Governor McKee unmoved by constituents who depend on RIPTA
"It’s about making sure that our neighbors can have access to the library through public transportation."
Transit advocates held banners and signs outside the Rochambeau Library on Tuesday morning to send a strong signal to Governor Daniel McKee, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, and Senate President Valerie Lawson to fully fund the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and reverse the severe service cuts that will come if a $10 million funding gap is not covered. The state leaders were at the library to attend the ceremonial signing of the Freedom to Read Act, which I covered here.
Representative David Morales, a strong supporter of public transportation, drew a parallel between his Freedom to Read legislation and the need for a strong public transportation system.
Here’s the video:
“Despite the fact that [the governor] will be signing our [Freedom to Read] legislation today, he is also proposing drastic cuts to our public transit agency,” said Representative Morales. “It’s an important reminder that this is intersectional, because more often than not, we think libraries and schools live in silos. But this is what connects us.
“I will make sure to say that we can’t talk about accessibility and the freedom to read unless our neighbors have the mobility to go to the library. I appreciate you all being here. I hope you are going to join us for the celebration and let the governor know that all these issues are intersectional.
“I would also argue that the Mayor of the Capital City has a responsibility to actively advocate for RIPTA.”
True to his word, when Representative Morales was ready to speak on his Freedom to Read legislation, he connected it to public transportation.
“It’s important that we recognize that we have made progress to protect the freedom to protect access to literature, but now it’s about expanding that access, and that looks like making sure that every public school is entitled to a public library across our state,” said Representative Morales. “It’s about making sure that every neighborhood has a library that’s open until 8 pm, and on the weekends. It’s about making sure that our neighbors can have access to the library through public transportation. I say all this because public libraries are a public good. They are out of local town squares, especially for working people, families, and students. Community libraries are where neighbors gather together because we do not all have access to a recreation center.”
When the ceremony started, the advocates moved inside.
Walking past the transit advocates outside, Speaker Shekarchi told them to keep up their work, which was a small sign of encouragement. Governor McKee was unmoved and plans to continue defunding RIPTA.
As Governor McKee approached the library, a RIPTA bus honked its horn. It felt symbolic:
