State of the State (TV series)
Introduction '''''State of the State''''' is a public affairs and political talk show, in a studio setting, hosted by John Carlevale and others. The show airs in Rhode Island on:Cox Communications cable channel 13, Verizon FiOS channel 32, and i3 Broadband Channel 13 on Saturdays at 11:00pm and Sundays at 8:00am.Cox Communications cable channel 18, Verizon FiOS channel 32, and i3 Broadband Channel 18 on Mondays at 9:00pm and Thursdays at 9:00pm.The subject matter varies greatly, but the topics are primarily related to Rhode Island's political scene.The show employs two formats: the primary format is interview-style produced in the studio with a host and one or more guests. Guests are either public officials or private citizens speaking about timely topics of public interest. The second format is to present events of public interest which occur outside of the studio, such as public hearings, public meetings, or Operation Clean Government-sponsored events, including Annual Meetings, educational forums, and biennial Candidate Schools.
History The show was created by John Carlevale, Joe Devine, Don Gill, and Robert Plante in 1992 in the wake of the credit union crisis (45 banks and credit unions in the state closed due to the collapse of their private insurer, the Rhode Island Share and Deposit Indemnity Corporation (RISDIC)). From 2001 to 2012 Operation Clean Government, a Rhode Island government watchdog group, sponsored the show. In 2012 State of the State Communications, the original sponsor of the television show, was reincorporated and resumed sponsorship. ''State of the State'' is taped at a PEG-RI (the Public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable TV channel provider) studio in Providence, Rhode Island on a bi-weekly basis. Shows are recorded in realtime (live-to-tape format) which means that the television show is recorded as if it were on live television, with no video editing of the content in the show.The show is sent to the statewide playback location at PEG-RI and distributed to the cable television providers of Rhode Island.
Awards received At the 2009 PEG-RI Awards, ''State of the State'' received a special recognition award for an episode hosted by Ian Lonngren and produced by John Carlevale - an interview of freshman Rhode Island legislators.At the 2011 Rhode Island PEG Awards, State of the State received a PEG Award for Best Public Service Announcement.At the 2012 Rhode Island PEG Awards, State of the State received a Special Recognition Award for Best Political/Community Issues Program for its production of “RI Primary Elections Results.”
Guests Some of ''State of the State'''s guests include:; Rhode Island state and municipal officials: Donald Carcieri, GovernorFrank T. Caprio, General TreasurerA. Ralph Mollis, Secretary of State Elizabeth Roberts, Lt. Governor David Cicilline, Democratic mayor of ProvidenceMarc Cote, Democratic State Senator, District 24Laurence Ehrhardt, Republican State Representative and Deputy Minority Whip, District 32Allan Fung, Republican mayor of CranstonDaniel J. McKee, Democratic mayor of CumberlandLeo Raptakis, Democratic State Senator, District 33James Sheehan, Democratic State Senator, District 36Robert A. Watson, Republican State Representative and Minority Leader, District 30Timothy Williamson, Democratic State Representative, District 25 ; former Rhode Island federal, state, and municipal officials: U.S. Senator Lincoln ChafeeGovernor Bruce SundlunLt. Governor Roger BeginLt. Governor Charles J. FogartySupreme Court Justice Robert FlandersAttorney General Arlene VioletAttorney General Sheldon WhitehouseSecretary of State William InmanSecretary of State Barbara LeonardMayor Steve Laffey of Cranston; Media: Edward Achorn, ''Providence Journal'' editorM. Charles Bakst, former ''Providence Journal'' political columnistMike Stanton, ''Providence Journal'' journalist; Others: John Marion, Executive Director of Common Cause Rhode IslandPhilip West, former Executive Director of Common Cause Rhode IslandChief Sachem Matthew Thomas of the Narragansett tribe''Ken Block, Chairman of the Moderate Party
Hosts *Joe Devine, the original host (retired)*John Carlevale, second and longest-serving host*Anne Gardner; Ian Lonngren; Carol Mumford; Roy Pruett and Barry Schiller are more recent members of the host team.
Guest hosts State of the State’s guest hosts through the years have included:Robert Arruda, former Operation Clean Government ChairmanSpencer Dickinson, a Rhode Island State RepresentativeAndy GalliAnne GardnerBruce R. Lang, co-founder of Operation Clean Government and first OCG ChairmanFrank LennonElizabeth Ann LeonardIan LonngrenVictor MoffittCarol Mumford, a former Rhode Island State RepresentativeJohn PattersonBarry SchillerHarry Staley, co-founder of Rhode Island Statewide CoalitionLarry Valencia, former president of Operation Clean Government and a Rhode Island State Representative
References
External links *  Official website