Record of Testimony

I am single. I depend on my pension to survive. I have less money to enjoy my retirement my insurance is astronomical. My standard of living has been reduced drastically I am fearful of what my future holds. Please 🙏 I need some financial relief.

I have been blessed to be an employee for the State of Rhode Island at the Department of Environmental Management. I feel I have served the citizens of this state effectively and honestly.

Just one topic I would like to bring up and that is a cost of living increase that would be fair to all.

I worked for the State of Rhode supporting individuals with developmental disabilities for 32 years 4 months. I was planning on staying for 35 years, but with the changes that were being implemented I thought hard and felt it best to leave. That was 2008.

I retired with the promise of receiving cost of living increases. Shortly after I retired, they were taken away. I’m finding that as years go by it is getting more difficult to keep up!

I was so happy to get a job working for the State of Rhode Island while continuing my education at night. I believed the job came with a promise in the form of a contract. I promised to work with honor and respect.

I am almost 71 years old and I am still teaching because I cannot afford to retire. This is my 23rd year teaching. If I retire this year I will receive approximately $1900.00 a month. I am all alone and my sole support. If I retire I cannot afford Medicare or be able to keep my house.

I started working for the City of East Providence in the (Water Department) on April 2nd 1990. I've been there almost 34 years.

I am a former RI teacher who taught 30years. I loved teaching but if I were starting today I would apply in CT or MA not RI. When I started I signed a contract that promised me a pension that included a cola. I was not allowed to pay into Social Security.

My name is Susan Lusignan and I have worked for the City of East Providence since I was 16 years old. After a semester in college, I decided I needed to earn money and left to pursue employment.