State House Report: Casinos, Legislative Health Insurance & Gubernatorial Appointments
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Like most recent General Assembly sessions, this past week's proposals dealt with familiar issues like casino gambling and underage smoking. Despite an apparent lack of creativity amongst lawmakers, several inspired pieces of legislation were introduced. Most notable, a pair of bills designed to reexamine quasi-public appointments and insurance premiums for GA members. Lastly, an intriguing proposal was introduced, which could lead to locally brewed alcohol being made available at farmers markets.
Senate Resolution No. 2815 - Casino Impact Task Force
This week the Senate introduced a resolution that would create a five person special legislative committee to study the impact that Massachusetts’ newly approved casinos would have on Rhode Island’s gaming revenues. The special commission, which will known as the “Casino Impact Task Force,” would be required to report their finding to the Senate no later than May 31, 2012. Members of the group will receive no compensation for their service.
Christiansen Capital Advisors, a consultant group, conducted a similar study earlier this year at the request of Governor Lincoln Chafee. The group found that casino gambling in the Bay State could take upwards of $100 million per year from Rhode Island. Twin River and Newport Grand currently pump approximately $300 million per year into the state annually. Although CCA arrived at the $100 million figure, it also stated that the total loss would depend on the location of Massachusetts’ three casinos and one slot parlor.
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In a move that will certainly please most everyday Rhode Islanders, Sen. William A. Walaska has introduced legislation that would require General Assembly members to pay a higher share of their health-care premiums. Legislators currently have the option of accepting health care coverage or refusing it. In total, 71 GA members have accepted the state health insurance. Of that 71, 68 pay a portion of their premium, ranging anywhere from 5 percent to 20 percent. Under Walaska’s bill, legislators would be required to pay a minimum of 15 percent.
“There are two things that are true about health insurance,” said Sen. Walaska. “One is that costs are rising and the other is that more and more employees are contributing to the cost of their coverage. For years, Rhode Island state employees have been contributing to their health care, which is fair. But what I do not think is fair is that legislators, who are basically part-time state employees, get to choose to pay or not to pay,” he added.
Although GA members presently have the option of paying 5 percent to 20 percent, the average citizen is not so lucky. A study from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-profit health policy research website, found that Rhode Island has the third highest individual premium in New England, and is ranked in the top 5 in terms of most expensive plans nationally.
Senate Bill No. 2157 – Rethinking Quasi-Public Appointments
This week the Senate approved legislation introduced by Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. (D) that aims to reexamine the process in which appointments are made to quasi-public agencies. Although quasi-public agencies are one step removed from government departments, they still work for the state according to Sen. Tassoni. “As with other departments under the governor’s office, there needs to be a clear chain of command and an acknowledgement that the ultimate boss is the citizenry of the state,” said Sen. Tassoni.
Current law states that Gov. Chafee, without the consent of the GA, can make appointments to quasi-public agencies by himself. Sen. Tassoni’s bill would require that all appointments be made with the approval of the Senate. Sen. Tassoni’s logic is that requiring Senate approval would make the appointee accountable to the Senate and not just the governor.
“One way to give the citizens a say in who’s running the show at these agencies is to treat gubernatorial appointments the same as we do for state agencies – by requiring the advice and consent of the Senate,” said Sen. Tassoni.
Current Rhode Island quasi-public agencies include the Economic Development Corporation, the Airport Authority, RIPTA and the Resource Recovery Corporation.
House Bill No. 7301 – Beer and Wine Expansion in RI Farmers Markets
Have you ever wondered why farmers markets don’t sell items from local brewers? Well, Representatives Jared R. Nunes (D) and Teresa Tanzi (D) have and now they’ve decided to introduce legislation to rectify the situation. Although farmers markets seem to have every locally grown item imaginable, products from local brewers and winegrowers have been noticeably absent. Reps. Nunes and Tanzi argue that excluding local alcoholic beverages from farmers markets is limiting the state’s ability to tap into a new and profitable market.
“The way the law is currently, we’re barring some of our entrepreneurs from another opportunity to be successful in this state,” said Rep. Tanzi. “First, we opened the door to allow small-scale farmers to sell directly to consumers. More recently, we removed barriers for fishermen to do the same. The next logical step is to allow wineries and breweries the chance to thrive. Agriculture is one bright spot in our state’s economy, and it is time to get out of the way of small businesses trying to grow. We’re going to give this industry the tiny boost it needs to make a contribution to Rhode Island’s economic climate.”
If enacted, the bill would institute a farmer-brewer license, which would cost $1,000 annually for producing more than 50,000 gallons per year. Brewers producing less than 50,000 gallons will be required to pay $500 per year. Similar legislation has already been partially employed in neighboring states like Massachusetts and Vermont. New Hampshire has also just passed a bill that would allow farmers markets to sell products from nanobreweries and other local alcoholic beverage manufacturers.
House Resolution No. 7982 – “National Kick Butts Day”
This week also witnessed the GA’s continuing effort to curb smoking amongst the state’s youth. March 21 was named “National Kick Butts Day” in an attempt to raise awareness of teenage smoking in Rhode Island. The resolution comes two weeks after the Senate passed legislation to increase the state’s punishment for underage smoking. Not exclusively a Rhode Island message, National Kick Butts Day encourages youth from around the country to “stand up, speak up, and seize control against Big Tobacco.” The event is the brainchild of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, a leader in the fight to reduce tobacco use in the US and worldwide. 2012 marks the 17th anniversary of National Kick Butts Day.
The Rhode Island Department of Health indicates that approximately 1,400 children and teens under the age of 18 become daily smokers each year. An estimated 50 percent of these underage smokers will eventually die from a tobacco-related illness. Additionally, more than 50,000 children are exposed to secondhand smoke annually, thus increasing their risk of respiratory problems, asthma, cancer and death.
