Many of you have reached out regarding the overflow of sewage into Black Rock Harbor. The harbor is one of our greatest natural resources. I share the concern about our water quality. My staff and I have been briefed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and I’d like to explain a little further what’s been occurring on our city’s shoreline.
The Department of Revenue Services misinterpreted language in the budget we passed and put an overly broad tax on many grocery items not previously taxed. We never intended to expand the tax that broadly. But after discussions with Governor Lamont, we succeeded in getting DRS to rescind this policy, and now the tax will reflect our actual intentions.
The New York Times reports municipalities in the U.S. have been held hostage by sophisticated criminals who have hacked computer systems, encrypted data and demanded millions of dollars in ransoms for freeing the systems. Interviewed by reporters, Rep. Steven Stafstrom says 2017 legislation he led to passage as a deterrent calls for up to three years in prison upon conviction.
As we grieve over more mass shootings and look for answers out of Washington, I’m proud that our state continues to set an example. Now, if only Congress and other states would start to follow our lead.
