Smithfield Rep Donates His Pay Raise So Library Can Buy Nintendo Switch

By Meredyth Whitty, Legislative Press Bureau

SMITHFIELD, RI ― Local kids who visit the Greenville Public Library will soon have another entertainment option there, thanks to a change to the state constitution approved by voters in 1994 and Rep. Thomas Winfield.

Representative Winfield donates his entire legislative salary to a variety of local causes, and has earmarked a constitutionally mandated raise in that salary this year to the library for the purchase of a new Nintendo Switch video game system for the children’s room.

In 1994, Rhode Island voters approved a constitutional amendment that eliminated legislators’ pensions, but raised their salaries from $5 per legislative day to $10,000 the following year, with raises pegged to the Consumer Price Index. Accordingly, legislators got a $200.59 raise this year, making their salaries $15,429.72 effective July 1.

While some legislators refuse to accept raises for various reasons, Representative Winfield said he’s happy to pass the extra money along to the library, and to use his entire salary to help local organizations, ranging from local youth sports teams to Smithfield High School’s Finance Academy.

“I appreciate that voters approved the salary for legislators, since it is meant to bring greater diversity to the General Assembly by making running for office possible for people from a wider array of backgrounds. I’m fortunate enough, however, to be in a position where I don’t need the salary, and I really enjoy being able to use it for the benefit of worthy organizations in my district. I’ll gladly accept the raise, since it will mean more resources for our wonderful local library,” said Representative Winfield (D-Dist. 53, Smithfield, Glocester). “I hope the new Nintendo Switch will bring more kids to the library, where they’ll realize it’s just one of many free activities they can enjoy there.”