Lawyers scramble to prepare motions in union case
11:05 AM Wed, Aug 27, 2008 | Permalink
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PROVIDENCE -- Unprepared students, many at their first day of school today, can take comfort in knowing that adults make mistakes too. A Superior Court judge this morning has banished a group of lawyers into the hallway to work that they failed to bring to court. Outside Judge Patricia Hurst's courtroom, lawyers for both Governor Carcieri and Council 94 are scribbling away, handwriting motions and forms that Hurst requested before she can make a ruling on a stay that both sides are asking for. Carcieri's and Council 94's legal teams were prepared to meet with Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank Williams to discuss Carcieri's appeal of Hurst's sharply worded order, saying that Carcieri could not implement an executive order, increasing health care costs for the union without first going to the state Labor Relations Board. But last-minute technicalities sent the lawyers down three flights of stairs to Hurst's office to request a stay of Carcieri's order, which is needed before the Governor can file an appeal. Lawyers for both sides appeared in open court at 10:30 a.m. Hurst asked each side for written motions related to the stay. Neither side had prepared the motions, or another form Hurst requested. "Would you like me to get off the bench and prepare one for you?" she asked sarcastically, before ordering both teams of lawyers outside. There, lawyers are preparing the motions and filling out the requested forms. They expect her to rule on their motions later today, after which, Carcieri will be able to file an appeal with Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank Williams. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Steve Peoples 
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Governor Carcieri Please keep up the good work for the citizens and taxpayers of RI. RI General Assembly this is your budget as well so how about some leadership and support for our Governor?
Superior Court judge Patricia this morning has banished a group of lawyers into the hallway to work that She says they failed to bring to court.
Clearly in Judge Patricia Hurst's courtroom, lawyers for both Governor Carcieri and Council 94 are still scribbling away. Yes both parties are attempting to understand and respond to Judge Hurst latest twist turns and about face, request before she can hopefully make a belated ruling on a stay that both sides are asking for.
Post second rate courts deliberations and union stalling - This is ALL just a side show to a much more important problem / solution quest !
The Judge and Union alike must understand that the state budget was passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor. Hence this is now the peoples budget. We the people expect that the state government will carryout and implement this budget. This budget results in a reduction of the size of state government and reform of state employee pay and benefits to market rates.
The Governor must reform ALL ,state of RI pay and benefits, adjusting to prevailing market rates.
The Governor must reduce the State of RI Government size / cost to affordable levels. Such must and will happen after the legal foot dragging is played out.
Moreover the Governor is the person we elected to run state government. Yes, not the court and not one of several labor unions
We must focus on the big picture.
The Governor and general assembly have already approved the peoples budget e.g. it is already law. The budget reflects todays realities.
Taxpayers lack afford ability to pay any higher state and or local taxes. Rather longer term plans and priorities must be established going forward.
Council 94 state union is only one component of a much larger set of overall reforms. We are shocked that the union and court has elected to be a component of the overall problem rather than a keystone of the solution.
wfh
Middletown, RI
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