R.I.’s Republican Policy Group launches Waste-O-Meter

January 20, 2016 6:08 pm

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island’s Republican Policy Group is calling out policy makers, saying the state has wasted millions in taxpayer money.

On Wednesday, the group unveiled the Waste-O-Meter, a giant thermometer to track what they call wasteful spending, starting with RIDOT before eventually expanding to other sectors.

"When they’re wasting taxpayer dollars, shouldn’t somebody be held accountable in some way,” questioned State Rep. Patricia Morgan, chair of the Republican Policy group.

The group is claiming RIDOT wasted nearly $7 million, including $1.3 million is so-called unnecessary overtime and $750,000 to get out of operating the Wickford Junction commuter rail.

Also included on the ten-point list is the $50,000 economic impact study for the governor’s toll proposal, because Morgan calls it spinning: “The data was so cherry-picked, in my opinion, it’s fairly worthless."

State Rep. Joe McNamara, Chairman of the RI Democratic Party, calls the Waste-O-Meter “Republican rhetoric,” and counters Democrats are looking for solutions. “If they choose to sit on the sidelines and throw bombs, that’s fine,” he said. “We don’t need another rhetoric meter during an election year."

Morgan counters the Waste-O-Meter is about starting a conversation to find those solutions. "We should be doing everything in our power to stop wasteful management practice and poor management decisions."

The Waste-O-Meter will be on display from time to time outside the House Minority Office. It will be updated every two weeks. Tips on government waste can be reported anonymously by calling 401-222-6123 or emailing houseminority@rilegislature.gov.