City & Government

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (MAY 31, 2022) – Until Tuesday night, the idea of three new schools in Middletown was largely just theory, an idea, a dream. At a meeting from the basement of the Oliphant administration building that shifted, where the School Building Committee heard some of the exciting possibilities for the shared middle-high school as well […]

PROVIDENCE, RI — In the wake of recent violence across the nation, Governor Dan McKee, the Rhode Island State Police, and the Rhode Island Department of Education announced further collaboration between superintendents and local law enforcement agencies to identify potential school safety issues and to fund any necessary repairs or upgrades.
“Public safety, and especially the safety of our children, must be our highest priority,” said Governor McKee. “The best way for us to ensure that what happened in Uvalde cannot happen here is to make serious investments in repairs and security upgrades. Rhode Island families deserve that peace of mind.”
Every leader of a local education agency in the state will conduct walkthroughs of the school facilities in their district and complete a comprehensive survey of potential emergency hazards, including reviews of doors and windows, car access, landscape features, lighting, alarm and camera systems, and communications systems. These walkthroughs and corresponding reports will be shared with RIDE and the School Safety Committee by Friday, June 10.
“As the mother of two school-aged children, I can relate to the feeling of uncertainty and worry parents are feeling right now in the wake of the Uvalde mass shooting,” said Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “This is why we must be proactive in addressing school safety and supporting our local school districts with the resources necessary to secure our schools and protect our students. I want to thank our district leaders, principals, educators, and support staff for working with us on this very important initiative.”
“There is nothing more important than the safety and well-being of our children. The Rhode Island State Police works with state and local public safety partners to ensure that all stakeholders are trained and prepared. Most importantly, we focus on prevention through intelligence gathering, and actively engage school officials with training and conducting security assessments,” said Rhode Island State Police Colonel Darnell S. Weaver. “We join the rest of the state in mourning all victims of gun violence.”
Schools where potential hazards are found will be encouraged to work with local law enforcement and their school safety teams to identify solutions to those hazards, including determining the time and cost of implementation. RIDE will authorize up to $500,000 in emergency approval through the School Building Authority for each district to make whatever additional security upgrades their school facilities need and be reimbursed after the work is complete.
“School safety is vital, and it starts with ensuring that our facilities are well-maintained and following the most recent guidance from law enforcement experts,” said Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “We are grateful to our local education leaders for their swift and thorough response to this call to action from the Governor. Rhode Island students and families should feel safe knowing that such dedicated and dependable educators lead their district.”
“School superintendents across Rhode Island are in agreement the safety of our children is of ultimate importance,” said Rhode Island School Superintendents Association President Kathryn Crowley. “The security of our schools is nothing new to us. We have been working diligently to assure the safety of our students and staffs since Sandy Hook. We will use the comprehensive survey to identify any security issues we have not addressed and welcome the additional resources being provided by the State to address those issues. Our students and their parents need to be assured our schools are safe havens.”
“Our schools and educators have one of the most important jobs — teaching students and ensuring that they are safe,” said Keith Oliveira, Executive Director of the Rhode Island League of Charter Schools. “The R.I. League of Charter Schools extends its appreciation to Governor McKee and Commissioner Infante-Green for prioritizing school safety through grants to make improvements to our school buildings. All of our charter schools have existing school safety plans; this additional funding will help to support any gaps or improvements that they may find in light of recent violence.”
###

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee, joined by members of Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation, today announced a strategic initiative with the Partnership for Rhode Island called CompeteRI. CompeteRI will help Rhode Island state agencies, municipalities, and nonprofits more effectively compete for federal funding made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Today’s announcement was held at South Quay, an undeveloped parcel in East Providence that will soon transform to be a central hub of the Northeast’s growing offshore wind economy.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, officially known as the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA), will rebuild America’s roads, bridges and rails, deliver clean drinking water, ensure every American has access to high-speed internet, tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and invest in communities that have too often been left behind. This once-in-a-generation investment will be game-changing for Rhode Island. State leaders are fully committed to leveraging these funds to strengthen and modernize Rhode Island’s aging infrastructure.
“With support from the Partnership for Rhode Island, Rhode Island is well positioned to compete for and hopefully receive more than its fair share of federal infrastructure grants from the Biden Administration,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I thank the CEOs for coming together to ensure that our state and municipalities have the tools and resources need to successfully secure these grants, in turn creating even more jobs and spurring economic development across Rhode Island.”
“We have a historic opportunity to rebuild Rhode Island’s infrastructure,” said Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “That’s why it’s so important that we coordinate resources and efforts to ensure these critical projects have the greatest impact and that they benefit every Rhode Islander, in every community. Leveraging the expertise and professional support of the Partnership for Rhode Island, our state agencies, cities and towns, and community organizations will be well-positioned to successfully compete for this federal funding.”
Earlier this year, the White House called upon states to develop sound, responsible and transparent processes, and seek partners to oversee and coordinate their efforts. The Partnership for Rhode Island, a nonprofit CEO roundtable, will play this part for The Ocean State. Through CompeteRI, the Partnership is supporting Rhode Island’s efforts to attract competitive federal infrastructure funds by providing additional capacity and expertise to state agencies, communities and organizations that are eligible to apply for the IIJA funds.
“AAA Northeast knows the importance of public infrastructure,” said John Galvin, CEO of AAA Northeast and Board Member of the Partnership for Rhode Island.” “Our members and partners rely on safe roads, modern transit, and secure broadband. I applaud the McKee Administration and Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation for having the foresight to partner with the state’s largest employers on Compete RI. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can be game changing for Rhode Island’s future. Our state’s infrastructure is in dire need of repair, and we must leverage this once in a lifetime opportunity to think long term. My CEO colleagues from the Partnership for Rhode Island are fully committed to Compete RI.”
The Partnership will lead a statewide, targeted education campaign to inform key stakeholders about the specific opportunities available to them and will oversee an operational process that provides agencies, local governments and institutions with access to high-level professional and technical support to write best-in-class grants that ensure Rhode Island fully leverages this incredible opportunity.
Additionally, Compete RI will streamline the IIJA application process and position Rhode Island to be a model for how states can efficiently and effectively coordinate across jurisdictions, project-manage their plans, streamline the application process and write bids to fund the future of infrastructure. In all, Rhode Island is potentially eligible for approximately $700 million in competitive grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The Partnership’s board has committed up to $250,000 to support CompeteRI. Earlier this year, the Partnership invested $250,000 for staffing and planning to help secure a major grant to launch URI’s Blue Economy and Smart Bay initiative. In all, the Partnership has dedicated half a million dollars to better position Rhode Island to compete for federal infrastructure funding.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivers historic investment that will create jobs now, make our state more economically competitive, and help communities thrive. From this bill, Rhode Island is set to receive over $2 billion in formula grants for roads and bridges, public transit, drinking water projects, broadband, airports, EV charging, and much more. Rhode Island will also be able to compete for billions of dollars in other federal grants. That’s where this relationship between the State and Partnership for Rhode Island will be so important. It will provide resources to help cities, towns, schools, tribes, and non-profits across Rhode Island be as competitive as possible in securing additional funds for important projects. Rhode Island has had a long history of success in getting these competitive funds, and this partnership will only make it stronger,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed.
“Our bipartisan law presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernize Rhode Island’s infrastructure and create good jobs in the process,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “While we know about $2.5 billion will definitely come to Rhode Island, significantly more funding is available through competitive grant programs like the INFRA Program I created to tackle large-scale transportation projects. It has already funded the Providence Viaduct repair and the improvements coming on Route 146. I’m grateful to Tom Giordano and the Partnership for Rhode Island’s board for organizing to make the Ocean State even more competitive.”
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will be nothing short of transformative for Rhode Island,” said Rep. Jim Langevin. “I thank Governor McKee and the Partnership for Rhode Island for developing Compete RI, which will allow our cities, towns, and tribes to access millions of federal dollars to upgrade our aging infrastructure. I look forward to seeing the progress of this project, and I’m more eager than ever to keep building on our momentum.”
“President Biden’s leadership helped Congress pass the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and we are seeing its investments at work already here in Rhode Island,” said Congressman Cicilline. “The establishment of this public-private partnership between the Governor’s Office and Partnership for RI will help local organizations apply for the law’s competitive funding and take full advantage of this opportunity so that we can maximize the federal funding brought back to Rhode Island and invest in our future.”
The CompeteRI team is already playing an instrumental role to support the grant application – among others – that the City of East Providence, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and RI Waterfront Enterprises are submitting to revitalize South Quay and the surrounding area along the northeastern edge of Narragansett Bay.
“East Providence has the opportunity to become a hub for the region’s growing offshore wind industry and with support from grants such as the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, projects such as South Quay have the ability to bolster the City’s economy and boost job growth for decades to come,” East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “East Providence is committed to our Compete RI partnership.”
The South Quay Marine Terminal is a shovel-ready port project with potential for multiple uses. The State, City of East Providence and the Rhode Island Waterfront Enterprises recently submitted an application for a competitive IIJA grant. This grant would support the redevelopment and position East Providence as a staging area and innovative hub for the Northeast’s growing off-shore wind industry. South Quay has easy access to deep-water channels and is accessible to several offshore wind lease areas, including the Vineyard Wind, New England Wind, South Fork Wind Farm, and Revolution Wind projects. The Revolution Wind project – first announced in 2018 – will generate up to 400 MW of energy for Rhode Island ratepayers, enough energy to power approximately half the homes in the state.
“The Partnership for Rhode Island is committed to making our state more competitive and creating economic opportunity for more Rhode Islanders,” said Tom Giordano, Executive Director of the Partnership for Rhode Island. “We are certain there will be a tremendous return on investment when the public and private sectors are collaborating to secure once-in-a-generation funding for long overdue infrastructure investments. Compete RI is a flagship priority for our members and has potential to provide a national best practice to ensure that federal dollars are put to work effectively, efficiently, and with a recurring return. We thank the McKee Administration and Rhode Island’s dynamic Congressional Delegation for everything they are doing to position Rhode Island for success.”
More information, including a regularly updated database of open grants, is available at www.competeri.org.
About Partnership for RI
The Partnership for RI is a CEO roundtable led by the chief executives of Rhode Island’s largest private employers. Founded in 2017, the organization supports economic development, education, and infrastructure initiatives that grow the state’s economy and create opportunities for more Rhode Islanders. More at www.partnershipri.org.
###

The City of Newport is gearing up for its annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration and is once again turning to the community to help light up Newport Harbor. Every year, thousands of locals and visitors alike flock to downtown Newport to take in the City’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display.  This year, with COVID restrictions lifted, the […]

Submitted by RIDEM  The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that its seasonal 24-hour Bay Line telephone information line is now open. The Bay Line number, 222-8888, is toll-free within the state. New to the program this year is the option for members of the public to report concerns through email at DEM.bartline@dem.ri.gov. Bay Line provides […]

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (MAY 25, 2022) – The Middletown schools are asking for a 4 percent increase in their upcoming Fiscal 2023 budget. According to figures presented Wednesday night to the Town Council at a meeting in Town Hall, the School Committee said it needed all funding — and more.  There was also talk of taking an […]

Rep. Teresa A. Tanzi today joined members of the union that represents workers at the state’s casinos in calling for passage of her legislation to include casinos in the state’s law prohibiting smoking in workplaces. “Casino workers are Rhode Islanders, parents, caregivers, taxpayers and human beings, and they deserve the same protections as everyone else […]

By LISA MASCARO AP Congressional Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer swiftly set in motion a pair of background-check bills for gun buyers Wednesday in response to the school massacre in Texas. But the Democrat acknowledged Congress’ unyielding rejection of previous legislation to curb the national epidemic of gun violence. Schumer implored his Republican […]

PROVIDENCE, RI – In accordance with a proclamation from President Joseph R. Biden, Governor Dan McKee has directed U.S. and Rhode Island flags to be flown at half-staff at all state facilities and buildings. The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on May 28, 2022 in memory of the victims of the senseless acts of violence at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
“We are sickened and heartbroken for the victims of yesterday’s tragic shooting in Texas,” said Governor Dan McKee. “These lives were senselessly taken. Our nation must come together and do everything we can to end these horrific acts of violence in our schools and our communities. Enough is enough.”
McKee also asks Rhode Islanders to lower their flags as a sign of respect.
###

By SUSAN HAIGH and LISA MASCARO Associated Press HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A U.S. senator who came to Congress representing the Connecticut community where 26 elementary school students and educators were killed nearly a decade ago begged his colleagues Tuesday, as the latest school shooting unfolded, to pass legislation addressing the nation’s gun violence problem. […]

The Rhode Island General Assembly today voted in favor of legislation to legalize, regulate and tax adult recreational cannabis use in Rhode Island, sending the bill to Gov. Daniel McKee, who intends to sign it into law tomorrow. According to a media advisory received this evening from Governor McKee’s office, Governor Dan McKee will host […]

Newport City Council and Newport School Committee will host a joint session on May 31 at 5:30 pm for the purpose of discussing school regionalization. The meeting will be held in person in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. Members of the public can also join the meeting by Web Ex (webinar number is […]