Corporate Exits & System Hacks

• Dan Perry • Season 1 • Episode 1

Share episode

A critical look at Rhode Island's political and economic struggles reveals alarming issues affecting infrastructure and local businesses. The leadership's failures have resulted in a data breach, high corporate turnover, and a pressing need for reform within the state. 
• Discussion on Hasbro's potential relocation and its implications 
• Examination of high taxes and negative impact on small businesses 
• Insights into the Washington Bridge disaster and government accountability 
• Analysis of the recent massive data breach affecting half of Rhode Island's population 
• Political environmental shifts observed in the 2024 elections 
• Focus on the Rhode Island Young Republicans and future goals

Speaker 1:

Welcome to Perry's Politics. I'm your host, dan Perry. I hope you enjoyed our pilot and getting to know what we are about here at Perry's Politics. Thank you for tuning in to our very first episode. I look forward to going on this journey with you, as I share my thoughts and concerns as a young conservative in Rhode Island. This extremely Democratic-controlled state has witnessed some of the most horrific examples of failed leadership in recent years, thanks to Governor Dan McKee and the Democrats. So today I'd like to discuss some of those. Rhode Island is 13 months into dealing with the closure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge, with no clear end in sight. Just last month, we suffered a hack affecting more than half of our state's population's personal information. We will also touch on Hasbro wanting to leave our state and the shift right we saw here in Rhode Island in the 2024 election. We will wrap up by discussing the Rhode Island Young Republicans 2024 and what is coming in 2025. I hope you enjoy this episode and remember to follow us on social media to stay updated with everything related to Perry's politics.

Speaker 1:

Let's start by discussing Hasbro's impact on Rhode Island. Hasbro is a toy making and entertainment company known for creating some of children's classic toys, including some of my childhood personal favorites like Monopoly, nerf, play-doh and Mr Potato Head. This company has been a cornerstone of Rhode Island's economy and community for over 100 years, having been headquartered here since 1923. Recently, hasbro announced that they are considering relocating their headquarters, potentially moving to the suburbs of Boston. Bertie Thompson, hasbro's Chief Communications Officer, released the following statement as Hasbro continues to evolve, we are exploring options for our global headquarters to make sure it is a space that can best serve our employees, partners and business needs for years to come. We are taking our time evaluating all options that can best support our team's creativity and innovation and we'll share updates on our progress. Regardless of the outcome and location, we remain committed to our history, not leaving it behind, but building on it.

Speaker 1:

This announcement raises serious concerns for Rhode Island. Hasbro employs approximately 1,400 locals and the potential move could significantly impact those workers and the state's economy. Those workers and the state's economy While some employees might follow the company to Boston, the move could leave many unable to make the commute, especially with the notoriously challenging traffic. Worse still, it's unclear whether Hasbro intends to cut jobs as part of this transition. The economic impact of losing Hasbro could be severe. Last year alone, the company generated $5 billion in sales, and their presence in Rhode Island has supported local businesses, communities and even nonprofits. Losing a corporation of this size sends a troubling message that even businesses with deep roots in Rhode Island may no longer see the state as a viable place to operate.

Speaker 1:

Now this wouldn't be the first loss affecting the Pawtucket area. The Pawtucket Red Sox left and had a major impact on the city's already struggling economy. Hasbro contributed significant tax revenue to Rhode Island. They paid $552,000 on real estate tax and more than $780,000 in tangible taxes on personal property in 2024 alone. But now that money will no longer be directly poured into the city if they leave In 2023, hasbro had 1,400 local full-time employees, but now that number has since dropped to 1,000. They have also given up their lease in Providence, signaling further downsizing. Pawtucket can't handle another large business leaving, impacting their economy. That ultimately hurts the school's funding and makes their shortage of cash even smaller. Pawtucket residents deserve better, and those students deserve better.

Speaker 1:

This isn't the first time a major company has considered leaving Rhode Island. Citizens Bank recently threatened to relocate due to the state's tax policies. However, after the House Speaker and Governor McKee negotiated a sweet deal to match Massachusetts Bank tax policy. Citizens Bank has committed to staying, although with significant layoffs. Now, hasbro's potential departure highlights a reoccurring issue Rhode Island's economic and tax policies are pushing businesses away. Governor McKee has claimed he was unaware that Hasbro was considering leaving. If true, this speaks volumes about the disconnect between state leadership and one of its largest companies, because the media and we knew that Hasbro has been thinking about this for quite a while. So, governor, how did you not know? Rhode Island has recently ranked the 45th worst state to start a small business, a statistic that underscores the challenges companies face here, whether they are startups or century-old corporations. The solution Rhode Island must must overhaul its economic policies, improve its business climate and foster an environment where businesses can not only survive but thrive. We need to retain our existing companies, attract new ones and ensure that businesses of all sizes see Rhode Island as a place where they can grow and succeed. Losing Hasbro would not just be a symbolic loss, but a tangible hit to our economy and community. It's time for Rhode Island to step up and prove what we are serious about supporting businesses and ensuring our state's economic future.

Speaker 1:

I have always been someone who has wanted to work for themselves. Starting a small business is something I've always thought about and wanted to do. Something I guess you could say I'm working on now, not necessarily with this podcast, but with other adventures I have going on in my life. But as I sit here and reflect, I get nervous about starting a business here because, as we just talked about, we have incredibly high taxes, regulations that are made to burden small business owners, not help them. The little guys don't get the help, but the big guys do, in an economy that is very weak. This is the part of the reason we were ranked top five worst states to start a small business. What kind of message is Rhode Island sending? We live in a world where starting a small business and being your own boss is the new thing. It's making a difference. It's what people want to do, specifically young people, for example.

Speaker 1:

Think about all the landscapers that are out of high school or in their 20s starting their first business to make a living. How many of them end up getting discouraged because of the burdens of regulation and taxation? They see their hard-earned money go back to the state or federal government instead of their very own pockets. I know I'm discouraged knowing that this state is one of the worst to start a small business. So why wouldn't I want to leave and go start a small business in another state that's much easier to be successful? Go to a state that makes it easier to create a living for my girlfriend and I?

Speaker 1:

I don't want to leave Rhode Island, nor do I plan on it, but my point here is we need to be better. We need to cut regulations and taxes. We need to become a state where small businesses can prosper and become a state that is sought after to move or start your own business here. These aid programs the state gives out only support larger businesses with deep pockets. They don't help the smaller businesses. They leave them out to dry, making it much harder for them to succeed. We need to change that. These mom and pop stores or businesses with 10 or few employees are the backbone of our state. We need to be supporting them and making it easier for them to prosper, not harder. Rhode Island needs to support, build up and reinvent our small business environment. Let's attract and work to keep Rhode Islanders here, not push them away. Environment let's attract and work to keep Rhode Islanders here, not push them away.

Speaker 1:

But right now Rhode Island is talking about possible tax hikes to pay for the state's budget deficit. Speaker Joe Succarci claims it's his biggest focus to pass a balanced budget in June. Well, speaker, you have been the Speaker for four years. Your budgets are part of the reason we are where we are today, facing this potential tax hike. With failed leadership like yours across the state, from all of the Democrats, we are facing what's believed to be a $330 to $360 million deficit. So, because of piss, poor leadership and mismanagement of our entire state, rhode Islanders will once again have to foot the bill for our government screw-ups. Our residents will be severely impacted by this. As the cost of living here is already ridiculous, it's about to become even more expensive for them. Another example of pushing Rhode Islanders and small businesses out of this state. We don't just fail when it comes to our economy. We are also failing in our infrastructure.

Speaker 1:

Let's talk about a major issue affecting Rhode Island the ongoing challenges with the Washington Bridge. On December 11, 2023, the westbound side of the bridge was closed due to critical failure of the steel anchor rods that hold the major beams in place. Due to critical failure of the steel anchor rods that hold the major beams in place. Since then, nearly 13 months have passed and the impact has been significant, especially for traffic and local businesses in the East Bay. To understand how we got here, we need to look back to 2016, when structural deficiencies in the bridge were first identified.

Speaker 1:

Ridoc, rhode Island Department of Transportation, started planning repairs to extend the bridge's lifespan by April 2020, they began a new bidding process for the work. Despite these efforts, the westbound side was unexpectedly shut down, creating major disruptions for the 90,000 daily commuters who rely on it 90,000. In response, the eastbound side was reconfigured to handle six lanes of traffic, but this raises serious concerns about its longevity. Will the increased load cause another closure, possibly forcing a complete rebuild of the eastbound structure? It's a valid concern, especially when considering the price tag of $368 million to replace the westbound bridge, which, if we had to guess, is probably going to double. Ridot has installed a structural health monitoring system on the eastbound side to track its condition, but can we really trust them to do anything right at this point? So, who knows, maybe in a few years we'll be rebuilding the eastbound bridge too.

Speaker 1:

The project also involves replacing the pylons in the Seekonk River that support the bridge. However, demolition of the westbound side has been delayed because it was being preserved as evidence in ongoing legal cases, but after a long pause, has since resumed. Rhode Island has filed lawsuits against 13 companies, accusing them of negligence and breach of contract over their previous work on the bridge. Now the federal government is involved. The US Department of Justice is investigating how the bridge deteriorated so badly. On top of all of this, local businesses have been hit hard. Government support has mainly been limited to small loans with low interest rates, with which many business owners feel don't go far enough. Business owners feel don't go far enough. Around 40% of culinary businesses in the area have reported significant revenue losses. While the state did secure a $220 million federal grant to help with rebuilding, that money does not offset the economic damage caused by the bridge closure. The delays in the bidding process have only added to frustration. A second round of bids was supposed to take place by October 4th 2024, but that didn't happen until late November. Traffic congestion has only worsened, not just on highways but also in surrounding neighborhoods, causing even more disruption for residents and businesses.

Speaker 1:

Now it's important to point out how all of this ties into the leadership or should I say lack of leadership under Governor Dan McKee, the response to the Washington Bridge crisis has highlighted serious gaps in leadership and accountability. Despite the ongoing delays, the economic toll and the ongoing investigations, no one has been held responsible, no one has been fired and no one has faced any clear consequences for the failures that have led to this situation. Governor McKee has failed to take decisive action to address this situation, and the lack of accountability for those responsible is extremely frustrating for all Rhode Islanders who were impacted by this. Listen to this. They even held a Zoom meeting to discuss the bridge closure about a week later, but Governor McKee, mckee's admin or Rideout director Avaletti himself none of them attended the meeting, so they had to redo the meeting the following week, but the two people most responsible for this epic fail could not face the residents of Rhode Island that they failed.

Speaker 1:

Answering questions from your constituents is not important enough. Where were you? Why did we have to redo it? Get it right the first time. This is just another example of failed leadership by Democrats, specifically Dan McKee himself.

Speaker 1:

This massive infrastructure fail is now leading to our potential tax hikes due to our massive budget deficit, which does not help. Rhode Islanders are yet again having to foot the bill due to failed leadership. Who knows when the actual total demolition will be done? Who knows when the bridge will actually be finished, because I promise you it's not 2026 like they originally said, or probably even 2028. Knowing this date, who knows what the final cost will be like at the end? And who knows what the eastbound side structure will look like? After years of supporting six lanes of travel and 90,000 daily commuters, I'm afraid this headache is far from over and even has the potential to become even bigger of a headache. Rhode Island, we deserve better and we need to vote better. The Washington Bridge situation is a clear reminder of how critical proactive infrastructure maintenance is and how vital it is for leadership to step up when things go wrong. Rhode Island can't afford to let projects like this fall by the wayside, because the ripple effects are felt across the economy, impacting businesses, commuters and the state's reputation addressing the infrastructure issues and in holding those responsible accountable to ensure the safety and stability of our infrastructure, while supporting those affected by the ongoing challenges.

Speaker 1:

Next, let's dive into the shocking data breach that has left Rhode Islanders vulnerable and exposed. It's a story of failure, negligence and a shocking lack of accountability, impacting more than half of our population. The breach took place. On December 5th, hackers infiltrated Rhode Island's RI Bridges system, which manages our state's health and benefits programs. This breach exposed the personal information of roughly 650,000 people, let that sink in More than half of Rhode Island's population. The stolen data includes social security numbers, banking details, home addresses and dates of births, employment and financial data. Even sensitive family relationships even sensitive family relationships. Programs affected include Medicaid, snap, temporary assistance for needy families, rhode Island Works, child care assistance, long-term services and supports and health insurance through HealthSourceRI.

Speaker 1:

So how on earth does this happen? Hackers reportedly gained access via phishing emails, a method so basic. It's hard to fathom how a system of this scale wasn't better protected. Deloitte, the company responsible for building and maintaining RI bridges, discovered malware on December 13th, promoting the state to shut the system down. Shockingly, hackers left a taunting message. The only reason we did this is the fact that the time it took us to penetrate the infrastructure and, in particular, the domain controller, was five minutes. That's right, five minutes to breach a system meant to protect Rhode Islanders' most sensitive information.

Speaker 1:

So what's the fallout? By December 10th, hackers provided proof of the stolen data. They demanded $23 million ransom. But here's the kicker we have no idea if Deloitte paid any of it because they're refusing to answer questions? If Deloitte paid any of it? Because they're refusing to answer questions? Governor McKee claims Deloitte is handling the hackers, while the state deals with Deloitte and the IT problems. But where's the leadership here? Why is the company responsible for the catastrophe also in charge of resolving it alone? Why is McKee himself not involved, or our local law enforcement involved, with Deloitte trying to handle the hackers?

Speaker 1:

As if this is not bad enough in itself, let's discuss Deloitte's track record. Let's talk about Deloitte's history with Rhode Island. In 2013, they were contracted to build the UHIP system. That disaster cost taxpayers nearly $800 million, far beyond the projected $135 million. When UHIP launched in 2016, it crashed, leaving 20,000 cases in limbo and families without essential benefits. Despite this, in 2021, we hired Deloitte again for nearly $100 million to manage our ride bridges. And here we are dealing with another epic fail from that company and the response from Rhode Island. In January, affected residents will receive letters explaining how to sign up for free credit monitoring.

Speaker 1:

But is that enough? House Republicans are demanding a full audit of this fiasco and I'm echoing their call. Rhode Islanders deserve better. Let's get them answers. This is why we need change. Rhode Islanders deserve better. Let's get them answers. This is why we need change. This breach underscores why Republicans have been pushing for an Inspector General's office. We need oversight, accountability and leaders who prioritize protecting our citizens.

Speaker 1:

Governor McKee's decision to rehire Deloitte, despite their abysmal track record, shows a staggering level of incompetence. Rhode Islanders, are you starting to see a common thread here? Mishap after mishap, failed leadership after failed leadership. Another costly mistake to the Rhode Island residents. How does state government data that is confidential only take five minutes to hack? How does state government data that is confidential only take 5 minutes to hack? Why are our defense systems that weak? Do we know our firewalls were that weak and failed to do anything about it? If we did know, why aren't we running routine security checks? If we did know, why the hell was this not dealt with before it was hacked? It is pure incompetence and this should have never happened.

Speaker 1:

This was not some complex hack. It was simple and easy. It left our residents open to identity theft and having their personal information exposed, like where they live or what their finances are. This is inexcusable. We deserve better. We need leadership that will stand up for us, not perpetuate the failures of the past. Rhode Islanders, if you want change, you have to vote for it. Empty promises from Democrats have gotten us nowhere. Let's learn from 2024 and prepare for 2026. In 2026, we need to elect strong Republican leaders who will fight for you every day, protect the roads we drive on and protect our personal information. That shouldn't be too much to ask for.

Speaker 1:

Now let's discuss the major political shift that took place in Rhode Island during the last presidential election. For the first time in 11 years, we saw Republican momentum across the state, with Donald Trump gaining ground in all 39 cities and towns. Let's break it down by county. Bristol County saw a 3.1 point swing toward Republicans. Kent County had a 5.8 point increase for Republicans. Newport County shifted 4.5 points more Republican. Providence County saw the biggest change, with an 8.9 point swing. Washington County also leaned 4.5 points more Republican. One striking example is Kent County. One striking example is Kent County, where Kamala Harris and Donald Trump were separated by just 1,743 votes out of nearly 91,000 casts Harris with 50%, trump with 48%. That's a razor-thin margin and it signals real progress for Republicans at the presidential level.

Speaker 1:

But we've got to face the truth this progress has not translated to local elections. Right now, only 14 out of 113 members in the Rhode Island General Assembly are Republican. That's a huge challenge and we need to start chipping away at it year by year. Here's what needs to happen. One, we need better candidates and more candidates. We need people who connect with Rhode Islanders, who understand their needs and will fight for them. Second, we need organization. We need a united effort to back these candidates, promote them and get them elected. And lastly, we need to be united and focused. Republicans must unite. Rhode Island is failing and if we don't correct the course now, this beautiful state risks losing what makes it special.

Speaker 1:

But let's be clear being a Donald Trump Republican won't work here. Being a Donald Trump Republican won't work here. What I mean by that is the name-calling, the deprecating jokes, the persona of toughness. Those tactics may resonate nationally, but they won't win at the state level in Rhode Island. Trump's policies those can resonate. Those work His style Not so much.

Speaker 1:

For Rhode Islanders to elect more Republican officials, we need candidates who show they care, who focus on state-level issues and who can convey strength through unity. We have a real shot at changing things, but it's going to take hard work, energy and organization. The Rhode Island Republican Party is working hard, but they can only do so much without our support, so let's help them by donating to their party, attending meetings or volunteering our time. It's going to take an army to turn this state around, and every one of us has a role to play. If you ever thought about running for office, now's the time. Reach out to someone in the Republican Party or use the link in our episode's description to connect with me and I'll help get you in touch with the right people. Not ready to run, that's okay. Get involved in other ways. Help with campaigns, door knock or simply spread the word, and if you're not there yet, stay along for the ride. When you're ready, we'll be here. Together, we can change Rhode Island. Let's get to work as we think about the 2024 shift to the right. What does this mean for the Rhode Island Young Republicans?

Speaker 1:

The Rhode Island Young Republicans held three key events in 2024 and we look forward to much bigger things in 2025 as you prepare for 2026. We kicked off with the bang. Our first big event, the presidential debate at Dan's Place, featuring Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. We had over 70 people join us that night and the energy was electric. The room was alive with cheers and jeers as the debate unfolded, and everyone was engaged from start to finish. We even managed to raise an incredible amount of money to help support our events for the rest of 2024. It was exactly the event we hoped for, and it got us ready for the 2024 election. Seeing our base come together, excited and ready for what was ahead was exactly what our hopes were.

Speaker 1:

Next up was the vice presidential debate at the event factory. This time, we partnered with the state GOP and it was another solid turnout with over 60 people in attendance. We had some great speakers, including Leader Chippendale and Leader Daley Cruz, who talked about their work in the Statehouse and why Rhode Island needs more Republican legislatures. We also heard from Jared Valenzuela, plymouth County Commissioner and the National Young Republican Federation, new England Director. He shared his experiences and emphasized how crucial it is to elect Republicans to change the current trajectory, especially young Republicans. And then, of course, we had our election night party, which brought in over 125 people. Now, while things didn't go our way with all the state Republican candidates, the energy in the room was still undeniable as results started to roll in, especially for Trump. The excitement grew by the time Kamala Harris's chances began to dwindle and we knew she was losing. The room was buzzing with joy and hope. It reminded us of why we do this. It got us excited for the next four years and made us hopeful that Rhode Islanders will see what Republicans can achieve at the federal level. We're optimistic that this momentum will lead to more local victories in the future, especially in 2026.

Speaker 1:

The Rhode Island Young Republicans have big goals for 2025. Everything we do will be focused on building momentum for 2026. Here's what we are aiming for Growing our organization to over 250 active members. We need active membership in order to achieve our goals. We need to identify and support young Republican candidates. That's from ages 18 to 40. There are so many young, smart conservatives that would be great representing our state and we need to find them and get them elected. The next thing we need to do is train these candidates, promote them and ultimately, like I just mentioned, get them elected. We need more Republican leaders and, lastly, we need to build a strong, motivated base to fight for Rhode Island. Alongside us. We are committed to working tirelessly to improve Rhode Island's economy, infrastructure and make this state a better place for everyone. We host monthly events, so be sure to follow the Rhode Island Young Republicans on social media to stay updated on all our events and news. Let's make 2025 a year of growth, energy and preparation for Republican success in 2026 here in the beautiful state of Rhode Island.

Speaker 1:

As we conclude today's episode, I want to thank you for tuning in. Please join the fight by following us on social media and tuning in for our episodes. Links can be found in the link tree attached in the episode description. Our next episode will be dropping soon, so make sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates. Let's remember what God has said Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the Church and in Christ Jesus through all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians, chapter 3, verses 20 through 21.