RI Truckers Blast Revenue Projections in Tolling Proposal
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RI Truckers Blast Revenue Projections in Tolling Proposal
Bill Fisher, spokesperson for the RITA, said Wednesday that he is "seriously concerned" with the toll plan timing, and questioned the state's revenue projections based on the request.
“So now we know the state asked permission to toll on the undersides of bridges, and the Feds said no,” said Fisher. “Why would [the Administration] look to skirt federal law if they weren't concerned about revenue projections?"
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBond Obligations in Focus
RITA issued the following statement after the letters had been made public on Wednesday.
"The fact that the state is just now receiving clarity on how toll revenue can be expended reinforces our belief that the original toll plan was moving far too fast and had not been properly vetted. We also find it troubling, as should lawmakers that DOT is seeking to go beyond the scope of the federal exemption to toll trucks going under bridges. It begs the question if the original plan will generate enough revenue to pay back the bonds," wrote Fisher on behalf of RITA.
RITA went on to blame the DOT -- rather than the truckers - for the current situation.
The Administration pointed to the correspondence as supporting its plan, following the release earlier in October by the Governor’s office of the economic impact study conducted by REMI.
“As we’ve said all along, the authority to assess user fees already exists in federal law,” said Marie Aberger in the Governor’s office, referencing the letter from the FHWA to Director Alviti “clearly reiterating this.” READ THE LETTER HERE
“[The] second letter from FHWA to Director Alviti…makes it clear how the revenue from the toll on a bridge can be used: if a bridge that's been tolled has been repaired or reconstructed, and if the state certifies that it has the resources to keep it maintained, funds generated from a gantry located on that bridge can be used to repair another bridge,” said Aberger. “[FHWA]…expressed their continued support for RIDOT identifying alternative revenue sources, including tolls (as we are currently over- reliant on federal funds).” READ THE LETTER HERE
Fisher countered however that the “revenue projections” are not there.
“We’d be on the hook for these bonds,” said Fisher. "We're saying charge us more in fees, focus on the diesel tax. We're worried about what no one has talked about, and that's evasion. It's a big deal because you don't need to go through Rhode Island to drive from New York to Boston. We still have to make the bond payments. These guys have computer programs that incorporate the fees and tolls. The burden is being placed on the local guys."
“We're just looking for more vetting of the situation,” continued Fisher. “Look, the economic impact study didn't address the cost to consumer goods -- no one said it wasn't going to create jobs. That wasn't the concern.”
READ THE ALVITI LETTER of October 13, 2015
READ THE ALVITI LETTER of September 29, 2015
On October 7, the Republican Policy Group released their road repair plan that they said would levy no new fees or tolls.
“Unfortunately, without taking the time necessary for a thorough analysis, Speaker Mattiello dismissed the Republican’s responsible plan to fix Rhode Island’s bridges. While there is always a political edge in the General Assembly, the Office of Speaker must transcend partisan politics – and we all must put electioneering aside when we consider issues that profoundly affect our economic stability and public safety," said Representative Patricia Morgan in a statement. "We remain committed to open dialogue with all, regardless of political affiliation, in order to reach common ground and stop the damage that tolls and massive debt financing will wreak on our state's taxpayers, consumers, small businesses and trucking industry."
The Center for Freedom and Prosperity, which recently released its alternative P3 Policy Paper, in which it proposed a delivery model that would be a “private sector partner who wins an open bidding process would self-finance and deliver all specified construction upgrades and maintenance services in exchange for a guaranteed revenue flow from the state over a defined period of time.”
“No response or curiosity was expressed by the Speaker's office after it received an advanced copy of the P3 policy paper released last week by the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity that could deliver the Governor's ambitious bridge and road upgrade project in a safer, timelier, and less costly manner, and with less debt and risk under a proven model that has been successfully deployed in many other states,” said Mike Stenhouse, CEO for the Center.
Top 50 Business Delinquent Taxpayers
50.
Business Name: Gina R. Durante DBA New 2-U Consignment Store
Business Address: PO Box 8833 Cranston RI 02920
Amount Owed: $75,146
49.
Business Name: Gary Branch DBA Branch Woodworking
Business Address: 500 Wood St. Bristol RI 02809
Amount Owed: $76,731
48.
Business Name: American Window Enterprises Inc.
Business Address: 20 School Street Rehoboth MA 02769
Amount Owed: $77,849
47.
Business Name: Jamestown Tavern LLC
Business Address: 580 Weetanoe Street Fall River MA 02720
Description: The tavern, which was located in Jamestown, was reportedly closed in 2013 after its liquor license was pulled.
Amount Owed: $78,301
46.
Business Name: Newgrange International Inc.
Business Address: 600 Putnam Pike Greenville RI 02828
Amount Owed: $80,283
45.
Business Name: Bird Incorporated
Business Address: 750 East Swedesford Road Valley Forge PA 19482
Description: Bird Incorported was founded in the mid-1790s, when George Washington was in his second term. Today it is best known as a manufacturer of roofing shingles and vinyl siding.
Amount Owed: $81,742
44.
Business Name: AA Thrifty Services Inc.
Business Address: 17 Paolino Circle Scituate RI 02857
Description: A sign and awning design and fabrication company. Its business registration with the state was revoked in 2011.
Amount Owed: $83,944
43.
Business Name: Applebee's International Inc.
Business Address: 450 N. Brand Blvd 7th Floor Glendale CA 91203
Description: With more than 2,000 locations worldwide and $4.5 billion in sales in the United States alone, Applebee's is among one of America's most popular restaurant chains.
Amount Owed: $85,625
42.
Business Name: CDE Corporation
Business Address: 15 Greenhill Rd. Johnston RI 02919
Description: A local demolition and debris removal contractor.
Amount Owed: $85,813
41.
Business Name: SCI Funeral & Cemetery Purchasing
Business Address: 1929 Allen Parkway Houston TX 77019
Description: A Fortune 500 company that had $2.9 billion in revenues last year, SCI describes itself as the "largest provider of funeral and cemetery services" with 4,500 locations in 20 countries, according to its Web site.
Amount Owed: $88,014
40.
Business Name: Wayne Prolux DBA East Bay Flooring
Business Address: 628 Metacom Ave. Warren RI 02885
Amount Owed: $92,125
39.
Business Name: Robert Cucino Jr.
Business Address: 14 Sallsbury Rd. Foster RI 02825
Description: Robert Cucino, Jr. is the president of the Cucino Corp., a heavy truck hauler based in Johnston.
Amount Owed: $95,495
38.
Business Name: Floortech Industries LLC
Business Address: 2 Navaho Dr. Canton MA 02021
Amount Owed: $97,989
37.
Business Name: Affordable Lanscape Concepts Corp.
Business Address: 296 Simmonsville Ave. Johnston RI 02919
Amount Owed: $98,517
36.
Business Name: Off Track Bedding Ltd.
Business Address: 209 Cambridge Lane Nicholasville KY 40356
Amount Owed: $104,643
35.
Business Name: Pytko Construction Corp.
Business Address: 654 Eddie Dowling Highway North Smithfield RI 02896
Description: Owner Paul Pytco last year pled guilty to conspiring to sell company equipment and conceal the sales from the IRS in order to pay off more than $1 million in alread-accumulated back taxes, according to an FBI news release.
Amount Owed: $107,144
34.
Business Name: Highway Construction Serv Inc.
Business Address: PO Box 40369 Providence RI 02940
Amount Owed: $107,404
33.
Business Name: America House Comm Ltd.
Business Address: 28 Jacome Way Middletown RI 02842
Description: A yacht design firm with more than $1 million in sales a year.
Amount Owed: $111,026
32.
Business Name: Contemporary Telephone Group Inc.
Business Address: 72 Reservoir Avenue Providence RI 20907
Description: A 30-year local business that provides voice mail and other telephone services, according to its Web site.
Amount Owed: $112,632
31.
Business Name: Symmetry International Inc.
Business Address: 55 Industrial Circle Lincoln RI 02865
Description: A local manufacturing firm of exhibits, sculptures, and other products ranging from a 28-foot tall Optimus Prime statue to set pieces for the movie Zookeeper.
Amount Owed: $112,930
30.
Business Name: Stephanie Masoian DBA Delicacies
Business Address: 108 Whitewood Dr. Cranston RI 02920
Amount Owed: $114,565
29.
Business Name: EZ Mart LLC DBA Diamond Hill Market
Business Address: 1166 Washington St. Weymouth MA 02189
Amount Owed: $118,318
28.
Business Name: CSCS Inc., FKA Strategic Supply Chain Inc.
Business Address: 59 Greenhill Street West Warwick RI 02893
Description: A national supply chain services company with headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Amount Owed: $118,366
27.
Business Name: JH Prestige Granite Countertops Inc.
Business Address: 940 Wellington Ave. Cranston RI 02910
Amount Owed: $118,597
26.
Business Name: Freedom Funding Group Inc.
Business Address: 591 Main St. East Greenwich RI 02818
Amount Owed: $132,588
25.
Business Name: Athens 2005 Inc.
Business Address: 828 Lake Avenue N. Apt. #6 Delray Beach Fl 33483
Amount Owed: $133,530
24.
Business Name: Conversent Communications LLC
Business Address: 5 Wall St. Burlington VT 01803
Amount Owed: $134,405
23.
Business Name: Bradford Printing & Finishing LLC
Business Address: 2540 Claire Marsh Rd. Seabrook Island SC 29455
Description: A local military uniform manufacturer located in the Westerly area. It reportedly went out of business in 2011. (It's business address is where its former executive vice president lived.)
Amount Owed: $142,000
22.
Business Name: Adla LLC
Business Address: PO Box 40369 Providence RI 02940
Amount Owed: $144,536
21.
Business Name: Precision Granite Works Inc.
Business Address: 14 Audrey Street Warwick RI 02886
Amount Owed: $152,012
20.
Business Name: Greystone Equipment LLC
Business Address: 154 Sylvan Drive East Greenwich RI 02818
Amount Owed: $162,176
19.
Business Name: Alves Productions Inc.
Business Address: 327 Barton St Pawtucket RI 02860
Description: A local liquor store.
Amount Owed: $164,880
18.
Business Name: Amore Inc.
Business Address: 27 Porter Pond Road Moosup CT 06354
Amount Owed: $167,103
17.
Business Name: DBC Occupations Unlimited Inc.
Business Address: 61 Hewett Street Warwick RI 02886
Description: A local employment agency.
Amount Owed: $185,933
16.
Business Name: RAF Corporation
Business Address: 501 Roosevelt Ave. #207 Central Falls RI 02863
Amount Owed: $209,460
15.
Business Name: Capco Steel LLC
Business Address: 55 Holly Hill Lane Cranston RI 02921
Description: A leading regional steel manufacturer that has experienced a series of well-publicized difficulties after a $5 million state-backed loan failed to help the business offset a loss of $85 million in contracts during the recession.
Amount Owed: $213,203
14.
Business Name: ADF Incorporated
Business Address: Po Box 40369 Providence RI 02940
Amount Owed: $272,300
13.
Business Name: Quality Concrete Corp
Business Address: 114 Martin St. Rehoboth MA 02769
Amount Owed: $283,306
12.
Business Name: So Fresh So Clean LLC
Business Address: 140 Vandewater Street Providence RI 02908
Amount Owed: $285,693
11.
Business Name: The Potting Shed Inc.
Business Address: 711 Union Street Portsmouth RI 02871
Description: A local gardening shop.
Amount Owed: $307,733
10.
Business Name: Coastal Recycling Inc.
Business Address: 71 Great Road North Smithfield RI 02896
Amount Owed: $372,363
9.
Business Name: Regal Auto Body& Radiator Work Inc.
Business Address: 135 Adirondack Drive East Greenwich RI 02818
Description: A local auto body shop based in Pawtucket (despite an official East Greenwich address). Its business registration has been revoked by the state.
Amount Owed: $389,242
8.
Business Name: Builders Resource Inc.
Business Address: 154 Sylvan Drive East Greenwich RI 02818
Amount Owed: $411,380
7.
Business Name: Richard D'Ambra DBA Mr. Flowers
Business Address: 9 Bowling Lane Bradford RI 02808
Description: A local flower shop.
Amount Owed: $527,584
6.
Business Name: Northeast Concrete Products LLC
Business Address: P. O. Box 2189 Plainville MA 02762
Description: A regional construction firm that offers precast concrete for stormwater and ulility projects.
Amount Owed: $608,530
5.
Business Name: Edward S. Johnson D/B/A Johnson's Boat Works
Business Address: 1128 Narragansett Boulevard Cranston RI 02905
Description: Johnson's Boat Works bills itself as New England's number one repair shop for Yanmar engines, a Japanese brand. The company offers other repair, restoration, and replacement services and also hauls and stores boats for customers.:
Amount Owed: $638,925
4.
Business Name: United Convenience & Petroleum Inc.
Business Address: 91 Modena Ave. Providence RI 02908
Description: A local gas station whose state registration has been revoked.
Amount Owed: $683,591
3.
Business Name: RI Marble & Granite Inc.
Business Address: 35 Terminal Road Providence RI 02905
Description: A marble and granite manufacturer and contractor that serves homes and businesses.
Amount Owed: $1,028,778
2.
Business Name: Frank J. Ogarek DBA Access O/F Group
Business Address: 17 Riverwoods Ct Rumford RI 02916
Amount Owed: $1,148,372
1.
Business Name: S & P Temporary Help Services Inc.
Business Address: 17 Florence Ave Lowell MA 01851
Description: S&P was a temp agency. In 2010, its owner, Cheang Chea, was sentenced to two years in prison for failing to pay millions in payroll taxes for the some hundreds of temp workers he had provided to 30 local businesses.
Amount Owed: $4,284,023
