By Bob Plain in
RIFuture.org
Sorry, Providence
Journal, much as you might not like it, we are no longer debating whether or
not the state should be negotiating pension reform with organized labor as your
over-hyped headline and otherwise great long-form story on the
drama this morning suggests.
Remember, after all,
on Tuesday when you broke the news that the governor is, in fact, talking with
union leaders about this very topic?
As a point of fact,
the executive branch is already at the table. The question at this point is
whether or not treasury wants a seat there too.
I’m sure all three of
these players believe she’d be a valuable voice in those discussions. And, more
importantly, our elected leaders shouldn’t shy away from engaging with their
adversaries. Remember, talking doesn’t equal acquiescing. Or, sitting down and
holding your ground are not mutually exclusive.
As much as EngageRI
might not want her to give labor any credence, she ought to listen to the more
politically viable advice coming from the likes of Mayors Angel Taveras and
Allen Fung, who both told WPRO this morning they would sit down too.
In the meantime, the
one thing you can take to the bank is that the local mainstream media will tie
itself in knots trying to defend Gina and disparage Linc.
Bob Plain is the editor/publisher of
Rhode Island's Future. Previously, he's worked as a reporter for several
different news organizations both in Rhode Island and across the country.