To the editor:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” —Proverbs 29:18

Rhode Island needs a vision. Helena Foulkes, Ken Block and Aaron Guckian: which of you will share one compelling enough to earn our votes and concrete enough to endure the test of time.

If you serve eight years, what will this state become and how will I measure if progress is made? Will we be more prosperous? (fewer taxes, a reasonable cost of living, lower energy prices). Will we be freer? (from government regulation and mandates), Will our quality of life improve? (student outcomes, infrastructure and health care). Will we be safer? (all of our constitutional rights protected).

We’ve lived with these “misery index” numbers for a bit. CNBC’s 2026 rankings put Rhode Island 48th for business, 50th for its economy and 45th for cost of living. Only 26% of our eighth-graders reached NAEP Proficient or above in mathematics in 2024. We’ve known enough, long enough, to demand better. Personally, it’s been more than 50 years. As a friend from across the pond has well said, “I’m beyond my tether.” Our state is currently a lamentable failure. 

Our enacted budget grew from $13.1 billion in FY2022 to $14.3 billion in FY2026. State general-revenue spending increased nearly 28%. Is it too much for me to ask, how have I benefited? Could any of you explain what measurable improvements our money buys?

Apparently, appropriating billions is easier than explaining the return.

Ms. Foulkes, your millionaire’s tax to finance housing deserves scrutiny. I question the fairness of asking one group of neighbors to finance another campaign promise. Show us how your plan delivers affordable homes while retaining investment and opportunity.

Mr. Block, shifting renewable-energy fees from electric bills to the state budget changes which pocket pays. It does not, by itself, fix the underlying cost of generating and delivering affordable electricity. Where is your lasting energy solution?

Mr. Guckian, concerns about Flock surveillance and limits on traffic cameras deserve discussion. But a camera debate is hardly a complete vision for making residents safer and freer. Show us yours.

These proposals may be pieces of a plan. I ask for the whole picture.

Are you prepared to share eight-year goals for prosperity, housing affordability, student achievement, infrastructure and health care? Can you explain how you will protect civil liberties and remove unnecessary barriers to working, building and starting a business.

Will you explain, now, how your budget serves those goals? Can you name what you would expand, reduce or eliminate? Explain tradeoffs and legislative cooperation.

If elected, will you publish annual milestones, report failures and successes, with honesty and transparency?

Rhode Island has extraordinary potential. We deserve leadership that gives people reason to build their futures here. And to enjoy what remains of life for those of us who have endured. 

We are the state of  “Hope”, yet most of us live without it when it comes to state governance.

With an honest, ambitious vision, hope has an opportunity to make a comeback. 

Which of you will give us one?

Scott Fuller

Barrington