STATE HOUSE – The decision to remove “and Plantations” from all official state documents should be left to the voters, Senator Elaine J. Morgan, (R-Dist. 34, Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond, West Greenwich), said today – and not be done by executive order.

“I support putting this question to the voters on November’s ballot,” Morgan said. “But to do this by executive order gives the impression that the governor does not trust Rhode Islanders to decide for themselves.”
Just as important, Morgan said, is the cost the state is facing by discarding all official stationery, citations, paychecks and more that have “and Plantations” on them.

“We are facing a historic deficit,” Morgan said. “I would like to see a fiscal note that explains just how much making this change immediately is costing Rhode Island taxpayers. Why are we throwing all these resources away when we can simply replace it with the name change once the supply is exhausted and we reorder?” "Wasting resources with a looming deficit is irresponsible." Morgan said.