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June 18, 2008

Protesters show up for budget vote; lawmakers missing

PROVIDENCE -- There are protesters with signs, protesters wearing stickers, protesters just protesting. But missing so far from today’s scheduled budget vote are members of the House.

The process was scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. in the House Chamber, but there are only a few state legislators on hand.

Instead, a handful of labor-backed protesters are carrying signs; some that rhyme (“Stop the war against the Poor”) some that don’t (“Tax cuts for the rich, budget cuts for the rest.”)

Others are wearing stickers on their T-shirts, with “Article 34” and a red line striking through the characters. Their grievance is with the fifth-to-last article in the proposed budget, which puts limits on municipalities’ ability to negotiate contracts with labor unions.

And tens of millions of dollars in savings that are wrapped up in ongoing labor negotiations still have not been finalized, according to Dennis Grilli, executive director of Council 94, the largest state employee union.

In all, about 20 protesters –– and the rest of Rhode Island –– are awaiting today’s budgetary discussion and an eventual vote.

-- With reports from Steve Peoples, Journal State House bureau

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 2:52 PM | Permalink

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