Governor McKee opened in remembrance of the victims of the Brown shooting.
“Every decision we make reaches one place – homes where RI families come together.” Families are questioning what the future holds. “Here’s what I know – RIers always have each other’s backs.” Together we are building a future worth fighting for.
We will keep fighting for the future Riers deserve. We will fight back against Trump policies to protect the most vulnerable and protect our values.
When he was working on the budget, he considered costs we must bring down. President Trump has made costs higher. “I’m not going to stand by and let President Trump price our residents out.” He touted the elimination of the tangible tax for most businesses, creating the Hope scholarship, and lowering the unemployment tax rate. “Let’s keep delivering,” said McKee
Propose Rhode Island’s “first affordability for all agenda.” This plan will touch every household:
– Permanent child care tax credit
– Lowering the gas tax (last year’s increase pushed our state to the 10th highest in the country. Governor proposed rolling it back saving $9 million per year
– Lowering fees on electric bills (RI has the 4th highest residential rates in the nation. We can’t let this continue. The budget will reform and reduce the 25% that comes from fees and taxes. $1 billion in energy relief over the next 5 years.) The Trump administration’s most recent stop work order on the wind project was deemed illegal. “We will not back down.”
– Eliminating income tax on social security
– Hold private health insurers accountable by setting enforceable caps on costs with penalties for any company that doesn’t comply
– Making the Hope Scholarship permanent regardless of income
– $20 million for housing
“Let’s pass the “Affordability for All” agenda.”
At the heart of opportunity is a four-lettered word “J-O-B-S.” We’re putting to people to work which will pay dividends to come. “Let’s keep RI building with good prevailing wage union jobs.”
The Governor’s budget will include $600 million in bond proposals
– $115 million economic development bond for: 195 district and life science district, ocean-tech, maritime and defense infrastructure at Quonset construction ready sites for manufacturing
– $60 million Historical Archives building
– $215 million Higher education building all three state schools
– $50 to build Career Technical Education classes across the state
– $120 million housing bond to boost supply and drive down cost
Infrastructure – the Governor wants to build a new bridge as quickly as possible. Budget will include additional engineering oversight in the Department of Transportation. The budget will close the $14 million deficit that exists in the department
“No state can fully backfill all of the federal cuts coming our way. We will use our limited resources to protect the most vulnerable.” The budget will have $10 million to boost support to hospitals as they prepare for residents that no longer have health care. The budget will increase money for senior centers.
“As we all think about the future of our state…this is my commitment to you…together we will stand up to President Trump…” “We will deliver affordability for all.”
submitted by RIMBA’s lobbyist
Lenette C. Forry-Menard, Esq.
Champion Advocacy Associates
10 Lincoln Drive
North Smithfield, RI 02896
Phone 401-374-0456
Fax 401-597-6726