JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $5,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to continue services, fills the budget deficit and restore service cuts, and implements the State's Act on Climate.)

H8317

2026 -- H 8317
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LC006141
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $5,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC
TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Introduced By:
Representative Karen Alzate

Date Introduced:
March 18, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
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WHEREAS, Public transportation is a lifeline for thousands of Rhode Islanders. It builds
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thriving communities, creates jobs, eases traffic congestion and promotes a cleaner environment;
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and
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WHEREAS, In myriad areas across the State, Rhode Island's workforce is severely
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limited and understaffed. To begin to rectify this growing challenge, initiatives must be instituted
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to counter the downward trend; and
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WHEREAS, An appropriation of five million dollars ($5,000,000) is essential in order to
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support the allocation to the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority fiscal year 2027
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budget to fill the fiscal year 2026 budget deficit, restore the 2025 service cuts, and prevent the
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Rhode Island Public Transit Authority from having to borrow against its own future capital funds;
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now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of money in the treasury not
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otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026-2027, the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000)
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to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to continue current service throughout the State, hire
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and train more bus operators, and implement the State's Act on Climate goals; and the state
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controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the general treasurer for the
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payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt

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of properly authenticated vouchers.
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LC006141
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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 $5,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC
TRANSIT AUTHORITY
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This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of five million dollars
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($5,000,000) to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to continue services, fill the budget
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deficit and restore service cuts, and implement the State's Act on Climate.
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LC006141
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