Monthly Archives for May 2023

House passes legislation to encourage the construction of ADUs

Published in RINewsToday on May 29, 2023

Rhode Islanders will be able to develop accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their property under legislation sponsored by Rep. June S. Speakman (D-District 68, Bristol/Warren) and approved by the House. When the dust settled, H 6082 Aaa was passed by a vote of 61-10.  Of the 10 who voted against, 8 were Republicans and 2 were Democrats.  

Speakman had the backing of Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and his leadership team.  The legislation is co-sponsored by Majority Whip Katherine Kazarian (D-District 63, East Providence, Pawtucket), who is the number three ranking member in House leadership, and also by Chairman Stephen Casey (D-District 50, Woonsocket), who chairs the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee where the bill is still being considered. Speakman chairs the House Commission on Low- and Moderate-Income Housing, as well.

Other cosponsors of the ADL legislation are: Rep. Megan Cotter (D-District 39, Exeter, Richmond); Rep. Jason Knight (D-District 67, Barrington; Rep. Susan R. Donovan (D-District 69, Bristol and Portsmouth; Rep. Teresa A. Tanzi (D-District 34, Narragansett, South Kingston); Rep. Cherie Cruz (D-District 58, Pawtucket); Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-District 72, Middletown, Portsmouth). A similar bill (2023-S 1006) has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Charlestown, Westerly).

House lawmakers give thumbs up to ADUs

AARP Rhode Island’s successful efforts to enact ADL legislation last year gives more zoning flexibility to the types of structures and arrangements that would quality as ADUs.  During the 2023 legislative session, the state’s largest aging group working closely with House lawmakers, aging and housing groups to advance H 6082 Aaa to make further tweaks to allow more Rhode Islanders to make further improvements to their homes by giving them an opportunity to develop ADUs on their property.   

The ADU legislation was written in collaboration with AARP Rhode Island, for whom increasing production of ADUs has been a primary policy goal for several years.

A video on ADUs from AARP: https://www.facebook.com/AARPRI/videos/1010939269550548/

With the passage of H 6082 Aaa, part of the 14-bill housing package backed by Shekarchi to encourage housing production, the Senate begins its debate on a companion measure (S 1006), introduced by Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Charlestown, Westerly).

ADUs, sometimes called “in-law apartments” and “granny flats,” are accessories to existing housing, either as a conversion of part of a house (such as with a walkout basement), an attachment to a house or a smaller, detached dwelling. They have become increasingly popular around the nation in recent years as states and municipalities grapple with expanding the existing housing stock while preserving the feel of residential neighborhoods. Seniors, especially, have taken to ADUs as a way to downsize their living space while staying independent in the community they love.

The bill would provide homeowners the right to develop an ADU within the existing footprint of their structures or on any lot larger than 20,000 square feet, provided that the design satisfies building code, size limits and infrastructure requirements.

The purpose of the bill is to encourage the development of rental units that are likely to be more affordable than many other apartments, and also provide opportunities for homeowners with extra space to generate income that helps them maintain ownership of that property.

Combatting the Housing Crisis

“For many people, especially single people and older adults, ADUs provide just enough space and could be a more affordable option than a larger, traditional apartment. For some, they might make it possible to stay in their neighborhood or near family members after downsizing from their own home, or they might be an opportunity to live in a neighborhood where apartments are scarce or are otherwise out of their price range,” said Speakman in a statement announcing the passage of H 6082 Aaa. “We need more rental units of all types in our state, and making it easier for homeowners to use their extra space in this manner is an avenue that will help develop some in relatively short order without altering anyone’s neighborhood or requiring new, expensive construction,” she said.

To ensure that the bill achieves its goal of housing Rhode Islanders, the legislation prohibits ADUs constructed under this provision from being used as short-term rentals, and streamlines the permitting process.

“Our housing crisis is very complex, and we must be creative and identify all the tools we can to create housing that makes the most of our resources. This particular bill removes some of the obstacles to building ADUs while respecting municipal land use policies.  Our commission learned that there are many people in Rhode Island who already have space that they’d like to use in this way, but our laws make it complicated. We desperately need housing, so it’s in the public’s interest to make it easier,” said Speakman. “This is a step in the right direction toward a goal that is going to require a cooperative effort across the state for years into the future,” she adds.

Speakman considers H 6082 to be a small but important part of the much broader effort that Rhode Island must adopt to encourage the development of affordable housing.

Strong support for creating ADUs

In her testimony before the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee where the bill is the being considered (before passage on the House floor), AARP Rhode Island State Director Catherine Taylor stated that passing H 6082 Aaa would be a “great step forward” to improve the existing ADU legislation and to provide municipalities with guidance on how to apply the law in their locality.

ADUs can potentially improve the lives of seniors, caregivers, and people of all ages, too, says Taylor. According to AARP Rhode Island’s November 2021 Vital Voices survey over 54% of Rhode Islanders over age 45 would consider creating an ADU if the space was available. In addition, a strong majority (84%) of Rhode Islanders aged 45 and over strongly or somewhat support town ordinances that makes it easier for property owners to create an ADU. “Allowing ADUs by right where the proposed ADU is located within the existing footprint of the primary structure or existing secondary attached or detached structure and does not expand the footprint of the structure will provide the housing options and security that Rhode Island residents are looking for,” notes Taylor.

In addition to the AARP, the bill has the support of numerous organizations and agencies, including the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, Rhode Island Housing, the American Planning Association Rhode Island Division, Grow Smart RI, RI Realtors, and Housing Network RI.

Although there was no opposition at the committee hearing for the legislative proposal, the House GOP caucus supports the concept, but expressed concerns about its impact on Rhode Island communities.  When the legislative proposal came to the House Floor no Republican lawmakers voted for H 6082Aaa.

GOP supports ADU concept but opposes passage as written

“While ADUs have been a fabric of housing throughout Rhode Island including the rural districts that I represent, they bring with them some concerns that should not be overlooked,” says House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale (R-District 40, Foster, Glocester).” The current proposal can be modified into an effective tool to help combat the housing shortage, but it requires input from all of our municipalities – particularly those like the ones in my remote district,” he notes.

Chippendale says that this legislative proposal currently before the Assembly isn’t inherently bad, but it needs to consider the challenges it creates for all 39 municipalities. “For example – if there is not sufficient off-street parking, which this bill severely limits, towns like Foster, Glocester, Western Coventry and others can have problems. Issues such as snow plowing an already narrow roadway, the passage of large vehicles such as fire trucks, garbage trucks and others that can be impacted by cars parking on the roads.  Further, they can represent a drain on limited resources such as drinking water when more people are being allowed to draw from an existing aquifer that may already be operating under duress. The same applies to neighborhoods that have water districts with limited water supply,” he adds. 

With Speakman’s ADU Legislation passed on the House floor, it is now time for the Senate to act and pass its companion measure.  Expanding ADUs in Rhode Island communities is sound housing policy that will provide access to much needed housing. Yes, it is the right thing to do.  

To download a copy of AARP Rhode Island’s “The ABCs of ADUs,” watch a Tutorial on ADUs and find other resources, go to: www.aarp.org/RIADU.

The last hurrah for RI retired pensioners

Published in RINewsToday on May 22, 2023

To this day, talk to any state worker or teacher who retired and they are not happy campers. To the contrary, they remain bitter as to how former Governor Gina Raimondo sold them out with her version of pension cuts in 2011 when state retirees, retired teachers, and many municipal retirees had their annual pension Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) suspended, and public workers had to trade in part of their defined-benefit pension plan for a 401 (k) style benefit, putting their retirement at risk. 

Four days ago, just like abortion and gun control legislation, pension change filled Room 35 to capacity with retired teachers and state workers calling for the Rhode Island General Assembly to bring back Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) to the retirees’ pensions.  The Clifford Group, Citizens for Pension Justice, and the Facebook Group, Advocates for COLA Restoration, successfully mobilized their retiree members to come to the House Finance Committee (HFC) held on May 18, 2023.

Putting the spotlight on three pension proposals

Currently there are at least 11 bills in the legislative hopper retgarding COLAs for state workers and teachers and the HFC heard testimony on many of these bills. These bills were held for further study in Committee. According to RI General Law Title 36-20-39 any proposed bills impacting the retirement system shall not be approved by the General Assembly unless a “pension impact note” is appended to the proposed legislation.  At press time this has not occurred.

Here are three of the pension bill fixes considered at last Thursday’s HFC:

Kicking off the over three-hour long hearing Rep. David A. Bennett (D-District 20, Warwick) called for HFC’s 15 members to pass H 5038, a bill that would restore the COLA to state employees and other RI pension system members  who retired prior to July 1, 2012.

Looking back when he was a freshman lawmaker in 2011, Bennett remembers voting to eliminate the retirees’ COLA because the administration told him that keeping the COLA would bankrupt the state and nullify all contracts.  “This is the only bill I have strong regrets voting for and it affected a lot of people, some of them already deceased,” he said. 

“It’s a shame and I wish I would never have voted yes to taking away the retirees’ COLA” says Bennett. With the cost of living continuing to increase, people need a COLA,” admits Bennett, noting that they had a contract ensuring a COLA when they retired. “When you retire your pension should be protected,” he says.  

Like Bennett, Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-District 27, Coventry, Warwick and West Warwick) expressed concerns about her vote to eliminate the retirees’ COLA over 12 years ago. Serpa told the HFC that “valuable actuarial information was withheld” and that she was “misled back in 2011” about the financial condition of the state’s pension system. 

Serpa acknowledged that many of her former colleagues are suffering because of her “terrible” vote. ”In all of my time it was the worse vote I ever, ever took.  I will never ever, ever, ever again take a vote like that against retired teachers or retired state employees,” she pledged.

“I have spoken to a number of people since that vote.  People I respect.  People with degrees in accounting and they have clearly indicated that the pension fund could easily have been amortized and left almost whole,” says Serpa. 

Serpa is the sponsor of H 6295 which provides a one-time stipend of 3 percent of retirees’ first $30,000 for all teacher and state retirement members, including many municipal systems retirees. This stipend, coming from the state’s General Fund, may be renewed annually by the General Assembly based on the state’s fiscal status. 

H 6295 would at least provide temporary relief to the retirees,” says Serpa, admitting that she is “not married to her bill” and has signed onto every pension bill that has come before her.  “I have been here long enough to know that if you have only one idea in the hopper you have no cards to play with”, she says. “We must put the ideas out there to start a conversation. and we have to take action soon,” notes Serpa. 

State Treasurer James Diossa  requested Rep. William O’Brien (D-District 54, North Providence) to introduce bill H 6006 that would provide a one-time allowance of $500 for eligible members of the employees retirement system of Rhode Island.

“H 6006 provides meaningful relief to those struggling to buy gas or groceries,” says Diossa, noting that over 30,000 retired teachers, state and municipal employees would benefit from passage. “This bill would not impact the pension system like other COLA restoration and stipend proposals would,” he said, stressing it would provide relief while maintaining the stability of the pension funds.  Diossa acknowledged that many might be frustrated knowing that it’s a stipend only and not a COLA.

To watch the May 18, 2023 hearing of the House Finance Committee, go to https://ritv.devosvideo.com/show?video=f66975520d59&apg=52ab780b.

Retirees weigh in

According to W. David Shallcross, a former Cranston teacher and retired Lincoln school principal, many Rhode Island state workers and teachers do not receive Social Security coverage. The state pension system was established in 1936 as an alternate Social Security plan. The state required by Rhode Island law that every teacher and state worker must participate and that the employer, the state, like all employers, must contribute.

Shallcross stressed that to teachers and state workers “this is not free money, it is money they ‘banked by RI law’ to sustain them when they retire. They contributed a significant portion of their wage as long as they were employed.

“Today’s dollar is only worth 68 cents compared to the 2012 dollar. Yearly, Social Security adjusts benefits based on the cost of living in the preceding year. Rhode Island has done nothing in this regard for retirees in the last 10 years. Yet our legislators continue to enjoy the COLA first awarded them in 1995,” he charged.

Retired State Employee Santa Priviter strongly supported the passage of H 5038, opposing any retirement bills [considered by the HFC] which offer a one-time stipend and/or distribution schedules for pension benefits. “Those other bills would still maintain the RI Retirement Security Act formula which effectively eliminates retirees’ inflation protection,” she says.

“A one-time taxable stipend worth about $1.00 per day for one year – or 25 cents per day for 4 years – is not a COLA because it doesn’t offer continuing, real relief against inflation.  H 5038 does,” notes Priviter.

“Our newly elected treasurer has offered a $500 onetime stipend.  How utterly insulting.  What can $500 buy?”  asks Lorraine Savard, a teacher who retired in 2004.  “The millions in this years’ financial state surplus can be used to give teachers and state workers a much needed financial boost. If not the return of our COLAs, then other creative compensations, for example a reduction in state income tax on state pensioners,” she urges.

“As you know, since 2012 the value of our pension benefits has decreased by 30%”, said Brian Kennedy, a former state worker employed for over 30 years at Rhode Island’s Division of Personnel at the Office of Human Resources.  “In the same time period, the State Budget has increased from $7.7 billion  to $13.7 billion,” he says.

Kennedy acknowledged that it is highly unrealistic to consider being reimbursed all the COLA monies owed, as some other bills provide, but he urged the HFC to consider adjusting the 2012 base for computation of the go-forward COLAs.  That base should be increased by the inflation rate from 2012 to the current time in order to reflect 2023 dollars.

According to Kennedy, in dollar amounts, the average individual “increase” over the last ten years is roughly $10/month. “Our pensions reflect 2012 benefits paid with 2023 dollars, a windfall for the state, but an insult to the retirees,” he says.

“Is there anything more sinister than mandating a “reform” program with a twenty year finish line to elderly retirees with a twenty year mortality rate?  Coincidence?” he quips.

Patricia E. Giammarco, from Citizens for Pension Justice, agrees with Kennedy’s assessment that it is now or never. “It’s abundantly clear that the state will be spending less and less on COLAs until it reaches the illusory 80% funding, when most pre-2012 retirees will be dead.  To ask us to continue to subsist on virtually nothing, only to receive that virtually nothing once a year or once every four years, is not only highly suspect, I feel it is downright treacherous,” she says.

Giammarco ends her testimony by stating: “You can disguise a pig and bring it to market trying to sell it as a cow, but in the end, it’s still a pig.  I would ask this body to absolutely reject the offerings of any false prophets and to do the only thing that is ethically, morally, and legally acceptable when viewed in the totality of the circumstances.  Support H 5038 and return to the retirees who retired prior to July 1, 2012, that which should never have been taken away – their contractually guaranteed 3% compounded COLAS.”

Susan Sweet, a former state associate director of the Department of Elderly Affairs and an advocate for seniors facing hardships and low-income difficulties, remembers being part of the original group opposing the pension cuts and the broken retiree contract and being told by the state arbiters that the pension cuts were entirely political, not financial.  Members of the General Assembly were deceived regarding the need and impact of the cuts.  No other state has taken benefits away from already retired workers who have fulfilled their side of the contract. Two tried but were struck down by their courts.

“A Rhode Island Superior Court ruling states that a COLA and a pension are “one and the same” and ‘not gratuities’, Sweet quotes, “and the General Assembly was advised otherwise even though the state’s actuary advised against this. How long will this injustice continue? House bill H 5038 and the companion bill in the Senate which is identical, S 0564, are the most reasonable and responsible pieces of legislation being considered.  I urge all Representatives and Senators to pass this legislation before it is too late to benefit the retirees who were dealt this terrible blow to their later years.”

The clock is ticking… with the state’s now-estimated surplus of $500 million plus and millions received from the Wells Fargo settlement, it’s time to act now.  The General Assembly must not continue to kick the can down the road until the can is destroyed and the retirees are all dead.

Can AI create an “Authentic” Commencement Address? 

Published in RINewsToday on May 15, 2023

It’s May and Rhode Island’s college seniors are graduating from colleagues and universities, ready to go out and make their mark on the world. According to the Education Data Initiative, this year there is an estimated 19,782 graduating seniors who will sit through commencement ceremonies with their families and friends, all listening to commencement speakers and watching diplomas being received. These graduation ceremonies are an academic milestone in the graduates’ lives.

The usual commencement address, traditionally about 10 minutes in length (up to 2,500 words), offers sound advice and inspiration to help the graduates to successfully navigate both their personal lives and professional careers throughout the years ahead. These speeches will vary widely, and can either be serious or lighthearted, but they should all be authentic, motivational, and informative.

The internet quickly makes the “sage advice” given by these commencement speakers available to millions across the globe. Whether you are a graduate or not, reading the speeches can be very helpful to anyone open to wisdom being imparted.

Many of the graduating seniors might not remember what they heard at the ceremony, but they just might remember the inspirational feelings felt during the commencement program.

As I have stated in previous commencement speech articles that I have penned, you don’t have to always be a politician, judge, television or radio personality, actor, or Fortune 500 CEO to give sound advice and tips to graduating seniors. As a matter of fact, it has been increasing popular to have graduates, themselves, deliver those commencement addresses, as well as “regular folk” who have overcome obstacles throughout their lives. Often, these addresses can be the most valuable with everyday knowledge. 

Real Folks Give Advice

In June 2014, this writer penned an article giving the Class of 2014 tips how they could ease into their professional niche in a state with the distinction of having the worst employment rate in the nation that continued to be one of the last states to see an economic revival – Rhode Island.

This article noted that there were many potential commencement speakers in local communities throughout the Ocean State who fly below the radar screen and could give college graduates sound strategies for success gleaned from their life experiences.  

Here are few tips given:

Michael Cassidy, Pawtucket, Retired. “As you go into the ‘real’ world from the sheltered ‘world of college’ don’t be too quick to judge the new people you meet in the workplace.  People come in all types, sizes, shapes, temperaments, personalities, ages, and backgrounds; and they all have their own experiences from which you can learn. If you are smart enough to listen to what others have to offer, you can learn from them not only about what to do, but about what not to do. And most times learning what not to do is the most valuable lesson you can have.”

Susan Sweet, Rumford, former state administrator, non-profit lobbyist and advocate, stated: “In the short space that we are in the world, we must create meaning in our lives by contributing to the happiness and well-being of other people and other sentient beings. To do good and useful work, caring and acting for the betterment of others is the true goal of life.”

Larry Sullivan, Net Compliance Solution’s technical & consulting services. “Recognize opportunity. If you can’t identify opportunities, then they are very likely to sneak past you unnoticed. Most people’s search criteria are so narrow in focus that it can essentially blind them to opportunities available right in front of their face. It’s the old “can’t see the forest for the trees” scenario.  Also, see yourself as a valuable asset. Your self-image will make a huge difference in the type of opportunities you attract to yourself. If you see yourself as a valuable asset, and you present yourself as such, others will see you that way as well.”

Joan Retsinas, Providence, a writer.  “Savor, savor, savor. Savor the sunshine, and the rain. Savor your friends, your family, your colleagues. Nurture the people close to you. Be a friend. Fall in love. If you fall out of love, fall in again. Read “Winnie the Pooh” to a child. Eat ice cream. Ride a bike. Swim in the ocean. Laugh. As for fame, fortune, and success, don’t fret. They don’t really matter.”

This year, I haven’t been asked to give a commencement speech, but with all the talk about AI and how it can write essays and homework assignments as well as most important thing, I wondered what it would generate if I gave it a few prompts.  

Using AI to Generate Speeches

With emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) I technology, future commencement speakers may be tempted crafting an inspirational and memorable speech.  ChatGPT (which can even mimic human speech in addition to creating high-quality content in seconds), is the latest way to quickly write a speech that stands out and leaves a lasting impact.

By using ChatGPT to write your speech, you can save time and create a speech that is tailored to your audience and purpose. But you must provide ChatGPT with all the necessary details and take the time to review and refine and tweak the draft speech to ensure it meets your needs.

Massachusett Congressman Jake Auchinclosstook a creative approach to his most recent speech on the House floor to make a point about artificial intelligence.  He was speaking on a bill to create a center for AI research, and used the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT to write his speech.

According to a Jan. 20 article penned by Popular Science’s staff writer Andrew Paul, attendees of the World Economic Forum’s Davos summit openly admitted that they use AL for speeches and emails.  Speaking with CNN, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated in a speech that he is already relying on ChatGPT as a “writing assistant and thought partner,” reported Paul in his article, noting that among Nadella’s daily tasks, the AI chat program helps him craft emails, alongside speeches “in a friendly, upbeat, authoritative tone with mixed cadence.”

Last February, Isaac Herzog, the president of Israel, became the first world leader to publicly use ChatGPT, after delivering a speech at the Cybertech conference in Tel Aviv, partly composed by the AI ,the Jerusalem Post reported, AL wrote the introduction of the speech and generated a “inspirational quote” for its conclusion.  

You can expect more people to follow Auchincloss, Herzog, and Nadella’s lead in using ChatGPT, the latest AI technology to write their speeches.  

Here’s my attempt: To the graduating class of 2023…

After typing in “2023 Commencement Speech” along with key issues of interest to me such as  political “global unrest,” the “economy” and “political divide at the national and state levels,”  ChatGPT, was able to generate the following address that could be given to this year’s graduating seniors, in just 10 seconds, and with a perspective that reflects the way I was thinking.

“To the graduating 2023 seniors, I provide you with a commencement speech to thrive in the coming years.  

I am honored to be standing before you today as you embark on the next chapter of your lives. You are graduating during a time of great uncertainty and unprecedented challenges. The global pandemic has disrupted every aspect of our lives, the economy is struggling, and political divisions seem to be widening every day. But despite these challenges, I am confident that you are well-equipped to navigate these uncertain times and succeed in whatever path you choose to pursue.

First and foremost, I want to acknowledge that the current events have taken a toll on all of us, and I want to offer some advice on how to cope with them. The pandemic has changed the way we live, work, and interact with one another. It has forced us to adapt to new ways of doing things and challenged us to find creative solutions to problems. It has also reminded us of the importance of community and the power of human connection.

As you go out into the world, remember that you are not alone in facing these challenges. Seek out and build relationships with people who share your values and can support you during difficult times. Take care of your physical and mental health, and be proactive about seeking help if you need it. And remember to be patient and compassionate with yourself and others as we all navigate these uncertain times together.

The poor economy is another significant challenge that you will likely encounter as you enter the workforce. The job market may be tough, and it may take longer than you anticipated to find your dream job. But remember that setbacks are temporary and that your hard work and dedication will eventually pay off. Be open to new opportunities and willing to learn new skills that can make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

One of the most important things you can do to cope with the poor economy is to be financially responsible. Live within your means, save money whenever possible, and avoid taking on unnecessary debt. This will give you more flexibility and freedom as you navigate your career and personal life.

Finally, I want to address the political divide that seems to be widening in our country. It can be disheartening to see so much division and negativity in the news and on social media. But I encourage you to stay informed, engage in civil discourse, and seek out diverse perspectives.

Remember that we are all human beings with different backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs. 

We may not always agree with one another, but we can still treat each other with respect and kindness. Be willing to listen to other points of view, and don’t be afraid to change your mind if new information or perspectives come to light.

In conclusion, I want to remind you that you have the power to shape your future and make a positive impact on the world. The challenges that we face today may seem overwhelming, but I am confident that you have the skills, knowledge, and resilience to overcome them.

As you go out into the world, remember to be patient, kind, and compassionate. Take care of yourself and those around you, and always strive to be your best self. Congratulations, graduates, and good luck on your journey!”

With the growing interest and use of ChatGPT, will more commencement speakers take advantage of this new AI technology?  Will the graduating seniors see the difference from an originally written, “authentic” speech providing tips gleaned from life-long experiences (like speeches given by college graduates or regular folks) or an AL generated address?  Time will tell. 

The above commencement speech was obtained from https://chat.openai.com/.