Raimondo, Fox oppose pension talks

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Two of the architects of the state pension reform law are speaking out against Gov. Lincoln Chafee's calls for negotiations with the unions.

Chafee made his intentions known when he spoke with Target 12 Investigator Tim White on Monday.

• Chafee: Let's Negotiate on Pension Reform
• Union Leader Backs Chafee on Pensions

General Treasurer Gina Raimondo issued a statement Wednesday expressing concern over closed-door meetings, saying that the calls for negotiations are motivated by politics.

"I have a great respect for the judicial system and we now must let this process unfold in an orderly and transparent way," she said in the statement. "We owe that to the people of Rhode Island."

Tax advocacy groups are also opposed to Chafee's call for negotiations.

Donna Perry with the Rhode Island Statewide Coalition told Eyewitness News "We think it's outrageous that Gov. Lincoln Chafee, at the 11th hour, is working to undermine his own state's pension court case."

But union leaders want the talks and are disappointed with the General Treasurer's actions.

According to the Executive Director of NEARI, Bob Walsh, "there are two different paths, you can be Gina Raimondo and say there's only one right answer and I have it. Or you could be the Mayor of Providence and say we can get to the right answer together."

House Speaker Gordon Fox, who sponsored the landmark pension reform act, says the dispute over the law should be settled in court.

Both sides will go before a judge on Friday to argue a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.