Archive for the 'EPGOP' Category

The following resolution was passed by unanimous vote of the East Providence Republican City Committee at its meeting on Wednesday, June 17, 2009. Copies of this resolution will be mailed to all state senators and representatives in East Providence.

The East Providence Republican City Committee strongly condemns the fiscally irresponsible and grossly short-sighted actions of East Providence’s two State Senators, Daniel DaPonte and Frank DeVall, for their recent votes in support of Rhode Island State Senate Bill 0713, “An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Certified School Teachers Arbitration.”

S-0713, if enacted, would change the law so that the terms of any expired teacher contract in Rhode Island would remain in effect until a new collective bargaining agreement had been ratified. This may seem harmless or even helpful to some, but in fact, it is uniquely dangerous. This legislation would give already very powerful public sector unions even more power to wield over us. It would strip away one of the very few weapons which school committees in Rhode Island have left at their disposal to try to curb out-of-control spending in the face of massive budget deficits. It would specifically give teachers unions throughout the state, the ability to effectively extend their contracts indefinitely, with absolutely no incentive or need to ever renegotiate new terms when their contract is up for renewal – at levels which may be more reasonable for struggling taxpayers.

The effect on local taxpayers and homeowners would truly be disastrous. Given the favorable nature of many current contracts, the unions could run forever with those contracts without local governments having any ability to modify the terms, even after the contracts have “run out” – leaving the only truly viable alternative to be municipal bankruptcy. Without the ability to rein in costly contracts, which account for most city spending and the overwhelming majority of the school department budget (87% in East Providence), the impact of this bill on residents may well include any or all of the following: massive annual property tax increases; mass layoffs of teachers, administrators, and municipal employees; multiple school closures; reduction or elimination of school sports and after school programs; and finally, the very real possibility of bankruptcy. This is “a clear and present danger” to the fiscal health of our city. For the sake of our city, we must not let this happen!

According to S-0713 co-sponsor Sen. Charles Levesque (D-Bristol/Portsmouth), the introduction of the bill was prompted by the contract stalemate between the East Providence School Committee and the East Providence Education Association. As a result of the teachers union’s unwillingness to make fair and reasonable concessions after their extremely generous contract expired last October – in an attempt to put a dent into the school department’s over $9 million anticipated budget deficit – the School Committee was forced to unilaterally implement a 5% pay raise rollback and enforce a 20% health insurance co-pay and other cost savings measures. This action alone has already saved the taxpayers of East Providence over $3 million so far; thus averting a roughly 10% property tax increase (about $300) for the average East Providence homeowner.

In light of this, we are particularly disturbed that freshman East Providence State Sen. Frank DeVall (Dist. 18) not only voted “in favor” of this fiscally irresponsible bill, but according to official records, even “seconded” passage of S-0713. Additionally, he spoke in favor of S-0713 right from the Senate floor! What a disgrace!

As S-0713 has now been sent to the Rhode Island House for consideration, we strongly encourage residents to immediately contact their state representatives to urge the defeat of its House companion bill, H-5762. Furthermore, the East Providence Republican City Committee hereby puts any and all state representatives in East Providence – regardless of political affiliation – ON NOTICE. A vote in favor of H-5762, will rightfully be considered to be a vote against the taxpayers of the City of East Providence and the people of the State of Rhode Island. As such, we will make it our goal to target for political elimination any East Providence legislator in the 2010 election cycle who votes in favor of this dangerous legislation. WE ARE WATCHING YOU.

Robert S. Carlin, Jr.
Chairman, East Providence Republican City Committee
Media Contact: Bob Carlin at 345-6608 or chair [at] epgop [dot] org

Citizen commentary from the Providence Tea Party by Kathy Santos

I went to the Taxpayers Tea Party at the RI State House on April 15. The East Providence Republican Party joined the East Providence Taxpayer’s Association, RISC (Rhode Island Statewide Coalition), OCG (Operation Clean Government), and other good government groups.

The weather was nice which led to a big success. There were thousands of people who made the time to come. There were families, old, young, different ethnicity’s, and their message was clear. They were tired of the taxes in RI, fed up with the legislature, and our delegation in Washington DC. There were chants of “NO NEW TAXES” and the like. There were signs of every description: Don’t Tax Me Bro, I Pay My Mortgage – Please Pay Yours, No More Taxes, No More Fees, Stop Deficit Spending Now, and so many more clever lines, I could fill the pages of this paper.

I went to the Taxpayers Tea Party at the RI State House on April 15. The East Providence Republican Party joined the East Providence Taxpayer’s Association, RISC (Rhode Island Statewide Coalition), OCG (Operation Clean Government), and other good government groups.

The weather was nice which led to a big success. There were thousands of people who made the time to come. There were families, old, young, different ethnicity’s, and their message was clear. They were tired of the taxes in RI, fed up with the legislature, and our delegation in Washington DC. There were chants of “NO NEW TAXES” and the like. There were signs of every description: Don’t Tax Me Bro, I Pay My Mortgage – Please Pay Yours, No More Taxes, No More Fees, Stop Deficit Spending Now, and so many more clever lines, I could fill the pages of this paper.

Hopefully this groundswell will continue, and people will get involved. Talking to assorted folks, one thing was clear; there is fear for the near future, as well as the over the next decade. Parents were worried about what our state and nation are doing to make this state and nation a livable place for their children.

The leaders of this event, Colleen Conley and the rest of the good government groups are encouraged. They collected contact information, and hope to have more events soon.

The speakers were on point. We have to fight and make sure our elected officials are paying attention to us. We also need to get people to run for office, and not settle for what is being dished out statewide and nationally. Perhaps the best speaker was Bob Healey of the Cool Moose Party and former candidate for Lt. Governor. He said he was so impressed with this large group that showed up at the Taxpayers Tea Party, and hoped the momentum wouldn’t die out.

Rhode Island, and our nation, is in tough shape. Hopefully this is the beginning of something good. Having motivated, responsible people take the time to go to Smith Hill, with signs waving, expressing their frustrations, will be a wake up call to our elected officials, and give them the understanding that we are mad as hell and we aren’t going to take it anymore.

Kathy Santos is a longtime member of the East Providence Republican Party, a member of the East Providence Taxpayers Association and a lifelong resident of Riverside.

Reprinted from EastBayRI.com