2014 -- S 2340

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LC003845

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $258,866 FOR CRANSTON AND $158,290.12 FOR

CHARIHO IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2013-2014 STATE BUDGET

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, and Miller

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     WHEREAS, The Chariho Regional School District ("Chariho") operates a regional career

and technical center ("CTC") for high school students seeking to learn a trade such as automotive

repair or culinary arts; and

     WHEREAS, The CTC enrolls students from not just the Chariho communities but also

from Westerly, Narragansett, South Kingstown, North Kingstown, and West Greenwich; and

     WHEREAS, As of February 11, 2009, the board of regents had promulgated regulations

stating that the state would reimburse "100%" of the salary, benefits, and travel expenses of the

director and guidance counselors at any CTC; and

     WHEREAS, On February 11, 2009, Chariho joined litigation brought by the Cranston

Public Schools ("Cranston") seeking reimbursement from the Rhode Island department of

education ("RIDE") for the salaries, benefits, and travel expenses of the director and guidance

counselors at its CTC; and

     WHEREAS, RIDE denied all liability because, among other reasons, the general

assembly had made no appropriation for the payments sought by Chariho and Cranston; and

     WHEREAS, Chariho and Cranston ultimately prosecuted such litigation to the Rhode

Island Supreme Court where it was referred for mediation; and

     WHEREAS, Chariho, Cranston, and RIDE participated in mediation conducted by Chief

Justice Williams (ret.), and entered into a settlement agreement whereby RIDE agreed to pay the

salaries, benefits, and travel expenses of the directors and guidance counselors at the Chariho

CTC and Cranston's for one year in the amount of $258,866 for Cranston and $158,290.12 for

Chariho; and

     WHEREAS, A condition of the settlement was that the Fiscal Year 2013 State Budget

include an appropriation for the same as RIDE was unwilling to take such funds from its

operating budget; and

     WHEREAS, The Governor did not, however, request the necessary funds in the Fiscal

Year 2013 State Budget and the general assembly made no appropriation for the same in the

Fiscal Year 2013 State Budget; and

     WHEREAS, The Supreme Court has held the matter over one more year to allow the

parties to secure an appropriation in the Fiscal Year 2014 State Budget; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not

otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2013-2014, the sum of two hundred fifty-eight thousand

eight hundred sixty-six dollars ($258,866) to the City of Cranston and the sum of one hundred

and fifty-eight thousand two hundred ninety dollars and twelve cents ($158,290.12) to Chariho;

and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general

treasurer for the payment of said sum, (optional or so much thereof as may be from time to time

required,) upon receipt by him of properly authenticated vouchers.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $258,866 FOR CRANSTON AND $158,290.12 FOR

CHARIHO IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2013-2014 STATE BUDGET

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     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $258,866 to the City of

Cranston and the sum of $158,290.12 to Chariho in the fiscal year 2013-2014 state budget.

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