May 23, 2008

Rhode Island Politics

A Glimpse of the Problem's Roots

Justin Katz

This factoid, coming out of the revolt in Tiverton, keeps ringing in my ears:

... Mr. Cotta and other officials said that legally the school budget cannot be cut below what it was for this year...

Is that true? If so, it's insane! Efficiencies, need, and priorities can't shift? I'll have to look into that one and add it to the top 10 list of Laws That Must Change in Rhode Island.

5:58 AM | TrackBack (0)
Comments, although monitored, are not necessarily representative of the views Anchor Rising's contributors or approved by them. We reserve the right to delete or modify comments for any reason.

Presumably, what he means is, if the budget is not held level, the town would breach the legal obligation of existing labor contracts.

If there literally is such a law, you're right, Justin. That would be insane.

Posted by: Monique at May 23, 2008 7:45 AM


See http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE16/16-7/16-7-23.HTM

Posted by: willp at May 23, 2008 8:44 AM

Of course they can cut more. All they'd have to do is go back to the teachers and tell them they need to re-negotiate the contract. Sure, that's next to impossible to do, but it has been done in other towns. Of course no one wants that hassle. That requires guts and leadership.

Posted by: Huh? at May 23, 2008 12:57 PM

Better yet, keep the Contract if the Union so desires, but layoff as many teachers as possible.

Then will see if the Union is "all for one and one for all" or if they are all about eating their own. I think we already know it's the latter.

Posted by: George Elbow at May 23, 2008 11:26 PM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?

Important note: The text "http:" cannot appear anywhere in your comment.