NINE MONTHS. That’s all it has been since Lincoln Chafee became our governor. Some days it feels like nine years.

THE LATEST CHAFEE DEBACLE is the expected unanimous vote of the state Board of Higher Education to approve in state tuition rates for undocumented students. For me, it’s not the concept. It is the process. This is clearly a legislative area for debate and decision. That it has been seven years in the table phase in our general assembly does not mean we bypass the body.

IN A RECENT INTERVIEW WITH CHANNEL 10'S BILL RAPPLEYE..the governor contradicts himself in an eight minute span. He cites the 12 other states that have approved the in-state tuition idea. He then later argues that the General Assembly is not the place for the decision. Uh, Linc, the 12 states that you so proudly point to all passed the idea via assembly legislation.

MISSING IN ACTION with this controversy is the leadership of the General Assembly, which is complicit by their silence. You would think they would stand up for the legislative branch of government.

BECAUSE HE IS A GLUTTEN FOR PUNISHMENT AND INFLICTING PAIN in his typical passive aggressive way, the governor floats the drivers license for illegals idea. He says he wants to study Utah. Maybe he’ll take a few days there to watch them drive on the highways.  He loves field trips.

ON TO PENSION REFORM..still waiting for the plan. 

TREASURER GINA RAIMONDO continues to quietly rally constituent support for a plan that has not yet appeared.

ENGAGE RI is the newest entity on the issues playing field. A six figure ad campaign supporting the pension reform plan which, again, we have not seen.

ONE MORE TIME….we can’t get behind a plan that we have not seen.

THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA STORY IS ALL OVER THE MAP. The governor halts the three dispensary scheme passed by the legislature due to prosecution threats from the federal government.  I understand the arguments for the plan. But the feds aside, this was a rigged strategy wreaking of inside dealing.

RI GOP TURBULENCE IN THE FIRST CONGRESSINAL DISTRICT. Supporters of John Loughlin (still in Iraq) try to argue that Brendan Doherty should get out of the race and consider the second district. No, Doherty should have and still should focus on a gubernatorial run in 2014. Of course, at some point, if it’s clear he doesn’t want a political job that matches his excellent managerial skill set, we’ll have to concede that this  “non politician” is just another politician. I hate it when that happens.

SPENT A COUPLE HOURS THIS WEEK with two wonderful administrators from Birchwood Middle School in North Providence. Their anti-bullying efforts continue to gain attention and so they should. I just hope they don’t adopt the “bullyscide” moniker for their efforts. That is a new and dangerous term that legitimizes the never legitimate decision to take one’s own life.

WE JUST SAW THE MOST RIVETING ONE HOUR OF SPORTS TELEVISION EVER. I set a new record in pressing the “last channel” button between the Yankees/Rays and Sox/Orioles games on Wednesday night. For the Sox, it was the agony of defeat followed four minutes later by more agony of defeat.

MEMO TO BILL BELICHICK: Chad needs to tweet. Let him tweet!

Have a great weekend.