RI Groups Will Target Lawmakers Who Oppose Pension Reform
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Several pro-pension reform groups said Tuesday they will join General Treasurer Gina Raimondo in campaigning for those state lawmakers who vote in favor of the proposed pension legislation and target those who do not during next year’s election.
At a press conference held at the State House, the Rhode Island Statewide Coalition (RISC), Ocean State Tea Party in Action and Operation Clean Government echoed Raimondo’s calls for the General Assembly to not “water down” the pension legislation any further before Thursday’s vote.
The legislation in its current form will allow for retirees to receive cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) every five years so long as state investments perform well and switches the majority of state employees over to a 401k-style hybrid plan. Raimondo has said the legislation would save taxpayers $3 billion over the next decade and the taxpayer contribution to the pension system next year will remain the same at about $300 million.
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But those lawmakers who choose not to support the legislation will face fierce opposition in the next election cycle. Treasurer Raimondo has, on numerous occasions, indicated a willingness to support those candidates who are favor of pension reform and oppose those who aren’t.
According to Lisa Blais, who heads up the Ocean State Tea Party in Action, her organization will make it clear to voters which elected officials did not support the bill.
“The Ocean State Tea Party will track and publicize the voting record of legislators who do not vote for comprehensive pension reform during the election cycle,” Blais said. “The bill up for vote this Thursday is the first critical step, they must provide statutory rights to locals to get them out from under unfunded benefits and pension plans. The OSTPA will educate every Rhode Islander to urge the election of legislators who consistently work for the taxpayers in RI and not against them.”
RISC: We’ll Look at Voting Records
It is rare for the conservative-minded organizations to support a Democrat, but the groups have offered nothing but praise for Raimondo, who they say has shown courage in standing up for pension reform. While some were unhappy with amendments that came out of the House and Senate finance committees, they say the legislation is the first step toward comprehensive change in the state.
Harriet Lloyd, the Executive Director of RISC, said she expects her organization to look at the voting records of individual legislators heading into the next election.
“We are certainly looking very carefully at voting records over the next few days,” Lloyd said. “This will form the real basis of how we stand in the next election. But as far as RISC as concerned, our [focus] is issues and there is no greater issue to us than the finances of this state so we will certainly be taking our positions accordingly.”
Operation Clean Government: Pension Reform Tops the List
While Operation Clean Government does not officially endorse candidates during elections, the organization’s president Margaret Kane also indicated a willingness to expose legislative voting records, particularly of those lawmakers who do not support pension reform.
“Operation Clean Government doesn’t campaign,” Kane said. “We’re a nonpartisan group, but we will point to people’s records.”
Kane said she believe the voting records will play a major role in the next election cycle.
“I have an idea that the next go-around will be replete with voting records on any number of issues and pension reform will be at the top of that list,” she said.
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