This state does not need a full time legislature, nor can it afford one. We don't want nor need bigger government and by having this full time General Assembly meeting on a full time basis on taxpayer expense is utterly outrageous. Did you know that the Governor is trying to balance the state budget lately? Why add this to his list of a troubled RI economy? You want us taxpayers to pay you rookie full timers $85,000 per year per each of you...let's see....that comes to $9,775,000 per year out of taxpayer pockets and adds to the RI deficit, too! And then you get to give yourselves raises every year at that, too?! While we taxpayers who live on social security benefits don't get a COLA for the next 2 years, you get to raise your income every year; does that make any sense to any of you?
When this bill goes to committee for testimony, I'm going to be there to testify against this, along with some others whom I know who will be there, too.
Watch out, there are those of us who are "Watchdogs" and we are Watching you spend more money than is appropriate or needed. We won't stand for that kind of spending and we will let others know that this is trying to go forward in RI.
Good luck with this, Sir....but I don't think this will pass without taxpayer support.