Budget deal: Senate President reacts

Senate President Dominick Ruggerio says he is pleased with the deal he has struck with House Speaker Nick Mattiello to end the month long budget stand-off.

"I’m comfortable with the compromise,” said Ruggerio.

The feud first began on what was supposed to be the last day of session when Mattiello got word Ruggerio was planning to introduce a last minute car tax amendment.

"Well, let me say this. If I had to do it all over again I would probably do something different. At the time I felt it was the right thing to do. But, hindsight being 20/20 I would probably look to address that issue a little differently,” said Ruggerio.

On Monday, it was announced that the Senate will pass the same version of the budget passed by the House in June with one major concession.

The Speaker has agreed to pass a bill requiring the Director of the Department of Revenue to report on the affordability of the car tax yearly, but it doesn’t start until 2021.

The Senate is expected to vote on Thursday.

"It satisfies what some of the Senators were saying early on about the affordability and sustainability about the car tax phase out,” said Ruggerio.

If everything goes according to plan and the budget is passed this week, the Governor says she does not think there will be any long-term impact for taxpayers.

"If we had waited a month or two or three then there would have been long term consequences but if they get it done this week as they say they will we ought to be fine,” said Governor Gina Raimondo.

As the leaders plan to move forward, one question that hangs in the balance is their relationship.

"I always had great respect for the Speaker. I’ve known him for quite a while. We’ve dealt with legislation together. He’s always been forthright and upfront. And, I’m hoping to have as good of relationship with him now as I had with him before,” said Ruggerio.

The House plans to come back in September to take up several bills including the new one pertaining to the car tax.

(C) WLNE 2017