To the Editor:

I believe that it is time to hit the reset button on our state government. For years, the State Legislature — House and Senate — have spent too much time trying to keep their jobs, and they have forgotten to do their jobs.

Earlier this year, the State Senate voted for the second time to start tolling trucks in order to generate revenue to repair our bridges and roads. This time they were joined by the state representatives, and the Rhode Works bill was passed, implementing a tolling program and calling for the creation of an infrastructure that could ultimately lead to more revenue generation, not just from trucks and trucking organizations, but also from you and me and all citizens of Rhode Island. (Editor’s note: the legislation only allows the tolling of commercial trucks, not personal vehicles.)

The problem is that rather than making sure the roads and bridges were kept in good, safe condition, they have allowed the roads and bridges to fall into deplorable condition. They then decided that they needed to start tolling trucks to pay for repairs.

The question should not be: Do the roads need to be repaired? Anyone who has driven on the roads knows they are in desperate need of repair, but how did our legislature allow for this to happen? This September and November, the residents of this state have the chance to change the direction of Rhode Island. It is time to hit the reset button on our government. We need to elect new people in this state who want a brighter future. I believe that there can be a brighter future for beautiful, little Rhode Island. I want to be a part of that brighter future.

Jarrod Hazard

Warren