RI Governor's Debate Recap

BRISTOL, RI — If there was any common theme for the first televised gubernatorial debate Thursday night at Roger Williams University, it was candidates calling each other "insiders" and questioning the other candidate's ability to lead.

Debate moderator and WPRI 12 reporter Tim White's first question to Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo sparked a back-and-forth between her and Republican Cranston Mayor Allan Fung about some of their most public controversies in executive office.

White asked Raimondo about major computer system failures with 2016's Unified Health Infrastructure Project (UHIP), a $364 million computer software designed to integrate 48 different federal and state welfare programs. The system suffered major IT problems and few employees were available to fix it. At the height of the crisis, in February 2017, the Department of Human Services (DHS) had a backlog of 15,000 applications for subsidized assistance.

White asked Raimondo why Rhode Islanders should give her another chance when an employee in the private sector would be fired for this sort of debacle. He said it cost Rhode Island $640 million in internet technology cost (IT).

Raimondo admitted she made a mistake with the start of the UHIP, but said the state has since "turned the corner."

Raimondo countered by attacking Fung for interfering with police business to the point that Rhode Island state police had to investigate the city's police department.

"There is a very big difference between a bungled IT roll-out and public corruption," Raimondo said. She later added, "Under Mayor Fung, Cranston's police department was run like the Mafia."

Independent Joe Trillo, a former Republican state representative said that both Raimondo and Fung are insiders, adding that he knows this from being around Smith Hill.

At one point, the accusations turned to insults between Fung and Trillo. Fung called Trillo a "loudmouth." Trillo responded by calling Fung a "wimpy guy," saying he at least would get something done.

Fung also blamed Raimondo for the Pawtucket Red Sox departure to Worcester, Massachusetts. Raimondo said she negotiated a deal that would have kept the team in Rhode Island, but blamed state legislators for sitting on the deal for a year and a half.

Fung disagreed, saying Raimondo should have been more of a leader and involved more people in the General Assembly.

"Everyone should have been at the table," Fung told Raimondo.

School Safety

The widest contrast in the candidates' position was in their approach to keeping schools safe from mass shootings.

Raimondo mentioned steps she had already taken, including banning guns from schools, with an exception for police.

"Since I've been governor, I've had to lower flags 11 times for gun violence," Raimondo said.

Fung said the ban won't stop criminals. He favors arming police officers in all schools and said bringing back retired police officers is a good idea to lessen the burden on existing police forces.

"Why should politicians up on Smith Hill have better protection than our schools?" Fung asked.

Trillo said he favors special gun training available for school employees.

Where The Candidates Agreed

Kaylee Pugliese, a student at Roger Williams University, asked the candidates what they'd do to combat climate change and rising sea levels.

Despite some minor disagreements to their approach, all the candidates agreed that renewable energy should continue to be explored.

Raimondo said she's proud of the state's offshore wind farm and wants to continue promoting renewable energy. Fung favors pushing solar power and said Cranston has already made strides with that. He said the state should continue to explore renewable energy, but not force it down Rhode Islander's throats.

All three candidates said there should be an outside investigation into sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh before the Senate votes.

Rhode Island gubernatorial candidates Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo, left, and Republican Cranston Mayor Allan Fung participate in a televised debate, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, in Bristol, R.I. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)