July 14, 2010

ARCHAMBAULT OUTLINES PRIORITY ISSUES AT KICK-OFF OF TWO DAY STATE CAMPAIGN SWING

Steve Archambault, Democratic candidate, for Attorney General, today outlined his major themes and priority issues at the kick-off of a two day state campaign swing.  Archambault made his remarks in front of District Court in Providence where he regularly prosecutes cases serving as the Lincoln Town Prosecutor.  The two day campaign swing  includes stops in North Providence,  Pawtucket ,Cumberland , Johnston, East Providence, Warwick , Westerly , Jamestown,  East Greenwich , Cranston and South Kingstown , along with an interview Friday morning on Channel 10 News Conference. It marks the beginning of the primary stretch run. There are now about two months to go until primary day.

Archambault noted that he is running for Attorney General because Rhode Islanders need someone in the state’s top law enforcement job who is on their side—working every day to fight crime, take on political corruption and stand up for financially-squeezed Rhode Island consumers   “As a lifelong Rhode Islander who grew up on small diary farm, I know first-hand what’s important to working and middle class Rhode Islanders. As Attorney General, I will keep that in mind every day as I work for you,” Archambault added.

 The candidate went on to say, “As the only in the trenches prosecutor of the Democratic Primary candidates and as former police officer, I know how to get the job done. I will prosecute the criminals that threaten our safety and keep our streets safe.”

 Pointing to his 4 point plan to reduce drunken driving, Archambault said, “I will bring new emphasis to the problem of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. We must step up our efforts to combat this serious problem. Archambault’s plan  makes it a felony punishable up to four years in prison for driving under the influence with a child 15 or under in the car and requires the use of an interlock devise to be installed after a first offense where  blood alcohol content is .15 or above and for all second offenses, among other provisions.

 He also pledged to stand-up for Rhode Island consumers   Archambault said.  “If health insurers, mortgage companies, utility companies or big hospital systems step over the line, I’ll be there to keep them in check.”  

He placed special emphasis on strongly opposing rate hikes by Blue Cross and other Health Insurers, calling once again for a tougher and more thorough examination of administrative expenses including top executive salaries.   “As Attorney General, I will insist on full public hearings for all proposed rate hikes and use the seat at the table that the Attorney General’s office is given in this process to bring tough new scrutiny to all expenditures,” Archambault continued.

Archambault, who has spoken out consistently on public corruption, noted that the next Attorney General must bring a new approach aimed at ending business as usual. He said, “I will work closely and cooperatively with the US Attorney, FBI, state police and other law enforcement agencies to root out corruption. It is essential to leverage all the resources that are available to combat this persistent problem.”

 He added that he will form a public corruption unit in the Attorney General’s office to better pursue corruption wherever it leads.

 Steve Archambault today called on the Senate President and Speaker to bring the General Assembly back into session in order to pass a measure that would  put a constitutional amendment to restore the State Ethics Commission’s oversight over state legislators on the November ballot.  “I believe the members of the General Assembly should be subject to the same Ethics Commission oversight as the rest of our state’s public officials,” added Archambault. The measure has passed the House, but was stalled in the State Senate.

 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 elements of the criminal justice system.