The Dan Yorke Show

Dr. Philip Chan joins the show to discuss the recent, major shifting of gears regarding Kratom in Rhode Island. Following years of a strict ban, the state has officially transitioned from prohibition to strict regulation under the Rhode Island Kratom Act. Dr. Chan breaks down what this means for public health, safety, and local business enforcement.

Key Takeaways & Discussion Points

• The Shift from Ban to Regulation: After being classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in RI, Kratom is now legal to sell and manufacture under strict regulatory guardrails to target the deadly opioid crisis and harm reduction.

• Age Restrictions & Retail Safeguards: Under the new law, you must be 21 or older to purchase Kratom products. Furthermore, products cannot be left on open shelves; they must be kept securely behind the sales counter.

• Public Health Concerns: Dr. Chan and health experts emphasize that while some use Kratom for pain management or opioid withdrawal, it is not FDA-approved. Potential risks discussed include dependency, addiction, liver damage, and seizures.

• Targeting Adulteration & Synthetics: A major pillar of the new enforcement is product safety. The law strictly bans highly potent synthetic forms of the drug and requires precise labeling, packaging standards, and heavy lab-testing to ensure products aren't laced with dangerous non-kratom contaminants.

• Licensing & Taxation: Oversight is a joint effort. RIDOH is actively managing the $1,000 retail/distribution licensing and retailer training, while the RI Division of Taxation enforces a new 15% wholesale excise tax.

Resources Mentioned

• For businesses looking to apply for retail or distribution permits, visit the Rhode Island Department of Health Kratom Licensing Portal.

• To learn more about the tax structures and rules, review the RI Division of Taxation Kratom Advisory.

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The Core Crisis & The 4% Tax Cap

• The Deficit: Cranston is facing a structural deficit of approximately $10 million. The City General Fund reserve recently fell from 8.2% to 5.3%, drawing sharp warnings from Rhode Island Auditor General David Bergantino.

• The First Rejection: On April 29, 2026, the City Council unanimously rejected Mayor Ken Hopkins’ original $352 million budget plan, which called for a 7.4% tax levy increase to cover the gap. Going above the state-mandated 4% cap would require the council to petition the RI General Assembly.

• The Revised Budget: Mayor Hopkins subsequently submitted a revised plan strictly adhering to the 4% tax levy cap. However, this has triggered heavy pushback due to steep cuts:

  • Complete suspension of operations at the Cranston Senior Center.

  • Level-funding for Cranston Public Schools.

  • Elimination of police transcriptionist and parks positions, and zero administrative raises.

Councilor Frank Ritz's Position

Councilman Ritz (Ward 4) has positioned himself as an advocate for exhausted local corrective actions before taking drastic structural measures or looking outside city hall for help.

1. Opposing a State Budget Commission

When residents and local commentary floated the idea of bringing in a state-appointed budget commission to intervene in Cranston’s messy finances, Ritz joined fellow councilors in firmly rejecting it:

"I believe Cranston should carefully consider every option available to address the City's growing financial challenges, including the possibility of requesting state oversight if conditions continue to deteriorate. However, a state-appointed budget commission is a significant step that would reduce local control over financial decisions, and I do not believe the City has exhausted all local corrective measures at this point."

2. Focus on "In-House" Solutions & Compromise

• Ritz has backed the council’s push for collaborative, line-by-line reallocations rather than accepting the Mayor's slash-and-burn approach to senior services.

• The council recently maneuvered to pull together roughly $2 million in reallocated funds to split between restoring portions of the Senior Center budget and assisting the School Department.

What the Council is Looking at Next (Show Talking Points)

As the final June 1 deadline approaches, the council is pivoting from pure cuts to generating alternative local revenue:

• Fee Increases: Several municipal fee hikes have already been approved to drive immediate cash flow.

• Speed Cameras: Council leadership is floating the introduction of speed enforcement cameras in high-speed school zones (such as Garden City), which could yield an estimated $1 million to $2 million annually.

• Tiered Commercial Taxes: A proposal is being weighed to create a multi-tiered commercial property tax structure, allowing the city to protect small local businesses while leaning slightly more on larger commercial entities.

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hristian Winthrop of Newport Buzz joins us to break down the RITBA construction mess, the infamous "speedbumps" on the Pell Bridge, and why local commuters have finally reached a breaking point.

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Shane Picque The League of RI Businesses

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David Levesque: Co-founder of The League of RI Businesses (LORIB) and owner of the Brewed Awakenings coffee chain.

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Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate Xay Khamsyvoravong joins the show to react to John Loughlin’s Inspector General proposal. We discuss the necessity of independent oversight in Rhode Island and whether this plan offers a real solution for government accountability.

Key Discussion Points

• Xay’s Reaction: The candidate’s direct response to Loughlin’s proposal.

• Oversight Mechanics: Breaking down how an independent IG would function within the state's current structure.

• The Policy Gap: Where Xay agrees with the need for transparency and where his vision for the office differs.

• Campaign Impact: How the push for an IG is shaping the race for Lt. Governor.

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• The Revision: Hopkins breaks down his revised budget which adheres to the 4% state tax cap following the Council's pushback.

• Senior Center Impact: Explains the "painful" decision to suspend operations at the Cranston Senior Center to meet the lower tax levy.

• Blame & Accountability: Addresses the $10M shortfall, citing mismanagement by the former finance director and the need for "shared responsibility" between the city and schools.

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• The Rejection: Wall discusses the City Council's unanimous rejection of the Mayor's initial 7.4% tax hike, calling it a violation of the city charter.

• Alternative Strategy: Argues that the city must prioritize spending cuts and internal belt-tightening over significant tax increases.

• Senior Center Advocacy: Expresses concern over using essential services like the Senior Center as leverage in budget negotiations.

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As former House Speaker Joe Shekarchi officially steps down to apply for a seat on the Rhode Island Supreme Court, a major legal hurdle has emerged. Michael Yelnosky, professor and former dean at Roger Williams University School of Law, joins the program to discuss the formal ethics complaint he filed this week.

We dive into the "revolving door" provision of the state’s Code of Ethics, which generally bars elected officials from seeking state employment for one year after leaving office. Is the Supreme Court exempt as a constitutional office, or is this a violation of public trust?

Key Discussion Points

• The Complaint: Why Yelnosky filed the challenge the moment Shekarchi delivered his farewell speech.

• The "Revolving Door": Understanding the one-year waiting period for state legislators.

• Precedent vs. Policy: Analyzing the 2020 Erin Lynch Prata case and how it shapes the current debate.

• Next Steps: What to expect from the Rhode Island Ethics Commission during their preliminary review in June.

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• The Proposal: Mayor Ken Hopkins proposed a 7.44% tax levy increase for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
• The "Why": * Budget Deficit: The city is facing a looming $10 million deficit.
• Financial Recovery: Hopkins argues the hike is essential to stabilize city operations and address long-standing financial "missteps."
• The Political Clash: * The Cranston City Council unanimously rejected the proposal in late April 2026, calling the 7.4% hike "insulting."
• Like North Providence, this increase would require a 4/5ths vote from the council or state legislative intervention to bypass the 4% cap.
• Local Impact: For the average single-family homeowner, the proposal would mean a roughly $500 to $700 increase in annual property taxes.

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