WPRO News
Lawyers for retirees’ unions filed papers late Friday with the Rhode Island Supreme Court, appealing a decision by a Superior Court judge, refusing to delay the scheduled April 20 start of their lawsuit against the state over the 2011 pension overhaul.
A spokesman for the Supreme Court said that a duty judge would consider the appeal by the plaintiffs on Monday afternoon.
Public-sector unions and retirees are suing the state over the pension overhaul passed in 2011 spearheaded by then-Treasurer Gina Raimondo.
“It’s been more than a full year since the failed mediation, sufficient time in the court’s mind to try these cases,” said Judge Sarah Taft-Carter, sitting at Newport Superior Court.
The case is scheduled to begin on its designated trial date of April 20; if arguments are heard at all.
Governor Gina Raimondo has said she wants to resurrect a settlement deal to keep the state from moving to a costly trial; however there are only six short weeks until the trial date.
John Tarantino, the lawyer for the state, says he has heard not heard of any settlement talks. The original settlement proposed last year was rejected when police union members voted it down.
Raimondo said she respects the judge’s decision and will work hard to defend the state’s position.
The overhaul was designed to save Rhode Island $4 billion over 20 years.
