Councilman John J. Lombardi (Ward 13), issued the following statement, in reaction to the recent report in the Providence Journal that Mayor David N. Cicilline had sent correspondence to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan regarding Governor Donald Carcieri’s plan for stimulus dollars for education:

“While I understand the Mayor’s concern that the federal stimulus funds be used to increase state aid to education, and not simply to maintain the status quo, I am deeply troubled by the Mayor’s antagonistic approach. Evidence of the devastating impact of the current economic storm is all around us. Now is the time for City and State officials to work together with leaders in business and government, as well as other stakeholders, to focus on consensus building and creative problem-solving. Rather than criticize and complain to the United States Education Secretary about the Governor’s actions, the Mayor should call for an economic summit to create solutions for the immediate crisis, and the for long-term prosperity and recovery of Rhode Island’s economy.

“As noted in the article by the Governor’s office, the federal government has not yet written the rules and regulations as to how stimulus funds may be used for education. Therefore, it is impossible to know at this time whether the Governor is or is not acting in accordance with the law. It may be the case that neither the

City nor the State truly understands the rules of engagement regarding the process. Further, because of the ‘use it or lose it’ clauses attached to the stimulus funds, the City must ward off delays which could jeopardize prospective funding. Hopefully, the Mayor’s letter will not create that kind of delay.  I hope that, moving forward, the Mayor will take a collaborative approach to finding solutions to Providence’s challenges and to ensuring a positive impact on the City as a whole.”