Candidates for Secretary of State

Question: Given these facts, would you as Secretary of State ensure permanent state funding for
affordable housing and homelessness prevention?

Mollis: Housing is one of the most important issues that has faced Rhode Island over the recent years and one of the most important issues facing Rhode Island’s future. The need for affordable housing in Rhode Island is significant.

When I was President of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns  and as Mayor of North Providence, I testified on behalf of affordable  housing and effective legislation.  As Mayor and as a candidate for Secretary of State in 2006, I supported the $50 million housing bond that voters passed overwhelmingly. Now as Secretary of State, I have joined with groups such as Housing Network of Rhode Island  to support the need for affordable housing.

If given the opportunity to serve again as Secretary of State, I will continue to be a vocal advocate for affordable housing.

Taylor: As a private citizen, I am strongly supportive of efforts to alleviate homelessness, and in particular I have been a strong supporter of Crossroads RI.

I wish there were something the Secretary of State could do directly to prevent homelessness and ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing.  The Secretary of State’s function is to oversee elections, incorporations and business services, public information, the state archives, and the Capitol library.  However, there are two things I will do as Secretary of State that will help.  First, I want to make sure that the General Assembly’s votes are available to you online in a searchable format — on the Secretary of State’s website if the General Assembly continues to withhold this information, which is available to the citizens of every other state — so that advocates for affordable housing and the homeless can hold members of the legislature accountable for their votes on these issues.

I also want to help our employers in Rhode Island cope with the terrible regulatory climate — about the worst in the nation — and in so doing, improve the climate for job creation so that more citizens can afford a place to live.
Since the Secretary of State’s office is the portal through which all businesses travel, through their initial incorporation and then each year when they file their annual reports, I want to make sure I use that opportunity to stay in touch with them and keep them informed as regulatory changes come through the General Assembly so that they can be forewarned about new requirements and prepare. In that way, businesses can focus on employing people rather than worrying about red tape.

Thank you for your wonderful work to end homelessness.  Keep it up!