In the race last year for the seat formerly held by Langevin, Democrat Seth Magaziner beat Republican former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung by almost four percentage points. Magaziner kept CD2 in Democratic hands, but he has little seniority in Congress and Republicans control the House of Representatives. So how much can he get done, and how concerned is he that Donald Trump may be able to regain the White House in 2024?

The post Political Roundtable: Magaziner on Biden’s approval, challenges for Democrats, and the outlook on Social Security appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

Narragansett Beer used to be the best-selling lager in New England and it sponsored the Red Sox baseball back in the day. But by the turn of the century, Narragansett faced an uncertain future. Then in 2005, Rumford native Mark Hellendrung spearheaded a resurgence for the brand after buying it with a group of investors.

The post Political Roundtable: Hellendrung on the resurgence of Narragansett Beer and what it shows about Rhode Island and brewing appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

The last GOP governor was elected in 2006 and the party holds just 14 of 113 legislative seats. Now, can Rhode Island Republicans overcome their long-term challenges to play a more muscular role in local politics? This week, our guest is the new Republican chairman in the Ocean State, Joe Powers.

The post Political Roundtable: Powers on next steps for the Rhode Island GOP, how Republicans can court more Latino support, and Donald Trump appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

This week: Dr. Michael Fine who served as head of the state Department of Public Health from 2011 to 2015. He is now a writer, community activist and chief health strategist for the city of Central Falls. And Christopher Koller who served as the nation’s first health insurance commissioner. He is now president of the Millbank Memorial Fund, a public health foundation.

The post Fine and Koller on the cost of healthcare, the primary care doc shortage and the reimbursement challenge for RI’s hospitals appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

The Rhode Island Association of Realtors recently reported that despite national trends, the median price of a home in the state is still climbing. The median single-family home now costs $443,000, the most ever and a three percent hike from the same time last year. That cost helps to explain why Rhode Island faces a housing crisis.

The post Political Roundtable: Santilli on housing, homelessness – and where things go from here appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed the most recent state budget in just about three hours last month. That rapid pace reflects strong support in the chamber for House Speaker Joe Shekarchi. But will Skekarchi’s popularity translate into progress on Rhode Island’s toughest issues, including improving public schools and creating a stronger economy? And what does Mr. Speaker have to say about the paralysis gripping attempts to redevelop the Cranston Street Armory, and the signature-gathering controversy dogging Sabina Matos’ congressional campaign?

The post Political Roundtable: Shekarchi on Cranston Street Armory, Matos’ signature controversy, and firefighter-hypertension bill appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

Ana Quezada has won election four times as a state senator from Providence. Now, she’s targeting a loftier goal: the vacant seat in Rhode Island’s First Congressional District.

The post Political Roundtable: Quezada on CD1, what voters say, and why she’s running appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

Stephanie Beauté is hoping to translate her interest in politics into a seat in Congress. She ran as last year for secretary of state and is now part of the large Democratic field competing in the First Congressional District.

The post Political Roundtable: Beauté on the economy, technology and why she’s running in CD1 appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

Brett Smiley has benefited by presenting a fresh face as the mayor of Providence. But the city’s underlying fiscal challenges are never far from the surface. Smiley’s first budget proposed raising residential taxes by 5 percent. Conventional wisdom holds that the first year of a new administration is the time to raise taxes. But Rhode Island’s capital city faces other challenges, including the slowdown on development caused by high interest rates.

The post Political Roundtable: Smiley on Philly fallout, PVD Fest, Providence taxes, and more appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.

Gabe Amo is well known by political reporters and other people who play close attention to Rhode Island politics. The son of immigrants from Africa, Amo grew up in Pawtucket and most recently worked in the White House as deputy director of intergovernmental affairs.

The post Political Roundtable: Amo on Philadelphia controversy, RI’s pension overhaul and why he’s running in CD1 appeared first on TPR: The Public's Radio.