RI gubernatorial candidates gather for a debate

Rhode Island's gubernatorial candidates said Tuesday they were committed to renewable energy and improving the environment, even as some cautioned that the state's dire
financial picture may make it difficult to find the money for projects.

Democrat Frank Caprio, the state's general treasurer, independent Lincoln Chafee, Republican John Robitaille and Moderate Party founder Ken Block participated in a candidates' forum at Providence College that was co-sponsored by the Environment Council
of Rhode Island.

They faced questions on topics including mass transit, the state's water supply, open space preservation and science and environmental literacy among students. There were few disagreements and no opportunities for the candidates to directly engage one
another.

Though no reliable polls of the race have been taken, Caprio has consistently led his opponents in fundraising, followed by Chafee, a former Republican U.S. Senator.

Block and Robitaille, in particular, sought to differentiate themselves from their opponents by suggesting environmental concerns may necessarily take a back seat at a time when the state is grappling with a double-digit unemployment rate and perennial budget deficits.

"The next few years are going to be very, very difficult for Rhode Islanders. We're going to have scarce resources," said Robitaille, a former top communications aide to outgoing Republican Gov. Don Carcieri. "This is going to be a question of how do we
deal with, how do we allocate, the precious resources we have."

Block chastised his opponents for making funding commitments at each special interest forum they attend.

"I have to look you in the eye and say, I don't know where the money is going to come from," Block said, looking at Chafee. "It still comes down ultimately to a question of the economy and how we incent our economy to grow."

The candidates voiced support for a ballot question that asks voters to authorize nearly $15 million in borrowing to, in part, buy the land in or around Rocky Point State Park in Warwick and to improve Fort Adams State Park in Newport.

They also agreed on the importance of science and environmental literacy, with Caprio suggesting that businesses could partner directly with schools. Test results released on Tuesday showed that just 20.5 percent of 11th graders tested last May were proficient
in science.

Caprio, who in his opening statements drew on his grandfather's experience as a neighborhood milkman delivering reusable glass bottles, later stressed the importance of recycling - especially to avoid filling up the state's central landfill.

"We need to reduce, reuse and recycle. It's as simple as that," Caprio said, applauding a policy in Providence that requires recycling bins to be placed outside in order for trash to
be picked up. "It's the same type of vision we need for the entire state."

On public transportation, Caprio said he would propose within his first 100 days as governor the largest public works program in state history, but offered scant details. Chafee said he learned as mayor of Warwick the importance of keeping streets paved and other
basic maintenance responsibilities.

"I'll be active getting out there and being seen at various locations with DOT and making sure the maintenance crews are doing what they're supposed to," he said, referring to the Department of Transportation.

Independents Joe Lusi and Todd Giroux are also running, but did not attend.

The election is Nov. 2.