Projo Politics Blog

PROVIDENCE -- More than 50 people turned out this afternoon to testify before the House Finance Committee on proposed cuts in local aid and education spending.

But the hearing is far from over. Lawmakers predict it could extend late into the evening as more than two dozen people wait at this hour to testify.

The afternoon started with impassioned pleas from mayors of Rhode Island communities big and small. One by one, they testified about the "devastating, devastating impact" of a plan to cut more than $55 million in general revenue sharing money to cities and towns.

Pawtucket Mayor James Doyle said his city may face bankruptcy -- or at least the possibility of not making payroll as early as April 15 -- if the cuts go through.
"With only five months to go [in the fiscal year], we can't cut our way out of this," Doyle told the Finance Committee.

But committee members including Chairman Steven M. Costantino, D-Providence, questioned just how aggressive local leaders have been in trying to trim expenses.

Mayor David N. Cicilline of Providence said the capital city has been trying to reduce costs but hasn't yet found enough money to make up for the millions the state has proposed taking.

But the majority of those who crowded into the basement committee room today -- and still wait there now -- wished to speak on a different proposal altogether: the proposed elimination of school bus monitors.

 Tags  Rhode Island House Finance Committee school bus monitors spending cuts state aid

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