Government
Public services and government action
Hundreds of millions in APRA funds wasted in McKee budget
Rather than making an impact with the ARPA funds, the Governor would allow it to melt away into the kind of small improvements to government buildings, airports and Ports that the average Rhode Islander will never see. McKee plans to dump these once in a generation ARPA funds into an infrastructure slush fund rather than invest in ongoing programs - like Medicaid, improving our responses to behavioral health, or building affordable housing - that could affect the lives of thousands of Rhode Islanders in need.
Unfilled staff vacancies, ongoing mismanagement causing severe problems at DHS
Speaking in Spanish, Lopes told reporters that she suffers from cancer, and has been unable to get SNAP benefits for two months. Lopes has faced long wait times when she calls DHS on the phone, and has found a there is a lack of staff able to speak to her in Spanish. She and her ten-year old child can't get answers to their questions or solutions to their problems from the state.
A fight for meaningful health insurance this Thursday at the State House
"The Department of Health and Human Services estimates that as many as 374,000 Rhode Islanders, including about 89,000 kids, benefit from this prohibition in the ACA. They have chronic conditions that could hit either the annual cap or the lifetime cap. That's a huge percentage. This bill will help protect them."
As Covid rages, conditions at the ACI become human rights violations, say prison advocates
"Me myself - my body got completely stained out," said Warren. "There's guards in there that wanted me to sleep inside moldy mattresses. The medical attention is horrible. Sometimes you apply and it takes weeks before you get any medication… The state doesn't care about prisoners."
McKee budget undermines state's response to the substance use crisis
"Without intervention," says EOHHS in their request, "rates will continue to fall behind the amount required to ensure service delivery, nor will Rhode Island be able to attract additional [substance use disorder] providers."
Surprise McKee budget item exempts motorcycles from sales tax
There's a new sales tax exception in the Governor's budget. It will affect motorcycle riders, putting extra cash in their pockets. But who are motorcycle riders? Into whose pocket will this money go?
MLK Day March for Education in North Kingstown takes on racial equity
"We just wanted to bring attention to and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and bring attention to the fact that now, more than ever, there's a need for equity in eduction," said Jennifer Lima, co-president of TANK. "It's important that children everywhere are taught the importance and history of racial injustice in our country and how it still impacts today.
Majority of PVD City Council supports unvaccinated police officers
"Part of 'serving and protecting' means following evidence-based public health guidance. Anything less is a betrayal of the oath of office," say City Council candidates. "Further, as COVID-19 was one of the highest causes of death for police officers in 2020, a vaccine mandate is essential to protect the people tasked with protecting the people of Providence."
Rhode Island urged to pass the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act now
"Anyone who cares about fighting racism and poverty must realize that attacks on abortion and abortion coverage are first and foremost attacks on port women and women of color," said Dr. Ogechukwu “Oge” Uwanaka, a Medical Practitioner and abortion provider.
Education justice groups call for "equitable and safe schooling" during covid surge
"We face unique challenges as a society in these times. We must rise to these challenges by reimagining our schools, social services, and systems overall. As we support young people to learn, we must also cultivate a world in which they will grow to lead. We owe them nothing less than the thoughtful intention we hope to have conveyed here. We call upon Governor McKee, other elected leaders, and public officials to work together with communities to do what is right and necessary."