Mark Smiley

Political platform statement

Why I am running for this office: There are many reasons I am running for this office.

To promote the idea of School Choice. This idea is sweeping the nation, giving parents and students the option to choose another school if they feel their child would do better at another school. This idea already is working here in Rhode Island, it’s called the Pathways Program. This has been limited to Vocational Technology schools so far, but it has been successful and should be available to all students.

Next, I am running to help bring real balance back to State Government. With the majority party enjoying a super majority, parts of our government have simply stopped working entirely. Both the Senate and the House are responsible to oversee the Governor and the Departments within RI Government, especially during a State of Emergency. Neither house has even met to discuss the COVID-19 response. Currently, Rhode Island is facing a $900 million + deficit in THIS year’s budget, but leadership has decided to kick that can down the road until after the election. Both are because there are not enough of the opposition in our State Government.

I am also running in support of our first responders. These heroes of our community deserve our support. As a social member of Engine 5 in Warren, I know many of our volunteer fire fighters and police officers personally and cannot imagine pulling support for them.

Lastly, I believe in our Constitution. The great experiment, The United States of America, has survived through many crises because of the Constitution. It’s balance and grace is the standard worldwide as to how to set up and keep a Republic, based on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.