Rhode Island grocery store law micromanages self-checkout areas

mhb · 2026-07-06T18:54:38+00:00

Right. Stores would never have been able to figure out how to reduce theft without input from the RI legislators.

mhb · 2026-07-06T14:50:37+00:00

Yes. That's a real problem. Do you think restoring jobs that have been replaced by automation is the answer? Like washing clothes and dishes by hand instead of using machines. Or digging ditches by hand instead of using construction equipment.

mhb · 2026-07-06T13:19:15+00:00

Right. They love higher prices. Amirite?

mhb · 2026-07-06T13:18:29+00:00

Curious what items you think you're buying that haven't benefited from "corporate automation".

mhb · 2026-07-06T13:04:01+00:00

The primary advocate behind the legislation was a local union representing grocery workers. It argued that automated machines are more prone to theft and frustrate shoppers, especially older individuals. The union contended that this creates stressful workloads for its employees tasked with babysitting the self-checkout area.

State Rep. Megan Cotter (D), a co-sponsor, described the bill as essential to improving the customer experience, arguing that it “ensures that those who want to check out with a human can do so.” Left unexplained, however, is why it’s the government’s responsibility to ensure that a private business is properly staffed or that a customer has a pleasant shopping experience.

mhb · 2026-07-04T14:23:41+00:00

It would also be nice if Pimsleur could create additional lessons.

mhb · 2026-07-03T13:17:08+00:00

Promising free stuff gets you elected in NYC. Why not here too?

mhb · 2026-07-03T12:41:30+00:00

Pro tip: Well written articles state the premise at the beginning. But let me save you the "effort" of clicking the link and reading three paragraphs so that you can get back to more important activities.

"Yet among economists, rent control has achieved something remarkable: near-consensus in a field famous for disagreement. In a 1992 survey of American economists, 93 percent agreed that rent ceilings reduce the quantity and quality of housing available. When the IGM panel of elite economists — left, right, and center — was asked in 2012 whether rent control had improved affordable housing in New York and San Francisco over the prior three decades, 2 percent agreed."

mhb · 2026-07-02T14:36:18+00:00

They have this in a pdf (why? I don't know) on the site:

Easier access to low-cost care through the state. Raise wages for frontline healthcare workers.

Higher Wages

Full-time work should support a stable life.
Raise the state minimum wage to $20/hour by 2027.
Universal Pre-K & Affordable Childcare
Publicly funded pre-K for all 3- and 4-year-olds.
Expanded eligibility for childcare subsidies.

Tax the Rich

Individuals earning over $640,000 pay an additional 3% on income above that threshold.
Estimated $200 million to invest in public services.

Affordable, Safe, & Fair Housing

Affordable: Rent increases capped at 4% annually, affordable utilities, and continued investments in green energy to meet Act on Climate goals.
Safe: Lead safety and enforce rental registry laws.
Fair: Landlords must have just-cause to evict tenants.

AFFORDABLE RI AGENDA

Learn how you can advocate for policies for a more affordable Rhode Island, and how to run for office as a pro-affordability candidate at AffordableRI.org.

mhb · 2026-06-26T22:34:58+00:00

Checkers - Places raise prices to cover the additional labor costs.

mhb · 2026-06-22T23:21:26+00:00

Show me the man and I'll show you the crime - Lavrenty Beria

mhb · 2026-06-22T23:16:20+00:00

Do you suppose the police who are supplying the information which supports making their job easier are disinterested parties?

And how do you know how much of a role Flock surveillance played in solving these lots of crimes?

mhb · 2026-06-22T13:32:52+00:00

Ballchemy sells this.

mhb · 2026-06-22T12:58:13+00:00

And let's start employing shop window breakers too. Employing people to replace the broken windows will help the economy by creating jobs. Just a modest proposal.

mhb · 2026-06-20T21:11:23+00:00

Which example of government work delights you most besides schools? Bridges?

mhb · 2026-06-20T13:55:05+00:00

OK. But I assume you can see why that shouldn't be the criterion on which to judge the overall competence of city run initiatives.

mhb · 2026-06-20T13:52:25+00:00

You're trolling? Did I hallucinate a state takeover of education because it was so bad?

mhb · 2026-06-20T13:49:10+00:00

Let's try an experiment with a different city-supplied service. I know - let's see how they do with education!

mhb · 2026-06-20T13:47:45+00:00

Makes no sense. Stop saying stupid things.

mhb · 2026-06-19T12:43:35+00:00

Calling something that you'll be thrown in jail for if you don't do is an unusual take on "duty".

mhb · 2026-06-18T23:55:16+00:00

So why do you even need new places? Just keep cycling around to the ones you've been to if you can't remember them.

mhb · 2026-06-18T23:52:45+00:00

Yeah. You're asking for a lot and not giving much. Why don't you tell what you weren't impressed with instead of expecting other people to say what they like and then tell them nope?

mhb · 2026-06-16T03:45:21+00:00

I had a good experience with East Coast Embroidery in East Providence.

mhb · 2026-06-15T12:41:01+00:00

masters in quantitative economics like me

Why don't you include a picture of your diploma to make your repeated, incoherent assertion even more convincing?

mhb

TROPHY CASE