James Davey Appendix 14 -19
Catherine Nugent2022-05-03T12:09:18-04:00Note: You may use Ctrl/F to find specific text within this document.
larrit2b *ago l’iarirt (gaud
ax tie .uf Tahtnihia
®ffire of tilt (Unit
3xbzutir Oinit gititution Ptitile,
111 asitirTtrat, 19_ a. zonal
Animas ginfieg
(Clerk December 18, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
RE: MISCELLANEOUS 74-128
3
On December 17, 1974, I met for about 45 minutes with
Mr. John McLean, Director, National Audiovisual Center, NARS,
GSA, in Suitland, Maryland. He had five staff members present.
I asked for the meeting to find out whether the Center
might be of help to the Court in trying to resolve the best
way of making distribution of the tapes. I gave them copies
of Judge Gesell’s December 5, 1974, Memorandum and Order. I
emphasized to them that I was not representing either the Court
or Judge Gesell, rather I was just there unofficially to obtain
information that I might eventually pass on to the Court. Mr.
McLean emphasized that he, too, could not commit the Center to
anything at this point and that any decision to involve his
agency would have to be made by either the Archivist or the
Administrator of GSA.
Tab 14
Memo Re Misc. 74-128 12/18/74
After they read Judge Gesell’s Order and we had some
discussion, Mr. McLean and his staff concluded that they
would have the technical capability to make the tapes available to the public and the press pursuant to the criteria
suggested by Judge Gesell. They pointed out that this type
of task is exactly the type that they are set up to handle.
They did raise a number of technical questions about implementation problems and possible legal problems but no attempt
was made to resolve them since this would have gone beyond the
purpose of the meeting.
At the conclusion of the meeting I thanked them for filling
me in on their functions and indicated that at some future date
I would advise Judge Gesell of their existence.
They gave me a copy of GSA Bulletin FPMR B-21 dated 12/9/69
and BOB Bulletin No. 69-7 dated 10/30/68 which outline the services rendered by the Center. These directives point out that:
“The Center serves as an information, sales, loan, and technicalservice center for audiovisual materials produced by or for
Federal%encies.”
-2-
Tab 14
‘Nantes A-gluing
Clerk
Ctates Pi5trirt Court
,31′ or file :1,1bArict of Tolumbia
ID:fice of the CIrrk
3rb and donotitutiott Aftritor,:t1411.
iasilin ton, C. Wain
January 2, 1975
MEMORANDUM TO THE WATERGATE’ TRIAL JURORS
Just in case your family or friends didn’t save
you a copy of an editorial which appeared in the
October 13, 1974, issue of the Washington Post,
here’s a copy.
You will soon be receiving checks for your
juror fees for December and January 1. You will
also be sent, separately, a Certificate of Service
signed by Judge Sirica
Happy New Year!
..•■•••■••
•
Enclosure
Tab 15
Permed-
• X
\.t
illtitebr States, . i5tric! (gond
\‘’ :§1 or tile tr:iistrict tif grithintilin
OlYfice of the Clerk —
•
3rti nub Olunstilniion AfTennr,
Pasifirtistint, 9. a. 20001
‘ainutts PafieV
Clerk
January 2, 1975
‘ MEMORANDUM TO THE WATERGATE-TRIAL JURORS
Just in case your family or friends didn’t save
you a copy of an editorial which appeared in the
October 13, 1974, issue of the Washington Post,
here’s a copy.
You’will soon be receiving checks for your
juror fees for December and January 1. You will
also be sent, separately, a Certificate of Service
signed by Judge Sirica
• Happy New Year!
•
.•••••••••
• :.k,(3,A”‘;’)..Z.
Enclosure
Tab 15
wks.gu„..,:ropi tobloi
Th , • •
e .. Watetgate .Mal ury J
I UST BEFORE noon on Friday, as he swore in 12
jurors, Judge John Sirica provided his answer to
hose who said that the Watergate cover-up defendants
ould not receive a fair trial before a District of Columtia jury. His answer, after eight days of questioning
trospective jurors, was that an impartial jury had been
elected. Whether he is right or not may eventually be
ested in a higher court. but it is sufficient for the monent to assume he is right and to reflect on the tasks.
rid the burdens that have been assigned those 12 jurors
lid six alternates.
The tasks are monumental. They must listen to weeks
f testimony including, presumably, hours of tape reordings and determine, when it is all over, whether the
resecution has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that
he five men on trial conspired to obstruct the adminitration of justice. Along the way, of course, they will
ave other decisions to make: whether certain defendnts committed perjury; whether certain defendants
dually did obstruct. justice in addition to conspiring
do so—or without conspiring to do so; and, above all,
• hom and what to believe.
That would be a difficult assignment in any trial. It
made particularly difficult in this one because of the
.ature of the defendants, the magnitude of the crimes
ith which they are charged, the repercussions that
ave already been caused by the events on which these
iminal charges are based, and because of the wide-
)read knowledge of what the facts are or what they are
elieved to be concerning those eventS., ‘ • –
It is this last point, of course, that has made the selecon of the jury in this case so controversial and so
!dious. Because the news media have reported so fully
all the steps leading up to this trial, almost everybody
tows about the Watergate cover-up. From that fact,
one observers promptly concluded that an impartial
try could never be found. What was wrong with this
mclusion was that it is based on a misreading of the
anstaution. The Constitution does not require jurors
ho have never heard about the case they are to decide;
requires only jurors who do not have a fixed opinion
toot the guilt or innocence of the defendants. Indeed,
the Constiknion required all jurors to know notiiiiig
advance about the case before them. major criminal
iais could never he held in the snail towns of this
lontry where everybody knows about serious crimes
,on after they occur and people have been arraigned
– then).
What Judge Sirica has been doing in the last two
weeks (at least, what we presume he has been doing,
since he has done it in’secret) is to eliminate prospective
jurors who had a fixed opinion about the outcome of the
trial. From what little has become known, it appears
that the problem of eliminating jurors who were predisposed toward acquittal was at least as great, and perhaps greater, as eliminating those who were predisposed
toward conviction. The ,pardon of Mr. Nixon seems to
have persuaded many that the five defendants in this
case should not be punished even if they are guilty. That
turn of events is particularly ironic in light of the complaints last Summer by Nixon ,White House aides that
any -jury in the District of Coumbia would be totally
anti-Nixon and pro-prosecution because the city is predominantly black and Democratic.
This is not to suggest that Judge Sirica has found
18 persons (12 jurors and six alternates) so oblivious
of their surroundings as to have had no thoughts about
the Watergate cover-up or about the pardon of Mr. Nixon. It is to suggest that Judge Sirica has found 18 persons who will do their best to set those thoughts aside
and decide this case on the basis of what they see and
hear in the weeks ahead. In the long run, of course, the
jurors may end up arguing about matters not directly
before them—the impact of the pardon, the finding’s of
other bodies, and so on. if they do. they will not be the
first juror’s to do so because a jury is not a machine
into which facts are punched and from which an answer
automatically appears. A jury, after all, is there to exercise the common sense and good judgment of the society
it represents.
One thing should be said about the personal burden
these 18 jurors and their familiei are being asked to
bear. The jurors have already disappeared behind locked
doors and will be there for three or four months or
longer. They will spend Thanksgiving together, away
from their families. They may spend Christmas and New
Year’s together. They will spend many hours just waiting—for the lawyers to argue points of law out of their
presence, for the next day’s session of court to begin.
Their impartiality was maligned by high officials even
ht-lure they were selected anti their verdict, whatever
it ‘nay he. wit’ be eritieizell. Their -only reward will come
in the knowledge that they have done their duty as
citizens and that they have shared the ultimate respon-
:ability in one of the most important criminal trials of
our times.
Tab 15
Reverse Chronology of Important Cases During the “Davey Era,” 1975-1990
United States v. Rayful Edmond III (1990) (before Judge Charles R. Richey)
After his arrest, Edmond was kept him in maximum security facility in Virginia and
flown to the courthouse every day because of fears of armed escape attempt. He was
sentenced to life in prison for crack cocaine dealing, and his gang-related activities
including many murders.
United States v. Marion S. Berry (1990) (before Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson)
Berry was convicted to only a single count of misdemeanor drug possession in 1990 after
7 years of federal investigation, indictments, and allegations into his crack cocaine use,
including video footage of his drug use. He was sentenced to 6 months in prison by Judge
Jackson.
James Watt (1989 or 1990)
Reagan’s Secretary of the Interior was accused as part of a larger scandal at the Housing
and Urban Development Department during the Bush Administration.
Iran Contra — scandal broke Nov. 1986 (before Judge Gerhard A. Gesell)
– United States v. Richard Secord (1989) In addition to being indicted for the Iran-Contra
affair and pleading guilty in 1989, Secord also had improper dealings with Edwin Wilson
regarding arms sales in 1983.
United States v. Poindexter (1988-89) Poindexter was Reagan’s National Security
Advisor; he played a role in electronically destroying more than 5,000 messages in the
White House computer system in an attempt to cover up the scandal,
– United States v. Oliver North (1988-89) North was one of Poindexter’s aides; he also
participated in the electronic document deletion.
Oliver North v. Laurence E. Walsh (1987-88) North opposed a subpoena to produce
documents pertaining to the Iran-Contra scandal; he ordered a FOIA request and civil
trial subpoena to Independent counsel Walsh demanding production of documents hoping
to find conflicts of interest in Walsh’s staff.
United States v. Robert McFarlane (1988)
– Oliver North v. Edwin Reese, HI (1987)
United States v. Jonathan Pollard (1986) (before Chief Judge Aubrey E.
Robinson)
Pollard eventually pleaded guilty to passing top-secret information to Israel. He was
sentenced to life in prison.
United States v. Mary Treadwell (1984) (before Judge John Garrett Penn)
Treadwell was convicted for conspiracy, false statements, mail fraud.
Tavoulareas v. The Washington Post (1983) (before Judge Oliver Gasch)
– The Washington Post ran a story implying that Tavoulareas, President of Mobil
Corporation, “set up” his son to work with a Saudi shipping company that did business
with Mobil. When the jury verdict came back in favor of Tavoulareas, the district court
judge gave a judgment NOV, finding that there was not enough evidence to show libel.
Tab 16 \14DC- 0705181000630 – 290 94 49 vl
United States v. AT&T (litigated and settled in 1982; settlement implemented 1984) (before
Judge Harold H. Greene)
The Department of Justice began an antitrust investigation in 1974 that lead to the breakup of telephone conglomerate AT&T, also called Bell.
United States v. Hinckley (1981-1982) (before Judge Barrington D. Parker)
– Hinckley was charged with the assassination attempt of President Reagan.
United States v. Edwin Wilson (1980)
Wilson, a former CIA operative, was convicted for selling explosives to the Libyan
Government.
Isabel de Letelier v. Republic of Chile (1980)
– Isabel de Letelier brought suit against the Republic of Chile to recover for her husband’s
untimely death in a car-bombing while working on behalf of the government.
Nixon v. Warner Communications, Inc. (1978) (before Judge John Sirica)
United States Supreme Court upheld Judge Sirica’s ruling that the Nixon tapes did not
need to be disclosed,
United States v. Lyn Nofziger (1987-88) (before Judge Thomas A. Flannery)
– Nofziger, a former part of the Reagan Administration, was investigated for violating the
Ethics in Government Act when he lobbied on behalf of Wedtech Corporation.
Watergate trials (before Judge John Sirica)
DNC v. James McCord, Jr. (1976) The Democratic National Committee sued McCord
for the illegal break-in.
United States v. Nixon (1974) (before Judge Charles R. Richey) Nixon was required to
surrender the subpoenaed tapes; the Supreme Court unanimously denied his claim of
executive privilege.
– Common Cause v. Committee to Re-Elect the President (1974) The Committee to ReElect the President was convicted for violation of federal election laws.
United States v. John Mitchell (1974) Mitchell was one of the former Nixon aides tried
for conspiracy to obstruct justice.
– United States v. Hunt (1973): Hunt planned the Watergate break-in; he pleaded guilty.
– United States v. G. Gordon Liddy (convicted 1973): Liddy admitted to helping plan the
Watergate break-in.
United States v. James McCord, Jr. (convicted 1973): McCord was one of the burglars;
he refused to cooperate and later sent Sirica the notorious letter detailing the multiple
levels of conspiracy involved in the scandal.
Daniel Ellsberg v. John W. Mitchell (1973) Ellsberg was tried in federal court for
publishing what have become known as the Pentagon Papers.
2 Tab 16
%DC – 070518/000630 – 2909499 vl
James F. Davey
19 Quail Ridge Road
Cranston, RI 02921
401 464-6222
Email: hovaid65(&sox.net
January 8, 2004
The Honorable Donald L. Carcieri
State Capitol
82 South Street
Providence, RI 02903
Dear Governor Carcieri:
I’d very much like to work either on or for the Commission you are recommending be
established to root out an imbedded culture of unethical, corrupting behavior in RI
politics.
Let me tell you a little bit about me. I have been married for 43 ‘/2 years to my wife,
Connie, a graduate of Lockwood High School and Rhode Island College. We have two
children and four grandchildren.
I graduated from North Kingstown High School in 1953 and the University of RI in 1958
with a degree in Accounting. Upon graduating from URI, I took a job in Washington, DC
as an Internal Auditor with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Between 1958
and 1968 I held progressively more responsible jobs with the USDA’s Office of Inspector
General with my last being “Supervisory Auditor in Charge of International Audits”. In
that capacity I conducted audits in South America, Africa, Israel, Pakistan, Afghanistan,
Iran and India.
While working fulltime at USDA I attended Georgetown Law School at night from 1961-
65 graduating with a JD in 1965.
In 1968 I left USDA to become one of six staff members who conducted a
comprehensive management study of the District of Columbia Court System. The study
was prompted by Senator Joseph Tydings, Chairman of the US Senate’s Judiciary
Committee, who was very concerned with the “myriad, crippling defects in the
administration of justice in the National Capital [DC]”. In commenting on our completed
study in May 1970, Senator Tydings said: “The work of the court management study
team has already made a major impact on the civil and criminal justice system in DC by
contributing to the development of the pending reorganization of the court system in
DC.” Senator Tydings went on to say: “In sum, the significance, and impact to date, of
the court management study cannot be underestimated.” (How challenging and exciting it
would be to become part of another study having an objective of accomplishing major
change!)
Tab 17
Upon completion of the study in 1969 the US District Court for the District of Columbia
offered me the job of Chief Deputy Clerk. I accepted the offer and was promoted to Clerk
of the Court in 1970. I served as Clerk from 1970 — 1991 during which time I had
management responsibility for all non-judicial functions related to numerous complex
criminal and civil cases including the Watergate cases, the AT&T civil antitrust case, the
Pentagon Papers case, the John Hinkley case, and the Oliver North case.
During my tenure I was responsible for providing administrative support to not only the
US District Court but also the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
(USCA for DC). I had the honor of serving former Chief Justice Burger, current Supreme
Court Justices Ginsberg, Scalia and Thomas when they served on the USCA for DC as
well as former US District Judges Sirica (Watergate), Gesell (Oliver North and Pentagon
Papers), Parker (John Hinckley), Greene (AT&T), and Robinson (Jonathon Pollard).
Since retirement in 1991 I have been engaged in a number of pro bono matters including
helping Estonia and Macedonia establish new Court systems upon the fall of the Iron
Curtain.
In 2001 my wife and I decided to return to RI after an absence of 41 years. We settled in
Cranston where I currently serve as a volunteer for the city working on projects designed
to improve services rendered to citizens of Cranston. Connie volunteers as a teacher’s
aide in West Warwick.
At the State level I am a member of Common Cause of RI. I currently serve on its Board
of Directors, its Separation of Powers Task Force and its Fund Development Committee.
I also am an active member of Big Brothers of RI. My “Little Brother” is a young man
who attends Park View Middle School in Cranston.
I’m enclosing several documents that provide more insight into my character and
accomplishments.
I commend you for your efforts to reform our State’s government and would be happy to
assist you in any way you think I could be of help.
Sincerely,
Enclosures
Tab 17
The Honorable James F. Davey
(Elected as State Representative in Cranston, Rhode Island, 2004)
The Honorable James F. Davey graduated from the University of RI with a degree in Accounting. Upon
graduating from URI, he took a job in Washington, DC as an Internal Auditor with the US Department of
Agriculture (USDA). Between 1958 and 1968 he held progressively more responsible jobs with the USDA’s
Office of Inspector General with his last being “Supervisory Auditor in Charge of International Audits”. In that
capacity he conducted audits in South America, Africa, Israel, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and India.
While working fulitime at USDA he attended Georgetown Law School at night and graduated with a JD in 1965.
In 1968 he left USDA to become one of six staff members who conducted a comprehensive management study
of the District of Columbia Court System. The study was prompted by Senator Joseph Tydings, Chairman of
the US Senate’s Judiciary Committee, who was very concerned with the “myriad, crippling defects in the
administration of justice in the National Capital [DC]”. In commenting on the completed study in May 1970,
Senator Tydings said: “The work of the court management study team has already made a major impact on the
civil and criminal justice system in DC by contributing to the development of the pending reorganization of the
court system in DC.” Senator Tydings went on to say: “In sum, the significance, and impact to date, of the
court management study cannot be underestimated.”
Upon completion of the study in 1969 the US District Court for the District of Columbia offered Rep. Davey the
job of Chief Deputy Clerk. He was promoted to Clerk of the Court in 1970 where he served as Clerk from 1970
— 1991. He had management responsibility for all non-judicial functions related to numerous complex criminal
and civil cases.
During his tenure he was responsible for providing administrative support to not only the US District Court but
also the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (USCA for DC). He had the honor of serving
former Chief Justice Burger, current Supreme Court Justices Ginsberg, Scalia and Thomas when they served
on the USCA for DC as well as former US District Judges Sirica (Watergate), Gesell (Oliver North and
Pentagon Papers), Parker (John Hinckley), Greene (AT&T), and Robinson (Jonathon Pollard).
Since retirement in 1991 he has been engaged in a number of pro bono matters including helping Estonia and
Macedonia establish new Court systems upon the fall of the Iron Curtain.
In 2001 Rep. Davey, along with his wife, Connie, decided to return to RI after an absence of 41 years. They
settled in Cranston where he served as a volunteer for the city working on projects designed to improve
services rendered to citizens of Cranston.
At the State level he was a member of Common Cause of RI and served on its Board of Directors, its
Separation of Powers Task Force and its Fund Development Committee.
During that same time-frame Rep. Davey was also an active member of Big Brothers of RI.
He became a State Representative in the year 2004. Rep. Davey is amongst the first to embrace and support
our efforts and we are honored to have him join forces with us towards our mutual goal: to eradicate
Alzheimer’s disease. We are proud to announce Rep. Davey as the first member of our Advisory Committee.
Tab 17
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Page 1 of 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: For additional information
January 4, 2005 contact: Jennifer Mischley
Phone: (401) 222-2457
REP. DAVEY SWORN IN AS GENERAL
ASSEMBLY CONVENES
STATE HOUSE — Rep. James F. Davey (R-Dist. 15) of Cranston was formally sworn into office on
Tuesday, January 4, as the 2005-2006 session of the Rhode Island General Assembly convened.
Representative Davey was one of 13 new members of the House of Representatives who took the oath
of office, which was administered to all 75 House members by Secretary of State Matthew A. Brown.
The House of Representatives began its legislative year at 3 p.m. Tuesday with a program of activities
that included the election of the Speaker of the House.
Representative Davey will receive his House committee assignment within the next few weeks.
-30-
Tab 17
http://wwvv.rilin.state.ri.us/Davey/Press/Daveyswearingin.htm 3/7/2005
Rhode Island House of Representatives
B WI) aph
13iography Pliotos Legislation Pr ..5$ Rao. s infoimative Links
Biography Page 1 of 1
Representative James F. Davey
House Separation of Powers Committee; House Judiciary Committee
James F. Davey (R-District 15, Cranston) was born on September 1.9, 1935. He is married to
Carmelita Trigo and has two children, Scott and Lynn.
• EDUCATION: North Kingstown High School, 1953; University of Rhode Island,
Accounting, 1958; Georgetown Law .Center, 3.D., 1965.
• EMPLOYMENT: Ten years as a Federal Internal Auditor; Twenty three years as a
Federal Court Administrator
• GENERAL BACKGROUND: Federal Court Clerks Association; Treasurer, FCCA
Foundation; Member, Big Brothers of Rhode Island; Member, Knights of Columbus
• PUBLIC SERVICE INFORMATION: Elected Representative November 2, 2004
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Davey/Biography.html 3/7/2005
Representative James F. Davey Page 1 of 1
10: a Legi giation Pro Rele Inforrnativc LEE
Thank you for visiting the Rhode Island House of Representatives v
site. This page was designed to be user-friendly and informative.
Please review my latest initiatives and legislative activities. In addit:
listing of district events and links to various Rhode Island governme
resources will be available. Feel free to email your concerns and rea
latest news releases.
Being a responsive lawmaker is an important aspect of making our
government work for all of us. Your participation is welcomed and
add to making Rhode Island government one in which all its citizen
be proud.
Again, thank you for visiting this web site and please return often.
Home
Tab 17
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Davey/ 3/7/2005
Rhode Island General Assembly > Press Releases Page 1 of 1
HOME LEGISLATIVE INFO-HOUSE-SENATE NEWS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
News: Recent Press Releases Op-Ed Publications About the Legislative Press Bureau
Press Releases
1/19/05 Rep. Davey appointed to Separation of Powers, House Judiciary
committees
STATE HOUSE — Rep. James F. Davey (R-Dist. 15) of Cranston has been
appointed to serve on the Separation of Powers Committee and the House
Judiciary Committee, House Speaker William J. Murphy has announced.
“I’m eager to begin working on such significant committees,” said
Representative Davey, who is serving his first term in the House of
Representatives. “I have been committed to the separation of powers issue
for quite some time, and look forward to taking part in discussions and
votes that will help shape the future of Rhode Island.
“The Judiciary Committee will be a good fit as well, considering my
background and interest in judicial administration.”
As a member of Common Cause of Rhode Island, Representative Davey
served on Its Separation of Powers Task Force. From 1970 to 1991 he
served as Clerk of the U.S, District Court for the District of Columbia, and
during his retirement helped the republics of Estonia and Macedonia
establish new court systems.
The Separation of Powers Committee, a relatively new House committee,
handles all bilis stemming from and regarding implementation of the
Separation of Powers constitutional amendment approved by voters last
November. The House Judiciary Committee handles matters dealing with
criminal and civil law and procedure, measures Involving the Rhode Island
Constitution and other laws, and legislation pertaining to election laws, the
penal code and the judicial system.
For more information, contact:
Dana Rae Laverty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2457
Printer Friendly View
II: Provided k
The LegisWive Press
Legislative Press & Information Bureau, R.I. State House, Room 20 RI.govI State Agencies I Contact the Web Team
Tab 17
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/prl.asp?prid=1667 3/7/2005
Rhode Island General Assembly > Print Page 1 of 2
CLOSE [x]
Press Releases
2/17/05 Legislators introduce Taxpayers Relief Act of 2005
STATE HOUSE – Legislators today unveiled the Taxpayers Relief Act of 2005, a bill designed to
provide significant property tax relief for all Rhode Islanders.
“It is a well known fact that Rhode Island’s property tax burden is oppressive. We are currently
ranked sixth in the nation in this category,” said Rep. James F. Davey (R-Dist. 15) of Cranston, the
bill’s main sponsor. “Our bill is designed to reduce the costs driving up property taxes rather than
merely shifting how these costs are paid (from property taxes to sales taxes, income taxes or
lottery revenues). Many of its provisions are not new. They have been introduced in the General
Assembly before but this is the first time they have been bundled together as part of a
comprehensive package designed to reduce property taxes.”
The bill has five main categories – pension reform, relief from unfunded mandates, education
accountability, management rights and health care reform.
The pension reform provisions would apply to all teachers, municipal employees, fire fighters and
police in the state system who have less than 20 years service. (This covers 81 percent of existing
employees.)
In its report entitled “State Pension Reform In RI” released earlier this week, the Rhode Island
Public Expenditure Council said: “The increasing costs of the state and teacher pension systems
are major drivers of the growth in state spending. The immediate fiscal impact of the growth In the
state and local contribution to these funds will make it increasingly difficult to control costs and
target resources to other priorities.
“In FY 2006 the taxpayers will have to increase their payment for teachers’ pensions from $128.5
million to $179.7 million – an increase of $51.2 million. 60 percent of that increase will have to be
paid by cities and towns.”
If nothing is done to reform the teachers’ pension system, RIPEC projects the taxpayers
contribution will rise from $128.5 million this year to $400 million in 2022.
Under the bill, teachers and municipal employees will be eligible to retire at 55 with 30 years
service. maximum pension 75 percent of average high 3 years. (Currently 28 years of service at
any age and pension at 80 percent for teachers and 30 years at any age and pension at 75 percent
for municipal employees.)
Police and fire fighters will continue to be able to retire at 55 with 10 years of service or 50 with at
least 20 years of service. However, the current provision of retirement at any age with 25 years of
service would be eliminated. The earliest age you could start receiving a pension would be 50.
For Cranston police and firefighters, longevity pay and legal holiday pay would no longer be
included in their pensions and their pensions would be based on the average of their highest three
years rather than their final pay check.
COLAs would be limited to the consumer price index and capped at 3 percent.
Tab 18
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/pr_print.asp?prid=1807 3/7/2005
Rhode Island General Assembly > Print Page 2 of 2
For teachers alone, we believe savings will significantly exceed the FY 2006 savings of $35.8
million estimated under Governor Carcieri’s proposal. (Although our proposal enables teachers to
retire at age 55 with 30 years of service compared to the Governor’s proposal for age 60, our
proposal covers more employees – 11,000 – than the Governor’s – 7000.)
There will be millions of dollars of additional savings when the proposed pension reforms are
implemented for municipal employees and police and firemen, said Representative Davey.
The bill’s cosponsors include Rep. Nicholas Gorham (R-Dlst. 40, Foster, Coventry, Glocester), Rep.
Matthew J. McHugh (D-Dist. 36, South Kingstown, Charlestown, New Shoreham, Westerly), Rep.
Laurence W. Ehrhardt (R-Dist. 32, North Kingstown) and Rep. Richard W. Singleton (R-Dist. 52,
Cumberland).
For more information, contact:
Dana Rae Laverty, Publicist
dlaverty@rilin.state.d.us
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2457
Legislative Press & Information Bureau, R.I. State House, Room 20
Tab 18
http://VVVVVV.rilin.state.ri.us/News/pr_print.asp?prid=1807 3/7/2005
Rhode Island General Assembly > Press Releases
HOME LEGISLATIVE INFO HOUSF ENATE NEWS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES_
News: Recent Press Releases Op-Ed Publications About the Legislative Press Bureau
Press Releases
3/1/05 Rep. Davey introduces package of open government bills
STATE HOUSE — Rep. James F. Davey (R-Dist. 15) has introduced several
bills dealing with open government.
“I’ve been a strong proponent of open government for many years,” said
Representative Davey, who represents part of Cranston. “Citizens should be
able to thoroughly examine and hold up to the light any true democratic
Institution. It’s the only way to ensure a fair and honest government.”
Two bills address the Joint Committee on Legislative Services (JCLS), the
administrative arm of the General Assembly. The measures (2005 – H5172,
(2005 – H5174) would require JCLS to undergo an annual audit by an
independent auditor chosen by the auditor general. It would also require
JCLS to provide an expenditure report to the General Assembly on a
quarterly basis. The report would also be posted on the General Assembly’s
Web site and available to the public free of charge.
Another bill (2005 – HSO28), sponsored by Rep. Nicholas Gorham (R-Dist.
40, Coventry, Foster, Glocester) and cosponsored by Representative Davey,
would require that all legislative grants awarded by the General Assembly be
listed in the state budget.
A separate bill (2005 – H5196) sponsored by Representative Davey would
require all public bodies, such as boards, offices, school committees and fire
districts, to post their collective bargaining agreements relating to their
public employees on either their Web site or on the Department of Labor and
Training’s Web site.
“Contracts such as these should be clearly posted and easily accessible to the
public,” said Representative Davey, who serves on the House Separation of
Powers and the House Judiciary committees. “After all, taxpayers fund these
jobs and deserve to know how their hard-earned dollars are being used.”
Another measure (2005 – HSO10) sponsored by Rep. Carol A. Mumford (RDist. 41, Cranston, Scituate) and cosponsored by Representative Davey
would repeal the inheritance tax in Rhode Island.
A member of Common Cause of Rhode Island, Representative Davey has
served on its Separation of Powers Task Force.
For more information, contact:
Dana Rae Laverty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2457
Printer Friendly View
Ike Propidei
4A-• The Leoislative Press
Tab 19
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/prl.asp?prid=1825 3/7/2005