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Mayor of Warwick seeks guaranteed mayoral picks for Rhode Island Airport board; committee holds bill
Summary
Senate Bill 211 would require the governor to appoint a Warwick‑nominated representative to the Rhode Island Airport Corporation board from a three‑person list provided by the mayor. Warwick officials said the city simply wants a voice on airport decisions; the bill was held for further
Senate Judiciary heard testimony on Senate Bill 211, a bill to restore a mayoral appointment to the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) board for the city of Warwick.
Sponsor and mayoral testimony: Senator McKinney presented the bill and Mayor Avedisian of Warwick told the committee he was not seeking control of the airport but wanted a reliable local voice on a board that makes decisions affecting Warwick neighborhoods. “We just want a voice there,” the mayor said, noting traffic and noise concerns around airport cargo facilities.
Legal and municipal views: Peter Skorris, assistant solicitor for the city of Warwick, testified the appointment would not violate the appointments clause and said RIAC is a subsidiary of Rhode Island Commerce, not a department exercising executive power. Supporters noted precedent for municipal appointees on other quasi‑public boards.
Outcome: After short testimony, the committee voted to hold the bill for further study.
