Government: How the Game is Played

Reminder: Conversation with Tom Hoagland, Providence Business Loan Fund 11/15

Providence Conversation

Come learn about the Providence Business Loan Fund

Guest: Thomas Hoagland, Director
          Providence Business Loan Fund

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Place: 133 Dexterdale Rd, home of Barbara Riter

Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm

For government, “economic development” translates into public money to private businesses. On the one hand, businesses often desperately need capital, beyond what banks are willing to loan. On the other hand, often the banks are appropriately cagey: the businesses are not sure bets.

 (Remember 38 Studios).
How does Providence balance the need to bolster its businesses, against the worry that some of those businesses may die, even with a public subsidy?
Come hear Thomas Hoagland, Director of the Providence Business Loan Fund

Conversation and coffee, tea and cookies

Providence Conversation: Thomas Hoagland, Director, Providence Business Loan Fund

Providence League of Women Voters
Invites you to a
Providence Conversation

Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 7pm

Providence needs its small businesses.
Sometimes those small businesses need a boost from the city.

Come learn about the Providence Business Loan Fund

Guest: Thomas Hoagland, Director
          Providence Business Loan Fund

Conversation and coffee, tea and cookies


Date: Thursday, November 15, 2018
Place: 133 Dexterdale Rd, home of Barbara Riter
Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm

Mayoral Candidate Forum - Audio online

The Providence League of Women Voters, in conjunction with URI's MPA Program at the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies hosted a Providence Mayoral Forum on September 4 at URI's Paff Auditorium on the Providence Campus. It was an informative night moderated by Scott MacKay a commentator for RIPR's (now the Public's Radio) Political Roundtable. Candidates shared their views on the proposed skyscraper in the city's jewelry district, how to solve billions of dollars in unfunded pension liabilities, how to improve public schools, and more.

Candidates: ROBERT A DEROBBIO, Democrat: JEFFREY E LEMIRE, Independent (present but not participating); JORGE O ELORZA, Democrat; KOBI JASON DENNIS, Democrat; and DIANNE S WITMAN, Independent

Thanks to RIPR you can listen to the full discussion here.

LWV Mayoral Debate

The Providence League of Women Voters, in conjunction with URI's MPA Program at Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies, is excited to announce, that it will host a Providence Mayoral Forum on September 4 from 7-8:30 p.m. at URI's Paff Auditorium on the Providence Campus, located at 80 Washington Street. The public is invited to hear the five candidates discuss the issues that affect the capital city.

Questions for the candidates may be sent to LWVProvidence@lwvri.org (please note that this address is case sensitive). Time will be limited, so we may not be able to ask all questions.

The program will be moderated by Scott MacKay a commentator for Rhode Island Public Radio's Political Roundtable.

Candidates:
ROBERT A DEROBBIO, Democrat
JEFFREY E LEMIRE, Independent
JORGE O ELORZA, Democrat
KOBI JASON DENNIS, Democrat
DIANNE S WITMAN, Independent

League Day at the State House on April 3 - Seth Magaziner

RI General Treasurer Seth Magaziner will be the featured speaker at League Day at the State House on April 3, 2018. His focus will be the new school upgrade plan coming out of Governor Raimondo's Rhode Island School Building Task Force that Magaziner co-chaired.

Agenda for Tuesday April 3rd at the Governor's Reception Room
3 P.M. Social Hour - Meet and Greet - Outside the Governor's Reception Room
4 P.M. League Program
5 P.M. RI General Treasurer Seth Magaziner speaks to the League

Please bring your friends and invite your General Assembly representatives to attend.

I know a Guy: Ethics in RI

Monday, March 19, 2018  -
Time: 6:30 - 7: 00 pm, reception, 7:00 - 8:00 speakers

Lippitt House Museum
199 Hope St
Providence, RI 02906

I know a Guy: Ethics in RI.
Do we have a permissive attitude towards corruption? Can politicians self-regulate?

Speakers:
Jason Gramitt - Education Coordinator, RI Ethics Commission
Jim Hummel - Executive Director & Senior Investigator, The Hummel Report
John Dietrich - Professor of Political Science, Bryant University

Parking available in the Wheeler School lot across the street.
For wheelchair-access, call Carrie Taylor, 401- 453-0688 , ctaylor@preserveri.org

Corruption in Rhode Island: Reality and Perception.

How corrupt are we? How does media expose it? What impact on our economy?

Speakers:
Margaret Curran - Former US Attorney for RI
Tracy Breton - Former investigative reporter, Providence Journal
Richard Ratcliffe - Former RI Assistant Attorney General
Grafton (Cap) Willey IV - Tax and Budget Chair, SBA Small Business Summit

Parking available in the Wheeler School lot across the street.
For wheelchair-access, call Carrie Taylor, 401- 453-0688 , ctaylor@preserveri.org

Pizza party & Convener Meeting 3/7

Due to uncertain weather, please check with Liz for status of the meeting.

Liz at emhead603@hotmail.com or 401-351-2269

Pizza party & Convener Meeting

Interested in helping the Providence League? Join us as we plan our activities. Everyone welcome.

Pizza at 5:30pm, meeting at 6:00 at 603 Angell St. All over by 8:30 at the latest.

Please RSVP (yeses only) to Liz at emhead603@hotmail.com or 401-351-2269.

LWV Conversation: Clearing the Streets of the City

Providence League of Women Voters Invites you to a Providence Conversation

Providence: Clearing the Streets of the City

Rhode Island has weathered blizzards, snowstorms, ice, and floods. Meet the man behind the Herculean challenge of Clearing The Streets.

Guest:  Michael Borg, executive director, Department of Public Works City of Providence


Date: Thursday, February 15, 2018
Place: 603 Angell St, home of Liz Head
Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm

For more information, 401-351-2269, or emhead603@hotmail.com

Providence Conversation: DACA: From Dream to Limbo to Deportation?

Providence League of Women Voters
Invites you to a
Providence Conversation

DACA: From Dream to Limbo to Deportation?
Date: Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Place: 603 Angell St, home of Liz Head
Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm

President Obama in 2012 signed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals order, allowing children born outside the United States who immigrated with their parents to stay here. Today 800,000 have settled into schools, training programs, and jobs. President Trump has threatened to halt DACA.

What does this mean for Rhode Island’s  “Dreamers”?

Guest: Kathleen Cloutier, executive director, Dorcas International Institute

CHARTER SCHOOLS IN PROVIDENCE - Tuesday May 9

Providence League of Women Voters
 Invites you to a
 Providence Conversation

Charter schools in RI have lotteries full of parents hoping for a “spot” for their children. The federal government wants more charters. - Yet there is opposition. Are charter schools good for students? or are they a mirage taking resources from traditional public schools?

To consider the arguments pro and con,
come to a Conversation with:

 Nicholas Hemond, Chair, Providence School Committee
 Elizabeth Winangun, Parent-Liaison, Achievement First

 Date: Tuesday, May 9, 2017
 Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm

 for more information, contact joan.retsinas@gmail.com

CHARTER SCHOOLS IN PROVIDENCE - a Providence Conversation

Providence League of Women Voters
 Invites you to a
 Providence Conversation

Charter schools in RI have lotteries full of parents hoping for a “spot” for their children. The federal government wants more charters. - Yet there is opposition. Are charter schools good for students? or are they a mirage taking resources from traditional public schools?

To consider the arguments pro and con,
come to a Conversation with:

 Nicholas Hemond, Chair, Providence School Committee
 Elizabeth Winangun, Parent-Liaison, Achievement First

 Date: Tuesday, May 9, 2017
 Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm

 for more information, contact joan.retsinas@gmail.com

RISD's Long-Serving Docent Pearl Nathan, 102, Honored With Cafe

Congratulations to LWV Providence member Pearl Nathan, who was just honored by RISD. Listen to her story on RIPR.

Money in Politics

April 19
Money in Politics

Lippitt House Museum, 199 Hope Street, Providence
Doors 6:30 PM | Discussion 7:00 PM
Refreshments and time for informal conversation

During big election years the impact of money on our political process is clear. What role do PACs and other big donors play in the electoral process? How will current campaign finance reform efforts make a difference?

Richard Arenberg, Visiting Lecturer in Political Science, International & Public Affairs, Brown University
Stephen Erickson, Commissioner, Rhode Island Board of Elections

Program support courtesy League of Women Voters RI Education Fund.

The League of Women Voters US has announced its new position on Money in Politics.

Voting: A Local Perspective

Lippitt House Museum, 199 Hope Street, Providence
Doors 6:30 PM | Discussion 7:00 PM
Refreshments and time for informal conversation

“Voting: A Local Perspective” is the topic of The Lippitt House Museum's second Community Discussion Series. Held  in partnership with the LWV Providence.

Only a small number of eligible citizens actually vote in our elections. What are barriers to voter participation? What impact does voter ID have on voter turn-out? Are there changes that could improve voter turnout?

Nellie Gorbea RI Secretary of State
Wendy Schiller, Professor of Political Science, International & Public Affairs, Brown University

Program support courtesy League of Women Voters RI Education Fund

Tuesday, April 5: Becoming Americans: Immigration, Citizenship & Civic Engagement

Community Discussion Series

Dates: Tuesdays, April 5, 12 and 19 at 199 Hope Street in Providence.
Place: Lippitt House Museum, 100 Hope St, Providence

Doors open at 6:30 pm with a short reception, followed
 by discussion at 7:00 pm.
Admission is free.
This series is part of the Pell Humanities Initiative in Rhode Island to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Tuesday, Community Discussion Series

Dates: Tuesdays, April 5, 12 and 19 at 199 Hope Street in Providence.
Place: Lippitt House Museum, 100 Hope St, Providence

Doors open at 6:30 pm with a short reception, followed
 by discussion at 7:00 pm.
Admission is free.
This series is part of the Pell Humanities Initiative in Rhode Island to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Tuesday, April 5: Becoming Americans: Immigration, Citizenship & Civic Engagement

Tuesday, April 12: Every Voice Counts: Voter Participation & Engagement

Tuesday, April 19: Money in Politics

More Details

Note: Attendees with limited mobility can park in the drive at the entrance off Angell Street.  That entrance has 6 steps with handrails. Once inside, the doorways can accommodate wheel chairs. To park in the drive,
please notify the Museum in advance (453-0688).

With funds from the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island Education Fund Americans: Immigration, Citizenship & Civic Engagement

Tuesday, April 12: Every Voice Counts: Voter Participation & Engagement

Tuesday, April 19: Money in Politics

More Details

Note: Attendees with limited mobility can park in the drive at the entrance off Angell Street.  That entrance has 6 steps with handrails. Once inside, the doorways can accommodate wheel chairs. To park in the drive,
please notify the Museum in advance (453-0688).

With funds from the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island Education Fund

Lippitt House Museum's second Community Discussion Series in partnership with the Providence League of Women Voters.

Community Discussion Series

Dates: Tuesdays, April 5, 12 and 19 at 199 Hope Street in Providence.
Place: Lippitt House Museum, 100 Hope St, Providence

Doors open at 6:30 pm with a short reception, followed
 by discussion at 7:00 pm.
Admission is free.
This series is part of the Pell Humanities Initiative in Rhode Island to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Tuesday, April 5: Becoming Americans: Immigration, Citizenship & Civic Engagement

Tuesday, April 12: Every Voice Counts: Voter Participation & Engagement

Tuesday, April 19: Money in Politics

More Details

Note: Attendees with limited mobility can park in the drive at the entrance off Angell Street.  That entrance has 6 steps with handrails. Once inside, the doorways can accommodate wheel chairs. To park in the drive,
please notify the Museum in advance (453-0688).

With funds from the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island Education Fund

Reminder: Library Consensus Ceeting of Prov League of Women Voters, Thursday

Library consensus meeting, Thursday, February 18, 7 pm
133 Dexterdale Rd

A subcommittee has been interviewing librarians, poring over written materials, all the better to understand the state funding of libraries. At this meeting, we will discuss our findings, and try to reach consensus on recommendations.

Two background pdfs:

1.  the draft report on the lay-of-the-land, giving an overview of the current modus operandi, 
2.  the response from Karen Mellor, director of the state's Office of Library and Information Services (comments made at a December 1 "Conversation").

We look forward to seeing you on the 18th.