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1/27/2017
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Sens. Morgan, Paolino co-sponsor line-item veto initiative
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STATE HOUSE – Senators Elaine J. Morgan, (R-Dist. 34, Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond, West Greenwich), and Thomas J. Paolino (R-Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield), have co-sponsored legislation that would give voters a chance to vote on a constitutional amendment that would allow the governor to utilize a line-item veto in the state budget.
“This legislation gives the governor power to reject specific portions of the state budget if it is amended by the Assembly,” said Senator Morgan. “As it stands, she is only able to accept or reject the entire plan as a whole.”
Paolino said Senate bill (2017-S 0051) will help give Rhode Islanders an open and accountable government.
“Instead of the governor accepting or rejecting the spending plan wholesale, allowing a line-item veto will allow taxpayers to see where spending priorities are,” Paolino said.
Morgan and Paolino said that allowing the line-item veto, in addition to allowing the governor and Assembly to target specific spending, will foster better communication between the legislature and the governor’s office.
The bill’s primary sponsor is Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis, (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich, East Greenwich). It now goes before the Senate Committee on Judiciary for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Katie Haughey Cardoza, Senate Minority Office
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2708
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