But
let’s just give Quonset museum $4 million with no accountability
By
Sen. James Sheehan
 |
| Rep. Costa flipping the finger at Bob Plain of RI Futures. Stay classy, Doreen! (Photo by Bob Plain) |
In her efforts to assist the Quonset Air Museum, Rep. Doreen Costa (R-Dist. 31) of Exeter and North Kingstown successfully lobbied House leadership to secure a $25,000 state grant to assist the private, nonprofit corporation located in North Kingstown.
Costa
presented a large ceremonial check to the museum August 21. However, the check
has yet to be honored by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation &
Heritage Commission, the state agency overseeing the grant. The state agency
refused to disburse the money as there were issues regarding the application.
One issue was the commission was not satisfied with the corporation’s statement
of intent on the planned use of the $25,000.
I
find it ironic that a $25,000 grant would be held up to insure that the money
would be used properly.
Yet, Costa, who is surely aware the check is frozen, is
seeking $4 million for the air museum without there being a stated purpose or
other accountability measures in that bill.
The Costa bill simply states, “there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2016-2017, the sum of $4 million for Quonset Air Museum, a nonprofit corporation.”
One
of the lessons of the 38 Studios debacle was that blind faith is no substitute
for solid due diligence, objective and sound analysis, rigorous oversight and
accountability. I support the museum.
But, safeguards and accountability
measures must to be incorporated into the $4 million appropriation bill before
a determination can be made whether or not the money should be granted to the
air museum or be used for some other public purpose such as building state
infrastructure.
The
author is the Democratic state senator from District 36 in North Kingstown.