By The Public's Radio
Scott MacKay's weekly commentary on politics in RI & MA.
While voters watch the impeachment joust in Washington, D.C., Massachusetts is gearing up for a battle royal of a U.S. Senate primary. The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay says the Joseph Kennedy III versus Edward Markey contest is likely...
The parade is forming now for the primaries and caucuses that in less than five months will winnow an overflowing group of presidential candidates. Scott MacKay, political analyst for The Public’s Radio, parses the Democratic field and talks about how...
The state takeover of Providence schools is underway. The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay wonders if Rhode Island’s notoriously shortsighted political establishment can forge a turnaround plan and stick with it.
Rhode Island’s political leaders have been ensnared in a bitter joust between two gambling companies that provide several thousand jobs and millions in state revenue. Gov. Gina Raimondo has sided with IGT, which provides technology and machines to the state’s...
On Labor Day, not all American workers sharing in growing economy. The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay says we should honor the labor movement and make the day about more than a wave goodbye to summer.
Rhode Island business leaders and politicians are always looking for the businesses that bring jobs to the state. This week, The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay takes us to an Ocean State success story.
From Rhode Island to the Rio Grande, immigration continues to be a divisive topic. The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay says it time to confront the myths that surround immigration.
The war between two Rhode Island gambling giants over millions in state money slogs on with no end in sight. Scott MacKay, political analyst for The Public’s Radio, says Gov. Gina Raimondo isn’t looking good on this.
Last year the Boston Red Sox forged the best record in team history and won the World Series, but things haven’t gone so well this year. Scott MacKay, political analyst for The Public's Radio, says Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo’s...
Republicans around the country are pleased with the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing partisan gerrymandering of Congressional and state legislative districts. But while that will help Republicans in red states, the Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay says it...
A report issued recently by an independent group from Johns Hopkins University found Providence public schools are among the worst in the nation. The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay wonders why any Rhode Island education or political leader was...
Few local celebrations in the United States stay relevant after two centuries. The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay takes us this week to his adopted hometown of Bristol, Rhode Island which marks Independence Day in a manner unlike any...
Rhode Island regulators have rejected a plan for a $1 billion fossil fuel plant in the woods of Burrillville.
Rhode Island regulators have rejected a plan for a $1 billion fossil fuel plant in the woods of Burrillville. The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay says this decision should accelerate New England’s reliance on renewable sources to fill energy...
The waning days of Rhode Island’s annual General Assembly session have been filled with back room intrigue and chaos. Scott MacKay, political analyst for The Public’s Radio, says the that despite reforms, it’s business as usual on Smith Hill.
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo has stepped in to halt the takeover of a string of Rhode Island hospitals by Partners HealthCare, a Boston hospital giant. Scott MacKay, political analyst for The Public’s Radio, says a Rhode Island solution to...
A string of progressive victories in last year’s General Assembly campaigns raised hopes among left-leaning Democrats for this year’s Rhode Island legislative session. But political analyst for The Public’s Radio, Scott MacKay, says that so far the election victories have...
It’s the season of lilacs, mortarboards and platitudes. This week, Scott MacKay, political analyst for The Public’s Radio, gives college graduates a commencement address.
In Rhode Island last week, efforts to codify Roe v. Wade stalled, but the political analyst for the Public’s Radio, Scott MacKay, says Rhode Island lawmakers offer a sliver of hope for finding agreement on this divisive issue.
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza gave an upbeat budget address to the city last week. But The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay says it’s what Elorza didn’t mention that should concern all of Rhode Island.
The hospital merger battles are heating up again in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay says this dispute is an example of how Rhode Island’s political establishment has failed to address health care policy.
Management at Stop & Shop and five United Food and Commercial Workers union locals have come to a tentative contract agreement, ending an 11 day strike by 31,000 workers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Stop & Shop is New...
Rhode Island’s governor and General Assembly love to talk about responsible budgets and keeping taxes low. But The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay says the Statehouse crowd doesn’t much care about the state’s city and town budgets.
Spring is back in New England and so is baseball.
Rhode Island Gov.
The Rhode Island Statehouse was once a bastion of anti-abortion sentiment. But not anymore. The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott Mackay parses what’s changed.
Every year, The Public’s Radio produces a series called One Square Mile exploring a community. This year, we look at Pawtucket, Rhode Island’s 4th largest city and one of its oldest. Pawtucket, like many American industrial towns, has both hopes...
The Rev. Thomas Tobin, Roman Catholic Bishop of Providence, is an outspoken religious leader on a variety of political issues. Yet, The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay says the bishop still doesn’t seem to understand the depth of skepticism...
The nation has barely dodged another federal government shutdown. The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay says the constant shutdown threats undermine democratic values and faith in the country.