April 19, 2006

Dave Talan for Mayor of Providence

Carroll Andrew Morse

Republican Dave Talan kicks off his campaign for Mayor of Providence tonight. Here are the issues motivating Mr. Talan to run as described in his official campaign announcement...

On education, Talan wants every child to be able to attend a good school, close to home, of their parents' choosing. If that choice is a private or parochial school, Talan would provide vouchers to ease the financial burden - both for the 8,000 children who have already fled the public schools, and for the 10,000 more he believes would leave if they could afford to. Talan's plan would save taxpayers about $25 million. It would also benefit children who stay in public schools, by relieving overcrowding; ending cross-town forced busing; and providing competition that would force the teachers unions to relax their stranglehold on needed reforms. Talan, who attended public schools (Lexington Ave. Elementary; Reservoir Ave. Elementary; George J. West Jr. High; Classical High; URI & CCRI), would fight for an unlimited number of public charter schools; and would ease the way for experts to teach math and science.

On taxes & spending, Talan would balance the budget by reducing spending; rather than by raising taxes and relying on unlikely increases in state aid. As already mentioned, his school voucher plan would save $25 million. Talan would also fight to end all unfunded state mandates, that require spending on unnecessary things of little value. He endorses Mayor Steve Laffey's "Taxpayers Relief Act", that would clarify management rights, and lower pension and health care costs.

On ethics & honest government, Talan will continue the practice of refusing all contributions from city workers or people who do business with the city. He would expand this to the City Council, and push for an ethics ordinance, in order to promote more economic development in the city. Investors want to know they will not have to pay bribes, kickbacks, or campaign donations, in order to do business.

Talan is putting together a team of 35 Republican running mates to campaign together with him (15 City Council; 7 State Senate; 13 State Representative).


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I bet this bid really takes off.

Posted by: James at April 19, 2006 8:33 PM

Dave actually did a very good job laying out his agenda tonight. It was well delivered and very realistic. Hopefully, since Democrats in Providence greatly outnumber Republicans, there are enough Democrats who are looking for a real alternative to Cicilline. If that happens, then it will make this a competitive race. I'm sure that the Democrats will not be united behind Cicilline. He's made a lot of enemies unnecessarily over the last several years with his leadership style.

Posted by: Will at April 19, 2006 11:00 PM

Will,
Those are kind words, but really, do you think there is a snowball's chance that this will be a "competitive race"?

Posted by: Anthony at April 20, 2006 8:14 AM

Given that I predicted Matt Brown would drop out months ago and it looks like that will happen here are a couple of other predictions--

Contrary to Will, I predict that Cicilline will blow out all other contenders and there won't be a competitive race for mayor of Providence.

Chafee wins the GOP primary.

Carcieri wins, but in a much closer race than many people anticipate.

Posted by: Anthony at April 20, 2006 8:19 AM

Matt Brown said on Channel 10 just TODAY that "he's in this race to win" and that he's not dropping out. Don't give up your day job, Kreskin!

Posted by: Will at April 20, 2006 1:42 PM

Will your silly comments about fringe candidate Dave Talan are further evidence of the many, many reasons that Mayor Laffey's candidacy is DOA. If you think that Talan could make the Mayoral race competetive, you really have no business making political predictions.

Posted by: James at April 20, 2006 7:45 PM

Will, I stand by my earlier prediction on Brown: he won't be at the finish line in September.

Posted by: Anthony at April 20, 2006 9:38 PM