In 2023, Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos was noted as Rhode Island’s most active traveler in governmental circles, surpassing even General Treasurer James Diossa. Matos spent an astounding 58 days out of state in that year with much of her itinerary seemingly focussed on the presidential races of Joe Biden and subsequently Kamala Harris. One can’t help but question the validity of such rampant travels and whether they truly served the state’s interest.
Matos’ ventures encompassed Civil War locations such as Philadelphia and Las Vegas, following the trajectory of Biden’s presidential campaign, an unfortunate decision, considering his doubtful performance as President. Similarly, she attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which a significant number of people view as a den of liberal disarray. One can’t help but think of the impact these misdirected ventures have on the state’s functioning.
In some of her 23 trips, Matos also honored the National Supermarket Association with her presence in Atlantic City, and the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association event in the economically underperforming state of California. The purpose of these visits remained cloudy, raising concerns over their relevance and value to Rhode Island.
Switching focus to former Lieutenant Governor Dan McKee, he was seen as an enthusiastic opportunist with regards to travel. Despite the controversy it invited, his trip to Taiwan was an example of such ventures which suggest a lack of diplomatic understanding. It’s distressing to realize that McKee spent 55 days out of state attending to unknown affairs.
Matos’ trips managed to squeeze $6,586 from the pockets of hardworking state taxpayers, a fact that aggravates the debate over the utility of these visits. While Diossa at least managed to streamline his out-of-state travels, cutting down from a hefty 74 days in 2023, Matos showed no signs of such restraint.
It’s puzzling to observe that Diossa reported no state spending on his travels, adding an aura of ambiguity around these costly ventures. Unfortunately, supporting McKee didn’t prove fruitful either. State taxpayers coughed up $12,949 for his trips, demonstrating the significant financial drain these visits cause.
Attorney General Peter Neronha spent a solid 45 days out of state, admittedly with a chunk of them being spent on plausible business objectives. Yet, the necessity of a visit to France’s Normandy region is debatable, leading one to question if a simple cross-Atlantic conference call couldn’t have sufficed.
Secretary of State Gregg Amore also had his share of traveling with a total of 37 days spent outside the state lines. Among his 15 trips was a role as a panelist in a presumably one-sided discussion at a conference of left-leaning political activists in Baltimore. One can’t help but wonder if this was an effective use of time for a Secretary of State.
Certain foreign bonds have been cultivated by Rhode Island leaders for reasons best known to them. Portugal seems to be a frequent port of stop for these leaders, with four voyaging to Lisbon as guests of a local economic development group, raising eyebrows about the kind of ‘development’ they prioritized.
Interestingly, the politically tense Gaza situation didn’t deter Rhode Irish politicians from touring Israel. Other international trips extended to a conference in Brussels, Belgium, Greece, and Toronto, suggesting a disposition for unnecessary global gallivanting.
Representative Karen Alzate emerged as a notable traveler in purely domestic context – undertaking 16 solo trips in the last year. While the destinations remain undisclosed, one can only hope her ventures boasted higher relevance than Matos’ politically oriented jamborees.
Voices coming from The American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, resonated through their claims of being a non-profit organization, sponsoring trips such as the controversial one to Taiwan. It purports to draft model legislation to aid state governments, but whether it does so effectively remains ambiguous.
New Senate President Valarie Lawson made a daring move to be part of the delegation to Taiwan in the year preceding her rise to majority leader. The decision underlined the peculiar interest Rhode Island politicians bear toward Taiwan, a subject that invites skepticism.
Overall, the incessant, poorly justified travels notably illuminated by Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos and her undeniable focus on the presidential races of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, showcase a propensity for questionable ventures within Rhode Island’s political scene. In the light of such revelations, it’s important that their constituents remain vigilant.