Lieutenant Governor Highlights Support for RhodeWorks Plan McKee says proposal is right approach to fixing difficult problem

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Lt. Governor Daniel J. McKee issued the following statement
Tuesday on the RhodeWorks road-and-bridge repair proposal:

«As House and Senate committees prepare to consider RhodeWorks, I want to reiterate
my support for the plan and urge lawmakers to advance it. As the Governor and House
and Senate leadership have said, Rhode Island’s bridges are the worst in the nation
and we must take action to fix them.

The revised tolling plan is the right approach to fixing a difficult problem that
too many previous administrations have been content to avoid. I do not support
proposals that put 100 percent of repair costs on the backs of Rhode Island
taxpayers and give out-of-state companies a free pass to use our roads. I am tired
of seeing Rhode Island businesses pay tolls in other states for the upkeep of those
states’ infrastructure, while out-of-state trucks using Rhode Island roadways don’t
do the same for the wear they cause here.

I have been listening closely to the concerns of businesses in our state, and have
said I support the possibility of responsible relief measures to help Rhode Island
companies offset the cost of the tolls. While it is imperative that we address our
infrastructure needs, we must remain mindful of the obstacles many of our businesses
are already facing, and continue our work to make Rhode Island a friendly place to
do business.»