Projo Politics Blog

PROVIDENCE -- James C. Sheehan , D-North Kingstown, tried for months to return the waiver payment he received from the General Assembly for declining the free health insurance package to which he was entitled as a state legislator.

As a Warwick teacher Sheehan didn't need the state coverage, and he says he told the staff at the Joint Committee on Legislative Services he didn't want the $2,002 waiver payment either.

After the money was sent to him anyway, he wrote a check for the after-taxes amount of $1,415.76 to the "State of Rhode Island R.I. Treasury'' on December 22.

He sent it General Treasurer Frank Caprio's office with a note that said he tried to head off the waiver payment "in light of our state's fiscal state ... It came nonetheless by mistake. Therefore, I am submitting a check for the full after-tax amount... P.S. You're doing a great job!''

As of Thursday, the check had still not been cashed. A spokesman for Caprio said the check should have gone first to the payroll department of the legislative office that issued it in the first place, so staff there could forward it to the state controller's office known as "accounts and controls.''

Caprio spokesman Tim Gray said the treasurer's office tried to help by "contacting JCLS, then sending the check directly to accounts and controls [in January]. What happened to the check after that is the responsibility of accounts and controls at DOA.''

Legislative spokesman Larry Berman said he wasn't sure what happened along the way. But state controller Marc Leonetti provided this update on the wondering check late Friday: "The check was deposited today." He said it had been received by a staff member who was wrestling with serious family illness and "this contributed to the delayed deposit."

Related story: Is it time for R.I. legislators to pay for perks?

Your turn: Should state legislators pay part of their health insurance costs?

Interactive graphic: Are your local legislators paying a share of their health-care costs?

 Tags  General Treasurer Frank Caprio health coverage waiver Sen. James C. Sheehan

Comments

jimscotland53 said:

Has anyone asked if the "Don" has sent in his check or has he given back his check for not accepting the crappy state health care that his underlings had shoved down their throats. Ask the question as to whether or not he took the buy back, and what he did with this money.

Link | March 9, 2009 9:12 PM
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