PROVIDENCE – Gov. Gina M. Raimondo is expected to give her State of the State address Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.
She is expected to touch on her priorities coming into the new calendar year, such as investment in small businesses, the opioid crisis and “once-in-a-generation” improvement of school infrastructure.
In a released excerpt from her upcoming speech, Raimondo said, “Small businesses have always been the engine of our economy. In fact, they employ about half of our state’s labor force. That’s why we’ve made investments to help small businesses. … These are local stores, restaurants, jewelry makers and small food companies. These are our neighbors and friends who put everything they have into their business.”
On school investments, Raimondo said, “Our school buildings get a failing grade, and that’s not acceptable. And like anything, the longer we wait, the more expensive it gets. Rhode Island hasn’t made a meaningful, statewide investment in our school buildings in over 25 years. … Let’s make a once-in-a-generation investment in our schools.”
The governor also released a video in advance of the State of the State in which she focused on job creation as well as school infrastructure.
In the video, the governor focused on the state’s job creation programs and expresses her intent to keep creating jobs in the state as well as her priority to invest in school construction.
R.I. House Minority Leader Rep. Patricia Morgan, R-Coventry, is scheduled to give the Republican State of the State prior to the governor’s State of the State, at 5:30 p.m.
In a prepared version of tonight’s speech, Morgan will focus on government transparency, will call for improvement of the business climate in the state and calls for the repair of Rhode Island’s schools.
In her opening remarks, Morgan said that Rhode Island has, “a lot of work to do,” saying, “Let’s be honest with one another: our government is broken, and we can only fix the problems of Rhode Island if we acknowledge them. That will take political will and solutions focused on the common good.”
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
