Statement: Pension Gag Order

Our statement regarding the gag order issued by Superior Court Judge Sarah Taft-Carter in the pension settlement case:

The Rhode Island Press Association urges Superior Court Judge Sarah Taft-Carter to lift her gag order on the proposed pension settlement. This is a complicated case with huge ramifications for taxpayers and those who receive pensions. It is wrong to deny them any information that they need to understand the settlement proposal and the voting process. The public has the right to know how this proposed settlement will affect state and local spending. The public has a right to know what is being offered to public employees and how much it will cost. Public employees and retirees have the right to know all of the details about the voting process on this proposal. This information remains shrouded in secrecy, as a result of the judge’s gag order, and has contributed to unnecessary confusion.

-The Rhode Island Press Association