SAKONNET TOLLS AREN'T ABOUT MAINTENANCE, BUT ABOUT BAILING OUT RITBA

The Statewide transportation-funding proposal carefully created by East Bay legislators balances a number of concerns: it creates a reliable Statewide transportation funding system, it does so with mostly existing funds, and it does so without imposing new, economy-crushing tolls. RI Turnpike & Bridge Authority own words demonstrate that their primary concern isn't what the people or their representatives want, or what's best for the State, but receiving a taxpayer-funded bailout of their operations through tolls.

Rather than take responsibility for their financial situation and examine their own operations, RITBA is determined to force tolls to cover their shortfalls. Never mind that their efforts to kill the transportation-funding bill (see link below) will also kill the best chance for the State to finally create a transportation-funding system, the lack of which is why the infrastructure is in such bad shape in the first place.

The fact is that the proposed system would assure funds for proper maintenance without tolls. And most of the money collected on Sakonnet tolls would NOT be for maintenance of that bridge, but to bolster RITBA's operations elsewhere. RI legislators' focus needs to be on what's best for the people of RI, not RITBA's desire to balance it's books on the backs of taxpayers.

http://www.providencejournal.com/business/content/20140318-ri-turnpike-and-bridge-authority-threatens-to-give-sakonnet-river-bridge-back-to-state-if-higher-tolls-not-approved-april-1.ece

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

A DECADE OF THE SAKONNET TOLLS RUNAROUND

Some don't realize that the East Bay went through an extensive effort to stop tolls on the new Sakonnet Bridge a decade ago, and we were given ironclad assurances by State officials that there would be no tolls. The current administration decided to simply disregard those assurances, and the extensive work done in rejecting tolls. This senseless runaround the East Bay has faced since tolls were dredged back up 2 years ago (see link to article below) reinforces the negative perceptions many have about government: can we trust anything we're told by OUR state government?

http://www.eastbayri.com/news/government-politics/portsmouth-seeks-congressmens-help-over-tolls/

Brian Medeiros

Tiverton, RI

HOW MANY MILLIONS IN STATE REVENUE FROM NEWPORT GRAND WILL TOLLS COST RI?

Of the many economic downsides to the Sakonnet Bridge Toll, one of the starkest is the effect of tolls on Newport Grand. The State of RI derives millions of dollars in revenue from Newport Grand, much of it from patrons who travel across this bridge to get there. While no one can predict the exact hit Newport Grand will take, it's common sense to expect that potential patrons will be less likely to make the trip if they have to pay a toll (about $8 without an EZ-pass).

Potential Newport Grand customers to the south already have to pay tolls to cross the Newport Bridge to get there, leading many to instead visit the Connecticut casinos.With a new casino proposed for Fall River (link to story below), how many patrons from north of Aquidneck Island will pay a toll to travel to Newport when they can visit Fall River's casino without one?

From a simple economic standpoint, does it make any sense for State lawmakers to impose a toll that not only will hurt East Bay businesses and residents, but will contribute to the loss of millions in State revenue? Tolls on the Sakonnet Bridge are not only unfair and destructive to the East Bay, but are about as short-sighted and self-destructive an action as State government could implement, costing the State more than tolls could ever bring in. Any legislator supporting tolls should be prepared to explain how the State will replace the revenue lost from Newport Grand, not to mention lost tax revenue from East Bay businesses.

http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20140313/NEWS/140317825/?tag=3

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

HERALD NEWS EDITORIAL IN SUPPORT OF TRANSPORTATION-FUNDING BILL THAT WILL ELIMINATE SAKONNET TOLLS

A thoughtful Herald News editorial in support of the Statewide transportation-funding bill that will also eliminate Sakonnet Bridge tolls.

http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20140212/OPINION/140218493/0/SEARCH/?tag=2

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

OVERVIEW OF STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING / TOLL ELIMINATION BILL

This bill uses mostly existing state funding sources to create a reliable Statewide transportation funding system. It makes the economy-crushing and unfair (and possibly illegal, per testimony in the pending lawsuit) Sakonnet tolls unnecessary. It addresses the State's long-term maintenance issues without the collateral damage of tolls. What possible rationale is left for any elected official to reject this plan in favor of tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge?

http://www.eastbayri.com/news/bridge-bill-aims-to-knock-toll-off-the-table/

http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20140212-bills-would-raise-money-for-roads-and-bridges-abolish-sakonnet-river-toll.ece

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

BILL PRESENTED TO EXTEND SAKONNET "PLACEHOLDER" TOLL UNTIL TRANSPORTATION-FUNDING PLAN IS DECIDED

The first deadline in the process to eliminate tolls and implement a Statewide transportation-funding system is April 1. Unless legislation extending the "placeholder" 10-cent tolls is passed by then, RI Turnpike & Bridge Authority could implement their full toll scheme. 

With the transportation funding bill to be considered as part of the budget process in June, and a lawsuit that could also eliminate tolls still pending, it'd be irresponsible to not extend the "placeholder" period a few months until the process is completed. (link to Herald News article below)

http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20140303/NEWS/140309155

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

SAKONNET TIMES EDITORIAL: GOVERNOR'S DOUBLE-STANDARD ON TOLLS

An excellent editorial detailing the hypocrisy of those pushing Sakonnet Tolls as a fiscal necessity while refusing to use the same standard on any other bridge or transportation project in RI, or any other area of the State's operations.

http://www.eastbayri.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-debt-double-standard/

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI