Magaziner: We need a Clean Break and Fresh Start

By Seth Magaziner,
Candidate for General Treasurer of Rhode Island

Rhode Island needs new leadership and fresh ideas to repair its economy. Rhode Island is my home (I was born and raised in Bristol), and I love it here, but we are facing tough times. Too many Rhode Islanders are unemployed and have trouble making ends meet. If we want to get Rhode Island’s economy growing again, we need leaders who will step up and make a clean break from the insider politics and mismanagement that are holding our state back.

I am running for General Treasurer because that office can and must be a platform for economic growth and job creation. Last month I released my Blueprint, a plan for how I will use the Treasurer’s office to revive our economy and create jobs.

My Blueprint includes new ideas for how to fund infrastructure projects, putting Rhode Islanders back to work fixing our broken roads, bridges and schools. During the New Deal era, when millions of Americans were unemployed, our leaders put people to work building the infrastructure that made our country strong. Today, in Rhode Island, we need leaders who are committed to doing the same.

The Blueprint also outlines my plan to direct more of the state’s investments locally, to create jobs here at home. The Treasurer’s office oversees billions in taxpayer funds, the vast majority of which are currently invested in other states and countries. By investing more of these funds locally, we will help Rhode Island businesses to grow and employ more people.

For too long, our public pension system had been plagued by mismanagement and underperformance. As a successful, private sector investment professional, I understand what it takes to deliver strong investment performance. As Treasurer, I will bring a steady hand to the state’s finances, deliver strong returns for our public pension system, work to reduce fees and manage the state’s investments with full transparency.

Despite our challenges, I am deeply optimistic about the future of our state. I know that with new leadership and the right priorities, we will bounce back. It is with these goals in mind that I humbly ask for your vote in the Democratic Primary election on September 9th. I know that, together, we can give Rhode Island a fresh start.