Blog

Knock the Vote: Week 2

By Elizabeth Roberts on 7/22/2010 12:59 PM

Last weekend I officially kicked off my campaign for reelection as Rhode Island’s lieutenant governor and began my Knock the Vote tour—where I’ll campaign door-to-door in all 39 cities and towns—by canvassing in my hometown of Cranston.

My government position may be at the state level, but I think it’s vital to talk to Rhode Islanders on their front doorsteps and hear first-hand their hopes and concerns. I get a feel for what the issues are at the community...

Health Care in Focus

By Elizabeth Roberts on 7/14/2010 1:34 PM

It’s an action-packed, health-care-oriented 24 hours!

Today I’m in DC at a forum that Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse has organized for those of us working on health reform in Rhode Island. We’ll hear from Secretary of Health Kathleen Sebelius and others about the status of reform nationally and how that will affect what we do locally.

And tomorrow (July 15), at 5:30 p.m., Harold Miller, executive director of the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform,...

Join Me for My Campaign Kickoff on July 17!

By Elizabeth Roberts on 7/12/2010 2:08 PM

In November 2006, I was so honored that Rhode Island voters elected me to be their Lieutenant Governor. Since that time, I have made it my mission to work on behalf of Rhode Island families and businesses to lead them through tough times and to develop common sense approaches to challenges that we face. Now, four years later, I need to ask for your help again. Join me on Saturday, July 17 at 10 a.m. at my home in Cranston, as I kick off my campaign for re-election....

What You Can Do About Insurance Rate Hikes

By Elizabeth Roberts on 7/8/2010 3:15 PM

1. Talk to your state representative and senator. Tell them to make sure health reform works in Rhode Island. They need to hear directly from those they represent that addressing the cost of health care is a top priority. You can find your elected officials here.

2. Talk to candidates for office. In this campaign season, you’ll have plenty of chances to see and shake hands with many candidates running for state...

Insurance Rate Hikes Too Much

By Elizabeth Roberts on 7/7/2010 3:49 PM

I’m deeply disappointed by today’s news that employer-based health insurance rate hikes for 2011—ranging from 8.4 percent to 12.3 percent—have been approved. Paying significantly more for employees’ health insurance will further burden Rhode Island’s businesses during this difficult economic time—putting both jobs and health at risk.

From my press release:

PROVIDENCE—Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts today spoke out against the ruling by the Office of Health Insurance Commissioner approving 2011 increases by all three health insurers in Rhode Island, ranging from 8.4% to 12.3% for plans offered by employers....

Happy Fourth of July!

By Elizabeth Roberts on 7/2/2010 2:21 PM

On Monday morning I’ll be proudly marching in the Bristol Fourth of July parade—the oldest continuous parade of its kind in America. I’ll also march in the more eccentric Glocester Ancients and Horribles parade later on Monday. Together the parades are representative of the fierce independent streak and diversity that runs through Rhode Island.

The Fourth is a reminder that we are lucky to have as heritage here the capable spirit of the Colonists, who first...