Government
Public services and government action
Woonsocket Mayor responds to accusations about homeless encampment eviction on conservative radio
Mayor Baldelli-Hunt hit back at advocates, borrowing a tactic from Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, and accusing the agencies of keeping people homeless in order to generate money for their agencies. She also said that he would not apologize to the people she displaced and demanded an apology from advocates for herself.
Woonsocket City officials called out on 'cruel' homeless encampment eviction
"What was done last week in our city was cruel and thoughtless. City officials that ordered the bulldozing showed a lack of empathy," said Margaux Morisseau, Deputy Director of the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness. "This is not how we treat our neighbors. Everyone deserves compassion."
Smiley administration gathers education ideas and priorities from the public
The three hour event was held to get public input into the future of Providence Public Schools and to start working towards the return of city control of the schools once the controversial and largely unsuccessful state takeover ends. In attendance were about half the members of the Providence City Council and current and former members of the Rhode Island General Assembly.
Speaker Shekarchi addresses Rhode Island's housing and homelessness crisis in opening speech
K. Joseph Shekarchi spoke plainly on Tuesday after he was re-elected to the position of Rhode Island Speaker of the House on Tuesday afternoon. Addressing his fellow Representatives, Speaker Shekarchi spent more time talking about the issue of housing than any other subject during his Inauguration Address.
Governor McKee avoids constituents, sneaks into inauguration via back entrance
Ahead of Governor Daniel McKee's inauguration, held at the Rhode Island Convention Center on Tuesday at noon, a half dozen volunteers with the Rhode Island Poor People's Campaign and DARE, including some people currently experiencing homelessness, gathered outside the entrance as a silent indictment of the Governor’s inaction on homelessness.
On first day of session, advocates steer focus to equal abortion rights
Reproductive rights volunteers and allies from The Womxn Project urged the members of the Rhode Island General Assembly to take quick action and pass the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (EACA) yesterday as the House and Senate began their 2023 legislative session.
Mayor Smiley lays out plans for Providence at inaugural events
It was an event that allowed Mayor Smiley to talk about his ideas, in general terms, for the future of the city which he declared "will be the best-run city in the United States of America" by the end of his administration.
McKee administration blocks release of public information with $930 price tag
How the McKee administration violated APRA and continues to abuse the spirit of public records law to shield his administration and himself from accountability in the disastrous handling of the homeless crisis here in Rhode Island.
Governor implored to take action on homeless crisis before deaths occur
Last week, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee forcibly evicted an encampment of unhoused people from the State House plaza after a Superior Court Judge ruled in his favor. As a result, the newly formed Emergency Housing Coalition held a protest last night, the eve of Solstice, the longest night of the year, on the south lawn of the Rhode Island State House.
Charter schools barely outperforming public schools in Providence
Are Charter Schools actually outperforming Providence Public Schools? The numbers say they are not, says Tom Hoffman, looking at the data.