Happy Wednesday! I'm Dan McGowan, and I think the highways were in A+ condition by last night. Follow me on X (Twitter) @DanMcGowan, or send tips to
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President Trump broke his own record for longest State of the Union address last night, praising the US men’s Olympic hockey team, touting his economic record, and taunting Democrats during a 1-hour-47-minute speech in primetime.
You already know what Rhode Island Democratic elected officials think, so I asked five Republican leaders in the state to offer their thoughts on the State of the Union.
Allyn Meyers
Chairman
Rhode Island Republican Party
President Trump promised, and President Trump delivered. In last night's historic State of the Union Address, Rhode Islanders heard about a national “turnaround for the ages,” which has brought critical relief to working families across the country.
Core inflation is at its lowest point in five years, gas prices are down, the stock market has hit record after record, and no tax on tips and overtime is helping workers keep more of what they earn. TrumpRX is making prescription drugs more affordable, and Trump Accounts are paving the way for the next generation of first-time homebuyers and college students.
Jessica de la Cruz
Senate minority leader
District 23 (North Smithfield, Burrillville, Glocester)
Tonight, the president reaffirmed a commitment to secure borders, energy independence, and economic growth. The Democrat super majority in Rhode Island should take note. High taxes, costly mandates, and overregulation are not a formula for prosperity.
Ken Naylor
President
Rhode Island Young Republicans
During a strong State of the Union address, the president highlighted delivering on his campaign promises. Here in Rhode Island, voters are looking for that same focus and follow-through from our state leaders when it comes to lowering energy costs, improving competitiveness, and addressing the cost of living.
Ashley Kalus
2022 candidate for governor
If Seth Magaziner ever manages to ban insider trading for all those crooks, we should name a holiday after him. I hope someday the State of Our Union does feel strong again. Until then, Rhode Island has too many serious problems at home to get swept up in DC’s drama, so let’s take all the federal money we can get and fix our own house. That other house is too crazy.
Brian Newberry
State representative
District 48 (Burrillville, North Smithfield)
I haven't watched a SOTU speech, regardless of president, since 2002, and I'm not planning to start now.
🤔 So you think you're a Rhode Islander...
Forget all this snowfall for a moment. What's the warmest temperature on record for Rhode Island?
(Answer at the bottom.)
Do you have the perfect question for Rhode Map readers? Don't forget to send the answer, too. Send me an email today.
The Globe in Rhode Island
⚓ US senator Dick Durbin on Tuesday urged federal watchdogs to investigate FBI Director Kash Patel, citing new whistleblower allegations that Patel’s alleged excessive use of FBI aircraft for personal travel delayed responses to high-profile criminal investigations, which include the Dec. 13 shooting at Brown University and the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Read more.
⚓ If the Democratic primary took place now, Helena Buonanno Foulkes would trounce Governor Daniel J. McKee by 16 percentage points, according to a University of New Hampshire poll released Tuesday. Read more.
⚓ Roads across Rhode Island remained blanketed in snow on Tuesday, keeping the state mostly at a standstill as crews struggled to dig out streets in the wake of Monday’s historic blizzard that battered the region and dumped more than three feet of snow in some spots. Read more.
⚓ Snowfall at T.F. Green Airport broke all kinds of records. Read more.
⚓ A Salve Regina University student died from carbon monoxide poisoning after charging his cellphone in a vehicle that was covered in snow amid Monday’s blizzard in Newport, authorities said. Read more.
You can check out all of our coverage at Globe.com/RI
Also in the Globe
⚓ The wild story of the predator-catching plot at Assumption University. Read more.
⚓ Massachusetts makes it difficult for local schools to pay for transportation for special education students because the state relies on an overly complicated reimbursement system that ties up funding, according to a study released this week by the state inspector general. Read more.
⚓ The Celtics rolled to victory in Phoenix last night. Read more.
⚓ Rhode Map readers, if you want the birthday of a friend or family member to be recognized Friday, send me an email with their first and last name, and their age.
⚓ URI women's basketball has a big game at Richmond at 6 p.m. Providence College men's basketball hosts Xavier at 7:30 p.m.
⚓ The legislative commission studying climate change impacts and solutions meets at 1:30 p.m. Here's the agenda.
RHODE ISLAND REPORT PODCAST Ed Fitzpatrick talks to Salve Regina University professor Jim Ludes about US foreign policy on Greenland, Venezuela, and Canada. Listen to all of our podcasts here.
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