VIDEO: "My vision for the State of Rhode Island is a rebuilt economy that includes everybody.” – Gina Raimondo

Hillary and Gina Talk Women and Wages

By Tracey C. O’Neill 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Our friend and colleague Tracey has recently revamped her website covering South County and statewide news and politics. Visit her site HERE. With her permission, here is more detailed coverage of Hillary Clinton’s recent RI visit in support of Gina Raimondo for Governor.

Hillary Clinton at Rhode Island College with Gina
Raimondo in October 2014. (Tracey C. O’Neill)

Providence - Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Rhode Island on Friday stumping for Gina Raimondo to become the 75th governor of the state and its first women to hold the highest office.

Meeting up on the campaign trail at Rhode Island College’s Recreation Center, Clinton and Raimondo set forth the current state treasurer’s plan for Rhode Island, focused on investment in the future of the state’s workforce, through training, education, an increase in the minimum wage and equal pay for equal work.

Highlighting the plight of women in the workforce, Raimondo, then Clinton noted the number of women in the workforce who are receiving minimum wage.

“I’m going to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour,” said Raimondo. “Right now if you work in Rhode Island making the minimum wage, you’re living on $16, 640 a year. That’s not enough and that’s not right. And two-thirds of minimum wage earners are women.”

Rhode Island’s Senior Senator Jack Reed introduces Hillary
Rodham Clinton and Gina Raimondo at RIC in October.

Sen. Jack Reed introduced Clinton and Raimondo, thanking Rhode Islanders for engaging in the process and noting that those in attendance were bearing witness to history.

“As Democrats, we believe in a simple principle of fairness. If you work hard and play by the rules, you should have a fair shot at achieving the American dream,” said Reed.

Reed called attention to Raimondo’s plan for the future of Rhode Island, reinvigorating the economy and rebuilding the middle class through “innovation, education and constructive collaboration.” Reed acknowledged the state’s struggling economy, calling for voters to elect Raimondo and adopt her plan for growth for Rhode Island.

Raimondo’s plan – invest in growth

Gina Raimondo, Democratic gubernatorial candidate
walks the rope line at RIC. (Photo Tracey C. O’Neill)

Raimondo urged Rhode Islanders to help her open the door to economic recovery.

“We are long past small changes and quick fixes,” said Raimondo.

Raimondo’s Comprehensive Jobs Plan and economic recovery package include a “well-funded and flourishing public school system, first-class infrastructure and an economic resurgence that includes everybody.”

Issues identified and solutions to progress the state forward were:

• bringing educators and employers together to fix workforce training;
• rebuild infrastructure;
• development of an innovation institute;
• build on Rhode Island’s natural advantages;
• a raise in the minimum wage to $10.10; and
• equal pay for equal work.

Clinton called Raimondo’s vision “a 21st Century plan that will work for everybody.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton also talked women – fair and equal wages. Clinton, referring to the GOP add campaign, warned voters that the purpose of negativity was to deter action.

Those negative ads are trying to do one of two things,” said Clinton. “Either convince you not to vote for Gina or convince you not to vote.”

Calling attention to Raimondo’s experience creating jobs and making hard decisions. “She has the smarts to do it,” said Clinton.