The Commission looking into the funding of bridge-maintenance, formed to explore a Statewide process without tolls on the Sakonnet Bridge, has concluded its work. It's offering findings, but couldn't agree on a recommendation.
Not surprisingly, those with a vested interest in using East Bay drivers as an unlimited "revenue source" to bail out RI Turnpike & Bridge Authority's troubled finances had no interest in toll alternatives. Their argument amounts to, "We've mismanaged transportation funding to the point where we're looking at huge deficits, so let's use tolls on the Sakonnet Bridge as a means to bail us out." It's a view that's unbelievably shortsighted, unfair, and destructive to East Bay residents and businesses.
Plans to eliminate Sakonnet tolls and fund bridge-maintenance fairly across RI are now being formulated by our local Reps & Senators, and a General Assembly vote on tolls is coming soon. Now is the time to be as loud and united in our opposition to Sakonnet tolls as possible, to let all elected officials and Statewide candidates know that we will make sure primary voters know who stood up for the people and businesses of the East Bay, and who stood for a taxpayer-bailout of RITBA that will crush the local economy and local residents.
http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20140115/NEWS/140119175/?tag=2
Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI
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