RIPTA Defends Hiring Fung’s Firm for Lobbying
Friday, January 20, 2023
On Thursday, GoLocal unveiled that the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), which is headed by Scott Avedisian, the former Republican Mayor of Warwick, had signed an $84,000 no-bid contract with the firm of the former GOP Mayor of Cranston Allan Fung.
Avedisian and Fung are long-time close political allies and friends. RIPTA had not previously employed a lobbying firm.
Cristy Raposo Perry of RIPTA issued a statement to GoLocal in response to questions about the contract.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“In 2014, Governor Chafee signed the Quasi-Public Corporations Accountability and Transparency Act that empowers the board of quasi-public corporations, like RIPTA, to establish a wide range of policies. Among those are policies governing Lobbyists’ expenses. In November of 2014, the RIPTA board established policies along these lines which have been in place for several years. Below is the policy it established at that time related to lobbyists:
Lobbyists’ expenses. RIPTA’s CEO, with consultation from RIPTA staff, may determine whether, and on what terms, to retain a lobbyist for the purpose of representing RIPTA before legislative and administrative bodies for the purpose of furthering RIPTA’s mission.
In this case, the longstanding policy was followed. The CEO consulted with senior staff and the Chairman of the Board and it was agreed to hire PLDO, an established, well-respected Rhode Island firm, to serve as RIPTA’s lobbyist. The firm’s role will be to assist RIPTA with legislative matters, including the implementation of the state’s Transit Master Plan and the new downtown transit center."
But, Perry did not respond to questions about why the contract was not publicly advertised.
Fung is a partner in Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O'Gara. The contract was awarded to the firm's lobbying company PLDO Strategies. Fung took a leave from the firm to run for Congress in 2022. He lost narrowly in a race for the second congressional district to Democrat Seth Magaziner.
The contract states, “This Agreement shall commence on January 1, 2023, and shall terminate on December 31, 2023, unless extended by the mutual written agreement of the parties. Either party may terminate this Agreement immediately if an act or omission by the other party constitutes a material breach of this Agreement.“
Further, the contract states, "The parties agree that the $84,000 fee for PLDO STRATEGIES's work is for the Session. The installment payments are a courtesy granted by PLDO STRATEGIES to RIPTA in order to spread PLDO STRATEGIES's fees for work during the Session throughout the calendar year."
Scope of Lobbying:
(a) PLDO STRATEGIES will use its professional efforts to identify Rhode Island state legislation of interest to RIPTA and work to secure passage, defeat, or --· amendment to pending legislation of interest to RIPTA;
(b) PLDO STRATEGIES will also use its professional efforts to advocate for RIPTA's
(c) PLDO STRATEGIES will also use its professional efforts to advocate for RIPTA's interests as agreed upon between RIPTA and PLDO STRATEGIES.·
And, according to the agreement, "RIPTA will cooperate fully with PLDO STRATEGIES during this Agreement. Accordingly, RIPTA will provide PLDO STRATEGIES with relevant information, files, and documents that PLDO STRATEGIES may reasonably request in order to assist PLDO STRATEGIES to perform its duties under this Agreement. Moreover, RIPTA will make itself reasonably available to attend meetings, hearings, or other proceedings as needed."
Related Articles
- RIPTA Restores All Service on Sunday
- RIPTA Under Fire for Failing to Answer Questions About Data Breach
- With Multi-Hub RIPTA Plan Scrapped, What is Downtown Providence’s Transportation Future?
- RIPTA Cancels Express Beach Runs — Union Says It Could Take 3 Buses for Families to Make Trip
- McKee Defends RIPTA Cutting Express Beach Runs for Urban Families
- Providence Police Investigating Stabbing on RIPTA Bus
- “Limit RIPTA Buses & Check Non-Residents for Weapons,” Says Narragansett Resident After Beach Brawl
- RIPTA to Detour Fifteen Routes Due to Winter Storm on Thursday
- RIPTA Drivers Seek Vaccine Priority, Say No Response From Raimondo for Two Months
- Legislators Propose Free RIPTA for Riders: It Has Been Done in Other Cities - Would it Work in RI?
- Montanaro — Former Top Staffer to Mattiello — Lands Job at RIPTA for $113K
- RIPTA’s Slashing Beach Bus for Urban Kids is Blasted by Advocates and Candidates - UPDATED
- McKee Directs RIPTA to Restore Express Beach Run Service
- RIPTA Slashing Service Across the State Due to “Historic Workforce Shortage”
- RIPTA Bus Drivers “Overworked and Underappreciated,” Says Union in Calling for Changes
- Fund RIPTA Drivers Now: We Need the Governor to Put Money Where His Mouth Is
- UPDATED: Governor McKee Blasts RIPTA for Failures in Letter to Board
- ACLU of Rhode Island Filing Lawsuit Over RIPTA Data Breach
- RIPTA’s Busiest Bus Route Is Now Free, Starting Today
- Long Time RIPTA Bus Driver Robert E. Davis, Sr., Dies at 86
- Bank Robbed in Downtown Providence — Police Apprehend Suspect on RIPTA Bus
- RIPTA Driver for 37 Years Joseph V. Sabitoni Dies at 80
- RIPTA Employee for 25 Years, Lisa M. D’Arezzo of Johnston Dies at 53
- “Every Rhode Islander Should be Concerned,” Says ACLU’s Brown on RIPTA Data Breach Lawsuit