TALKING POLITICS A GOP Trojan horse? BY IAN DONNIS

A North Kingston businessman is spearheading what he calls a bipartisan effort to create a watchdog foundation that will rate legislators on such topics as good government, education policy, and economic competitiveness. Democrats, though, noting how the Foundation for the Future of Rhode Island, is being hawked to chambers of commerce in Rhode Island, call it nothing more than a front for building Republican ranks in the General Assembly.

Some of the foundation’s priorities will overlap with business interests, says Doug Mancosh, the owner of BB&S Treated Lumber of New England, but it will have a broader mission of raising the state’s overall competitiveness. "Basically, we will score legislators — where they stand on the issues — and look to change hearts and minds up there first," says Mancosh, adding that he doesn’t have a party affiliation. "If a legislative member doesn’t get it, the foundation certainly won’t be reluctant to state that. We’re going to speak fairly frankly about where our legislators stand on key issues."

While money will be sought to support the organization, he says, "The foundation’s intent will not be to raise funds [to support candidates]." Although none of the state’s chambers of commerce have yet signed on, "I think all are interested," Mancosh says.

Planning documents circulating among Democratic activists, however — the details of which were first reported by the liberal Rhode Island’s Future blog (www.rifuture.org) on October 4 — call for establishing the Foundation for the Future of Rhode Island as a campaign-oriented organization this fall, with a $1.5 million budget.

"The Rhode Island Business Community needs a more effective, unified, and multi-year approach to political advocacy . . . " according to the documents. "There is a need to change the balance of power that currently exists in the Rhode Island General Assembly, and move it towards a more business-friendly attitude focused on meeting the needs of all Rhode Islanders – not just the special interests. The election of 25 new and effective business friendly legislators over the next three legislative cycles would change the balance of power and shift it towards a business friendly attitude."

Asked last Sunday whether this signals a serious effort by conservatives and Republicans to take over state government, Governor Donald L. Carcieri told me on WPRI-WNAC-TV’s Newsmakers that the effort grew from a sense in the statewide business community that important issues are going unaddressed on Smith Hill. "I think it’s a good thing, and I’m supportive of it," the governor says, describing how more legislative support for business interests could aid job growth, and by extension, the economy.

Bill Lynch, chairman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, pointing to support for workers’ compensation reform, the GTECH deal, and other efforts, rejects suggestions that Democrats aren’t sufficiently supportive of business. As far as the planned Foundation for the Future of Rhode Island, he says, "I think this is an example of just overreaching by select members of the business community, who apparently have some interest in polluting the system by raising and spending enormous amounts of money."