House Minority Leader Blake Filippi lead the fight for more DCYF staff
Months late, the Rhode Island House approved record spending on Wednesday. Rhode Island was one of the last states to approve a budget and the debate was limited. The only major fight was when House Republicans submitted amendments to the proposed FY21 budget to address cuts in frontline staffing at DCYF by the Governor.
The Rhode Island House of Representatives voted 59-6 Wednesday to approve the $12.75 billion state budget for the 2021 fiscal year. House Democratic leadership says that restores funding to cities and towns, uses federal coronavirus relief funds to aid struggling Rhode Islanders and does not raise taxes or fees.
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The skinny budget was delayed several months due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Rachel Nunes/Patch)
PROVIDENCE, RI Rhode Island is one step closer to having a state budget for the 2021 fiscal year. The full House of Representatives approved the so-called skinny budget in a special session Wednesday afternoon.
The pared-down budget includes financial assistance for Rhode Islanders hit hardest by the pandemic, and does not raise taxes or fees. It also includes seven bond questions that Rhode Island voters will take up in a special election March 2. This budget is about making sure we take full advantage of the federal funding available to help take care of Rhode Islanders and get us through this pandemic, said House Speaker-elect K. Joseph Shekarchi. We are just a few weeks away from the start of a new session in January, and at that time we look forward to a full discussion of new policies and ideas. For now, we need to hold the line and fully support our schools,
RI House Finance Chair Marvin Abney.
After months of not having a Fiscal Year 2021 budget, the Rhode Island General Assembly took a step closer on Wednesday.
The House Finance Committee voted 11-2 to approve a pared-down $12.75 billion state budget for the 2021 fiscal year that restores funding to cities and towns, uses federal coronavirus relief funds and does not raise taxes or fees.
The federal monies could have gone to support Rhode Island businesses and are now going to support government, aid to cities and towns, social services, and state colleges. GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST