RI House GOP Calls for Inspector General and Line Item Veto

1/24/2019

Providence, RI - Newly elected Representatives Lyle, Nardone, and Place will be introducing two pieces of legislation that would establish an Office of Inspector General and a constitutional amendment granting the governor the power to utilize a line-item veto in the state budget.

“Rhode Island has been fighting for an Inspector General for years. Now, with our state facing one of the worst budget shortfalls in recent history, we need to take action,” said Representative Nardone.

“These are good reform bills that Rhode Islanders have wanted for years. They would go a long way to ensure the public has access to what happens inside the building,” said Representative Place.

The Office of Inspector General would serve as an independent organization designed to investigate and root out any allegations of abuse, fraud, waste, or mismanagement of public funds at the federal, state, and local level. The inspector general will have the power to subpoena records and testimony from government agencies, quasi-public bodies, and contractors receiving public funds. If the inspector general’s office discovers fraud or abuse, they will work with the attorney general to file civil or criminal charges.

“The House of Representatives needs to have checks and balances. Our current and future governors should have the ability to go through the proposed budget with a fine-toothed comb. The last minute and closed-door budget debates must come to an end. If the governor vetoes the entire budget, it’s going to be overridden immediately. With a line item veto, it becomes a public discussion about that narrow issue, and the governor might be able to prevail,” said Representative Lyle.

For more information, contact:
Gregory Zervos
Director of Communications
Rhode Island House of Representatives Minority Office
Rhode Island State House, Room 106
Providence, RI 02903
Office: (401) 222-2259
Email: gzervos@rilegislature.gov

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In 1636, Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first working model of Democracy after being banished from Massachusetts for his “extreme views” concerning freedom of speech and religion. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Williams as the originator of these concepts, along with the freedom of public assembly, in the First Amendment in the United States Constitution. Today, Rhode Island House Republicans uphold the liberties designed by our Founders and preserved in our Constitution, and are the primary legislative body promoting lean government, fighting for lower taxes, and advocating for initiatives and policies that improve the economy and in turn, the lives of Rhode Islanders. As members of a part-time assembly, we are small business owners, retired educators, community activists, lawyers, farmers, military service veterans, volunteers, former local officials, retired social workers, coaches, musicians, churchgoers and board directors -- bringing these community engagement and professional experiences to our work, on your behalf, at the Rhode Island State House.

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