ACLU: State takeover in Central Falls may be unconstitutional

The new law allowing receiver Mark A. Pfeiffer to take the duties of the mayor of Central Falls may be unconstitutional. That’s what Steve Brown, executive director of the RI chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, tells WRNI.

Brown says the state Constitution specifically gives municipalities the right to self-governance and prohibits the General Assembly from doing anything that alters that form of government. Brown adds:

It essentially is a non-elected, appointed individual now running the city and we’re very concerned that the electorate has been frozen out of having any say in the governance of the city.

Brown says the ACLU might legally challenge the new state law if it finds a concerned resident of Central Falls who is prepared to make a complaint.