RI State Report: More Tolls, Bryant Pays + Casino Theft

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Anthony Faccenda, GoLocalProv News Contributor

 

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The 2013 session of Rhode Island’s General Assembly may have come to an end last week, but legislative matters were still at the forefront this week as House Speaker Gordon D. Fox and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed announced their picks for the newly created East Bay bridge toll study commission.

Additionally, we’ll examine the governor’s signing of two bills: one that allows Smithfield to charge Bryant University for public safety services, and another that makes Rhode Island the third state to provide family leave. Lastly, we’ll look at the first table game arrest at Twin River, and some newly released data on new business growth in Rhode Island.

Fox , Paiva Weed announce picks for East Bay bridge commission

On Thursday, House Speaker Gordon D. Fox and Senate President M. Teresa Weed announced their choices for the Special Legislative Commission to Study the Funding for Bridges.

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House members of the commission will include House Finance Chairman Helio Melo (D), Rep. John G. Edwards (D), and Antonio Giarusso (R). Senate members will include Senate Finance Chairman Daniel Da Ponte (D), Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D), and Christopher S. Ottiano (R).

Aside from General Assembly members, the commission will also feature Department of Transportation Director Michael Lewis, or a designee; Department of Administration Director Richard Licht, or a designee; and Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) Executive Director Buddy Croft, or a designee.

Established under an article in the 2014 state budget, the East Bay bridge toll study commission is tasked with studying ways to fund all state bridges. The panel must report its findings to the General Assembly by Jan. 15, 2014.

Last week, the GA approved a measure that would let the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) to establish a 10-cent toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge — a move that allows lawmakers to preserve future tolling options and secure an interim revenue source. The 10-cent toll cap will remain in effect until April 1, 2014.

Rhode Island becomes third state to pay workers paid family leave

Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed legislation on Thursday that would make Rhode Island the third state in the nation to provide paid family leave to care for a sick child or family member. Similar laws are currently in place in New Jersey and California.

The law, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2014, will be funded by a paycheck deduction and overseen by the Department of Labor and Training. Under the law, employees will receive up to four weeks of paid leave to care for a new or sick child or family members. The amount of paid family leave could increase to eight weeks by 2016.

Presently, just 11 percent of private-sector workers in the United States have paid maternity leave and only 17 percent of public-sector workers have it. The U.S. is one of three countries that does not offer paid maternity leave benefits.

New law allows Smithfield to bill Bryant University

Earlier this week, the governor signed a measure into law allowing the town of Smithfield to bill Bryant University for public safety services. Under the law, Smithfield can begin charging the school for police, fire and rescue service costs.

Bryant University President Ronald Machtley has likened the bill to an extortion attempt and threatened the state with a lawsuit. Machtley argues that the legislation disregards the school’s tax-exempt status. According to Bryant, the school contributes over $800,000 a year to Smithfield in direct and in-kind support.

Sen. Stephen Archambault, one of the bill’s sponsors estimates that the cost of public safety services for Bryant is between $250,000 and $350,000 per year.

The legislation was originally introduced in December after Providence College agreed to pay the city of Providence roughly $4 million over the next decade.

According to the bill’s sponsor John J. Tassoni, the law is designed to ensure that all state colleges and universities pay their fair share.

“It is just not right for Bryant not to contribute something to the town, and it is especially glaring in the light of the fact that all the institutions of higher learning in Providence have acknowledged their responsibility to their community be agreeing to pay something,” said Tassino when the measure was introduced.

The bill indicates that Smithfield can begin charging Bryant by March 1 if the two sides don’t reach a memorandum of understanding.

Police make first table game arrest at Twin River

Rhode Island police have made the first table game-related arrest at Twin River. On Wednesday, Lincoln resident Steven E. Sabitoni was arrested and charged with one count of larceny for stealing $250 in chips from the patron seated next to him at a blackjack table.

Sabitoni, 46, was arraigned in Providence District Court and released on his own recognizance of $1,000. Twin River personnel also issued Sabitoni a lifetime ban.

The inspection began when Twin River Security member alerted a Gaming Enforcement Unit (GEU) detective that Sabitoni had taken chips from another patron. The GEU official then watched the necessary surveillance footage and confirmed that Sabitoni had in fact stolen the chips.

The General Assembly addressed potential crime at Twin River last month when it approved legislation creating a Gaming Enforcement Unit within the State Police to enforce new laws pertaining to table gaming.

Sec. of State releases second quarter figures on new businesses

Slowly but surely, the number of new businesses created in Rhode Island is growing, according to new data released on Friday by Secretary of State Ralph A. Mollis.

A total of 1,909 new businesses registered with Mollis between April and June, which is a 1.9 percent increase compared to last year. It’s the second quarter since 2008.

“There is a lot to be encouraged about. We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves, but I think it is fair to say the economy appears to be heading in the right direction,” said Mollis.

Despite the second quarter data, overall new business creation is down this year. In fact, there were 3,815 new business formations in the first six months of 2013, which is less than the same point last year.
“While the numbers are still mixed, we are starting to see a solidly upward trend,” said Mollis. Even so, it may be years before these new companies are in a position to create jobs in great numbers.”

There are currently 70,000 limited liability companies and for-profit and non-profit corporations registered in Rhode Island. 

 

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