It’s January 18, and I’m blogging today from a windswept and rainy Newport, R.I. Since I’m kicking off my coverage for MTV’s StreetTeam 08 in one of Rhode Island’s founding cities, I thought I’d start with the basics.
Once the state’s capitol, Newport is now primarily a tourist destination and home to a growing Naval industry. Located in the 2nd Congressional District, it is represented in Congress by Patrick Kennedy (D), Sen. Jack Reed (D), and the city’s own Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D).
Over the course of the next ten months, I’ll be reporting from each of Rhode Island’s cities and towns -- on land and on sea. Sound ambitious? It’s not.
Rhode Island is a small state. How small you ask? The smallest actually.At just 37 miles wide and 40 miles long, Rhode Island covers roughly 1,000 square miles. That means we’re about the same size as the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, or the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. You could easily fit Rhode Island inside of Yosemite National Park in California, or for that matter, the area burned by wildfires in that state in 2007. Rhode Island is roughly the same size as an area in Colorado which is being decimated by pine beetles. And North Carolina’s peat farms dwarf my home state. But why stop there, you could fit over 660 Rhode Islands inside of Alaska, or 260 inside of Texas. Heck, even Delaware, the nation’s second smallest state, is twice the size Little Rhody and Connecticut is five times bigger.
OK, you get it; It’s a small state. But it’s also facing some big issues. To begin: we’re going broke. While other states enjoy surpluses, Rhode Island is staring at a $600 million budget deficit. $600 million! That’s a lot for a small state.
We’re also one of 12 states to have legalized marijuana and only one of 2 states to recognize same-sex marriage, and recently, divorce.
Rhode Islanders can be proud that we continue to help support the activities of local and federal law enforcement agencies; We had a mayor go to prison not too long ago on corruption charges, and our federal attorney has indicated that more politicians could soon be able to enjoy the confines of a concrete cell as well.
Meanwhile, despite having multiple universities and an active youth culture, Rhode Island is only one of two states to be losing population.
Still, you hear it wherever you go: Rhode Island is a great place to live. Our small size and diverse blend of personalities, cultures, and industries make us one of the nation’s most dynamic states to live. That’s why I’m so proud to be representing Rhode Island for MTV’s Street Team 08.
Over the course of the next 10 months, I’ll be taking a look at some of the issues mentioned above and reporting on stories you’ll only be able to find on the ground and on the water.
So, back to the basics: If you’re interested in jumping into the state’s political dialogue,
Politics
AnchorRising
Kmareka
Not for Nothing
Ocean State Republican
RIFuture
Environmental Issues
Natural News Network
Save the Bay
All things Rhody
Quahog.org
Providence Daily Dose
Find your local elected official here courtesy of the RI Secretary of State office.
Congressional Delegation
Sen. Jack Reed (D)
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D)
Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D – Dist. 1)
Rep. James Langevin (D – Dist. 2)