Taxpayer Group Renews Call for Removal of NEA Official

Taxpayer Group Renews Call for Removal of NEA Official

The state’s largest taxpayer group tells GoLocalProv that Governor-elect Lincoln Chafee’s decision to keep NEA Executive Director Bob Walsh on his transition team is a “troubling miscalculation.”

The statement issued by the Rhode Island Statewide Coalition is the latest round in a controversy surrounding Walsh and the state chapter of the NEA after one of his top officials was arrested earlier this week for allegedly impersonating a state rep with a false e-mail account.

“We believe that Governor-elect Chafee's insistence that there is no reason for his transition team to distance itself from Walsh and NEARI leadership right now is a troubling miscalculation,” RISC spokeswoman Harriet Lloyd told GoLocalProv. “The nature of the allegations against a top NEARI official working right under Bob Walsh creates a very bad perception problem for his continued role on the team shaping a new administration.”

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RISC points to Chafee’s stance on public corruption

Earlier yesterday, RISC had issued a statement calling on Chafee to remove Walsh from his transition team.

“Governor-Elect Chafee consistently cited public corruption in Rhode Island as a primary problem for moving the state forward during his campaign,” said RISC spokeswoman Harriet Lloyd. “The nature of this week’s arrest, involving alleged illegal campaign activity by a top official of the statewide teachers’ union, makes it highly inappropriate for the incoming Governor to allow NEARI leadership to be involved in shaping key decisions for the launch of the new administration.”

Chafee: Walsh a ‘valued member’ of transition committee

Chafee refused, issuing the following response: “Robert A. Walsh, Jr. is a valued member of my Transition Advisory Committee. He represents an important perspective on critical issues that the State of Rhode Island is currently confronting. My transition team includes a wide range of members with experience in labor, business, education, social services and government," Chafee said. "I value each individual’s contribution. I look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Walsh when he returns from medical leave.”