Mayor Taveras Commends General Assembly for Support of Capital City

Mayor Angel Taveras today commended the General Assembly for its strong support of the City of Providence during the legislative session that concluded last week.

Faced with a severe fiscal emergency that required shared sacrifice from everyone, Mayor Taveras called on the state's legislative body to pass a legislative package designed to help put the Capital City back on firm financial footing. The General Assembly did just that and supported a Stronger Providence in 10 important ways, and provided nearly $18 million in necessary savings from this legislative session.

Mayor Taveras commended House Speaker Gordon Fox and Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed for their strong support for Providence along with Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio, House Finance Chairman Helio Melo, Senate Finance Chairman Daniel DaPonte, and Providence delegation co-chairs Sen. Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin, Rep. John Carnevale and Rep. Anastasia Williams. In addition, the Mayor recognized each Providence State Representative and State Senator for their strong advocacy for the needs of the Capital City.

Mayor Taveras also recognized the support that Governor Lincoln Chafee has provided the City in his proposed budget and throughout the legislative session.

"I commend the General Assembly for recognizing Rhode Island's need for a strong, stable Capital City, and for delivering Providence the support it requires during this difficult time. Providence is closer to emerging from its Category 5 financial hurricane because of the commitment of the General Assembly leadership, the Governor, the City's legislative delegation and all lawmakers at the General Assembly," said Mayor Taveras.

Among the measures in the state's FY12 budget that will help Providence close a $110 million structural budget deficit is an article that allows the City to shift the cost of retiree health care to Medicare for those who are eligible, saving the City up to $11.6 million per year and tackling the City's $1.5 billion unfunded health care liability. Providence will also receive nearly $3.9 million of an additional $5.5 million in PILOT payments in FY12.

In addition to the State budget, several pieces of legislation were passed which support Providence:

• Rep. J. Patrick O'Neill and Sen. Harold Metts passed a bill that will save the City $1.2 million by shifting the costs of fire hydrants from the property taxpayers to the ratepayers to ensure that tax-exempt institutions pay for fire hydrants as well.
  
• Rep. Edith Ajello and Sen. Juan Pichardo passed another bill that will generate approximately $1 million in revenue for the City by assessing a user fee on those plugging into the City's master alarm fire box system.
  
• Senate Majority Leader Ruggerio and Rep. Carnevale passed legislation that will formalize the collaboration between the City, the General Assembly and the Governor's Office on the development of land freed up by the relocation of Route 195. The bill was amended several times to reflect the important concerns of the City of Providence and its stakeholders, and the amended legislation satisfies several important guiding principles for the City in regards to the I-195 land and the development of the Knowledge District.
  
• Sen. Pichardo and Rep. Leo Medina passed a bill that will allow the City and the State to negotiate for the State to plow more state roads in the City of Providence, saving money in the Department of Public Works' plowing budget.
  
• Rep. John J. McCauley, Jr. and Sen. Frank Ciccone passed a bill that allows the Providence Community Library access to a large reference library contract that only the Providence Public Library could previously access.
  
• Sen. Metts and Rep. Christopher Blazejewski passed a bill that gives the Board of Licenses the power to take away under 21 nights at clubs if they violate City laws, as well as to ensure that all clubs pay their police details in a timely fashion.
  
• Sen. Goodwin and Rep. Anastasia Williams passed a bill that will allow the City to only charge interest on the late payment of taxes, instead of the full amount, thus creating a fairer system for property taxpayers.
  
• And Rep. Williams and Sen. Paul Jabour passed a bill that allows the City to leverage federal funds to create a lead court to protect children and families from the dangers of lead poisoning.

"I am proud of my fellow Providence Representatives for doing such an excellent job of advocating on behalf of the legislative tools that the City needs to maintain financial stability. I'd especially like to thank all the other House members who supported these measures for realizing the critical importance of ensuring that Providence remains economically vibrant," said House Speaker Fox.

President of the Senate Paiva-Weed said, "I was proud to work with Providence Caucus Chairwoman Maryellen Goodwin, Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio, and the entire Providence delegation in the Senate to put the City on firm financial footing and promote economic development. The success of our state is directly linked to the success of the Capital City. We are fortunate to have such a strong and dedicated team of Senators and Representatives advocating on its behalf."

"The Senate worked tirelessly to help Providence this session," said Sen. Goodwin. "I am thrilled that we were able to accomplish so many important pieces of legislation for our Capital City in just one year."

"I was pleased to work with my colleagues in the General Assembly to provide my constituents and all citizens of the City of Providence with the legislative support the City needs during this difficult time," said Rep. Carnevale.