PLAN PRESENTED TO ELIMINATE SAKONNET TOLL, FUND RI BRIDGE MAINTENANCE

This comprehensive plan crafted by East Bay legislators eliminates the rationale for tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge, while also creating a responsible system to fund bridge maintenance across the State. Except for those with a vested interest in using economy-harming tolls as an unlimited "revenue stream" to fund redundant agencies, it's hard to see how any elected official can now justify defying the will of the people and reject this plan.

This plan gives our State officials an opportunity to not only eliminate an unpopular and destructive "tax", but to also meet a longstanding goal of creating a fair, sustainable means of maintaining our bridges. And it's an opportunity for all who oppose tolls and support responsible bridge-maintenance to let elected officials and candidates alike know that their stance on this issue will be remembered in 2014 and beyond.

http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20140211/NEWS/140218937

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

VAST WELCOMES YOUR VIEWS / COMMENTS

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To submit a post to this blog or to become a regular contributor, send an email to: brianmedeiros@cox.net

You can also join in the effort and discussion at the VAST Facebook page (search: Voters Against Sakonnet Tolls).

TOLL ALTERNATIVES TO BE PRESENTED TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The Commission considering toll alternatives has ended, and there are now several options that the General Assembly can choose to responsibly & fairly fund bridge maintenance across the State, without destructive Sakonnet tolls.

It's up to those who oppose these tolls to make the political process work by letting State leaders, and 2014 candidates, know that there will be political consequences for those failing to stand up for East Bay residents & businesses.

http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20140127/NEWS/140126547

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

BRIDGE/TOLL COMMISSION CONCLUDES WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION

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

TOLL SUPPORTERS LOOK AT SAKONNET BRIDGE USERS AS "REVENUE STREAM" TO BAIL OUT RITBA & RIDOT

Those with a self-interest in Sakonnet tolls continue to try to use the enormity of the infrastructure problem to disguise what's really going on (see link below). If the State faces a $100 million need, how will failing to create a Statewide maintenance process help? Will users of the Sakonnet Bridge be forced to pay for the rest of the State, as well as to keep the quasi-public RI Turnpike & Bridge Authority afloat? How will crushing the East Bay's economy help the State's finances? 

The only responsible course is to create a non-toll, Statewide maintenance process, and we the voters need to make clear it's also the only politically viable course.

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x140442603/East-Bay-Bridge-Commission-maintains-that-toll-on-Sakonnet-River-Bridge-is-still-unfair

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

BRIDGE-MAINTENANCE COMMISSION MEETS TO CONSIDER TOLL ALTERNATIVES

The Commission examining bridge-maintenance funding will soon put out its recommendation, hopefully one that would create a non-toll, Statewide bridge-maintenance program. Those interested in being heard on this issue can attend their Thursday, Dec. 19 meeting, and/or send a written statement to the Commission. 

As decision time nears, every voice in support of our local Senators & Representatives efforts to eliminate Sakonnet tolls and put in place a fair, non-destructive maintenance system is important.

http://www.eastbayri.com/news/bridge-panel-meets-thursday/

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

EAST BAY LEGISLATORS CONFIDENT SAKONNET TOLLS WILL BE ELIMINATED

It's great to see our East Bay legislators united in working all-out to both eliminate Sakonnet tolls and put in place a fair, responsible, non-toll Statewide process to maintain our bridges. And while it's also great to see increasing confidence that the RI Legislature will do the right thing, it's crucial to not let up the effort until the toll-equipment is actually removed from the Sakonnet Bridge once and for all.

All who oppose these tolls should do their part to stay informed and support our local officials' efforts. Every voter can add his/her voice to the effort to make clear to all elected officials outside the East Bay that there is no benefit to supporting the destructive, unfair Sakonnet Bridge tolls, or failing to create a responsible Statewide bridge-maintenance program.

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x2132763744/East-Bay-R-I-legislators-confident-that-Sakonnet-River-Bridge-tolls-will-soon-be-gone

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI