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December 10, 2007

This year, charity begins at the State House

Most Decembers, the cups at the State House runneth over this time of year, as legislators, lobbyists and their friends flock to the Capitol for a holiday bash featuring drinks and fancy food. But not this year.

With Rhode Island mired in an estimated $450-million deficit, legislative leaders this year have decided to forgo the traditional holiday merriment in favor of donations to charity.

This missive came in the mail today, signed by House Speaker William Murphy, D-West Warwick; Senate President Joseph Montalbano, D-North Providence; House Majority Leader Gordon Fox, D-Providence; and Senate Majority Leader Teresa Paiva Weed, D-Newport.

"The holiday season is upon us. This is a time during which we give thanks for our blessings. During the past several years we have been pleased to invite you to celebrate the season together with us at the State House during our annual holiday party. While we continue to extend to you our warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2008, we have decided to forgo the annual State House holiday gathering this year," read the letter.

"Instead we plan to donate the money that we normally would have spent on this gathering to several worthy causes, including the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, the Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund and Crossroads Rhode Island."

The letter goes on to note that no public money was ever used for the holiday parties. "We are mindful of the desperate plight of many Rhode Islanders, who are struggling with record high energy costs and other financial strains this holiday season. We hope that this gift will bring holiday cheer to those less fortunate Rhode Islanders who need a helping hand in a time of giving.’’

-- Journal staff writer Scott MacKay

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 4:20 PM | Permalink

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