Sign in

Sam Bell

@samuelwbell.bsky.social
679 followers 170 following 271 posts

Rhode Island State Senator. Democrat. Planetary Geologist.

PostsRepliesMedia
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I filed to run for reelection to keep fighting for the people of Providence.
060
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
As always, I am proud to march in the RI Pride parade, an openly bisexual senator and openly myself. Happy pride to all - and keep fighting.
0101
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Today, the @risenate.bsky.social passed my legislation to stop the takeover administration from closing the UCAP school without school board approval. UCAP helps so many students in our city, and RIDE was wrong to try to close yet another school.
030
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Oh dear. At the first game between the Senator Bell Red Sox and the @davidmoralespvd.bsky.social Metts, my son has already defected and run into the Morales Metts dugout.
2101
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
The judge who just needlessly enriched Joe Paolino in this bonkers Pyramid* scheme was Republican Governor Don Carcieri’s Chief of Staff until Carcieri appointed him to the bench. Now, that’s a revolving door! *Name of the corporation.
020
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Great conversation with students at Mt. Pleasant High today!
030
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Proud to endorse the next Mayor of Providence, my friend @davidmoralespvd.bsky.social.
0101
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
I cannot get over Brett Smiley flat out lying and twice saying in tonight’s debate that violent crime fell by 90%. The actual number is 16.5%. Why not say 16.5%? This was the central statistic of his opening statement, and he repeated it. Just a bold-faced lie.
142
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
What’s so devastating about this debate is that Brett Smiley’s whole argument is leadership. Tonight, David showed Providence what bold leadership looks like. The contrast was so clear.
020
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
It’s pretty staggering to hear Brett Smiley open his first debate with a flat-out lie. He claimed violent crime declined by a staggering 90%! It’s not even close to true, and it’s not even close to believable.
051
Reposted by Sam Bell
Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Providence is ready for new leadership!!
083
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
One cool thing about this project is that it had the enthusiastic support of the neighborhood association, WBNA. It’s great to have a pro-housing neighborhood association that fights for affordable housing! 😊
050
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Very excited about the approval of a new affordable housing development at 322 Washington St. Another project made possible by accepting the federal affordable housing funds RI had been rejecting before my intern Phoebe Dragseth and I did an investigation exposing this practice.
110
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
It’s wild that Brett Smiley submitted a budget that wasn’t balanced. His budget creates a budget crisis in the Providence schools. When there’s a big deficit in the biggest part of the budget, it’s not a balanced budget.
020
Reposted by Sam Bell
Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Hey media-- Pam Bondi is not a victim -- she willingly carried out Trump's political agenda to prosecute his political enemies and undermine free and fair elections. Todd Blache is not shouldering a "burden" or "walking a tightrope." He is a willing accomplice. Language matters.
250138073652
Reposted by Sam Bell
FreeSpirit 📢 (DMs aka Block)🚫 @aftertherain141.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
BREAKING: Protests erupt in Tel Aviv calling for an end to the war.
10843931114
Reposted by Sam Bell
Taniel @taniel.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
THE BIG ONE: The left has kept Paris. Emmanuel Gregoire has won a 3-way runoff, beating conservative challenger Rachida Dati. Gregoire is from the center-left PS, the party of the retiring incumbent Anne Hidalgo (well known among US urbanists).
152030387
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Disappointed to see McKee nominate the CEO of Beacon Bank (formerly BankRI) to chair the Life Sciences Hub. Apart from the ethics concerns, does he have the time to put in the work this important job requires? Neil Steinberg was able to dedicate real focus to it.
010
Reposted by Sam Bell
Evan Sutton @evansutton.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Imagine writing this about a politician and thinking people will be like gosh, I dunno, I like that he seemed nice but now that I know he's also effective I'm having second thoughts
0255
Reposted by Sam Bell
Tim Murphy @timothypmurphy.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
people complaining about this but...isn't this what you want? www.nytimes.com/2026/03/16/n...
nytimes.com
Behind Mamdani’s Smile, a Politician Who Can Be a Ruthless Operator
2919611
Reposted by Sam Bell
Matthew Gertz @mattgertz.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Seems like pretty straightforward book-cooking here. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/b...
nytimes.com
Change in Data Sources Led to Lower Inflation Reading
1130285
Reposted by Sam Bell
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse @whitehouse.senate.gov · 12/03/2026
The FBI’s sloppy raid in Fulton County reeks of ulterior motives.
22475167
Reposted by Sam Bell
Sludge @sludge.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
NEW: The corporate parent of Democratic consulting firms SKDK and Wavelength Strategy is partnering with ICE contractor Palantir on an AI-powered campaign targeting system. readsludge.com/2026/03/12/d...
readsludge.com
Democrats Criticizing ICE Are Paying Consultants Tied to Palantir
Two prominent Democratic consulting firms, Wavelength Strategy and SKDK, are owned by Stagwell, a marketing company that partnered with major ICE contractor Palantir to build an AI-driven advertising ...
33122
Reposted by Sam Bell
Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
They either didn't know Iran would shut down the Strait of Hormuz or they knew and didn't have a plan. Either way - just totally clear they don't give a damn about what this war means for hardworking Americans.
847107032998
Reposted by Sam Bell
Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
The better plan to lower gas prices is to END THE WAR.
991943440
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Important article from @kathyprojo.bsky.social on the massive tax break Revity Energy wants to bring a data center to Smithfield. I think it would be insane to give a tax break for a lucrative project that would drive up our electricity rates even further. www.providencejournal.com/story/news/p...
providencejournal.com
Will lawmakers waive the sales tax to bring a data center to RI?
Solar developer Revity Energy wants a 30-year sales tax break to bring a "mid-sized data center" to Smithfield.
031
Reposted by Sam Bell
┻━┻ ︵ヽ(`Д´)ノ︵ ┻━┻ "sam a" @pfhlick.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
AI data center projects are already getting cancelled or downsized all over the country. Big deals between major players falling through. These facilities pollute and use an enormous amount of water and electricity - while providing no public benefit. No corporate handouts for AI!
051
Reposted by Sam Bell
Ristray @ristray.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Nothing good comes from data centers. The few jobs it makes while they're being built do not make up for everyone paying so much more for power bills.
062
Reposted by Sam Bell
Richard Corso @richardcorso.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Why would AI data centers even need a tax exemption? They are run by some of the richest billionaires!
092
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
During tonight’s @risenate.bsky.social hearing on a tax exemption for AI data centers, Revity Energy revealed that they have secured several hundred acres in Smithfield to build a data center if the tax break passes. I have serious concerns.
6101
Reposted by Sam Bell
Jonathan Cohn @jonathancohn.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
I love how everything in the news sounds like something you would read about a mad king in history or fiction.
46911
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
In a recent op-ed, Gina Raimondo called for corporations to determine what gets taught in higher education. A graduate of Harvard, Oxford, and Yale, she argued for replacing degrees with “job-linked” credits.
011
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
In a recent op-ed, Gina Raimondo argued that the solution to AI-driven job loss is for businesses to let AI advise their hiring plans.
220
Reposted by Sam Bell
Mehdi Hasan @mehdirhasan.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
It could be worse, John Fetterman could have chased after me with a gun.
3573329622
Reposted by Sam Bell
Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Americans are dead. Prices are skyrocketing. The Middle East is on fire. Civil war is brewing in Iran. And for what? A war that will leave the same hardliners in charge? A war that can't actually destroy their nuclear program? This is incompetence. Plain and simple.
551141633868
Reposted by Sam Bell
Will Stancil @whstancil.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Someone who is demonstrably really good at repeating all your buzzwords back to you exactly the way you like to hear them is also going to be really good at repeating someone else’s buzzwords back to them, if they feel like it. Just a thought about candidate selection.
319819
Reposted by Sam Bell
JenStewart4RI.bsky.social @jenstewart4ri.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Once again Trump & MAGA Republicans have one set of rules for themselves, and another for the rest of us. Alex Bruesewitz gets a private jet while hundreds of Americans are left stranded amidst a war we didn't have to fight. 🇺🇸 #PeaceNow thehill.com/blogs/in-the...
021
Reposted by Sam Bell
Edward Fitzpatrick @fitzprov.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Commentary by Anzhela Kalsynova -- After sale to private equity, nursing home quality falls in R.I. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/04/m...
bostonglobe.com
After sale to private equity owners, ratings show R.I. nursing home quality hasn’t improved - The Boston Globe
Three years later, it's time to ask whether the state Department of Health’s conditions were met, writes Brown University master’s student.
021
Reposted by Sam Bell
Edward Fitzpatrick @fitzprov.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Commentary by @alankrinsky.bsky.social of Economic Progress Institute -- McKee’s plan to exempt Social Security income from state taxation will do nothing to help those who need it most www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/03/m...
bostonglobe.com
McKee’s plan to exempt Social Security income from state taxation will do nothing to help those who need it most - The Boston Globe
The proposal would primarily benefit higher-income filers, including millionaires who collect some income from Social Security.
032
Reposted by Sam Bell
Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
So this whole video from Save the Bay about the hazards of dumping snow directly into Narragansett Bay is worthwhile. But I need to highlight specifically: he clipped the mic to a clam shell! Off-the-charts levels of Rhode Island excellence. Full video: www.facebook.com/reel/1277209...
A video still from Save the Bay. The transcript reads "Hey everybody it's Chris Dodge your Narragansett Baykeeper from Save the Bay."

He is wearing a "Save the Bay"hoodie and holding a mic, clipped to a clam shell.
1235
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
The wild thing about Foulkes’s housing plan is that last time, she actually embraced my plan and called for dramatically expanding affordable housing. I don’t think she actually knows anything about it. She just hired a conservative policy person this time and a more progressive one last time.
020
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Oh. My. God. Helena Foulkes finally released her housing plan, and she wants to tear down public housing and destroy the bond funds affordable housing relies on. It’s full fledged war on affordable and low-income housing.
252
Sam Bell @samuelwbell.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
This is insane. @waveelection.bsky.social reports that @helenabfoulkes.bsky.social’s housing plan doesn’t involve *any* affordable housing. Affordable housing has always been the centerpiece of our housing policy. To exclude it is just wild, even for someone as right-wing as Foulkes.
020
Reposted by Sam Bell
Jeffrey M @jeffreymphd.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
I think our city should be talking about this more.
2135
Reposted by Sam Bell
Max Kennerly @maxkennerly.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
This is the kind of thing a rich CEO says at the beginning of a science fiction movie to establish for the audience that he is a sociopath and the villain.
15069421846
Reposted by Sam Bell
Peter @notalawyer.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
personally I think the New York Times’ chief legal correspondent should know that the court was not a 6-3 conservative majority during Trump’s first term
In his first administration, Mr. Trump did poorly in the Supreme Court in argued cases in which the United States, an executive department, an independent agency or the president himself was a party. He prevailed only 42 percent of the time, the lowest rate since at least Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration.
In other words, a fundamentally
conservative court, with a six-justice majority of Republican appointees that includes three named by Mr. Trump himself, had not been particularly receptive to his arguments. The Biden administration, by contrast, did somewhat better, landing on the winning side 54 percent of the time.
352603331
Reposted by Sam Bell
Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Trump plans to send $10 billion in funds that Congress hasn’t appropriated from the US Treasury to an organization that he will continue to chair personally even after he is out of office. This is looting.
24566172119
Reposted by Sam Bell
Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
@jackiegoldman.bsky.social is running to represent Ward 5 on the Providence City Council! The ward includes parts of the Mount Pleasant, Elmhurst & Manton neighborhoods! Learn more about their platform here: www.jackiegoldmanri.com
jackiegoldmanri.com
Jackie Goldman for Ward 5
032