RI Republicans Criticize 'Government By Executive Order'

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Republican part sounded off Thursday after Gov. Gina Raimondo announced new regulations to help control the spread of the coronavirus in the state, saying her actions raised "profound concerns about the function of state government."

"That these decisions continue to be unilaterally made by the Governor without any lawful and necessary legislative oversight is a further abdication of responsibility by the General Assembly, which falls squarely in the laps of the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and all members of the General Assembly that continue to remain silent," the party said in a statement. "Our citizens and businesses have been without proper representation since March, and it is long past time for the General Assembly to do its job."

The statement went on to say that the people of Rhode Island "are losing patience" with the current "government by executive order," and that state legislators have a duty to act as a check and balance to the executive branch.

"Our country was founded on the principle of disbursement of power through various branches of government," the statement continued. "Right now, here in Rhode Island, the Governor acts as the Executive and Legislative branches. We are not necessarily saying that the Governor’s recommendations are wrong, but they are coming from a place of unchecked power, and that is wrong."

The General Assembly briefly reconvened over the summer to discuss several key bills, including discussions of the state's budget. State leaders later decided to suspend all budget discussions until after the November election, since the state is hoping for additional federal stimulus funding.