Mike Liberty This week I've decided to spare you my usual philosophical indignation on a story du jour... In favor of spreading out my rant over three recent headlines that deal directly with matters of individual liberty. Enjoy! The RI government announced Monday on RI.Gov details they have presented on the pension settlement. Governor Lincoln D. Chafee, General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo and attorneys representing public employee unions and retiree coalitions challenging changes to Rhode Island's state-administered pension system announced a settlement agreement achieved through court-ordered mediation. Parties were ordered into mediation by Superior Court Judge Sarah Taft-Carter in January 2013. According to a joint statement issued by the parties, "The settlement agreement marks an important first step forward, and the beginning of a process that will benefit all Rhode Islanders. It is a proposal that we all support and jointly offer to the General Assembly, members of the retirement system, and to the public…The proposal we jointly offer provides certainty and predictability for our public servants and municipalities to appropriately plan for the future…We believe this proposal is fair for our public employees, retirees, taxpayers and cities and towns." With the help of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the parties to this litigation have worked together to reach this proposed settlement. Court-ordered mediation is a common, widely-used dispute resolution mechanism with a long track record of success in the United States. This settlement will resolve six lawsuits challenging 2009, 2010 and 2011 changes to the state's pension laws.
Bob Giusti
It appears statistically that Rhode Island is right at the top of the states facing a rash of drug overdose deaths in the nation. In a 13 day period, 13 people were confirmed to have died from an overdose of the synthetic opiate fentanyl (known by the brand names Sublimaze and Haldid). The drug is purported to be 100 times stronger than morphine and has a very fast onset effect making it critical to receive treatment quickly. Ordered to Pay Nearly $12,000 in Restitution Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Patrick T. Carroll (age 46) with a last known address of 106 Pettee Ave, North Kingstown, pleaded nolo contendere yesterday before Providence Superior Court Special Magistrate Patrick T. Burke to one count of obtaining money under false pretenses for collecting nearly $12,000 in unemployment insurance benefits while he was employed full time.
-Pal Who is Ed Doyle? Yes he is the newest host to take to the 990WBOB airwaves. Yes he is a Democrat running for Rhode Island State Senate in District 43. Yes he is a defender of the constitution and particularly the 2nd Amendment . But who is Ed, the person. What makes Mr. Doyle tick, and why should we believe in him? I asked Ed these very questions, and I must admit, the man is inspiring. |
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