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Senate Minority Office

 

Senate passes Rogers bill on Municipal Sidewalk Maintenance

STATE HOUSE — The Senate today passed legislation (2024-S 2019) introduced by Minority Whip Senator Gordon E. Rogers (R-Dist. 21, Foster, Coventry, Scituate, West Greenwich) that would require that all maintenance of sidewalks along state highways, with the exception of snow and ice removal, be the responsibility of the state.

Currently, the Director of Transportation has authority over sidewalks and curbs along state highways, but the burden of maintenance for those sidewalks lies primarily with the municipalities in which they are encompassed. This legislation transfers the responsibility for maintenance and repairs, with the exception for snow and ice removal, of sidewalks adjacent to state highways and roads to state government.

The Rhode League of Cities and Towns has expressed support for shifting the responsibility to the state in a letter to the House Finance Committee for similar legislation introduced in the House, citing, "that sidewalk maintenance is a vital public safety issue that should be addressed at the state level." Their key reasons for support include equity and consistency, public safety, financial relief for municipalities, and efficiency in maintenance.

Senator Rogers, who is Director of Public Works for the Town of Foster, stated, "This bill is crucial for public safety and essential for the equitable and consistent upkeep of sidewalks on state roads across varied and disparate municipal budget constraints."

"It makes sense that if a sidewalk is on a state road, it’s a state responsibility," said Senator Rogers. "With this legislation, we can level the playing field for municipalities, preserve infrastructure investments, and enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility."

Massive crowds took to streets across the U.S. over the weekend for "No Kings" protests, highlighting concerns over ice raids, troop deployments, layoffs, and the economy. Demonstrations were mostly peaceful, though several arrests were reported in Denver and Chicago, and Los Angeles police used tear gas on a crowd downtown late Saturday night.        The partial federal government shutdown is stretching into another week with no end in sight. Senators have failed ten times to pass a House-approved bill to reopen the government, as Democrats demand it include tax breaks for millions buying health insurance through Obamacare. The shutdown, which began October 1st, is forcing air traffic controllers to work without pay, while food aid programs like SNAP and WIC could run out of money by month's end.        The California Highway Patrol says an artillery shell prematurely detonated during a live-fire demonstration at Camp Pendleton Saturday, sending fragments onto a CHP vehicle and motorcycle assigned to Vice President JD Vance's protective detail. The incident happened during an event marking the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps. No officers were injured.        Former New York Republican Congressman George Santos wants to change the prison system after spending 84 days behind bars. Santos, who was sentenced to seven years for wire fraud and identity theft, had his sentence commuted last week by President Trump. Now after his stint FCI Fairton in New Jersey, Santos says prison is dehumanizing and humbling and he wants to dedicate his entire life to prison reform.        French police are reporting a jewel heist at the Louvre Museum. The thieves reportedly broke into the museum at about 9:30 yesterday morning local time, shortly before it opened to the public. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez says two or three thieves were able to open two display cases in a gallery that held France's crown jewels, and then left the scene on motorbikes.        The Blue Jays are forcing a Game Seven in the ALCS after defeating the Seattle Mariners 6-2 in Toronto. Tonight's winner advances to face the Dodgers in the World Series.       

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