By Sam Wroblewski 630wpro.com
Governor Gina Raimondo says she is concerned about legislation making its way through the State House which would allow fire unions to collectively bargain shift structure. The legislation was proposed following Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza’s proposal to restructure city platoon shifts.
Critics of House Bill 5473 and companion Senate Bill 0533 say the legislation would take away municipalities’ rights to manage the costs of their own services.
“I have very real concerns about any legislation which increases costs for cities and towns,” said Raimondo “Because that’s going to be passed on to the people in higher property taxes and working families right now can’t afford higher property taxes.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan McKee joined forces with Mayor Elorza and other municipal leaders against the proposed legislation saying it would hamstring local leaders.
“By stripping away our ability to freely manage a platoon structure in our respective departments, the General Assembly will be removing an essential method for controlling costs,” wrote McKee in a letter to House Speaker Mattiello and Senate President Tersa Paiva Weed.
Raimondo said it is too early to say whether or not she would veto the bills as they are still moving through committee.
The House and Senate are hearing both bills Tuesday afternoon.
