Providence
13 stories from Providence, Rhode Island
Providence School Board approves paid coordinator job, disputing state order on who it answers to
The Providence School Board approved a job description for a paid board coordinator on July 28, after its attorney spent roughly 15 minutes on the record disputing a state education commissioner's June order about who the position answers to.
By Adriana Vossari | August 2, 2026
Providence contract board opens bids on high school boiler and asbestos work, from $85,130 to $308,000
Bids on a city high school boiler and asbestos abatement job ranged from $85,130 to $308,000, and two solicitations — including fair housing services — drew no bidders at all.
By Adriana Vossari | August 2, 2026
Teamsters File for Union Vote at RISD Cafeteria
The NLRB opened a representation case on July 28 covering 62 cafeteria workers at the Rhode Island School of Design, filed by Teamsters Local 251 — the same union that struck the school's facilities staff to a contract in 2023.
By Eddie Exxe | July 29, 2026
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