Senator Withdraws Controversial 'Prudence Authority' Bill

Senator Christopher Ottiano (Dist. 11, Portsmouth and Bristol) has withdrawn his bill, which would create a "Prudence Island Ferry Authority" to help resolve the problem of ferry service for Prudence Island residents. 

While Ottiano's Senate bill 532 has been withdrawn, an identical House bill, H-5600, sponsored by Reps. Raymond Gallison, John G. Edwards, Dennis Canario and Kenneth Marshall, has been referred to the House Finance Committee. 

The bill, if approved, would create a quasi-governmental body with members of Portsmouth and Bristol governments. The authority would determine the course of action to resolve Prudence Island's current ferry problem. 

As of Dec. 1, ferry services between Bristol's mainland and Prudence Island, a part of Portsmouth, will end. 

Ottiano said he decided to withdraw his bill after hearing from many Prudence Island residents. The controversial bills from the House and Senate are being compared to the heavily criticized East Bay Energy Consortium. 

"We promised the constituents of Prudence Island we would withdraw it," Ottiano said in a phone message. "We want to listen very carefully to their wishes." 

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