Setting a Higher Standard for Ethical Conduct: A Message from Mayor Angel Taveras

I expect the highest level of ethical and professional behavior for those who serve the City. This week I was again reminded why it is so important to make fulfilling these expectations a high and visible priority. On Thursday, the Rhode Island Supreme Court issues a ruling on city pensions in the case of Ryan v City of Providence. While we will respect the ruling, I am disappointed that the Court took such a narrow view, defining honorable service as anything other than a criminal conviction.

Under my administration this will not be the standard. I will take immediate action to significantly revise the City's Honorable Service Ordinance working in collaboration with the Providence City Council. We will work with the City Council to amend the City's Honorable Service Ordinance so that those who violate the public trust do not collect a pension from the taxpayers.

Corrective action to the Honorable Service Ordinance is necessary to ensure that those who engage in inappropriate and unethical behavior do not receive pension benefits. In addition, such action will also recognize the vast majority of City workers who serve with integrity every day and who are disrespected when those who serve dishonorably are rewarded.

This is also a tremendous opportunity to strengthen my administration's collaboration with the City Council. My colleague, City Council President Michael Solomon, did not hesitate to join me in a plan to amend the Honorable Service Ordinance. He released this statement to the press in response to the ruling:

"The City Council stands firmly beside the Mayor in seeking immediate legislative action to ensure that those who violate the public trust do not collect a pension from the taxpayers. An amendment to the City's Honorable Service Ordinance will be introduced shortly."

This was a fight worth fighting. Although we will respect the Court's ruling, we will continue to fight whenever and wherever we can to ensure that the people of Providence have a government they can trust and be proud of.