Poli-ticks

Stand-off at the State House

By Arlene Violet
Posted 7/20/17

I think the RI state budget is a bloated blob of bureaucracy. Having now made it perfectly clear that I bemoan the lack of cutting "fat" from this proposed spending I think that Senate President …

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Poli-ticks

Stand-off at the State House

Posted

I think the RI state budget is a bloated blob of bureaucracy. Having now made it perfectly clear that I bemoan the lack of cutting "fat" from this proposed spending I think that Senate President Dominic Ruggerio is dead-wrong to hold it hostage at the last moment. Whether he was jockeying for a last minute deal for the construction unions on sick leave or just poking his finger in the eye of House Speaker Nick Mattiello, he should reconvene his colleagues and pass the budget. After all, his Senate Finance Committee unanimously gave it the thumbs up.

The fact is that all budgets are the product of priorities. That’s true in a household as well as in the legislature. Speaker Mattiello has been quite vocal about phasing out the car tax. This can be done in a $9.2 billion budget if it is set as a priority. Of course, something and perhaps more things have to go, but it is achievable as a goal. Meanwhile, Mr. Ruggerio is running counter-clockwise by supporting legislation that piles future taxes onto the backs of taxpayers. His support of continuing contracts like teacher union contracts has shifted the momentum of negotiation totally toward the unions. Face it. Usually school committees are looking for concessions. Now, all the unions have to do is continue the status quo to retain the advantages given to members during the good times. Another example is the broadening of the definition of “injury” which virtually guarantees tax-free pensions to “disabled” firefighters and their spouses or minor children.

It’s way past time for Ruggerio to stop his hijacking of the budget. Mr. Mattiello is correct to end the marathon sessions into the wee hours of the morning where special interest legislation is passed while the public sleeps. That past practice was notorious for ill-begotten gains to be doled out to party favorites. It is refreshing to see the speaker adhere to his pledge to conduct votes in the light of day.

Whatever power trip the new senate president is on should cease immediately. His leadership team should convince him that while he looked foolish initially in pulling a power play, adhering to his stubbornness makes him look even more foolish each day that goes by.

This stand-off at the OK Corral up on Smith Hill not only hurts state government but also municipalities. They are in limbo as to what education funds they will receive from the state. To tax or not to tax vehicles that were scheduled to be exempt has also thrown local tax departments into chaos. Mr. Ruggerio is playing around with well-run municipalities with his maneuver.
By the way, the amendment he wants on car taxes merely masquerades as a “prudent” curb or cut. He wants to jettison a tax that burdens the middle and poorer classes in favor of pushing his priorities to give “bennies” to union members. Those are to remain untouched if the state revenues fall short.

Mr. Ruggerio may have retired from his private job as a union honcho but now that he is in a position of leadership he can wreak havoc on the taxpayers while he takes care of his cronies. Enough already. He should stop embarrassing himself and get back to work!

Arlene Violet is an attorney and former Rhode Island Attorney General.

Arlene Violet

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