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RI GOP Touts “No Toll” Bridge Repair Plan, Speaker Mattiello calls it “Recycled”, “Flawed”

The RI General Assembly Republican Policy Group released a bridge repair plan Wednesday morning, which they say contains no new tolls, taxes or fees, and providence more money for infrastructure repair and replacement than Governor Raimondo’s proposal, which relies heavily on borrowing and tolling.

According to the group, the plan “requires a long term commitment from the General Assembly that prioritizes bridge infrastructure.”

In a conversation with WPRO’s Matt Allen on Tuesday night prior to the plan’s release on Wednesday morning, Rep. Patricia Morgan (R-Coventry) said that she had a conversation with RIDOT Director Peter Alviti where he stated he “holds his breath” while crossing certain bridges in Rhode Island and that if nothing is done about it “people are going to get hurt.”

The GOP plan would refinance the bonds used to finance the I-195 “I-Way” relocation. According to the plan, by refinancing the bonds the state would receive $120 immediately, at a cost of $15 million.

The graphic below shows the difference between the Governor’s plan and the GOP’s:

The plan also assigns recent DMV fee increases such as inspection fees and license and registration renewals into a dedicated stream of funding for deficient bridges and roadways.

See the full proposed funding formula HERE.

On Wednesday afternoon, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello released the following statement in response to the proposal:

“This is Rep. Morgan’s recycled proposal supported by a minority of the minority caucuses. She didn’t have enough support last session to offer a budget amendment and now she is trying to keep her flawed plan alive.

“Unfortunately, she doesn’t identify the bulk of where the cuts would come from in the budget and she fails to recognize that there is an existing $150 million structural deficit heading into the next fiscal year.

“Her proposal takes significant money away from RICAP, which provides asset protection for existing state buildings such as those at our three colleges. So while some highway infrastructure may get fixed under her plan, our buildings will face costly repairs. Just as prior administrations have done, she fails to address capital needs and will leave a disaster for future generations.

“She also proposes to take money away from tax credit programs and marketing efforts which promote economic development. This proposal is not focused on moving our state’s economy forward. This plan also restricts our growth and keeps us from achieving our full potential as a state.

“She is double-counting the DMV fees. As a member of the Finance Committee, she should know that the DMV fees are already programmed for existing transportation spending and you can’t spend the same money twice.

“While we all agree that our roads and bridges need our attention, I am awaiting an economic analysis that was promised to us by the Administration so we can enact a responsible plan that will not negatively impact our economy. I have not accepted any plan at this time. I prefer an approach that produces a genuine, sustainable revenue source that helps us grow economically. The minority of the minority caucuses is more interested in making a political statement than working collaboratively to address our transportation infrastructure needs.”