CITY OF WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND
169 MAIN STREET WOONSOCKET, RI 02895-4379 PH (401)767 9205 FX (401) 7654569
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: July 19, 2017
Contact: Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 401-767-9205
General Assembly Pending Legislation Support Clarification
Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt was perplexed to hear that Councilman James Cournoyer had taken to the airways to disseminate false information stating that the Mayor is not opposed to the so-called "perpetual contract" legislation currently pending in the Rhode Island General Assembly.
The legislation requires that the contractual provisions in expired collective bargaining agreements with teachers and municipal employees remain in place until a successor agreement is reached between the parties.
"Rather than acting as a statesman to create a healthy environment for accurately and truthfully conveying information to the residents of the City of Woonsocket, Councilman Cournoyer has once again chosen to spread political fiction over reality," said Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt.
The true and accurate fact is that the Mayor opposes the legislation and already had communicated to the Governor’s Office her opposition to the legislation well before the time within which Councilman Cournoyer reported his "fake news" relating to the Mayor’s official position.
The Mayor went on to say, "Despite having the opportunity, in a recent extended conversation with me on various other issues, to ask my position on the legislation, the Councilman has chosen to resort to his usual political shenanigans of spreading false rumors about my public policy positions. The residents of the City of Woonsocket are tired of such nonsense and so am I. I have an open-door policy and I encourage any resident of the City, including any Councilperson, to inquire as of my official position on any issue before putting words in my mouth."
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The Senate is calling it quits for the night as Republicans and Democrats remain dug in as the shutdown rolls on. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said they will return tomorrow, but added it's not certain there will be anything to vote on. Today, Democrats blocked a Republican measure that would pay federal workers while the government remains shut. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer earlier said Democrats will sign the GOP House-passed bill to re-open the government if it includes a one-year-Obamacare credit extension. Thune called it a "nonstarter," adding a one-year extension doesn't address the core issues of Obamacare. 
