Candidates agree: Eliminate legislative grants

General assembly candidates cite numerous reasons to end legislative grant program

Posted 10/8/18

Escalating taxes, tools for bribery, and buying political goodwill. 

These are some of the negative byproducts cited by local general assembly candidates when they were asked about the use of …

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Candidates agree: Eliminate legislative grants

General assembly candidates cite numerous reasons to end legislative grant program

Posted

Escalating taxes, tools for bribery, and buying political goodwill. 

These are some of the negative byproducts cited by local general assembly candidates when they were asked about the use of legislative grants. 

Candidates running for Districts 66 and 67 House seats and for the District 32 seat in the Senate pointed to problems associated with the legislative grant program.

Liana Cassar, a Democrat running the District 66 seat, said the grant program represents poor government "in which taxpayer funds are unequally distributed across the state without an open process." 

Her opponent, Republican Rhonda Holmes, shared even stronger comments about the program.

"Legislative grants are merely a means for incumbents to use taxpayer money to buy votes," she said. "In effect they are legalized bribery. They're also a tool to allow the Speaker (of the House) to control Democrat votes…"

The program has been around for many years and allows legislators the opportunity to give grants to programs and other organizations within their districts. 

Jason Knight serves as the District 67 representative, which includes sections of Barrington and Warren. Mr. Knight has called for the elimination of the program, but until that happens, he has said he does not want to forego the benefits extended to his Barrington and Warren constituents. 

Grants awarded by Mr. Knight last year included $2,000 for the restoration of the Warren Armory, $2,500 for the Warren Folks Festival, $2,000 for the senior center in Barrington, $2,000 for Tap-In, and $3,000 for the Warren Senior Center. In total, Mr. Knight awarded $23,800 in grants.

"I remain opposed to the legislative grant program," Mr. Knight said. "Nevertheless, the program exists and I don't want to punish the community and its local organizations by refusing money that others cities and towns get. My main objection to the program is that it allows elected officials to send funds to select groups without meaningful public oversight. With this in mind, I have removed myself from the process of awarding grants and have asked a committee of Warren and Barrington residents to oversee the process.

"This year, the committee set guidelines for what kinds of proposed activities may be considered for grants, read and reviewed applications, and made recommendations. In addition, the committee made a public request for grant proposals in this very publication in the spring. Last month, the committee finished its work and published a final report of grant recipients and awards on these pages…"

Libertarian candidate Daryl Gould is running against Mr. Knight and criticized his opponent, a Democrat, for participating in the legislative grants program.

"My opponent has used these grants to curry favor in our district. It’s buying votes with taxpayer dollars," Mr. Gould said. "Forcing people to give you their money so you can give it to others is not charity, it’s theft."

Some candidates have recognized the benefits awarded through the grants — nonprofits and other worthy causes receive key funding so they can continue to operate. Democrat Cindy Coyne, the District 32 Senator, said there is a process in place for reviewing grant applications.

"Legislative grants help many local non-profits serving our community. In the Senate, these grants are subject to arduous accountability measures: all requests are posted online, require detailed financial documentation, and are subject to audit," Ms. Coyne said. She added that she would support more improvements to the grant program, and "I am not opposed to their elimination."

David Aucoin is a Republican running against Ms. Coyne. He said acknowledged the potential benefits of the legislative grants program, but said there are alternatives.

"I direct a non-profit without the benefit of state funds," said Mr. Aucoin, who serves as a pastor for a church. "We raise funds for important projects from within our community or find grants from organizations that share an interest in what we are trying to accomplish. Legislators can direct people to the many foundations that exist to help and are good at discerning between ‘wants’ and ‘needs’ and ‘abuse.’"

Mr. Aucoin added: "The problem with these (legislative) grants is that they are often used to get votes and the method for obtaining them is usually influenced by 'political connectedness' … Taxes in Rhode Island are high enough. The legislative grant program should be done away with."

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