RI’s Staggering $14B Budget manages current crises, but thoughtful planning is needed for future success
Minority Leader Michael Chippendale
State House, Providence – Rhode Island House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale offers the following statement on the FY25 budget bill:
“As we do during each budget process, House Republicans identified a number of concerns in the FY25 Budget Bill. As each issue was explored, we worked with the Speaker and the House Fiscal Staff to integrate a number of good government and cost-savings proposals into the budget. Key budget takeaways championed by House Republicans include:
The budget holds the line on broad-based taxes and provides a measure of relief to retirees and small businesses
Bolsters aid for local road and bridges maintenance in the municipal infrastructure program
Helps to gain and retain professionals locally in medical fields, education and public safety – all of which have been front burner concerns for Republicans since the pandemic
Directed federal support for our aging residents and those most impacted by the national inflation crisis
Environment focus: Ongoing support for our Conservation Districts, forested land, freshwater lakes, forestry staffing, dam repair, and shoreline access
Funding was allocated for the English Language Learner Program, and for math and English coaches in an effort to address the low RICAS scores across the state
Fiscally responsible use of ARPA monies by directing unspent funds to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and other one-time items
11th hour Citizens Bank Amendment removed – will be thoughtfully developed legislatively in upcoming months
These are prudent investments.
Conversely, the $14B budget will become unsustainable as it is a federally-inflated budget that seeks to address a number of Rhode Island’s serious issues –such as education, the healthcare crisis, housing, the bridge infrastructure debacle (to name a few.) However, without the necessary support of thoughtful, effective and transparent plans for better outcomes, we are going to be in the same boat next year, and our taxpayers can’t bear the burden if we attempt to resume this level of spending in coming years.
We need to provide more relief to assist small businesses and Rhode Island’s middle class – who simply cannot sustain this level of spending. Rhode Island is among the 10 least friendly states for middle class families – placing 8th among the highest tax burdened residents in the US
We need to provide more relief to assist small businesses and Rhode Island’s middle class – who simply cannot sustain this level of spending. Rhode Island is among the 10 least friendly states for middle class families – placing 8th among the highest tax burdened residents in the US.
The 2023 Rhode Island House of Representatives Minority Caucus (Republican) is comprised of the following elected members representing constituents who live in the following districts throughout the Ocean State: Minority Leader, Michael Chippendale, District 40 (Foster, Glocester, Coventry); Minority Whip David Place, District 47 (Burrillville, Glocester); Representative George Nardone, District 28 (Coventry); Representative Brian Newberry, District 48 (North Smithfield, Burrillville); Representative Robert Quattrocchi, District 41 (Scituate, Cranston); Representative Sherry Roberts, District 29 (Coventry, West Greenwich) Representative Brian Rea, District 53 (Glocester, Smithfield). For more information on the House Minority Caucus, please visit www.rihousegop.org