You think that food prices are high now, just wait until Gov. McKee starts up those truck tolls again. I can’t believe that our politicians are so dense that they think that the truckers are going to pay those tolls. Oh, sure, they will pay them up front, but they will just jack up their delivery prices to the stores; then the stores will jack up their price increases to “guess who”, the Rhode Island taxpayers, you and me. It’s just another tax on us. It won’t be long before we all have to go to the food pantries to get food. When will Rhode Island politicians stop saying spend, spend, spend and say cut, cut, cut? Oh, that’s right they will probably blame Trump for the hikes.

Thayer Donovan, Middletown

Your home’s value is under attack, unless you act

Rhode Island’s legislature recently passed laws that are likely to lower your home’s value, limit your control of your community’s future and reduce your quality of life. 

The legislature has very quietly enacted roughly 30 laws that all but end the ability of local communities to control their own zoning and place it firmly in the hands of state agencies. Their goal is to force Rhode Island’s 39 municipalities to allow more high-density housing.

These laws mean we residents now have much less control over how our community will look in the future. This loss of local control of zoning is almost certain to cause a decline in home values as three-story multifamily housing is fast-tracked in formerly single-family zoned neighborhoods. Falling property values plus greater demand on municipal services from a spike in population are likely to cause municipalities to raise taxes. 

These laws were passed quietly without the participation of or even communications with the state’s municipalities or residents. Why? Probably to minimize resistance that would likely rise if it became widely known control of local zoning was being taken away. Who wants local zoning in the hands of remote state agencies? 

More: How to submit a letter to the editor to The Newport Daily News

One of the principles clearly stated in Rhode Island’s constitution is local control. Power is to remain in local hands except where it must be exercised at the state or federal levels. These new state laws violate this long-standing principle that enables communities to tailor laws to meet residents’ wishes. The laws also raise serious state and federal constitution violation issues. 

What can you do to stop this bureaucratic power grab? 

1. Tell your town or city council you want them to fight for your zoning rights. For example, Portsmouth’s Town Council has drafted a resolution seeking a court injunction to stop enforcement of the new zoning laws. The Council is also contacting other municipalities to join forces in opposing the state takeover.

2. Write letters to the editor. The Newport Daily News (450-word limit), editor@newportri.com. The Providence Journal (250 words), letters@providencejournal.com. 

3. Contact your state legislators. Tell them you want control of zoning returned to local government.

4. Let Speaker of Rhode Island’s House of Representatives K. Joseph Shekarchi know how you feel, rep-shekarchi@rilegislature.gov. It is highly unlikely these laws would have passed without Speaker Shekarchi’s blessing, if not instigation.

Regaining control of your community’s future requires your immediate action. If you do nothing, your community may soon be unrecognizable and unaffordable. 

Bill Welch, Portsmouth