To the Editor,

Within a recent “Political Scene: The campaign contributions of Washington Bridge contractors”, Patrick Anderson & Katherine Gregg, is an extremely disturbing statement relating to the workings of politics in our state. (Projo, 19 February)

“Over the last two decades, the employees of companies involved in the building of Rhode Island’s roads and bridges have donated at least a half-million dollars to state and local campaigns…….”

To further verify this travesty is the article by online news correspondent Nancy Levin.

“RI’s marijuana industry is stepping up its political savvy with more campaign donations to politicians”

Spencer Blier, head of marijuana company Mammoth, Inc “donated $1,000 apiece to the campaigns of House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio.

 In very clear terms, this acknowledges what many fear to be the Truth –  “In RI, contracts and legislation can be “purchased” for “Donations” to the State House!!”

While this may bode well for affluent corporations and unions, what is the plight for those unable to “buy” the legislation which is so critically needed?

We’re referring specifically to the approximately 29 thousand Retired State, Municipal Workers & Teachers, who are unsuccessfully attempting to live on pensions which were frozen 13 years ago, while the cost of living has climbed by 35% since that time.

Unable to meet ever escalating prices for basic necessities due to inflation, they do not have unlimited funds available to “persuade” members of the General Assembly to pass legislation that will alleviate their financial plight.  Many of these elderly Retirees are facing a financial crisis and are being forced into poverty. This after having paid thousands upon thousands into legally binding pension contracts 

Legislators have been dramatically negligent in failing to remove unjust wrongs imposed upon Retirees by RIRSA 2011. Injustices which were spearheaded by a politically ambitious State Treasurer and her Wall Street backers. This travesty was brought about with the concurrence of our elected Senators and Representatives over a decade ago. These Elderly Rhode Islanders cannot provide campaign contributions, i.e. incentives, which would motivate the passage of legislation vital to their efforts, NOR SHOULD THEY BE EXPECTED TO DO SO !

Having recently been elected to represent Retirees on the Board of the Employees Retirement System of RI, we now advocate for over 29,000 Rhode Islanders who have been adversely affected by the confiscation of OUR funds. These monies were paid by Retirees into a legally binding Pension Plan Contract, to which they contributed close to 10% of their gross  yearly salaries! We seek no state money. We seek OUR funding to be returned to us. We also seek Pension Reform to end the provisions of RIRSA 2011 which have negatively impacted almost 30,000 Current Employees and Teachers!

All Rhode Island voters and taxpayers should be horrified and disgusted to know that we’ve elected some “representatives” who are voting with their wallets, and not with what they believe to be right and just

The key word here is “elect” - our weapon to fight back against injustice in a democracy! Just imagine the Potential Political Impact of 29,000 Retirees and 30,000 Current Employees / Teachers, could have on the upcoming Elections in November? It is time to rectify the harm Gina Raimondo and her Wall Street supporters did to honest, hardworking Rhode Islanders!

Sandra Marzilli Paquette, president

Aldo Palazzo,

vice-president

Advocates for COLA

Restoration and Pension Reform