With a vote in the Senate today, the General Assembly approved legislation to put Rhode Islanders back to work while still allowing them to take advantage of federal support.
Sponsored by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett) and Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence), the legislation (2021-H 6249A, 2021-S 0858aa
,) makes changes to unemployment benefits to ensure an incentivized workforce that can help Rhode Island’s economic recovery while also taking advantage of available federal funding to help Rhode Islanders support themselves and stimulate the economy.
The legislation, which is supported by Gov. Daniel McKee, was fast-tracked through the General Assembly by legislative leaders to help businesses hire workers in time for the summer season. The House version of the bill passed the Senate today. The Senate version passed the House Finance Committee today and is expected to be voted on by the House tomorrow, and then bo
May 19, 2021 5:50 pm
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – As pressure mounts for the leader of Providence Public Schools to resign over his hiring of a school administrator accused of inappropriately touching students, a lawmaker has announced plans to submit legislation to reform oversight of the district.
Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin said she and her colleagues were “horrified” when hearing about the allegations against former Providence Schools Administrator Olayinka Alege, who was charged with simple assault and battery by the Warwick Police Department on April 20 after he gave a forced foot massage to a minor at a gym.
Before working in Providence, Alege worked for Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa where similar incidents were reported.
Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza is looking to fix the city s massively unfunded pension liability with a $704-million pension obligation bond.
Elorza confirmed the news in a Zoom call with reporters Thursday after City Council President John Igliozzi and House communications director Larry Berman shared details with The Providence Journal on Wednesday.
Providence would have 25 years to pay the money back at a fixed rate with around 3% to 4% interest and a call provision in 10 years.
Currently, the city s pension system is 22% funded. The mayor s plan would boost funding to 65%, surpassing the city s 60% obligation.
At the heart of the matter is the reality that the city s current payment schedule is unsustainable. In fiscal year 2020, the actuarially determined contribution totaled $86.7 million and will continue growing at a rate of 4% to 5% per year, peaking in fiscal year 2040 at $227.5 million. That outpaces the growth of the city s tax base.