Ten Biggest Bills Facing the RI General Assembly in 2015
Wednesday, February 04, 2015
What are the biggest issues facing the Rhode Island 2015 General Assembly?
The session is a nearly a month old, with the last "official" day for House bill introductions next week -- and now Governor Gina Raimondo is slated to present her first budget proposal for FY16 on March 12.
SLIDES: See the Ten Bills to Watch in 2015 BELOW
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"Since both Governor Raimondo and Speaker Mattiello have beat the drum on jobs and the economy, one can only hope that the 2015 session will produce legislation that supports the revival of RI's economy," said Pam Gencarella, with OSTPA, a "voice for the taxpayers" of Rhode Island. "In order to do that, very difficult choices must be made."
Leadership on the Record
The Governor's office was broad in its approach to legislative priorities, as the state awaits Raimondo's first budget proposal.
"The Governor’s top priority is creating opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. Her budget will center around building the skills our students and workers need to compete in the 21st century, attracting entrepreneurs to stimulate the economy and create jobs, and fostering innovation in the state," said Raimondo Press Secretary Marie Aberger. "She remains focused on increasing accountability in state government and delivering more value to taxpayers."
Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello, starting his first full session at the helm, outlined his top agenda items for the coming year.
"Businesses look to locate in states where there are stable budgets and predictable tax policies. That is why we must address our structural budget deficits," said Mattiello. "The problem is clear – our expenses are growing at a faster rate than our revenues – so the out-year deficit continues to grow larger each year. The decisions are going to be painful, but we can no longer start each budget year with a deficit."
"Regarding jobs, a high priority for the House is to expand the Jobs Development Act to small businesses. As proposed by Representative Joseph Shekarchi, this legislation will provide tax credits to employers that locate or start-up here and commit to providing good-paying jobs," continued Mattiello. "I will look at any and all suggestions for legislation that will sensibly and aggressively lead to the creation of meaningful jobs for Rhode Islanders."
The state's capital city said Tuesday it has yet to formalize a legislative agenda for the State House.
"We have not declared our legislative agenda at this time," said Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza's spokesperson Evan England.
Taxpayer Groups Sound Off
"Is there any more important issue than education? Given the Rhode Island Manufacturers' Association's (RIMA) statement to the Commissioner that RI graduates are unemployable and Electric Boat's recent reference to the skills gap and CVS opening a digital technology center in Massachusetts rather than their home state of RI, have we all received the message - fix the broken education system," said Gencarella.
"Focus on reforms that put student learning at the center. Commissioner Gist is no doubt moving on and that leaves a big hole in the RI education system. Will Lt. Governor McKee step up to push for charter schools and school choice? Will the Governor and the Speaker push for reforms similar to the ones Massachusetts made 20 years ago? If so, that would mean reversing what the General Assembly did to gut reform in the 2014 session," continued Gencarella. "Governor Raimondo's Commissioner appointment will be critical to upholding the gains in reform that have taken place thus far and to move education reform forward."
Larry Girouard with the group RI Taxpayers spoke to the advocacy group's priorities.
"Our biggest concern is the fact that businesses and citizens are leaving the state, thereby eroding the tax base. This can be traced directly to Rhode Island's unfriendly tax and business climate which has created a poor economy," said Girouard. "Governor Raimondo clearly described Rhode Island’s reality when she stated that in just just the last year, we've had the highest unemployment rate in the country for nine straight months. We've been 49th among states where companies want to do business, and dead last for helping entrepreneurs."
"From the strategic perspective, Rhode Island must improve its national and regional brand if it ever expects to have a sustainable economy," added Girouard. "Accordingly, we would certainly urge the General Assembly to continue the work in this area that they started last session. We will advocate loudly against bills that do not support the improvement of the reality outlined by our governor.
Focus on Economy
The Economic Progress Institute of RI told GoLocal its top legislative items.
"The Economic Progress Institute supports a “working families agenda” that would increase the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit from 10 to 20 percent, expand access to affordable child care, and continue the state’s invest in workforce development so that all Rhode Islanders have the skills they need to compete," said Kate Brewster with the Institute.
Of what to expect to dominated discussion and debate at the State House this spring, Brewster offered the following.
"We expect a robust debate about health care including how we maintain our state-based exchange (HealthSource RI) and operate an efficient Medicaid program that can meet the varied needs of the 1 in 4 Rhode Islanders who rely on the program," said Brewster. "We also anticipate a lively discussion about the equity and adequacy of state tax policy."
The RI Center for Freedom and Prosperity, who was strongly opposed to Rhode Map RI, remained intent on dismantling it.
"Cutting overall state spending; expanded school choice options for families; antidotes to harmful effects of RhodeMapRI," said Center CEO Mike Stenhouse of their legislative priorities. "There has been some rumor of multiple bills that would seek to de-fang RhodeMap RI, which our Center would support; especially a bill to protect private property owners from abusive eminent domain loopholes that currently exist in RI law."
Non-Profits Articulate Agendas
GoLocal caught up with two nonprofits in the state who also weighed in on their respective legislative agendas for the coming session.
"Our primary legislative priority for 2015 continues to be fully funding Opening Doors RI, the State's Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness," said RI Coalition for the Homeless Director Jim Ryzek. "Senator Crowley and Representative Slater are introducing legislation at our request that replicates the request of the Housing Resources Commission - reinstating funding for HRC programs in the General Fund to allow the dedicated funding stream to fund vouchers as well as adding $12.5 million in funds for capital development of affordable housing. We are sure this will be a major area of discussion in times of budgetary shortfall, but we know the only way to save money in homeless system is to spend money to end homelessness."
Save the Bay noted they would be pushing for legislation to address the state's cesspools -- which they have done before.
"Our priority for the 2015 session is passage of legislation that would require cesspools to be replaced when a property is sold or transferred. DEM estimates that there are still 25,000 cesspools in the state," said Topher Hamblett. "They do not provide treatment of the waste we flush down our toilets. Waste goes into groundwater and into the waters of our swimming beaches, threatening public health. Cesspool “point of sale” legislation has been introduced the past few session, but has been opposed by the RI Association of Realtors."
Related Slideshow: Ten Bills to Watch in 2015 General Assembly
The last day for bill introductions in the Rhode Island House of Representatives is slated for February 12, but things should really begin heating up one month following, when Governor Gina Raimondo is due to present her FY16 budget proposal to the chamber -- and members have a new sense of the fiscal realities facing the state, and what the Governor will be pushing for.
With the 2015 General Assembly just underway (and over four months to go), below is a list of 10 of the top bills facing the General Assembly now, or expected to come.
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