Jobs and Economy

Rhode Island needs a strong, diverse, 21st-century economy that will create 21st-century jobs for our residents.

I believe in an economy that supports our many small businesses — the backbone of the state’s economy. We should also make use of our considerable strengths to develop new sources of business: our universities and hospitals, our growing high-tech and creative communities, and the potential for environmental “green” businesses.

As lieutenant governor, I will:

• Expand my Buy Local RI initiative, which encourages Rhode Islanders to buy from in-state sources and support our independent businesses, through my Main Street tours and the Buy Local RI searchable database that connects consumers and businesses with local vendors and products.
• Be a voice for independent businesses in Rhode Island as chair of the Small Business Advisory Council, working to make government a partner in every business’s success.
• Seek passage of legislation that will create incentives for solar power in Rhode Island. Studies have shown that solar power creates more jobs per megawatt than other renewable energy sources.
• Support and facilitate the Brown-IBM initiative to bring an IBM supercomputing center to Rhode Island. The world-class research that will take place here as a result will have a tremendous impact on economic development in our state in key areas such as health care, alternative energy and education.
• Make sure that federal health care reform works for Rhode Island businesses, keeping costs down and letting businesses get back to work.