Woonsocket Radio News Room

Good morning Mayor,

 

I heard your comments on UpFront this morning with regard to Resolution 18R23 wherein the Council voted 6-1 instructing you to issue the refunds owed to taxpayers related to the motor-vehicle-phase out.

 

You indicated that a Resolution was nothing more than an expression of the Coucnil's "feelings" and was something to be ignored.  With all due respect, I would suggest that you develop a hobby of reading - it's never too late.  Specifically, I would encourage you to read the section of the City's Home Rule Charter that prescribes the duties of the Mayor, wherein you will note that "It shall be the duty of the mayor to perform such other duties as may be required of him by ordinance or resolution of the council."

 

Your callous disregard of your duties (and the taxpayers) is disappointing.

 

Please note that the State of RI is sending the City roughly $1.3 million in connection with the motor vehicle phase out.  To date, the City has received approximately $900,000 of the $1.3 million.  The refund amounts owed are approximately $400,000  --- less than half of what we have already received from the State.   There is absolutely no reason to hold up the refunds - in fact, they should have been issued in the first quarter of the fiscal year - as the funds do NOT belong to the City.   When a taxpayer is late on their tax payments, the City charges 18% interest.  Here, you are needlessly holding onto taxpayer money, interest free.  It is inexcusable.

 

I can't help but suspect that if we passed a Resolution instructing you to return the funds by May 31st, you would have     

Thank you,

Jim

 

 

 

An Arizona grand jury is indicting the 11 "fake electors" who were backing then-President Trump in 2020. A month after the election, the 11 people got together at the state's GOP headquarters to sign a certificate claiming to be Arizona's 11 electors to the Electoral College, although Biden had won by thousands of votes. His electors were also certified by state officials.        The Supreme Court will hear arguments Thursday on Donald Trump's claim he has absolute immunity on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 election. The outcome could determine whether Trump faces a federal trial this year on four felony counts brought by special counsel Jack Smith, which include conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruction of an official proceeding. Trump's legal team argues the former president should have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for any official acts taken while in office.        House Speaker Mike Johnson is demanding the president of Columbia University resign unless she reigns in anti-semitic protests. Speaking on the campus steps of the New York school with other GOP lawmakers, Johnson said no Jewish student should have to live in fear. His comments come as pro-Palestinian protests continue against Israel's war with Hamas.        The Biden Administration says it aims to cut freight emissions in the U.S. to zero. On Wednesday, officials laid out their goal to cut down harmful emissions from freight shipping. The White House says they hope to reach net-zero emissions in the transportation sector, and the entire U.S. economy, by 2050.        A new report can tell you if you're still earning enough to be considered middle class. Finance site SmartAsset analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pew Research Center to determine the middle class salary range in all 50 states. The national middle class salary range is 49-thousand-271-dollars to 147-thousand-828-dollars.        The MTV Video Music Awards are returning to New York. For the first time since 2021, the show will be back in New York and this time it will take place on Long Island at the UBS Arena in Elmont. It's the first for the arena and the show is set for September 10th. UBS Arena is the sixth New York arena to host the awards show.       

Old News Archives