On the face of it, Mayor Frank Picozzi got what he wanted from legislators and then some this year. But now, after being told by Gov. Dan McKee that he favored giving the city a voice on the 7-member Rhode Island Airport Corporation board of directors he’s prepared to see if McKee will live up to his word.

Whether the mayor will get that opportunity depends on the actions of legislators in tZhAe closing hours of the General Assembly which is expected today. Meanwhile, Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi came through with his promise that Warwick would not be short changed when the Rhode Island Airport Corporation announced it would follow the recommendation of a Federal Aviation Administration and cease paying the city $500,000 annually in lieu of taxes. In addition he’s ensured the state budget boosts school aid by more than $400,000 and provides additional funds for city roads by over what the governor proposed.

FAA Auditors based their conclusion to cut out the city payment on the basis that fire department services rendered did not total $500,000.

Shekarchi said the state would pay the $500,000. The money was included in the state budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2024.

Mayor Picozzi was also looking for the city to gain a voice on the 7-member RIAC board of directors.

It looked like that would happen when the House of Representatives approved legislation introduced by Rep. Joseph McNamara and endorsed by the Warwick delegations to the House and Senate. The bill would require the governor to appoint one of three candidates chosen by the mayor. That appointee would require the advice and consent of the Senate.

As of Monday the bill which was passed by the House had not come before the Senate. On Tuesday it was posted for a vote, but the measure included an amendment (Sub A) stating that one of the seven member board “shall be an individual appointed after due consideration of the list submitted by the mayor of Warwick.”

The words “due consideration” had Picozzi seeing red. In essence, he said Wednesday, the governor can do what he wants, leaving no guarantee that Warwick gets a voice on the board. The legislative options were: for the House to approve the watered down version of the Senate bill; not to act which effectively would kill the bill or to amend the Senate bill which would then send it back to the Senate with no assurance of passage.

Presented with the alternatives, Picozzi sees getting something better than nothing. Later yesterday morning Shekarchi caucused with the Warwick delegation to see if they would support the Senate version of the bill. The Senate bill is expected to come up for a House vote today. Shekarchi said, “the better bill is the House version” but the Senate bill gives Warwick representation.

Assuming passage, Picozzi said he would entertain candidates to be interviewed by a panel including a representative of the City Council, business leaders and the city administration. The panel would then present a list of qualified candidates from which three would be selected. This would be done and presented to the governor within 30 days of passage of the legislation as required. The governor’s selection would then require advice and consent of the Senate.

Arguing for the $500,000, Shekarchi said in a release issued this week, “The City of Warwick relies on this annual funding to defray taxpayer expenses for these services, and I wanted to make certain the state continues this commitment, It is disappointing that the FAA no longer allows the Airport Corporation to make these payments, but this funding ensures that the state makes this vital payment.”

Speaker Shekarchi had introduced a bill to ensure the funding and it has been incorporated into the budget.

Warwick will also receive $46.78 million in school funding for FY 2025. This is an increase of $888,688 from the current fiscal year total, and $407,503 above what the Governor proposed in his original budget.

Also, the House increased the Municipal Roads Grant Program from $5 million in the Governor’s budget to $7 million. Funds are distributed equally and each municipality will receive $179,487 for the construction and maintenance of roads, sidewalks and bridges. A municipal match of 67% is required.