UPDATE!!

Status Quo at the State House!
Representative Malik plays lapdog to partisan leadership and Big Lobbyists!

At the end of the legislative session last week, my opponent, incumbent Jan Malik (D. Warren/Barrington) misused his position as chair of the House environmental committee to single-handedly block a bill aimed at punishing big industrial polluters. I am appalled. People believe that the political process in Rhode Island is broken, and actions like Malik’s only confirm that belief. [Or, Malik’s maneuver is just the kind of thing that causes people to believe that politics in Rhode Island stinks.]

The bill in question had broad, bipartisan support and encountered no opposition in hearings. It would have brought our industrial pollution law into line with other pollution laws in Rhode Island and with pollution laws in near-by states by increasing daily fines for violations to $25,000. Currently, big polluters face only a $1,000 fine, which is a mere slap on the wrist.

The only significant opposition to the bill came from a lobbyist for Southern Union, a large utility from Texas. Acting in support of the lobbyist, House Majority Leader Gordon Fox directed Malik to kill the bill. Sadly, Malik did just that.

When confronted about his decision to stall on this important bill until the legislative clock ran out, Malik lamely replied that he hated “being put on the spot” and could “only say so much” about his action. His embarrassed silence is easy to understand. Clearly he was taking his marching orders from House leadership and the lobbyist for the Texas utility.

Just as clearly, Malik was NOT acting on behalf of the citizens of Rhode Island. The Providence Journal reports that Malik was unwilling to talk to Gail Corvello, one of 100 Tiverton homeowners whose soil has been contaminated with cyanide traced to Southern Union, the Texas utility whose voice WAS heard by Malik and the Democratic leadership. Because of the contamination, Corvello and the other homeowners have not been able to sell or refinance their homes or even plant gardens in their yards. They deserve better.

Corvello described Malik’s abuse of the legislative process “an eye opener,” adding, “If this is politics in Rhode Island, this is ridiculous.” The Tiverton resident went on to say that it “makes you think twice about living in Rhode Island”.

It’s no wonder that voters are cynical. Malik showed complete disregard for the wishes of the Rhode Island Voters on this bill. It is an absolute OUTRAGE that Malik would act as Gordon Fox’s docile servant, carrying out Fox’s wishes and catering to the demands of the big lobbyist rather than addressing the needs of Gail Corvello and other victims of industrial pollution who have a right to expect that their elected officials will represent them and be their voice in the State House.

 Malik is like many other members of the House who seem to think they are owed their position and that
they can ignore the needs of the citizens when it’s convenient.  This MUST change.  This is yet another occasion
where we MUST declare that we won’t take this anymore!  That’s why I’m running against Jan Malik to
represent Barrington and Warren in the State House. You can be certain that if I am elected, I will put the needs
and interests of the voters ahead (way ahead) of the interests of lobbyists and the House leadership.