Proposed 'leaf law' spurs debate between District 32 candidates

Jimmy Kazounis and Cindy Coyne trade barbs over bill, discuss other topics

EastBayRI.com ·

A question about whether to legalize marijuana in Rhode Island led to a debate between Republican Jimmy Kazounis and Democrat Cindy Coyne about the proposed "leaf law."

Mr. Kazounis, the challenger for the District 32 seat in the RI Senate, said he did not blame Ms. Coyne, the incumbent, for voting in favor of a bill that would carry a $500 fine for people who allowed their leaves to blow into neighboring property.

Resident: 'This is the dumbest bill ever.'

He said to Ms. Coyne, "You can't read all the bills." He then added that if elected, he would read all the proposed bills. 

Ms. Coyne later fired back, stating that the leaf law bill did not get passed and that she did not vote for it. 

During his closing statement, Mr. Kazounis again addressed that issue and said while Ms. Coyne may not have voted for the bill this year, she did vote for it in 2015. 

The Republican challenger also questioned Ms. Coyne's voting record in general, stating that she voted with the Senate President Theresa Paiva-Weed 100 percent of the time. He said too much party-line voting led the state into problems such as the "38 Studios debacle."

"We need independent thinkers," added Mr. Kazounis. 

Other topics

• Ms. Coyne said she was proud of the work she had done at the statehouse to remove regulatory and tax burdens for businesses, and will work to increase the minimum wage in the state. She said she has worked to help victims of domestic violence and would support a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity clips for guns. When asked about her greatest challenge in life, she spoke about being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and beating the disease. The experience, she said, taught her how finite life was and was a lesson to not take anything for granted. "I give it my all because there are no do-overs," she said. Ms. Coyne also emphasized the importance of education and the need to re-examine state spending. As for legalizing marijuana, Ms. Coyne she opposed the idea and had seen the dangers of drug addiction and driving under the influence. 

• Mr. Kazounis said he felt that he was running for office because he was not being represented by those at the statehouse. He said his experiences as a small business owner helped him realize that the state needs change in the senate and better ideas. Mr. Kazounis said the business climate in Rhode Island needs improving. As for state spending, he said that too often the money is not being spent in the right areas — "We need to get a handle on spending." He also suggested the state put some buildings on the 19 acres of vacant land in Providence in order to improve tax revenue.