Fenton-Fung Slams Hopkins Over Cranston Taxes and Spending, Mayor Blames Deficit Left By Fung

Fenton-Fung Slams Hopkins Over Cranston Taxes and Spending, Mayor Blames Deficit Left By Fung

Cranston Republican mayor candidate Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung issued a statement on Tuesday blasting sitting Mayor Ken Hopkins for his financial management.

“Thousands of Cranstonians are lining up to pay their taxes this week and are met with the harsh reality of Ken Hopkins’s fiscal mismanagement.  This is the third year in a row taxpayers have had to shell out more money from their pocketbooks – some a lot more due to their housing re-evaluations,” said Fenton-Fung.  

“Ken Hopkins has been unable or unwilling to rein in frivolities like tens of thousands of dollars in office renovations and numerous SUVs for him and his staff, and has added over $18 million dollars in spending to the city budget versus when he was sworn into office,” she added. 

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“Why does Ken want to pass the buck when it comes to protecting the pocketbooks of Cranstonians?  I call on Ken Hopkins to immediately release the details of his plan to give the schools their own taxing authority, so we can fully vet this issue during an issue-driven campaign.  Taxpayers deserve to know what his secret plan will mean for their bottom line,” said Fenton-Fung, who presently serves as a State Representative for District 15.

 

Hopkins Fires Back

“My opponent has once again misrepresented the facts in a desperate attempt to prop up her failing campaign. The clear major success of my administration has been restoring the fiscal health of the city after the neglect of her husband [Allan Fung] running around the state campaigning in two failed attempts for Governor,” said Hopkins.

Hopkins blames a $7.6 million deficit he inherited when taking office and claims he reduced the size of city government with the elimination of 24 positions.

He cited that Cranston had a $4 million surplus in the past fiscal year.