Linc-O-Meter: Tracking the promises of Lincoln Chafee
Linc-O-Meter Scorecard
- Promise Kept 10 (%)
- Compromise 1 (%)
- Promise Broken 2 (%)
- In the Works 6 (%)
- Not yet rated 12 (%)
PolitiFact Rhode Island has compiled promises that Lincoln Chafee made during the 2010 campaign and is tracking their progress on our Linc-O-Meter.
We rate their status as Not Yet Rated, In the Works or Stalled. Once we find action is completed, we rate them Promise Kept, Compromise or Promise Broken. (See our About the Linc-O-Meter page for more details on our ratings.)
The report card at right provides an up-to-the-minute tally of all the promises.
Browse the Linc-O-Meter:
Promises we’ve rated recently
Upgrade state website to put government services such as obtaining drivers licenses online
The Promise:
"I will upgrade RI.gov to ensure that citizens can take maximum advantage of the public services they pay tax dollars to fund. The upgrade will include putting online government services that currently require a trip to state offices, such as making DMV appointments and renewing drivers’ licenses. This initiative will make online services available for free."
Update May 22nd, 2012:
Online driver’s license renewal fulfills one element of Chafee promise, but at a small price
Support same-sex marriage, support repeal of Defense of Marriage Act
The Promise:
"If Chafee were elected governor, he would not only sign marriage equality legislation, but would champion it. In his own words from a 2009 op-ed in the Huffington Post, 'To me, the issue of same-sex marriage boils down to a question of basic fairness ... Rhode Island legislators should follow in the footsteps of our fellow New England states and be true to our pioneering history of tolerance by advancing a marriage equality bill.' "
Update May 15th, 2012:
Recognition of out-of-state unions goes beyond "support" of same-sex marriage
Reform municipal employee pension plans
The Promise:
Move aggressively on the municipal level to curb future pension costs, avoid protracted litigation, ensure employment stability, be fair to workers, older workers in particular, and honestly address all the critical issues facing the state with respect to pension benefits.
Reform state employee pension plan
The Promise:
Reform pension plans: Reamortize pension; create hybrid 401(k), audit existing plan, develop long-term plan to coordinate retirement age with Social Security age.
Support anti-bullying legislation, protect gay, bisexual and transgender youths in schools
The Promise:
Chafee "supports . . . protecting [gay, bisexual and transgender] youth from bullying and harassment."
Review all state leases of commercial office space
The Promise:
"Launch a thorough, case-by-case review of all 33 leases currently held by the state in commercial office buildings."
Will make the state procurement process more transparent.
The Promise:
"Government procurement has become synonymous with fraud and inefficiency. I will eradicate this longstanding trend by introducing transparency to the procurement process. Like the federal BetterBuy Project, our administration will offer citizens a way to submit, comment on, and vote on ideas for making our state’s procurement process more effective."
Upgrade state website to put government services such as obtaining drivers licenses online
The Promise:
"I will upgrade RI.gov to ensure that citizens can take maximum advantage of the public services they pay tax dollars to fund. The upgrade will include putting online government services that currently require a trip to state offices, such as making DMV appointments and renewing drivers’ licenses. This initiative will make online services available for free."
Update August 15th, 2011:
Getting vendor computers to talk to each other is the latest challenge
Complete renovation of Cranston Street Armory
The Promise:
"Complete the renovation of the historic, state-owned, 165,000-square-foot Cranston Street Armory, followed by the relocation there of three of the state agencies currently holding high-rent leases with private landlords."
Stop "dramatic reductions in funding" to state colleges and university
The Promise:
"I will submit a budget proposal to start protecting our higher education assets. We will stop the dramatic reductions in funding to CCRI, Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island."
Reform and redirect loan guarantee fund for economic development
The Promise:
"I will introduce legislation to reform and redirect the $125 million Loan Guarantee Fund."
Make the governor's office the center of planning for development projects
The Promise:
"I will take the lead in driving growth in Rhode Island. I will make the governor’s office the center for planning and marketing exciting new development opportunities in Rhode Island’s key growth centers, especially the 20 acres in Providence’s Jewelry District opened up by the relocation of I-195, the new Station District at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, Quonset Point Industrial Park in North Kingstown and 30 acres abutting Naval Station Newport next to the Newport Bridge."
Develop a Middle College program
The Promise:
"I will develop a new Middle College Program. [The program] will give many more students, especially those enrolled in career-oriented trade schools, the opportunity to attain a quality education and full employment."
Oppose tax changes without reform of spending and mandates
The Promise:
"Chafee will oppose any changes to our taxes without first reforming our spending, particularly the mandates."
Examine a 1-percent sales tax on items currently exempt from sales tax
The Promise:
"Rather than forcing our property taxes to rise across Rhode Island, we should carefully examine a two-tier sales tax. Other states have this system and it is working."
We want to hear your suggestions and comments. Email the Rhode Island Truth-O-Meter with feedback and with claims you'd like to see checked. If you send us a comment, we'll assume you don't mind us publishing it unless you tell us otherwise.
