Rhode Island Transportation Bonds Question 1 (2008)
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Rhode Island Transportation Bonds Question 1 appeared on the November 4, 2008 ballot in Rhode Island, along with one other bond question, the Open Space Bond Act. Both were placed on the ballot by the Rhode Island State Legislature.
Both bond measures were approved by voters, and the total amount is $89,715,000 ($89.715 million).
2008 election results
See also 2008 ballot measure election results
These results are based on the Channel 10's coverage of the election.[1]
| Transportation Bonds Question 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes or no | Votes | Percentage | ||
 Yes
| 297,099 | 77% | ||
| No | 90,794 | 23% | ||
| Total votes | 397,893 | 100% | ||
Specific Provisions
Bond Question 1 enacted the following provisions:
- Authorized the Rhode Island state government to borrow $87,215,000.
- With the money, provided funds to the Department of Transportation to match available federal funds and to provide direct funding for improvements to the State's highways, roads and bridges.
- Matched available federal funds and to provide direct funding for commuter rail.
- Purchased new buses and/or rehabilitate existing buses in the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority's bus fleet.
Supporters
Supporters included:
- Governor Don Carcieri
- Representative Robert Watson, R-30th District
- Construction Industries of Rhode Island
Editorial Support:
Arguments in Support
Arguments made in support of the measure included:
- Without the passage of this state bond, Rhode Island would have to return federal transportation funds totaling $436 million to Washington, D.C. Those dollars would then be redistributed to other states. Rhode Island would then get nothing for its highways and bridges for the next two fiscal years.
- Fewer construction projects equate to fewer jobs, and there are economic ramifications that come with that, including a loss of construction jobs.
- Funding revenues of old can no longer keep up with the aging infrastructure needs, and decisions must be made to prevent the system from drowning.
Opponents
No groups have reported raising money to oppose the referendum[4]
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Channel 10 News, 2008 Election Results
- ↑ Herald News: " Question 1 approval critical to R.I. future, 10-18-08," Oct 18, 2008
- ↑ South County Independent: "EDITORIAL: Bonds deserve local support," Oct 24, 2008
- ↑ Forbes.com: "RI voters weigh borrowing $87M for transportation," Oct 13, 2008
