Raimondo Signs Evergreen Contract Bill Into Law, Transmits Firefighter OT Bill Without Signature

Raimondo Signs Evergreen Contract Bill Into Law, Transmits Firefighter OT Bill Without Signature

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo on Tuesday took action on two major labor bills — signing into law the evergreen contract bill — and transmitted without her signature the firefighter overtime bill. 

READ: See Raimondo’s Letter Explaining Her Position on Evergreen Contracts BELOW

“Because the firefighter bills have no material impact on the status quo for any fire department and will only impact two departments in future years, the Governor does not consider them a substantial change over current policy and transmitted them without her signature," said Josh Block in Raimondo's office. 

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Opponents Respond

"The number one driver of the Ocean State's declining population and jobs numbers -  are high property taxes. Our Public Union Excesses report clearly connects high property taxes with the excessively high costs of collectively bargained government services. This new ever-green contracts law will keep property taxes ever-high,” said Mike Stenhouse, CEO for the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity on the "perpetual (evergreen) contracts" legislation that was signed into law today. 

“We continue to give an unfair advantage to the wealthiest and most connected insiders of the population, and now these special-interest groups come before the Rhode Island people and saying we don't have enough ... and we want more? This is outrageous!” said Stenhouse.