The Providence Journal, R.I., Edward Fitzpatrick column

May 22--Absolutely!

My friend Bill Malinowski, a Providence Journal reporter for 30 years who is now battling ALS, reminds me that May is ALS Awareness Month. On Tuesday, Governor Raimondo declared ALS Awareness Day in Rhode Island. And earlier this month, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., introduced a bill that would eliminate the five-month waiting period for ALS patients to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. "Those battling Lou Gehrig's disease shouldn't have to wait to get the benefits they've earned, especially given the unique challenges the disease poses for patients and their families," Whitehouse said, citing the "heartbreaking story" of ALS patient Bobby Forster and his wife, Casey, who live in Newport. On June 23, the ALS Association's Rhode Island chapter will hold its 20th annual "Evening of Hope" fundraiser at Warwick's Crowne Plaza hotel, presenting the Spirit of Lou Gehrig Award and the Brian Dickinson Courage Award, named for a former Journal editorial page writer who had ALS.

YouGottaBeKiddingMe

All I can say is: Heckuva job, Johnny Jobs. House Majority Leader John J. DeSimone, D-Providence, is right about one thing: His explanation for failing to pay his property taxes on time is "probably not a good business answer." DeSimone, who State House wags call "Johnny Jobs" for his reputed ability to land public-sector jobs for allies, averted a May 12 tax sale of his home and law office by paying more than $18,700 in overdue taxes, interests and costs. On Wednesday, he told the Journal's Katherine Gregg he will begin paying his taxes when they are due each quarter from now on. Asked why he's been on the city's potential tax-sale list year after year, he replied: "I do my work. I am busy up here ... if you miss the first quarter, the interest builds up, so I always got in the habit of paying it once a year. ... Obviously, I am paying more by doing it that way." Well, obviously, that's not a great financial practice (or a reassuring explanation) for a powerful legislator who helps shape the $9-billion state budget.

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