PRESS RELEASE  Senate Minority Office                          

 

TIME FOR A VOTE ON PAY RAISES

 

STATE HOUSE, Providence, RI – Today, for the second time in barely a 6-month span, the Department of Administration conducted a hearing on Governor McKee’s request for pay raises for his cabinet directors.  In September, Governor McKee initially proposed raises of up to 43% for his cabinet but scaled back the amounts after facing criticism.  Now, the Governor is looking to raise salaries once again to bring directors closer to his original targeted salary increases.

 

“What has changed since September?” questioned Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz.  “Inflation is still stifling the ability of Rhode Island taxpayers to make ends meet.  Average Rhode Islanders can anticipate more staggering energy price hikes, increased interest rates have failed to cool demand for housing and have made home ownership more out of reach for many, and now the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history is adding to economic uncertainty.  But the Governor is still focused on raising salaries of highly paid political appointees.”

 

The McKee Administration defends these double-digit pay increases by comparing Rhode Island’s department directors’ salaries to those in other states. Senate Minority Whip Gordon Rogers responded, “Should we not also compare Rhode Island’s budget, population, and government effectiveness to those in other states? The Governor’s proposed budget increased despite his campaign rhetoric that it would not. And average hard-working Rhode Islanders are left to pay the price.

 

“The Senate Minority caucus has submitted several pieces of legislation to return money to the taxpayers. Each of those proposals have been met with the question of how does the state make up the cost of revenue,” stated Leader de la Cruz.  “Items that increase spending, such as substantial pay raises for top employees, warrant the same amount of scrutiny.”

 

Former President Trump wants the Manhattan District Attorney booted from office immediately. On his social media site Truth Social, Trump called Democrat Alvin Bragg "a danger to our Country." The call comes as a New York City grand jury considers whether to indict Trump in a case involving him and alleged money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to cover-up an affair.        The CEO of TikTok is facing a grilling on Capitol Hill as the U.S. considers banning the popular app. Today, a House committee focused on concerns about the app's data privacy, protections for kids, and connection to the Chinese Communist Party. Members grilled the CEO over videos on the site like the "blackout challenge" that has led to death of some young children.        Don't cut the Pentagon's budget. That's the message the nation's defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff delivered to a House committee. General Mark Milley specifically cited a cut in military readiness should lawmakers slash the budget.        Protests are turning violent in Paris as folks again protest a measure to raise France's retirement age. Tear gas had to be used by authorities today in the French capital. France's president defended his decision to implement the bill, saying he doesn't enjoy the measure, but insisted he had to take action.        A bill that limits gender-affirming treatment care for minors is set to become law in Georgia. Republican Governor Brian Kemp signed the bill Thursday, saying it would "ensure we protect the health and wellbeing of Georgia's children." S-B 140 outlaws licensed medical professionals from providing patients under the age of 18 with hormone therapy or surgery related to gender transition.        Beyonce and Adidas are ending their creative partnership. The singer's custom clothing line Ivy Park fell 210-million-dollars below its projected sales in 2022. This year's sales predictions were shifted from 335 million down to just 65-million, but so far it doesn't look like the brand will reach those numbers.