Press Releases

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Rob Horowitz
P. 632-0686

Feb. 8, 2010

Steve Archambault, Democratic candidate for Attorney General, today called for a one year moratorium on electric rate hikes.  Archambault urged the P.U.C to reject National Grid’s proposed rate hike now under consideration-- which would increase the average Rhode Islander’s electric bill by more than 11%.

Steve Archambault said, “In these difficult economic times, Rhode Island families are already struggling to pay their bills. This proposed double-digit rate hike is poorly timed and unaffordable.  We need a one year moratorium on electric rate hikes.  Let’s revisit the issue when the economy has recovered.”

Archambault noted that National Grid is a profitable company with no immediate need for an extra cash infusion or increased profits.

He said he would pursue all avenues in seeking to gain the adoption of a one year moratorium including possible state legislation.

Archambault said, “These proposed electric rate hikes on top of Blue Cross rate hike requests pose a potential double-whammy to financially squeezed Rhode Island families.  In late January, Archambault called on the Health Insurance Commissioner Chris Koller to reject proposed Blue Cross’ double-digit  rate hikes and to send the Insurer back to the drawing board.

Archambault, who serves as a Councilman in Smithfield , would bring a broad legal background to the Attorney General’s office. His experience as a police officer, local Prosecutor, and defense attorney, gives him a first-hand understanding of all the major elements of the criminal justice system.

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Contact:  Rob Horowitz 632-0686

Feb. 8, 2010

"While Commissioner Koller's decision to grant a 7% increase is certainly a significant reduction from the 9.5% agreed to by Blue Cross and the Attorney General's office, the increase remains too high for already squeezed Rhode Island families and small businesses. Commissioner Koller should have sent Blue Cross back to the drawing board and demanded that they cut administrative expenses and seek other efficiencies first before asking for rate hikes."

Direct-pay plans are purchased by by Rhode Islanders who do not receive health care from their employer or other group.

Steve Archambault, Democratic candidate for Governor, previously called on Health Commissioner Koller to reject Blue Cross' proposed 10.2 % increase for direct-pay plans: 11.5% increase for small groups and 14.6% increase for large groups.

Archambault, who serves as a Councilman in Smithfield, would bring a broad legal background to the Attorney General's office. His experience as a police officer, local Prosecutor and defense attorney gives him a first-hand understanding of all elements of the criminal justice system.

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Rob Horowitz
P. 632-0686

Steve Archambault, Democratic candidate for Attorney General, today called on Health Commissioner Christopher Koller to reject Blue Cross’ proposed 10.2 % increase for direct-pay plans; 11.5 % increase for small groups and 14.6% increase for large groups.

Pointing to a recent study released by Koller’s office that ranks Blue Cross’ Administrative expenses higher than the average in New England, Archambault called on Koller to send Blue Cross “back to the drawing board.”

“These are difficult economic times. Too many Rhode Island families are already at the breaking point and both small and large businesses are struggling to stay afloat. These proposed rate increases are simply unaffordable. The Health Commissioner should send Blue Cross back to the drawing board and demand that they cut administrative expenses and seek other efficiencies first before asking for rate hikes,” Archambault said.

In a letter to Commissioner Koller, Archambault also called for additional public hearings on the proposed 10.2% increase in direct-pay plans – the plan rate increase that is currently before the commissioner. Direct-pay plans are purchased by Rhode Islanders who do not receive health care from their employer or other group. Archambault noted that the recommendation of an independent consultant retained by the Attorney General’s office to allow an increase of 9.5% increase in direct pay plans was still too high.

“Rhode Island families are facing the most difficult economic situation in at least a generation.  There must be a new emphasis on cost-savings. All Blue Cross expenses, including top executive salaries, should receive strict scrutiny,” he said.

Archambault, who serves as a Councilman in Smithfield , would bring a broad legal background to the Attorney General’s office. His experience as a police officer, local Prosecutor and defense attorney gives him a first-hand understanding of all elements of the criminal justice system.

To learn more about Steve Archambault and how he will serve the people of Rhode Island as our next Attorney General, read more on the web site.

Steve Archambault, a Democratic candidate for Attorney General, today unveiled a 4 point plan to better combat Rhode Island ’s serious drunk driving problem. Archambault said, “Too many people die or are injured every year due to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We must step up our efforts to address this serious problem..”   In Rhode Island , nearly 4-in-10 traffic fatalities are caused by people driving under the influence, as are far too many serious injuries. Fatalities due to drunk driving have increased over the past couple of years.

Archambault’s plan includes the following:

• Making it a felony punishable up to 4 years in prison for driving under the influence with a child 15 or under in the car.  Penalties would be increased significantly if the child is injured or killed. This proposed law is based on one recently passed by the state of New York .
• Requiring an interlock device to be installed after a first offense if the blood alcohol content (b.a.c.) is .15 or above and after all second offenses.  This device acts as an alcohol breathalyzer and requires drivers to prove they are sober before the engine will start. .Intermittent checks of the device would also be included.  A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that repeat drunk driving offenses dropped by 65% when interlock devices were installed.
• Requiring mandatory alcohol and drug counseling classes for any reckless driving offense in which the use of alcohol or drugs is present.. Even in cases where people are under the legal limit the use of alcohol can contribute to driving recklessly.
• Adding a drug recognition component to the training Rhode Island police officers receive in order that they are better trained to detect people driving while under the influence of drugs.

Steve Archambault said, “Taken together, these four proposals will better equip us to combat the serious problem of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As Attorney General, I will work for the enactment of this plan and I will use every tool in the tool box to reduce drunk driving and save lives.”

Archambault, who serves as a Councilman in Smithfield , would bring a broad legal background to the Attorney General’s office.  His experience as a police officer, local Prosecutor and defense attorney gives him a first-hand understanding of all elements of the criminal justice system.

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:                                                           Contact: Rob Horowitz
May 27, 2009                                            P. 632-0686

STEVE ARCHAMBAULT ANNOUNCES HIS PLANS TO RUN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL

Steve Archambault today announced his plans to run for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General.

Steve Archambault said, "I am running for Attorney General because Rhode Islanders need someone in the state's top law enforcement job who is on their side.  The Attorney General's office is charged with advocating for and representing the people of our state, and that is exactly what I intend to do."

Archambault went on to say, "I'll diligently prosecute the criminals who threaten our safety and I'll stand up for Rhode Island consumers. If credit card companies, mortgage companies, utility companies or big hospital systems step over the line, I'll be there to keep them in check."

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Rob Horowitz
P. 632-0686

November 2, 2009

Steve Archambault  today announced that his  election filing for the quarter ending on September 30 shows an additional $21,980 raised giving him a total of  $61,920 raised since he announced his plans to run for Attorney General this past May. The Archambault campaign reports $37, 515.06 in the bank.

Archambault said, "We are attracting new supporters and contributors every day."

Archambault, who serves  as a Councilman in Smithfield, would bring a broad legal background to the Attorney General's office. His experience as a police officer, local Prosecutor and defense attorney gives him a first-hand understanding of all the major elements of the criminal justice system.

The election filing is available for download here.