Church and State RI

Today we discuss the State of the State addresses, an ambitious plan to rebuild Zambarano Hospital, and discuss whether or not Jessica will run for Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District.

Today we look at the state of the Department of Health in RI.  Jessica highlights “inconsistencies” from the Department of Health and discusses Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott's resignation.

Rhode Island made national news this week after allowing COVID-Positive healthcare workers in hospitals and nursing homes after firing unvaccinated staff. Why would the administration adopt suc,h a policy and is it only going to make the crisis worse? We talk about that and more in this week's episode.

Today we want to wish everyone a very happy new year! Episode 47 ends the year by making some 2022 predictions for Rhode Island and beyond.

This week's episode discusses Rhode Island's Department of Health and why they have lost the trust of so many RIers. We question the cause of the healthcare crisis and how it could be lessened quickly. David gives an update on Clergy United and how faith leaders are responding to the mask/vaccine mandate on houses of worship.

This week's episode responds to the Governor's Indoor Mask Mandate. What are the fines? Are they lawful? And will you comply?

Governor Dan McKee announced last week that RI has 6 weeks to get covid under control. Otherwise, he made it clear that all options are back on the table, including an indoor mask mandate.

For episode 43, we discuss the Governor's proposed vaccine passport and update you on the redistricting process. Jessica shares her thoughts on last week's fiery radio interview and we both give our thoughts on the Providence Journal's front page article of our podcast.

Today's episode is a “little” lighter in content and features our first guests: three young rising stars and future leaders who share their thoughts on 2021.

Today's episode highlights the Smithsonian Magazine's Lyn Garrity's interview of John M. Barry, a biographer of Roger Williams. Garrity's article provides a fascinating account of Rhode Island's founding father and his relationship with the Native Americans. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/john-m-barry-on-roger-williams-and-the-indians-9322792/

In today's episode, we'll be talking about the religion of wokeness.  We'll identify its original sins, angels, and demons and, of course, (insert sarcasm here) how you can purify yourself through certain rituals and confessions. 

Parents may be the swing vote that shaped the 2021 elections last week in VA and NJ and the same force that will shape the 2022 election here in RI. Sign up for updates on Legislation affecting parents at www.jessicaforri.com

RI has been given $1.1 billion in federal money from the “American Rescue Plan.” The question is how will it be spent and who will decide? Let us know how you'd like to see RI spend its $1.1 billion by signing up for her updates and adding your thoughts to the form: www.jessicaforri.com. If you'd like to participate in the Governor's listening tour, you can join him and his staff at one of the local meetings across the state this week. Input sessions will be held at 5 p.m. on the following dates: - Tuesday, November 2 at the Community College of Rhode Island (400 East Ave., Warwick) - Thursday, November 4 at Innovate Newport (513 Broadway, Newport) - Tuesday, November 9 at Untied Theatre (5 Canal Street, Westerly)

Governor Dan McKee recently released a working document that would chart a course for the ocean state. What's in it and does it address Rhode Island's systemic problems?

In this week's episode, David and Jessica discuss Governor McKee's bad week.  His administration is now being investigated by the Attorney General along with the state police. Even Democrats since our lining up to challenge him in a gubernatorial primary. We also discuss the governor's controversial plan to vaccinate children.

In episode 35, we discuss news that's not in the news, but things every Rhode Islander should be aware of. We highlight some heroes that you should be watching and some movements that are starting to form.

In Episode 34, we share our experiences from the Freedom Rally at the RI State House on Oct 1st. This was the same day that thousands of healthcare workers across the state had been fired for refusing to be vaccinated, many of them for sincerely held religious beliefs. We also discussed the federal court case that is being appealed, the political ramifications of so many apolitical people being marginalized, and the growing group of pastors from across RI who are organizing to protest the governor's heavy-handed mandates.

In this week's episode David and Jessica discuss the vaccine mandate that is worsening RI's healthcare system. David provides a summary of some of the religious objections.

Rhode Island is currently facing a shortage in healthcare workers that will only be worsened in two weeks. October 1st is the date in which hundreds, perhaps thousands, of healthcare workers will be forced to take a leave of absence, resign, or even be fired for not complying with the Covid-19 vaccination mandate. How bad could it get and what are the industry insiders saying? We discuss it in today's episode of RI's Church and State.

It's day 551 of RI's State of Emergency. Today, Jessica explains how the SOE opened the door for the mandates that run counter to state law. We also share stories not being covered by local media of frontline workers and others who are organizing to oppose these mandates.

This week, a Providence Journal reporter wrote a headline suggesting that healthcare workers attempted to storm Rhode Island's state capitol.  But did that happen, and has the RI capitol building ever been overrun by protestors?

RI has been in a perpetual state of emergency since March 9th 2020.  This episode examines where RI is at when compared to other states and whether or not there is any end in sight for the “new normal.”

Today, we talk about RI's latest Declaration of Emergency that was declared by our new governor. Jessica explains why it was passed but also why she is working to oppose it. If you'd like to sign it, visit www.JessicaforRI.com/Petition

Governor, Senator, and Representative are all-important public offices. But in today's episode, we make the case that the local school committee may be the most important office. We both agree that it is certainly the most under-appreciated public office.

In February of 2021, Jessica offered the State of the State response and outlined five priorities for Republican lawmakers. In this week's episode, she updates us on the progress of those priorities.

It's not ALL bad. RI is doing very well and leading the country in some metrics. Which ones? We'll look at that in today's episode of Church and State.

What is Critical Race Theory? Where did it come from and is it going away anytime soon? Today, David contrasts it with Christianity and Jessica answers whether or not it's in the RI State House.

A lot of controversy has been swirling around RI's Zambarano Hospital and the Eleanor Slater Hospital System.  This week, Jessica gives us an update on what's happening at the hospital, the shakeup in leadership, and summarizes a recent report on the hospital.

Do women in Rhode Island receive equal pay for equal work? What does the law that was passed by the RI General Assembly mean for women, employers, and employees? Today, we discuss the Equal Pay Act for RI.

In episode 22, David and Jessica celebrate Jessica passing her first bill into state law. What is the bill, and what does it do for supporters of the Second Amendment? We'll walk you through it in today's episode of Church and State.

In Episode 21, we summarize some of the big news that hit Rhode Island this week: a gas tax that is one step closer to being passed, how Critical Race Theory in RI made national headlines this week, and an update regarding Zambarano Hospital.

Episode 20: Is Rhode Island about to allow for electronic voting? Today, David and Jessica discuss a recent bill that passed the RI House that would allow for electronic voting for some voters. We weigh the concerns over voter suppression and voter integrity as well.

This week's episode explorers Rhode Island's myths and misconceptions regarding guns and gun control.

This week's episode updates Rhode Islanders on the new leader nominated to lead Zambarano Hospital. Senator de la Cruz also explains the new energy mandates that have come out of the Senate and what it may mean for the cost of heating and electricity.

Jessica explains the unprecedentedl 20 year, no-bid contact that will cost the state tens of millions of dollars.

In this episode, we celebrate our 20 years of marriage and share what we've learned along the way.

In today's episode we discuss the difference between a republic and a democracy and show you how to find out who all of your elected officials are. Link to RI's voter information portal: https://vote.sos.ri.gov/Home/PollingPlaces?ActiveFlag=3

This week we discuss the state of taxes in Rhode Island. Jessica summarizes several bills that were heard in a recent Senate Finance Committee. Some of these bills would raise income taxes throughout the state, impose a beverage tax on sugary drinks, while others would lower the minimum corporation tax or cut taxes for those on unemployment.

This week we discuss the state of abortion and the pro-life movement in RI. Jessica summarizes several bills that were heard in a recent Senate Judiciary Committee including two bills that she sponsored that are not just moral but science and medically based. Visit ChurchandStateRI.com

In this episode we discuss our experiences as the children of immigrants. We discussed what drew our parents to America, how they adapted to American culture, and what they held onto from their homelands.

Episode #11: "How to Fight Fair" Believe it or not, we had FUN with this one.

In episode 10, Jessica talks about submitting her firearm legislation and writing her first op-ed. To read the op-ed, visit our website, www.ChurchandStateRI.com.

How does our state government work? How does a bill become a law? In this week's episode, Jessica introduces you to RI's General Assembly from inside perspective of our legislative branch.

Parenting can be tough but it gets easier when you know what to expect. In this episode we share what we've learned about the different stages of parenting. Don't worry...they won't be in diapers forever.

Today, he's a hero to Rhode Islanders, but during his time, some considered him a heretic with dangerous ideas. This episode introduces you to our favorite Rhode Islander, Roger Williams. You can find the show notes and suggested books about Roger Williams at churchandstateri.com 

In this episode we share with you our favorite book on marriage, The 5 Love Languages, by Gary Chapman.  It was required reading when we married and we continue to recommend it to other couples.  To discover your love language, take the 5 Love Languages test at https://www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/ 

In this episode, David answers the question, "Should Christians get political?" David and Jessica provide the five areas or levels that you can get involved in the political process.

Jessica had the honor of giving the State of the State Response for 2021. This episode highlights the challenges facing RI and some of the solutions offered by Jessica and her colleagues.

We've spent a lot of time working with people and have found these principles so helpful. We see them patterned in the lives of people that we look up to for their healthy marriages, strong friendships, and solid professional relationships. This list isn't exhaustive and maybe we'll share our "Five More Rules for Relationships" in a future episode.

This episode explores Jessica's run for State Senate in Rhode Island. To learn more about her work as a State Senator, visit www.JessicaForRI.com 

In our first episode David and Jessica de la Cruz introduce themselves and give an idea of what to expect. Church and State is a husband and wife partnership that will focus on Rhode Island. David, a pastor and teacher, brings religious point of view while Jessica, a state senator, brings a political perspective to each episode.