video: Raimondo on PawSox, Vetoes, Trudeau Coming to RI, and More
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo said it would be "very difficult" to sign legislation that will make it easier for police officers and firefighters to get disability pensions that pay them two-thirds pay, tax-free for life -- and that while she has "concerns about everything" pertaining to the latest Pawtucket Red Sox legislation to build a new stadium on the Apex site, she is confident in Mayor Donald Grebien and city leaders' economic analysis.
Raimondo spoke with the press on a wide-ranging half-hour briefing Wednesday morning at the Department of Administration.
Disability Pensions
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Rhode Island House of Representatives voted 53-to-8 this week to approve legislation to equate an “illness sustained while in the performance of duty” with an on-the-job injury so more firefighters can qualify for benefits they have in the past been denied.
"I'm concerned with these bills - they’d weaken system for everyone, put more fiscal pressure on cities and towns. [We] have to protect taxpayers and pension system," said Raimondo. "The disability system is there for people who get disabled. We value the work of firefighters, if they get disabled the system should take care of them. I’m concerned about the “presumption “of disability [in the legislation] — it could be very expensive for cities and towns. [The bills] would be very difficult to sign in this current form."
PawSox Position
Raimondo commented on the recent proposal to provide a framework for state and Pawtucket assistance to have the Pawtucket Red Sox build a new stadium on the Apex site, which Speaker Mattiello said Tuesday could see a fall session of the Assembly for consideration.
Under the new legislation, Pawtucket would issue $15 million in revenue bonds, with the state’s contributing $23 million. The city’s share would be paid from real estate property tax, hotel tax, a tangible asset tax, food and beverage tax revenues and assessments generated in and around the downtown ballpark, secured in part by state aid payments to Pawtucket.
When asked if she had concerns that Pawtucket might not be able to backstop the bonds, Raimondo then offered the following.
"I have concerns about everything," said Raimondo. "They put a lot of effort into it — the mayor and the council are strongly behind it, and I’m confident that they’re right that this is an important economic development tool for the city."
National Governors Association Meeting, Paris Accord, and Burrillville
Raimondo spoke to the upcoming National Governors Association meeting taking place in Rhode Island in July -- dropping that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to attend.
"Justin Trudeau is coming," said Raimondo. "I signed on to the group of Governors — we and [others] states [are signing] along with the Paris Accord. I’d love to see if we can make some sort of statement. I’m hopeful we’ll have members of the Presidents cabinet, and senior officials from White House and Elon Musk might be coming."
When asked for her reaction to statements by environmentalists that her stance on the Paris Accord -- and the proposed Burrillville Invenergy power plant -- are in conflict, Raimondo said she "regretted putting her thumb on the scale" when she appeared to support the Invenergy deal at its announcement.
"I’m proud of my record on all that we’ve done to move Rhode Island further towards renewables and energy efficiency and jobs," said Raimondo. "We’ve done so much with the wind farm and extending the renewable energy standards to community solar."
"In Burrillville, we have to believe in the process. It’s out of my hands, it's before citing board, that's independent of me," said Raimondo. "They need to take into account water safety, climate change — if they feel that the environmental concerns can’t be mitigated or outweigh the energy costs, that's [their decision]."
"In retrospect, if [going to the press conference announcing Invenergy coming to Rhode Island] created the impression that I was putting a thumb on the scale — then I regret that," said Raimondo. "I am always anxious for folks to come here, companies to come here and invest here — I am so focused on that, now more than ever. I can’t peddle fast enough."
Related Slideshow: FY18 House Finance Budget
Related Articles
- RI’s Revenues Collapse: Raimondo Blames Trump, Mattiello Blames Raimondo: UPDATED
- My Position on Marijuana Legalization Has Evolved, Says Raimondo on GoLocal LIVE
- Chafee: Raimondo “Clueless” to Magnitude of Revenue Shortfall
- RI’s Failed Revenue Numbers Could Change the Governor’s Race for Raimondo
- Raimondo Appoints Beane, Hawkins to Lead Human Services
- Magaziner Announces RI has Withdrawn $340 Million From Hedge Funds, Strategy Shift from Raimondo
- Raimondo Names Rebecca Boss as Her Choice for Director of BHDDH
- ABC6’s “In The Arena” - Shekarchi Says May Not Be Enough Money to Fund Raimondo College Plan
- Chafee Steps Up Criticism of Raimondo’s Economic Development Policies
- Riley: Did Magaziner & Raimondo Invest in Vulture Hedge Funds?
- Siedle: Trailing Wreckage, Gina Raimondo Rising Star of Democratic Party?
- RI Commerce Vice Chair and Raimondo Appointee is Massachusetts Resident
- Governor Raimondo Has Had A Very Bad Ten Days
- Raimondo’s Economic Priorities Take the Biggest Cuts in the New Budget — Over $20M
- LIVE: Raimondo’s Mixed Signals on Paris & Burrillville, Bradford Dam Removal, and More
- Save the Bay Criticizes Raimondo and Mattiello for Budget Cuts to Environment
- Raimondo’s CCRI Free Tuition You Need a 2.5 GPA, But Free Diapers Requires a 3.0 GPA
- Raimondo Appoints Long to Superior Court
- Leading Progressive Democrat Unloads on Raimondo’s “Corrupt Right-Wing Machine”
- Chafee Says Raimondo is RI’s “Hillary Clinton”
- Raimondo Calls PawSox $38 Million Ask a “Good Deal” for RI Taxpayers
- Raimondo’s Husband Teaches at Brown & Other Interesting Disclosures in Latest RI Ethics Filings
- Fung Blasts Raimondo’s Record During Appearance on GoLocal LIVE
- Twin River Workers to Strike on Friday, RI Revenues Could Be Impacted, & Raimondo Monitoring
