Senate President William Irons continues to take a firm stance on proposed separation of powers legislation. Interviewed on the WJAR-TV show "10 News Conference" with Jim Taricani and Bill Rappleye, Irons said "we'll stand pat" if the House changes the bill the Senate passed unanimously and will send their original bill back to the House. "I hope the new House leadership gets the message," he indicated.
Despite criticism from domestic violence proponents and others who worry about efforts to liberalize expungement rules, Irons defended his vote in support of cutting the time period for applying for expungement from 10 to 5 years. "We have a criminal justice system that works....I don't believe it is the outrage Katherine Gregg is making it," he noted.
On current rules providing health care to state employees without any required co-pay, Irons predicted that "in the next negotiation, that won't be the case" and that co-pays would be on the table for discussion.
President Irons also was asked about efforts in the city of Providence to tax the colleges or get them to make payments to the city. He said, "I think it is time the colleges and universities come to the table." He praised the area's college presidents but said "the vision has to include paying to the city....They have to pay their fair share and they haven't."
Interviewer Jim Taricani asked Irons whether he had any plans to run against U.S. Senator Lincoln Chafee in 2006. Irons did not directly answer the question, but said he loved his current job and would give it up for another office only if he had accomplished what he wanted to do in that position.
