Providence
10 stories from Providence, Rhode Island
Split Council Passes Controversial Affordable Housing Tax Ordinances Over Legal and Fiscal Objections
The Providence City Council pushed through two affordable-housing tax ordinances over pointed objections from Councilor Ryan and Councilor Taylor, who warned of legal exposure and fiscal risk — objections Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo answered by arguing the city can't wait for "perfect" legislation.
By Kelly Lockhart | July 17, 2026
AS220 Tax Abatement Vote Collapses Amid Conflict-of-Interest and For-Profit Business Concerns
A $165,000 tax abatement tied to AS220 collapsed on the Providence City Council floor Thursday after councilors said it would chiefly benefit for-profit restaurants and a bar, and after a possible conflict of interest was raised. The item was pulled and sent back to committee.
By Adriana Vossari | July 17, 2026
Providence Council Advances School Procurement Rules, Sends AS220 Tax Break Back to Committee
The Providence City Council finalized a school procurement overhaul and advanced housing-related tax measures over two councilors' objections, while sending a $165,000 AS220-linked tax abatement back to committee amid conflict-of-interest questions.
By Adriana Vossari | July 17, 2026
Providence Council Committee Approves $140 Million School Construction Bond
A Providence council committee cleared a $140 million school construction bond for a full council vote, with the city's finance chief warning that delay past the summer recess could push back the borrowing by about seven weeks.
By Adriana Vossari | July 17, 2026
Providence Finance Committee Advances $166.5 Million in School and Building Bonds
Providence's finance committee advanced $140 million in school bonds and $26.5 million in building bonds Tuesday, with officials saying quick council action before summer recess could save seven weeks and speed up construction funding.
By Adriana Vossari | July 15, 2026
Providence City Council Committee Advances PPSD Procurement Overhaul, Raising Contract Threshold from $5,000 to $500,000
A Providence City Council committee held a public hearing Monday on an ordinance raising the threshold for school district contracts requiring school board approval from $5,000 to $500,000, shifting most purchasing decisions to a new mayor-appointed purchasing agent.
By Adriana Vossari | July 14, 2026
Providence Council Committee Hears Public Testimony on Rewriting School Purchasing Rules
A Providence City Council committee heard dueling testimony Monday on an ordinance that would create a mayor-appointed purchasing agent for PPSD contracts, with speakers disagreeing over how high the new spending threshold would go.
By Adriana Vossari | July 14, 2026
Providence Reopens Its Landmark Climate Justice Plan — Here's How Residents Can Weigh In
Providence has kicked off its first comprehensive update to its nationally noted Climate Justice Plan since 2019, reopening questions about how much power frontline neighborhoods will have in shaping the city's climate future.
By Kelly Lockhart | July 4, 2026
Providence City Council Passes Juvenile Justice Reform, Expands Hearing Board Eligibility
The Providence City Council voted unanimously to expand eligibility for the city's juvenile hearing board, adding a 90-day implementation period before the change takes effect.
By Adriana Vossari | July 4, 2026
Providence Council Advances Juvenile Justice Ordinance, School Procurement Overhaul
The Providence City Council gave final approval to a juvenile diversion ordinance and advanced a school procurement overhaul, with a public hearing set for July 13.
By Adriana Vossari | July 3, 2026