House Passes McNamara Bill Adding Warwick RIAC Seat

STATE HOUSE — Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) for a Warwick RIAC seat, granting representation on the Rhode Island Airport Corporation Board of Directors.

The bill (2024-H 7069) would require that one of the seven directors of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation be appointed by the mayor of Warwick with the advice and consent of the Rhode Island Senate. The measure now moves to the Senate, where similar legislation (2024-S 2886) has been introduced by Sen. Mark P. McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick).

“As the major airport in the state, the decisions relating to T.F. Green that are made by the Airport Corporation have a disproportionate impact on the city of Warwick,” McNamara said. “That’s why state law requires the city to receive an annual reimbursement from the corporation for municipal services. Having one member of the board of directors appointed by the mayor would assure that the city’s interests are properly reconciled during the corporation’s decision-making process.”

The Rhode Island Airport Corporation was formed in 1992 in order to operate and maintain the state’s airport system, including Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport. The corporation is made up of seven members who are currently appointed by the governor.

“The city of Warwick has been a patient and understanding host of the airport for more than 90 years,” said Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), who cosponsored the legislation. “The annual reimbursement Warwick receives for municipal services doesn’t begin to compensate the city for everything it does for T.F. Green. This bill would ensure that a strong voice for the city is represented on the board, so Warwick’s interests will always be taken into consideration on issues that could potentially have a big impact on the city.”

City, RIAC disagreements prompt move to add Warwick voice to board

McNamara began working to add a Warwick seat to the board following a lengthy and contentious series of disagreements and negotiations between Mayor Frank Picozzi and the RIAC, recounted in detail in this Warwickpost.com report. During the series of arguments the RIAC ended its $500,000 annual payment to the city, acting on an FAA audit of the payment Picozzi noted was curiously timed.

For many years, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation has made the payment to offset the cost of services the city provides to the airport such as fire, police and other emergency services, but on the contingent approval of the Fedearal Aviation Administration (FAA). This year, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) disapproved the payment by the Airport Corporation.

“The City of Warwick relies on this annual funding to defray taxpayer expenses for these services, and I want to make certain the state continues this commitment,” said  Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick).  “It is disappointing that the FAA will no longer allow the Airport Corporation to make these payments, but I introduced this legislation to ensure that the state steps in and makes this vital payment.”

Shekarchi’s bill (2024 H-8181) was expected to be heard by the House Finance Committee at a hearing on Tuesday, April 23,  where it has so far been tabled for further study.

T.F. Green Airport history

The airport was established in 1931 as Hillsgrove State Airport. In 1938, it was renamed T.F. Green Airport in honor of Rhode Island Governor and U.S. Senator Theodore Francis Green. In 2021, the General Assembly voted to rename it the Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport. The change was touted by airport executives as a way to increase awareness of Rhode Island’s main airport to domestic and international travelers and more accurately reflect the changing complexion of the airport while continuing to honor the memory of T.F. Green.