Ken Block

Where Block stands

What actions will you take to ensure all residents are treated with dignity, civilian’s constitutional rights are protected, and people’s rights to free speech, assembly, and civic participation are not violated during any immigration enforcement activity occurring within our state?

My first obligation as governor will be to uphold the Constitution and the law. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and a RI governor cannot lawfully prevent federal officers from carrying out lawful federal actions. But I will insist that every RI agency under my authority protect the constitutional rights of everyone in our state. State Police and state agencies will protect lawful speech, peaceful assembly and civic participation, and state resources will not be used in ways that violate anyone's constitutional rights. When federal authorities operate in RI, they too must obey the Constitution. The rule should be simple: enforce the law, respect constitutional rights, and treat every person with dignity.

What are the most important challenges facing our state and what do you propose to address them?

We must break the cycle of poverty, and we can do so only by improving educational outcomes. A third of our state is on Medicaid, and a third of our state budget goes to Medicaid. Improved educational outcomes benefit students, our workforce, and our budget! There is no magic bullet here. My administration will facilitate 36 different conversations - one for each public school district - bringing together students, parents, teachers, administrators, RIDE, and the governor's office to identify and propose solutions to the problems that impact outcomes.

What will you do to combat the underlying issues driving the inflation rate such as the rising costs of housing, childcare, energy, and groceries?

Rhode Island cannot control national inflation, but a governor can attack the costs state government makes worse. My affordability agenda starts with lowering electricity costs and ending hidden and regressive taxes and fees that drive up household bills. I will expand our housing supply, including housing that helps older Rhode Islanders downsize and frees up family homes; make childcare more affordable; and reduce unnecessary regulations and costs that ultimately show up in grocery and other prices. My rule will be simple: make government costs visible, make government justify them, make them fair, and get them down.

Reduce taxes and fees on cell-phone bills

According to the Tax Foundation, Rhode Island has the highest state and local wireless tax and fee burden in New England at 15.75%, compared with 10.75% in Massachusetts and 8.42% in Connecticut.

What actions will you take to protect the constitutional rights to assemble and peacefully protest?

As governor, I will follow every law on the books - both state and federal. Anyone who infringes on another's constitutional rights as the law and law enforcement guidelines allow.

What actions will you take to uphold the constitutional balance between federal and state authority in the administration of our state‑run elections?

Our federal Constitution is crystal clear: the states conduct our elections unless Congress passes a law. That is (or was) the totality of the definition of responsibilities. There is (or was) no power for the Executive Branch in the oversight of elections. This area of ongoing contention is wholly legal in nature and should be handled by Attorneys General and the federal court system. A governor's role in this is extremely limited. Personally, I find Presidential interference in the conduct of our elections reprehensible.

Stop the return of truck tolls and oppose passenger-vehicle tolls

My administration would request a full stop on the planned return of Rhode Island's truck-tolling program and oppose new tolls on passenger vehicles.

Eliminate RIPTA fares for one year and measure the results

RIPTA currently collects roughly $9 million a year in passenger fares. My administration would implement a one-year fare-free trial, replacing that revenue with savings identified elsewhere in the state budget, and measure the effect on ridership and transportation costs.