FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATE HOUSE -- Representative Blake A. Filippi (R-District 36 Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly, New Shoreham) has co-sponsored a resolution requesting that Governor Gina M. Raimondo seek an advisory opinion from the Rhode Island Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the RhodeWorks law.
“As lawmakers elected to protect the People, it is critical to learn whether or not the RhodeWorks law violates our state and federal constitutions – before we move forward with construction of this multi-million dollar state-wide tolling network,” said Rep. Filippi.
“Governor Raimondo has the legal authority to request an opinion from the Supreme Court, an opinion the Supreme Court is mandated to provide pursuant to our state constitution. Once the court renders its decision, we will know whether or not the RhodeWorks law is lawful. If, on the other hand, the state first spends money to erect toll facilities, and tolls are later found to be unconstitutional, the taxpayers will be saddled with this debt, or the tolls may have to be expanded to other classes of vehicles to cure the legal deficiencies,” said Filippi.
“Therefore, obtaining this opinion before the state expends significant funds to erect this state-wide network of toll gantries is the only responsible way to proceed,” concluded Filippi.
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STATE HOUSE -- Representative Blake A. Filippi (R-District 36 Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly, New Shoreham) has co-sponsored a resolution requesting that Governor Gina M. Raimondo seek an advisory opinion from the Rhode Island Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the RhodeWorks law.
“As lawmakers elected to protect the People, it is critical to learn whether or not the RhodeWorks law violates our state and federal constitutions – before we move forward with construction of this multi-million dollar state-wide tolling network,” said Rep. Filippi.
“Governor Raimondo has the legal authority to request an opinion from the Supreme Court, an opinion the Supreme Court is mandated to provide pursuant to our state constitution. Once the court renders its decision, we will know whether or not the RhodeWorks law is lawful. If, on the other hand, the state first spends money to erect toll facilities, and tolls are later found to be unconstitutional, the taxpayers will be saddled with this debt, or the tolls may have to be expanded to other classes of vehicles to cure the legal deficiencies,” said Filippi.
“Therefore, obtaining this opinion before the state expends significant funds to erect this state-wide network of toll gantries is the only responsible way to proceed,” concluded Filippi.
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