Vol. 82, Issue #27
The Anchor Rhode Island College
April 27, 2010
Anchor Photo/Devin Noll
(From left) Deputy Speaker Christopher Volcy, SCG President Joshua Laguerre, Secretary Shawn Andrews, Rep. Shane Spinner, Rep. Nikhol Bentley, Rep. Anike Akinbulumo, and Finance non-Parliament Members Elizabeth Sullivan, Diamonte Tavolaro and Jordan Day at the Parliament Budget Meeting last Wednesday.
Budget battle Parliament debates the financial fate of 18 organizations at epic meeting. By Frank Wellington Anchor SCG Bureau
After months of turmoil and speculation, the unsatisfied Budget Meeting for student clubs finally took place last Wednesday. Nearly every club that came forward saw some kind of an increase, ranging from a few hundred to over $10,000 granted by Student Community Government, Inc. The budget that was granted the largest boost was the Resident Student Association. They received an increase of over
$10,000, most of which came in the community programs and Carnival line items. Community programs are how RSA provides activities in the residence halls for on-campus students. The organization had been seeking a large increase in that line for several years, ever since the New Residence Hall was constructed, but was consistently denied an increase by the Finance Commission, club officers said. “We haven’t gotten the increase needed since New Hall opened,” said club Treasurer Alex Devers. RSA also had the long-held Carnival, held on Monday on Weber Beach, added as an an-
nual event to be funded with $10,000 next year. The measure passed after extended debate. The other big winner of the night was L.I.F.E., or Live, Inspire, Fight, Educate. The break-out club is coming off a very active second year, including an Organization of the Year STORGY nomination, where they held the third-most events on campus, according to records provided by SCG Secretary Shawn Andrews’s office. They had requested over $7,000 and received only $425 from the Finance Commission at the Budget Hearings in February. See BATTLE Page 4
RIPTA to
increase fares By Kelsey Gamble Anchor Contributor
In order to balance the state budget, authorities say an increase in RIPTA fares is necessary, with the possibility of route decreases. John Rudd, board chairman, said that there is more than one factor resulting in the increased bus fares, but factoring in most importantly are rising gas prices. The way the system is currently set up, RIPTA is funded by the state’s gas taxes. It is based on the amount of gallons of fuel sold rather than the amount of money produced. An additional concern is that the revenue found from gas
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prices is unstable and predicting the outcome is difficult. Funding a transit system based on those who choose not to ride public transportation is a challenge, according to Rudd. “It’s ridiculous,” Rudd said. “The more riders we get, the less money we get in gas tax revenues.” Essentially, the more people that ride the bus, the less money RIPTA gets. RIPTA is projecting an increase of 25 percent to the already high $1.75 per ride. However, Rudd says that adding 25 cents to the initial price is small in comparison to other bus companies. In addition to a See RIPTA Page 6