Rep. Morgan Demands Kilmartin Release Google Funds for School Safety
Monday, April 23, 2018
House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan is calling on the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General Peter Kilmartin to release nearly $23 million in Google settlement funds to upgrade security in Rhode Island schools.
“The Office of Attorney General was given $60 million in 2012 as part of the $230 million Google settlement for law enforcement purposes. Since then, the office has spent nearly two-thirds of the money on purchases that are much less important than our children and teachers’ safety, including high-end tablets and accessories, lapel pins, generator rentals, and a new $15 million ‘customer support center’ in Cranston,” said Morgan.
According to Morgan's press release, the state budget office estimates that about $23 million from the settlement funds has not been committed to future projects.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMorgan added, “The remaining $23 million should be given to our schools for security upgrades. I have been calling on the Attorney General’s Office to contribute these funds since February and have received nothing but hostile stonewalling.”
The Attorney General’s Office first attempted to charge me over $3,700 for documents detailing expenditures made with the settlement money. Under state law, as Minority Leader and member of the House finance committee, the Attorney General’s office is required to provide me with documents without a fee. I sent a letter detailing the law and their legal obligation almost four weeks ago on March 28th, and they have been unresponsive. It is disturbing that our chief law officer has such a callous disregard for his own responsibility to uphold the law.
Governor Raimondo has provided him with support, labeling the remaining funds ‘a drop in the bucket’. That’s hypocritical. I believe every school committee would welcome their share of the money to upgrade security at their schools. Dividing the remaining $23 million among our 306 public schools, provides each with $75,000. That will go a long way to keeping our children safe. It is a practical and essential step in preventing future tragedies.
Each school faces a unique set of challenges when it comes to school security. After speaking to school officials throughout Rhode Island, the districts will clearly benefit from additional funding for security upgrades. Being able to install automatic locks, bulletproof glass, or even active shooter detection systems would ensure our children are safe during the school day. The Attorney General must relinquish his pot of gold to protect our children.”
Related Slideshow: GoLocal: Benchmark Poll, October 2017
Related Articles
- Morgan Out Raises Fung for Quarter in GOP Battle, He Has More Cash on Hand
- Morgan Formally Declares for Gov., Says She Will Fight For the Middle Class on GoLocal LIVE
- Morgan Who Took RISP Cruiser Charged with 6 Counts and 2 Others Charged for Harboring
- Morgan Attending White House Meeting on Tax Reform on Thursday
- GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Morgan Says Tax Reform “Float All Boats”
- Morgan Questions $95 Million State Employee Pay Increase Under Raimondo’s State Employee Buyout Plan
- Morgan Says at GOP Event, “I Am Running for Governor”
- PawSox to Induct Morgan and Vaughn Into Hall of Fame on July 23
- GOP’s Morgan Exploring Run for Rhode Island Governor
- Senator Morgan Opposes National Grid’s 53% Rate Increase
- House Minority Leader Morgan Says “Polling Looks Good” for RI Gubernatorial Run
- Morgan Questions Effectiveness of RIDOT Spending for Providence Viaduct Bridge
- “Corruption, Hostile Business Climate, Poor Education” - RI House GOP Leader Morgan’s State of State
- “Retire in RI” - Morgan on RI House GOP Agenda on LIVE
- Morgan Calls on Kilmartin to Use Remaining Google Funds to Secure Schools
- Sen. Morgan to Host Workshop on Stopping Sexploitation
- Morgan Supports Trump’s Citizenship Question on Census—Fung Refuses Comment
- Rep. Morgan Receives Friend of Government Accountability Award
- LIVE: GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Morgan Questions “Where Fung Stands” on LIVE
- LIVE: Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, JPMorgan Healthcare Shakeup: “Nonprofit” is Key, Says Fine
- Fung and Morgan Refuse to Condemn Alleged Sexual Harassment By President of RI Young Republicans
- Democratic Governors Assn Blasts Fung, Morgan for Failing to Speak Out on Harassment