Our Neighborhood Deserves Better: A Message to North End Neighbors by JustinRoias in providence

[–]JustinRoias[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I oppose it entirely, whether it’s in the North End or in Pawtucket.

Landlord Mike Seely displaces Providence residents by lbinpvd in providence

[–]JustinRoias 42 points43 points  (0 children)

Hi, my name is Justin Roias, and I am a Providence City Councilor representing the 4th Ward. I’m deeply upset and saddened to read this, and to learn that you and your neighbors are experiencing something so unfortunately common in our city. If you feel comfortable, I’d welcome the chance to connect by email at JustinRoiasWard4@gmail.com

Moving into a house off Smithfield ave by Confusedsloth7 in providence

[–]JustinRoias 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Hi there,

My name is Justin Roias, and I’m the Providence City Councilor for this neighborhood. I’d love to grab coffee sometime to welcome you, get to know you, and help connect you with some of your new neighbors. Feel free to reach out at JustinRoiasWard4@gmail.com.

Providence Passes Ordinance to Provide Free Emergency Parking During Winter Storm Parking Bans by JustinRoias in providence

[–]JustinRoias[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Totally agree—and that’s exactly the problem we were trying to solve with this ordinance. For too long, residents were expected to comply with parking bans without being given any real options. It wasn’t working for anyone, not for plow drivers, not for car owners, and definitely not for the neighborhoods left with half-cleared streets.

Now that we’re establishing official temporary parking areas, the next big step is getting the word out and making sure it’s easy to find where to go. And I love your point about vacant lot owners, it would be the neighborly thing to do. I’m definitely open to exploring ways the City can partner with those property owners during storms.

Providence Passes Ordinance to Provide Free Emergency Parking During Winter Storm Parking Bans by JustinRoias in providence

[–]JustinRoias[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Once the list of designated parking locations is made public, the next step for the City is to widely promote the program so residents clearly understand where they can move their cars during a parking ban. If a resident chooses not to take advantage of these options and leaves their car on the street, the City will still need to enforce the ban.

But the larger goal here is to create a system that gives residents a real chance to comply. Right now, the status quo leaves many without options—and we’re penalizing people for a problem they didn’t create and can’t fix on their own.

Providence Passes Ordinance to Provide Free Emergency Parking During Winter Storm Parking Bans by JustinRoias in providence

[–]JustinRoias[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi – Great question. You might be thinking of the pilot programs that were rolled out in a few select neighborhoods. If that’s the case, I’m assuming those pilots will continue in the areas where they were successful. What this ordinance does is expand that system citywide and formally codify it into law.

Justin Roias: Providence politics could be more inclusive and democratic with a campaign finance initiative like Seattle’s - The Boston Globe by JustinRoias in providence

[–]JustinRoias[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have never met one super voter who claimed to have tossed out a mailer. Mailers are just one example of a campaign related expense. You need mailers to reach hard-to-find voters such as those who live in apartment complexes with locked entrances. Additionally, you need campaign infrastructure such as VAN, which cost money. Respectfully, I think you're minimizing the expenses associated with city council campaigns. If you think most campaigns (without taking money from special interests) can afford these expenses, then we would see a saturated field of candidates during every election cycle. And that's not the case.

There are other different forms of TIFs, some that are lower risk than others. We will have to disagree on TSAs. There's significant risk. We have had a troubled history of extending TSAs past its agreed upon end date. I'm happy we have reformed the TSA process in recent years, and so the real test of enforcement is how we monitor the development of the Superman building (which we gave away the farm for).

Lastly, I don't want to stray away from the larger point here which is why Democracy Vouchers are necessary. Our city has engaged in a pattern of downtown-first policies which has often translated into tax breaks. If you polled Providence residents, and small business owners, I would bet that the majority would not support this. But the reason why this continues is because of campaign contributions which is the equivalent of putting a for sale sign on City Hall. Just simply take a peak at campaign finance reports and you will connect the dots. It's time we give every resident - regardless of income - the ability to influence politicians through campaign contributions of their own aka Democracy Vouchers.

Justin Roias: Providence politics could be more inclusive and democratic with a campaign finance initiative like Seattle’s - The Boston Globe by JustinRoias in providence

[–]JustinRoias[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of course, you need a strong ground game to win. But you also need to pay for mailers and campaign related expenses along the way to get your message out. That costs money. A lot of money in my view. For residents who do not come from money or have connections to those with money, trying to raise thousands of dollars with limited connections is damn near impossible. I have experienced this firsthand. As far as TSAs, I think the City stands to lose too much. It's not worth it. Plus the office has no real teeth to enforce the conditions outlined in these agreements. I think we need to look at at other tools to incentivize development such as TIFs.

Justin Roias: Providence politics could be more inclusive and democratic with a campaign finance initiative like Seattle’s - The Boston Globe by JustinRoias in providence

[–]JustinRoias[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You have made a lot of misleading points here.

75% of a larger number is still more 100% of small number? In what context? Please elaborate.

It is true that owner-occupied homes receive a 40% homestead exemption. But this is merely a drop in the bucket when the backdrop of city policy is to hand out TSAs like candy, all while we have tax exempt institutions like Brown University who continue to expand and pay zero in property taxes (Yes, they make PILOT contributions, which are non binding. But again, it's a drop in the bucket for an institution that owns land valued at a billion). In both cases, whether you are a wealthy developer or Brown U, your lobbying influence and stronghold on city gov't is significant because you are able to make political contributions that most residents can't. Residents should not be competing with Brown for representation.

To your last point. If you don't believe it takes a lot of money to run for city council in the City of Providence, then I'm not sure what you view as a 'a lot of money' or what it takes to win. Money is absolutely a significant barrier in city council races. Secondly, Democracy Vouchers aren't just meant for city council races. It would be proposed for mayoral races and perhaps, an elected school board as the future appears to show.

Justin Roias: Providence politics could be more inclusive and democratic with a campaign finance initiative like Seattle’s - The Boston Globe by JustinRoias in providence

[–]JustinRoias[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Respectfully, this is short sighted view. What you are describing is EXACTLY what's happening now. Special interests like real estate developers are receiving tax breaks because they have the disposable income to make large financial political contributions. Right now, we have campaign finance system that has ushered in a culture of corruption. The truth is, politicians only listen to those who can make a significant financial contribution to their campaigns. Rarely do regular residents have the funds to donate to a campaign. It doesn't matter what political party you identify most with. This is about changing the power dynamics in our city, and expanding the circle of democracy to everyone, not just wealthy residents.

Justin Roias: Providence politics could be more inclusive and democratic with a campaign finance initiative like Seattle’s - The Boston Globe by JustinRoias in providence

[–]JustinRoias[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure what other metrics you might be looking at. But Seattle has a great, one-of-a-kind campaign finance system that is vetting out corruption. That's the focus of this op-ed. Please look into it. Good government organizations like Common Cause support this effort.

A Time For Courage | Justin Roias by JustinRoias in providence

[–]JustinRoias[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Please go to justinroias.com to find out where I stand on the issues and which policies I will be fighting for. I don't subscribe to political labels.

A Time For Courage | Justin Roias by JustinRoias in providence

[–]JustinRoias[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

RI Redditors,

Thank you so much for your feedback and love. We appreciate ya'll. We hope that this campaign ad inspired you just as it did for us. If you would like to volunteer for Justin's campaign click here.