ElizabethRoberts's blog

Thank you, Rhode Island!

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:21:00 GMT

After many months on the campaign trail, last night we heard the voice of Rhode Island voters. I am honored to be their choice for Lieutenant Governor for the next four years. I will continue to work hard to deliver real results for Rhode Island families and businesses, and I look forward to partnering with our newly elected leaders to create a stronger, healthier Rhode Island.

My victory would not be possible without everyone who worked on this campaign--supporters, volunteers and campaign staff. I am grateful for their tireless efforts, and to all of you who voted for me. And because of you, today my office sets out to continue the important work we've already started in small business advocacy, long-term care and health reform implementation, and ensuring the safety of all Rhode Islanders in the face of statewide emergencies.

Thank you again, so much, for your support!

--Elizabeth

On the Campaign Trail…

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:31:00 GMT

One of the things I enjoy most about being on the campaign trail is the opportunity to join in the many festivals and parades that are going on throughout the state. This summer I’ve spent most weekends with friends and supporters at events celebrating so many different cultures and communities—Greek, Bolivian, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Italian, French Canadian, Taiwanese, Armenian, African-American, gay and lesbian—at venues in various locations all over our beautiful state. I especially love talking to people in their community about issues that matter to them most, whether marching in the Bristol Fourth of July Parade, eating grilled sardines at Our Lady of Fatima Feast in Cumberland, standing in line for a dynamite at the French Farmer’s Market in Woonsocket, or sampling the season’s local harvest at the Apple Festival in Johnston.

Getting out among my Rhode Island neighbors is one of the best ways for me to learn about the needs and challenges facing Rhode Islanders in cities and towns that are in close proximity, but often could not be more different from one another. This is what makes our state so truly special—the many opportunities we have to embrace our respective cultures and family traditions, while sharing them with other communities who we invite to celebrate with us. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon than in conversation with neighbors and friends who care so much about each other, and about improving the state of Rhode Island.

Getting National Health Reform Right for Rhode Island

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:12:00 GMT

Last Thursday, together with over 40 members of the Healthy RI Task Force, I released an 82-page report titled, "Getting National Health Reform Right for Rhode Island,” at the Providence Community Health Center. It was exactly six months from the signing date of the national health reform law.

Although the law is certainly not perfect, there are many reforms that will benefit our families and businesses. In order to take advantage of these benefits, we must be aware and informed of important dates, deadlines and requirements that need to be met as the law takes effect. I brought together the Task Force to take on this challenge, and over 150 dedicated Rhode Islanders from a cross section of Rhode Island's health care community rose to meet it, generously volunteering their time to get the work done.

The resulting Healthy RI report is meant to serve as a guide for those who are not familiar but need to become familiar with the law in order to help the state set priorities for the opportunities, as well as challenges, that exist in the law. The report sets out the state-level policy decisions that need to be made with recommendations for arriving at those decisions. The aim is to ensure that Rhode Island provides high quality, affordable, sustainable health care for families and businesses in the state.

In upcoming weeks I’ll be meeting with and briefing gubernatorial candidates, general assembly leadership, and other decision makers about the report’s contents to review the work of the seven work groups, among them: insurance market reform and coverage expansion; developing a health insurance exchange for more Rhode Islanders to get affordable health insurance; making payment and delivery system reforms; and accessing federal funding for reforms.

Despite the differences of professional perspectives and interests in the group, the Task Force members worked together collaboratively throughout the process, and I am grateful for their ongoing commitment to making sure that all Rhode Islanders have access to high quality, affordable health care.

Primary Election Reflection

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:21:00 GMT

Yesterday was an exciting and encouraging day. I met many supporters throughout the state and I feel humbled and grateful for their votes. I will never take for granted the confidence Rhode Islanders place in me.

I want to thank everyone who has worked side by side with me on this campaign--my supporters, volunteers and campaign staff. Yesterday's results are a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the belief that we share the same values and priorities on issues that matter. Today, I will begin to work even harder to prepare for the general election.

I hope you will join with me in the upcoming weeks by continuing your support and spreading the word about what my office has accomplished in these last four years. I want to continue carrying on the important work that we've already started in small business advocacy, long-term care and health reform implementation, and ensuring the safety of all Rhode Islanders in the face of statewide emergencies. My focus will also continue to remain on the economy by attracting new business investment, creating jobs, supporting existing small businesses, and maximizing the benefits of national health care reform.

Thank you again, so much, for your support!

P.S. The general election is only seven weeks away and I'll need your support more than ever. If you would like to get involved, e-mail our campaign office at info@elizabethroberts.org .

GOTV = Get Out The Vote!

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:10:00 GMT

On the eve of the primary election, I want to remind you that your vote tomorrow is very, very important. In my primary, the voters are deciding who will represent the Democratic party as the candidatefor lieutenant governor in the general election on November 2nd.More...

Back to School

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:56:00 GMT

As the heat of August subsided and the end of the month approached, I found myself wishing I had a few more weeks to prepare to become an empty-nester! Even though everything was in order for Nora’s departure—clothes packed, toiletries stocked, photos and favorite books chosen for the trip—I was still in a bit of denial that we were preparing my youngest daughter for her first year at college.

The day seemed to creep up on us all, and then suddenly we were in the car heading to a leafy town in Massachusetts that Nora soon would call home for the next four years. (My husband Tom assured me that she would be back before we knew it for Thanksgiving, but November seems a long way away.)

The ride home gave me time to reflect on the importance of educating our kids, from their first day in kindergarten right through high school graduation, and then on to college. We have a lot of work to do here in Rhode Island, but we are taking some real steps to make every student's future brighter. The federal Race to the Top award brings us a vision and the resources to make real improvements in our schools. I’m also reassured we will have more effective spending with the recently enacted public education funding formula. This new law will better reflect our priorities to give every student a good education while closing achievement gaps. It’s not a perfect system, but it will help to level the playing field for all of our kids, and help to ensure we are preparing them well for college, and to compete for a position in their chosen field in an ever-changing economy. Everyone should have the bittersweet excitement of sending their child off to college and seeing them well launched into an exciting and challenging future.

Status Update: Healthy RI Task Force

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:05:00 GMT

Last Thursday I met with approximately 75 members of the Healthy RI: National Health Reform Implementation Task Force at the Rhode Island Foundation. As the summer-long discussions will be wrapping up in the coming weeks for each of the seven task force work groups, I wanted to thank everyone for their participation and talk about next steps in our process. I especially wanted to acknowledge the conveners of the work groups as it was no small feat they kept so many busy people engaged and on-task in frequent meetings throughout this summer!

This has been an inspiring process for most of us involved. Citizen stakeholders have come together--even taking time away from vacations and other summer activities--and worked together to gain an understanding of what national health reform will mean for Rhode Island. Thanks to the work of these committed volunteers, Rhode Island will be in a good position to apply for federal funds to implement essential changes to our health care system. Together we have developed a road map for some of the most important changes that will be needed to ensure access to high quality, affordable health care for all Rhode Islanders. There has been lots of lively debate and disagreement about what direction Rhode Island should take but everyone has worked hard to put thoughtful recommendations on the table.

This group will have a lot more to do in the coming months--keeping up the momentum that has been created and establishing partnerships to meet important deadlines for funding opportunities and policy decisions. The Task Force report also will be an important starting point for the next administration as the work goes forward.

I'll announce the release date of the report here in my blog, so check back weekly to stay in the loop.

Public Leadership in the Arts

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:45:00 GMT

What an amazing night in Providence last Saturday--when residents and visitors alike were treated to a free performance of the Rhode Island Orchestra & Philharmonic, Opera Providence and Festival Ballet Providence together on one stage for a special Waterfire evening! It was a brilliant combination of art, music, song and dance, all set to the inimitable sight and smell of 100 burning braziers on our downtown rivers.

Although I've long supported the arts because of my passion for the arts, as a public official I came to appreciate the profound compounding effect the arts have on our local economy. Saturday night was a primary example. And it doesn't stop with Waterfire-- there are dozens of performances and events in the arts happening all over the state in any given weekend. Together, they all contribute to ticket sales, program advertising, dinners on the town, shopping, transportation, hotel stays and other related expenses that employ hundreds of people and pour $100 million dollars annually into our local businesses.

As Lt. Governor, I have used my position to create more visibility, support and funding for our thriving "creative economy" because of its contribution to our state's financial well-being. Naturally, I was honored and elated to learn that I would receive a Public Leadership in the Arts Award from the organization, Americans for the Arts, at last week's National Lieutenant Governors Association meeting in Biloxi, MS. Being nationally recognized as a champion for the cultural economy in Rhode Island speaks volumes on the critical importance of small businesses in the arts sector as a driver of our state's economy.

One only needs to "step out" on a Saturday night in Rhode Island to realize how true that statement really is!
Wisconsin Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton (center) with Americans for the Arts Jay Dick and me.

Hurricane Season: Supporting Businesses and Protecting Jobs

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 11:41:00 GMT

As the busiest months of hurricane season approach, I have been thinking ahead to make sure we're prepared if a big storm hits our state. Last week I had the opportunity to...
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Knock the Vote: Week 2

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:59:00 GMT

Last weekend I officially kicked off my campaign for reelection as Rhode Island’s lieutenant governor and began my Knock the Vote tour—where I’ll campaign door-to-door in all 39 cities and towns—by canvassing in my hometown of Cranston.

My government position may be at the state level, but I think it’s vital to talk to Rhode Islanders on their front doorsteps and hear first-hand their hopes and concerns. I get a feel for what the issues are at the community level, and it helps me do my job better. Ultimately, I work for you—the people of Rhode Island.

My Knock the Vote tour will continue this weekend, when I’ll be campaigning on Block Island on Friday, Richmond on Saturday and Newport on Monday evening. I’ll be coming to your town soon; stay tuned to my website for upcoming stops.