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RI Truckers Blast Revenue Projections in Tolling Proposal

Thursday, October 22, 2015

The Rhode Island Trucking Association is blasting the Raimondo Administration for its timing of pushing through its truck tolling plan, after letters surfaced between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation showing that the DOT asked to be able to toll the underside of bridges -- and was denied by the Feds.

Bill Fisher, spokesperson for the RITA, said Wednesday that he is "seriously concerned" with the toll plan timing, and questioned the state's revenue projections based on the request.

“So now we know the state asked permission to toll on the undersides of bridges, and the Feds said no,” said Fisher. “Why would [the Administration] look to skirt federal law if they weren't concerned about revenue projections?"

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Bond Obligations in Focus

RITA issued the following statement after the letters had been made public on Wednesday.

"The fact that the state is just now receiving clarity on how toll revenue can be expended reinforces our belief that the original toll plan was moving far too fast and had not been properly vetted. We also find it troubling, as should lawmakers that DOT is seeking to go beyond the scope of the federal exemption to toll trucks going under bridges. It begs the question if the original plan will generate enough revenue to pay back the bonds," wrote Fisher on behalf of RITA.

RITA went on to blame the DOT -- rather than the truckers - for the current situation.

"It is clear from the headlines during the past several months that prior DOT management is largely responsible for the condition of our roads and bridges, not the trucking industry. Decades of poor planning, neglect and failure to adhere to environmental regulations will cost the taxpayers of Rhode Island $112 million. We commend Governor Raimondo for her commitment to begin reforming the DOT, but it is also a clear-cut argument against the notion that trucks produce 90% of the damage to our highways and bridges. All of these issues need to be properly vetted in the upcoming legislative session," said Fisher.

The Administration pointed to the correspondence as supporting its plan, following the release earlier in October by the Governor’s office of the economic impact study conducted by REMI.
“As we’ve said all along, the authority to assess user fees already exists in federal law,” said Marie Aberger in the Governor’s office, referencing the letter from the FHWA to Director Alviti “clearly reiterating this.” READ THE LETTER HERE

“[The] second letter from FHWA to Director Alviti…makes it clear how the revenue from the toll on a bridge can be used: if a bridge that's been tolled has been repaired or reconstructed, and if the state certifies that it has the resources to keep it maintained, funds generated from a gantry located on that bridge can be used to repair another bridge,” said Aberger. “[FHWA]…expressed their continued support for RIDOT identifying alternative revenue sources, including tolls (as we are currently over- reliant on federal funds).” READ THE LETTER HERE

Fisher countered however that the “revenue projections” are not there.

“We’d be on the hook for these bonds,” said Fisher. "We're saying charge us more in fees, focus on the diesel tax. We're worried about what no one has talked about, and that's evasion. It's a big deal because you don't need to go through Rhode Island to drive from New York to Boston. We still have to make the bond payments. These guys have computer programs that incorporate the fees and tolls. The burden is being placed on the local guys."

“We're just looking for more vetting of the situation,” continued Fisher. “Look, the economic impact study didn't address the cost to consumer goods -- no one said it wasn't going to create jobs. That wasn't the concern.”

READ THE ALVITI LETTER of October 13, 2015

READ THE ALVITI LETTER of September 29, 2015

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Republican, Advocacy Groups Continue to Push Counter Proposals

On October 7, the Republican Policy Group released their road repair plan that they said would levy no new fees or tolls.

“Unfortunately, without taking the time necessary for a thorough analysis, Speaker Mattiello dismissed the Republican’s responsible plan to fix Rhode Island’s bridges. While there is always a political edge in the General Assembly, the Office of Speaker must transcend partisan politics – and we all must put electioneering aside when we consider issues that profoundly affect our economic stability and public safety," said Representative Patricia Morgan in a statement. "We remain committed to open dialogue with all, regardless of political affiliation, in order to reach common ground and stop the damage that tolls and massive debt financing will wreak on our state's taxpayers, consumers, small businesses and trucking industry."

The Center for Freedom and Prosperity, which recently released its alternative P3 Policy Paper, in which it proposed a delivery model that would be a “private sector partner who wins an open bidding process would self-finance and deliver all specified construction upgrades and maintenance services in exchange for a guaranteed revenue flow from the state over a defined period of time.”
“No response or curiosity was expressed by the Speaker's office after it received an advanced copy of the P3 policy paper released last week by the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity that could deliver the Governor's ambitious bridge and road upgrade project in a safer, timelier, and less costly manner, and with less debt and risk under a proven model that has been successfully deployed in many other states,” said Mike Stenhouse, CEO for the Center.

Related Slideshow: Top 50 Business Delinquent Taxpayers

Below are the top 50 delinquent business taxpayers in the state, ordered from least to greatest. Data was obtained directly from the state Division of Taxation and is based on an official statutorily mandated list of tax delinquents that must be published. Applicable taxes include sales, meals, beverage, withholding, corporate, and health care taxes. Total amounts are current as of this past January. Delinquent payers who have made payments since January have been removed from the list. This listing of businesses is current as of June 28. For each business the official business address is listed, which may in some instances be different than the public business location. When available, more information is provided about the business or circumstances potentially relevant to its delinquency.

50.

Business Name: Gina R. Durante DBA New 2-U Consignment Store

Business Address: PO Box 8833 Cranston RI 02920

Amount Owed: $75,146

49.

Business Name: Gary Branch DBA Branch Woodworking

Business Address: 500 Wood St. Bristol RI 02809

Amount Owed: $76,731

48.

Business Name: American Window Enterprises Inc.

Business Address: 20 School Street Rehoboth MA 02769

Amount Owed: $77,849

47.

Business Name: Jamestown Tavern LLC

Business Address: 580 Weetanoe Street Fall River MA 02720

Description: The tavern, which was located in Jamestown, was reportedly closed in 2013 after its liquor license was pulled.

Amount Owed: $78,301

46.

Business Name: Newgrange International Inc.

Business Address: 600 Putnam Pike Greenville RI 02828

Amount Owed: $80,283

45.

Business Name: Bird Incorporated

Business Address: 750 East Swedesford Road Valley Forge PA 19482

Description: Bird Incorported was founded in the mid-1790s, when George Washington was in his second term. Today it is best known as a manufacturer of roofing shingles and vinyl siding.

Amount Owed: $81,742

44.

Business Name: AA Thrifty Services Inc.

Business Address: 17 Paolino Circle Scituate RI 02857

Description: A sign and awning design and fabrication company. Its business registration with the state was revoked in 2011.

Amount Owed: $83,944

43.

Business Name: Applebee's International Inc.

Business Address: 450 N. Brand Blvd 7th Floor Glendale CA 91203

Description: With more than 2,000 locations worldwide and $4.5 billion in sales in the United States alone, Applebee's is among one of America's most popular restaurant chains.

Amount Owed: $85,625

42.

Business Name: CDE Corporation

Business Address: 15 Greenhill Rd. Johnston RI 02919

Description: A local demolition and debris removal contractor.

Amount Owed: $85,813

41.

Business Name: SCI Funeral & Cemetery Purchasing

Business Address: 1929 Allen Parkway Houston TX 77019

Description: A Fortune 500 company that had $2.9 billion in revenues last year, SCI describes itself as the "largest provider of funeral and cemetery services" with 4,500 locations in 20 countries, according to its Web site.

Amount Owed: $88,014

40.

Business Name: Wayne Prolux DBA East Bay Flooring

Business Address: 628 Metacom Ave. Warren RI 02885

Amount Owed: $92,125

39.

Business Name: Robert Cucino Jr.

Business Address: 14 Sallsbury Rd. Foster RI 02825

Description: Robert Cucino, Jr. is the president of the Cucino Corp., a heavy truck hauler based in Johnston.

Amount Owed: $95,495

38.

Business Name: Floortech Industries LLC

Business Address: 2 Navaho Dr. Canton MA 02021

Amount Owed: $97,989

37.

Business Name: Affordable Lanscape Concepts Corp.

Business Address: 296 Simmonsville Ave. Johnston RI 02919

Amount Owed: $98,517

36.

Business Name: Off Track Bedding Ltd.

Business Address: 209 Cambridge Lane Nicholasville KY 40356

Amount Owed: $104,643

35.

Business Name: Pytko Construction Corp.

Business Address: 654 Eddie Dowling Highway North Smithfield RI 02896

Description: Owner Paul Pytco last year pled guilty to conspiring to sell company equipment and conceal the sales from the IRS in order to pay off more than $1 million in alread-accumulated back taxes, according to an FBI news release.

Amount Owed: $107,144

34.

Business Name: Highway Construction Serv Inc.

Business Address: PO Box 40369 Providence RI 02940

Amount Owed: $107,404

33.

Business Name: America House Comm Ltd.

Business Address: 28 Jacome Way Middletown RI 02842

Description: A yacht design firm with more than $1 million in sales a year.

Amount Owed: $111,026

32.

Business Name: Contemporary Telephone Group Inc.

Business Address: 72 Reservoir Avenue Providence RI 20907

Description: A 30-year local business that provides voice mail and other telephone services, according to its Web site.

Amount Owed: $112,632

31.

Business Name: Symmetry International Inc.

Business Address: 55 Industrial Circle Lincoln RI 02865

Description: A local manufacturing firm of exhibits, sculptures, and other products ranging from a 28-foot tall Optimus Prime statue to set pieces for the movie Zookeeper.

Amount Owed: $112,930

30.

Business Name: Stephanie Masoian DBA Delicacies

Business Address: 108 Whitewood Dr. Cranston RI 02920

Amount Owed: $114,565

29.

Business Name: EZ Mart LLC DBA Diamond Hill Market

Business Address: 1166 Washington St. Weymouth MA 02189

Amount Owed: $118,318

28.

Business Name: CSCS Inc., FKA Strategic Supply Chain Inc.

Business Address: 59 Greenhill Street West Warwick RI 02893

Description: A national supply chain services company with headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Amount Owed: $118,366

27.

Business Name: JH Prestige Granite Countertops Inc.

Business Address: 940 Wellington Ave. Cranston RI 02910

Amount Owed: $118,597

26.

Business Name: Freedom Funding Group Inc.

Business Address: 591 Main St. East Greenwich RI 02818

Amount Owed: $132,588

25.

Business Name: Athens 2005 Inc.

Business Address: 828 Lake Avenue N. Apt. #6 Delray Beach Fl 33483

Amount Owed: $133,530

24.

Business Name: Conversent Communications LLC

Business Address: 5 Wall St. Burlington VT 01803

Amount Owed: $134,405

23.

Business Name: Bradford Printing & Finishing LLC

Business Address: 2540 Claire Marsh Rd. Seabrook Island SC 29455

Description: A local military uniform manufacturer located in the Westerly area. It reportedly went out of business in 2011. (It's business address is where its former executive vice president lived.)

Amount Owed: $142,000

22.

Business Name: Adla LLC

Business Address: PO Box 40369 Providence RI 02940

Amount Owed: $144,536

21.

Business Name: Precision Granite Works Inc.

Business Address: 14 Audrey Street Warwick RI 02886

Amount Owed: $152,012

20.

Business Name: Greystone Equipment LLC

Business Address: 154 Sylvan Drive East Greenwich RI 02818

Amount Owed: $162,176

19.

Business Name: Alves Productions Inc.

Business Address: 327 Barton St Pawtucket RI 02860

Description: A local liquor store.

Amount Owed: $164,880

18.

Business Name: Amore Inc.

Business Address: 27 Porter Pond Road Moosup CT 06354

Amount Owed: $167,103

17.

Business Name: DBC Occupations Unlimited Inc.

Business Address: 61 Hewett Street Warwick RI 02886

Description: A local employment agency.

Amount Owed: $185,933

16.

Business Name: RAF Corporation

Business Address: 501 Roosevelt Ave. #207 Central Falls RI 02863

Amount Owed: $209,460

15.

Business Name: Capco Steel LLC

Business Address: 55 Holly Hill Lane Cranston RI 02921

Description: A leading regional steel manufacturer that has experienced a series of well-publicized difficulties after a $5 million state-backed loan failed to help the business offset a loss of $85 million in contracts during the recession.

Amount Owed: $213,203

14.

Business Name: ADF Incorporated

Business Address: Po Box 40369 Providence RI 02940

Amount Owed: $272,300

13.

Business Name: Quality Concrete Corp

Business Address: 114 Martin St. Rehoboth MA 02769

Amount Owed: $283,306

12.

Business Name: So Fresh So Clean LLC

Business Address: 140 Vandewater Street Providence RI 02908

Amount Owed: $285,693

11.

Business Name: The Potting Shed Inc.

Business Address: 711 Union Street Portsmouth RI 02871

Description: A local gardening shop.

Amount Owed: $307,733

10.

Business Name: Coastal Recycling Inc.

Business Address: 71 Great Road North Smithfield RI 02896

Amount Owed: $372,363

9.

Business Name: Regal Auto Body& Radiator Work Inc.

Business Address: 135 Adirondack Drive East Greenwich RI 02818

Description: A local auto body shop based in Pawtucket (despite an official East Greenwich address). Its business registration has been revoked by the state.

Amount Owed: $389,242

8.

Business Name: Builders Resource Inc.

Business Address: 154 Sylvan Drive East Greenwich RI 02818

Amount Owed: $411,380

7.

Business Name: Richard D'Ambra DBA Mr. Flowers

Business Address: 9 Bowling Lane Bradford RI 02808

Description: A local flower shop.

Amount Owed: $527,584

6.

Business Name: Northeast Concrete Products LLC

Business Address: P. O. Box 2189 Plainville MA 02762

Description: A regional construction firm that offers precast concrete for stormwater and ulility projects.

Amount Owed: $608,530

5.

Business Name: Edward S. Johnson D/B/A Johnson's Boat Works

Business Address: 1128 Narragansett Boulevard Cranston RI 02905

Description: Johnson's Boat Works bills itself as New England's number one repair shop for Yanmar engines, a Japanese brand. The company offers other repair, restoration, and replacement services and also hauls and stores boats for customers.:

Amount Owed: $638,925

4.

Business Name: United Convenience & Petroleum Inc.

Business Address: 91 Modena Ave. Providence RI 02908

Description: A local gas station whose state registration has been revoked.

Amount Owed: $683,591

3.

Business Name: RI Marble & Granite Inc.

Business Address: 35 Terminal Road Providence RI 02905

Description: A marble and granite manufacturer and contractor that serves homes and businesses.

Amount Owed: $1,028,778

2.

Business Name: Frank J. Ogarek DBA Access O/F Group

Business Address: 17 Riverwoods Ct Rumford RI 02916

Amount Owed: $1,148,372

1.

Business Name: S & P Temporary Help Services Inc.

Business Address: 17 Florence Ave Lowell MA 01851

Description: S&P was a temp agency. In 2010, its owner, Cheang Chea, was sentenced to two years in prison for failing to pay millions in payroll taxes for the some hundreds of temp workers he had provided to 30 local businesses.

Amount Owed: $4,284,023

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