RIRA to GA – Stop Fiscal Irresponsibility – Binding Arbitration – Never Ending Contracts

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly, like just about every other person and organization concerned about the solvency of the State of Rhode Island, adamantly opposes binding arbitration. Monetary issues in public-sector union contracts should not be decided by unelected individuals, who cannot be recalled by the election process if they saddle the taxpayers with budget-busting contracts. It is the responsibility of our elected representatives to make decisions in the public interest for the general welfare. Appointed bureaucrats should not be making decisions that are going to financially affect the taxpayers who then have no ability to reward or punish those decisions at the ballot box.

As the state and local cities and towns all struggle with out-of-control spending, the last thing we need is to permit binding arbitration which would allow our elected representatives to continue to avoid the hard fiscal decisions which must be made.

In a recent Projo article, it was pointed out that “…subjecting monetary issues to the binding-arbitration process would allow for quicker resolutions of contract disputes.” Perhaps so, but faster is not necessarily better. It is always faster to surrender than to fight, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the right decision.

In that same Projo article, Daniel Beardsley, Jr., executive director of the League of Cities and Towns was quoted as saying that allowing binding arbitration “…would put another half-dozen communities on the precipice of bankruptcy.” Agreed, and if bankruptcy were to be avoided, it would put such an increased burden on the taxpayers that more Rhode Islanders would be forced to leave the state in self-defense.

Another aspect of House bill 5700, in addition to the binding arbitration provision, is that contract benefits would automatically continue until a new agreement is reached. This is absurd! The taxpayers cannot afford what we have now, as evidenced by the red ink flowing everywhere. This continuation of salaries and benefits after a contract has expired renders it virtually impossible to ever reduce the pay and benefits of public-sector union workers. There is a business cycle, and labor is one component of the production of goods and services. If the cost of labor is only allowed to go one way – up, regardless of the economic environment, the inevitable consequence will be fewer goods and services. In the current economic environment, many private-sector workers have taken pay cuts, lost their health insurance coverage, or even lost their jobs. If we are all going to “share the sacrifice,” then workers in the public sector are going to have to make downward adjustments in their expectations as well.

The Rhode Island Republican Assembly urges, in the strongest possible terms, that the R.I. House, the representatives of all the people of RI, vote against House bills 5700, 5817, and 5961. Their passage would be a disaster both for the state and for the people.

Conservatively yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, RIRA

Press Release from the Rhode Island Republican Assembly
Media Contact: president [at] ri-ra [dot] org or (401) 487-2514

We find ourselves less than two days away from one of the most important elections in this generation.

The American conservative voters and other like-minded voters throughout our state and nation now realize that our government can no longer be sustained at its current levels and that structural changes must be made at all levels of government and by all citizens.

Waking up in the morning and expecting money from the government is not the American way, nor is it what made this country great. Rhode Island’s budget shortfalls these past several years, which have been plugged by federal money, not by changes in Rhode Island government, is proof that out state and municipal governments’ way of doing business is broken and that we need and demand change.

Zebras do not change the colors of their stripes, nor will the one-party system we have in the General Assembly change itself overnight for the betterment of the people. Time and time again, the Democrats in the General Assembly have sided with unions and those looking for handouts, not with those looking to create prosperity in Rhode Island.

The answer to our financial problems is certainly NOT to increase state taxes. We must embrace one nation, one people, one language — for “United we Stand” a strong American People. Divided, we shall surely fall into the world of Socialism that will wipe out the middle class.

Change must start on many levels, from the Congress, to our Statewide offices, to the General Assembly, and all the way down to the local level.

We must all sit with our friends and family to Get Out The Vote for change. While this is one communication, it does not reach the approximately 600,000 possible voters in Rhode Island. For real change to take affect, YOU MUST become a grassroots activist and encourage your family and friends over the next day and a half to vote the Right Way this Tuesday. The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Everyone should be able to find time within that fourteen (14) hour span to vote for the Right Change.

The following individuals were nominated and endorsed at the Rhode Island Republican Assembly’s Biennial Endorsement Convention back on June 12th, 2010. They were endorsed based on our by-laws, which require a two-thirds vote of those members present and eligible to vote. To the best of our knowledge — and we pay close attention — NO candidate listed has compromised his or her standing throughout the campaign season for RIRA to consider revoking their endorsement.

The 2010 RIRA endorsed candidates are:

U.S. Congress, District 1: JOHN LOUGHLIN

U.S. Congress, District 2: MARK ZACCARIA

R.I. Governor: JOHN ROBITAILLE

R.I. General Treasurer: KERNAN “KERRY” KING

R.I. Attorney General: ERIK WALLIN

RHODE ISLAND STATE SENATE:

Steve Gerling – District 18
Dawson Hodgson – District 35
Beth Moura – District 19
Dr. Chris Ottiano – District 11

RHODE ISLAND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

Representative Brian Newberry – District 48
Representative Joseph Trillo – District 24
Donald Botts – District 16
Timothy Burchett – District 34
Giovanni Calise – District 25
Michael Chippendale – District 40
Thomas Clupny – District 62
Doreen Costa – District 31
Phil Duquette – District 33
Daniel Gordon – District 71
William Grapentine – District 69
Michael Grossi – District 58
Matthew Guerra – District 46
James Halderman – District 35
Jennifer Hirons – District 44
Michael Picillo – District 39
Daniel Reilly – District 72
Erich Sturn – District 4

In closing, I again ask that you please sit with your family and friends over the next day and a half and discuss voting for a new lease on life by voting for the above candidates. YOU and your vote can make the change! YOU are the activist! YOU must get your friends and family out to vote so that their votes, along with yours, will ensure that change happens!

Thank you for your time and attention to this important issue.

God’s speed and blessings to you, your family, friends, and our hard working candidates and all their volunteers and staff.

Conservatively Yours,

Raymond T. McKay
President, Rhode Island Republican Assembly
president [at] ri-ra [dot] org