Brandon S. Bell

Chief of Staff/Legal Counsel to RI Senate Minority Office, practicing Providence Attorney still working to make a difference for RI

[Brandon S. Bell @BrandonBellRI]

Circa 2016 (post Mattiello 2016 Campaign scandals)

@ALivelyExp @hummel_report

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

30,000 applications. 3,000 seats. The demand is undeniable — Rhode Island parents are desperately seeking educational alternatives.

But what did the Senate do? They made certain that families who can’t afford to leave a failing school don’t have an exit.

This moratorium protects a system — not the kids inside it.

83% of Hispanic voters support charter schools. 88% of Rhode Islanders believe parents should choose the school that fits their child.

A lot of those senators talk about equity January through May — but come June, they vote against it.

[RI Senate Republicans @RISenateGOP]

Senate Minority Whip Gordon Rogers speaks in opposition of public charter school moratorium.

[RIPEC @RIPEC_]

"A retroactive moratorium on charter school expansion is not in the best interests of students or families," said @MichaelPDiBiase. Evidence shows charter schools are delivering strong results in RI's lowest-performing districts.

@RI_charters @RIKidsCount
https://t.co/YM0sLRx63o

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

Senate Bill 2787 imposes a moratorium on new public charter schools, and worst of all, it works retroactively. Pulling the rug out from under students, parents, and educators who followed the rules.

Statewide, there were over 30,000 applications for roughly 3000 seats, and the Senate's response is to trap families on waitlists and renege on seats already approved.

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

Gov. McKee says he had no idea his campaign ad had sex and drug jokes in it.

I actually believe him — this is the same guy who didn’t know what happened with the Washington Bridge, or the massive data breach, and apparently has no idea why Zambarano Hospital hasn’t had a shovel in the ground in the five years after the GA appropriated funds.

[RI Senate Republicans @RISenateGOP]

.@JessicaforRI reacts to proposed $15.2 billion state budget.
#HoldMyCoffeeMilk

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

$14.3 billion to $15.2 billion…… $1 billion more reasons not to vote for this budget.

[RI Senate Republicans @RISenateGOP]

Senate Minority Whip Gordon Rogers - Surplus tax funds should be returned to the taxpayers. It's the right thing to do. @JessicaforRI

[RI Senate Republicans @RISenateGOP]

#GiveItBack Time for Rhode Island taxpayers to get a break. @JessicaforRI

[RI Senate Republicans @RISenateGOP]

RIPEC President & CEO Michael DiBiase asks what we get for increasing taxes on high earners and who's next.

[Juan Martinez @VoluntaryXCHG]

Thrilled to co-author this op-ed with Sen. @JessicaforRI! Repealing RI’s outdated CON laws will expand healthcare access, slash costs & help Rhode Islanders. Let’s pass H.7143/S.2865!

https://t.co/yyrKPCn0wG

[Steph Machado @StephMachado]

"When I read it, I almost fell off my seat," said Republican Senate leader @JessicaforRI, who said she is "ecstatic" about the inspector general proposal
https://t.co/naehwuig0N

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

I’ve filed Inspector General legislation for several years— and even though good ideas take the scenic route in Rhode Island, this one has real momentum, and I’m proud to be leading that charge.

I’m glad the Speaker of the House wants to pass it as well — hopefully we can align on a final version.

Rhode Islanders deserve accountability, transparency, and real oversight of their tax dollars.

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

Critics say charter schools “drain” funding from traditional districts. But that misses the real question: should education policy protect institutions, or improve student outcomes?

A 2021 RIPEC report found charter students outperformed district students on state exams in both ELA and math — and nearly four out of five charter students come from Rhode Island’s urban core. For these families, a charter school isn’t just an option. It’s a pathway to higher education and economic opportunity.

RI cannot afford to prioritize protecting systems over students. Education is not a zero-sum competition where one model must fail for another to succeed.

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

67% of Rhode Islanders support expanding charter public schools — including 83% of Hispanic voters.

Families are asking for more opportunity, not less. So how does the General Assembly respond? With restrictions, moratoriums, and more control.

Come testify against the anti-charter bills being heard Wednesday before the Senate Education Committee.

🗓 Wednesday, May 13
⏰ 4:00 PM
📍 Room 313, RI State House

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

88% of Rhode Islanders agree families should be able to choose the type of public school that best meets their child’s needs.

Yet, this Wednesday, the Senate Education Committee will hear bills designed to restrict charter school growth and limit educational opportunity.

Parents deserve options — not a system that traps kids in failing schools.

🗓 Wednesday, May 13
⏰ 4:00 PM
📍 Room 313, RI State House

Show up. Testify. Make your voice heard.

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

Spotted at Whole Foods on North Main in Providence.

Just a guy who loves R.I. but can’t afford to live here. Plus, he likes excellent roads and bridges and no income or sales taxes.

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

Rhode Islanders pay too much and get too little - but I’m working the change that.

Help me find an elect, like-minded candidates to join me in the State Senate.
https://t.co/LxPv5TYCG1

It took 13 colonies to spark a revolution and it will take 13 state senators to spark a renewal in Rhode Island.

Reaching 13 means Republicans can block a budget in the Rhode Island Senate. When that happens, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House will have to work with Republicans to pass a budget.

That means real negotiation. Real balance. And real representation for Rhode Islanders who feel ignored.

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

Thankfully no one was hurt in yet another RI bridge failure—but it raises a real question. Is over $1B a year in taxpayer spending on RIDOT actually delivering results for Rhode Islanders?

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an injunction blocking California from enforcing a law that targeted federal immigration agents (including ICE). The Ninth Circuit blocked the law, meaning it cannot be enforced while the case proceeds:

・The court said California was directly regulating federal officers, which states generally cannot do under the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.

・It emphasized that decisions about how federal agents operate (including identification) belong to the federal government, not individual states.

・RI Legislature, take notice of the Supremacy Clause before considering passing S-2608 and S-3116!