The Smith Hill Report

Make the Call

The Rhode Island Board of Education will be making a decision on the renewal of the Commissioner’s contract on June 6.  Anyone who wants to let Governor Chafee know their opinion about Commissioner Gist’s contract renewal and the current direction of education in our State can contact him at 222-2080.

The Quiet Before the Storm

There were no committee hearings this week on bills which the RIFTHP had an interest.  That is not an indication that things are not happening at the Assembly.  On the contrary, there is considerable activity behind the scenes as the House Finance Committee prepares to adopt a State Budget for the next fiscal year starting July 1.  The Committee may put forth its plan as early as next week.

We are working on issues related to the state budget to:

• Ensure proper pension funding by opposing a Chafee proposal to not put $12.9 million into the fund.
• Fund the education funding formula and possibly accelerate increases for under-funded districts.
• Increase aid for higher education in addition to the $6 million increase proposed by the Governor to fund programs and permit avoiding further tuition increases.
• Increase funding for the developmentally disabled.
• Prevent future adjunct faculty from losing social security coverage with the adoption of an alternative pension plan.

Mayoral Charter School Approvals

The RIFTHP testified in support of legislation that would allow local communities to reject mayoral charter school applications that impact their local school districts.  The hearing on S0312 was reported in a previous issue of the Smith Hill Report.

The Senate Education Committee was poised to move the legislation when a flurry of phone calls to the Senate by misinformed charter school advocates caused them to amend the bill in a way that did not empower local school committees and councils to have authority over their community’s participation in proposed mayoral academy charter schools.  The amended bill, S0312 Sub A, was on the Senate calendar but was sent back to Committee after the RIFTHP offered an amendment to the bill.

The Senate Education Committee will continue to work on the issue.  The travel of this bill is indicative of the power of phone calls to convince politicians to take action. 

Voucher Bill Introduced

A school voucher bill was introduced by Representative Elaine Coderre and Representative Arthur Corvese.  The bill, H6131, would permit parents sending their children to private schools to use taxpayer money to subsidize private and parochial school education.  The legislation would decimate school budgets and further weaken state and local support for community public school districts.

The legislation was introduced on behalf of the Catholic School Parents Federation.  It is modeled on legislation drafted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a corporate-funded group dedicated to diminishing rights and benefits of public sector workers.  More information about ALEC can be found at the website ALECExposed.com 

A hearing on the voucher bill may be coming up soon in the House Finance Committee.

Tax Equity Advocacy Needed

The RIFTHP has been a strong and consistent leader in an effort to enact a more fair tax system by raising income taxes on the wealthy.  The Speaker recently indicated an open mind to the possibility of increased revenue by raising income taxes on the wealthy (see story here)

More information and an opportunity to contact your Senator and Representative by email is available by visiting the Rhode Islanders for Tax Equity website at ritaxequity.com.

Payday Lending

The RI AFL-CIO is part of a large community coalition that is supporting legislation that would cap the interest rate charged by payday loan lenders.  Under current law, these storefront loan agents can charge the equivalent of 260% of interest per year.  The legislative proposal is to cap that rate at 36% per year.

The bill has a majority of representatives as cosponsors yet it is stalled in committee.  Members interested in advocating for this sensible reform can contact their legislators through the coalition website at ripayday.org.