PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns strongly urges the Rhode Island Senate to vote "no" on evergreen contracts and binding arbitration bills scheduled for a vote tomorrow (S 2244, S 2416 and S 2417). The League of Cities and Towns strongly opposes these bills because they undermine the ability of municipal officials to manage personnel costs, leading to higher costs for the taxpayers.

“If Rhode Islanders think they are feeling pain at the pump now, just wait until municipal employee contracts go on indefinitely and unelected arbitrators award multi-million-dollar contracts" said League President and North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi. "Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns strongly urge the Rhode Island Senate to vote no on the evergreen contract bills and binding arbitration bill scheduled for a vote on Tuesday, April 12. The Senate is eliminating the ability of municipal officials to manage personnel contracts and costs"

Lombardi added "These financial giveaways will negatively impact the fiscal health of municipalities across the state and place further financial burden on taxpayers.”

Senate bills 2417 and 2416 will expand lifetime contracts to municipal police and fire. Senate bill 2244 expands binding arbitration for municipal employees. The bill takes fiscal and budgetary authority away from local elected officials’ and empowers unelected arbitrators with no knowledge of local conditions or the community’s ability to pay.

The vote comes only days after a major victory for the League in its lawsuit opposing similar legislation passed two years ago. On March 25, there was a significant victory for cities and towns when Judge Lanphear ruled in favor of Rhode Island communities in denying the Defendant’s motion to dismiss on Count I, violation of the Contracts Clause, in the on-going lawsuit. In light of the ongoing litigation in this area, the General Assembly should not be expanding contract continuation laws.

The Rhode Island Senate is schedule to vote on these bills on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. For their schedule, click here.

For an overview of the bills and the League's letter to the Senate, click here.

About the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns:
Founded in 1968, the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns is a municipal membership organization that serves as the unified voice of local government in Rhode Island. Learn more at www.RILeague.org