R.I. in 'early stages of comeback,' Raimondo says at budget signing

John Howell
Posted 7/2/15

Listening to House and Senate leaders Tuesday, Gov. Gina Raimondo hit a homerun at her first time at the budget bat. And listening to Raimondo, she’s going to keep on swinging.

The “love …

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R.I. in 'early stages of comeback,' Raimondo says at budget signing

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Listening to House and Senate leaders Tuesday, Gov. Gina Raimondo hit a homerun at her first time at the budget bat. And listening to Raimondo, she’s going to keep on swinging.

The “love fest,” as some reporters dubbed it, came as the governor signed into law the state’s $8.7 billion budget for the fiscal year that began July 1. But the story for many was not the collective backslapping but the unfinished business of a General Assembly that contrary to practice called it a day, or rather a night, without dragging things out until 3 or 4 in the morning, when deals are made and surprises frequently happen.

If reporters were hopeful of getting a scoop, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello couldn’t commit to reconvening the legislature this fall as has been talked about, with Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed saying she saw no need to come back. And that left the fate of such controversial bills as large truck tolls to pay for $1.1 billion in bridge repairs and limitations on charter schools up in the air. The truck toll bill passed the Senate, but Mattiello, who met that afternoon with Ocean State Job Lot officials and fears of the impact on business, said he wouldn’t pass it.

Raimondo provided an overview of legislative and budget milestones, emphasizing there is more to be done.

“We’re in the early stages of a great comeback for Rhode Island. We can only be successful if everyone pitches in, and we still have a lot of work left to do. And this budget is proof that when we do pitch in together we make great progress,” she said.

Raimondo, Mattiello and Paiva Weed centered the spotlight on the accomplishments of the legislative session and the budget before a State Room filled with cabinet members, their staffs and a smattering of legislators.

Mattiello said the governor provided a “good foundation” on which to build the budget.

“It doesn’t mean we all agreed on every item of the budget,” he said. Yet, he added, the budget passed the House in an unprecedented 75-0 vote that he takes as consensus that it will act to build jobs and the economy, the top priority of the state.

Specifically, he listed the elimination of taxes on energy for businesses, saying the budget provides the tools to really help business grow. On that score, he listed the legislation of Warwick Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi to create jobs, paying $48,000 or more through tax credits funded by a set-aside from the resulting increase in income taxes.

“Everybody came together. What we do, we do to make Rhode Island better,” he said.

In introducing Paiva Weed, Raimondo targeted all-day kindergarten as a significant achievement. Seven districts, including those of Warwick and Cranston, don’t provide universal all-day K, but that would change in 2016.

“Parents want it, kids want it. Let’s get it done,” said the governor.

Paiva Weed said the budget reflects many common goals. She, too, put the spotlight on all-day K as a significant accomplishment and called out Cranston Sen. Hannah Gallo, who has pushed the measure for more than eight years.

In comments after the signing, Gallo agreed, “It’s been forever.” She said she spoke of the importance of giving children a sound start in school “to anyone who would listen.” She said she would make pre-school her next campaign.

In her remarks, Raimondo highlighted the increase in the minimum wage to $9.60 an hour, expansion of the income tax credit, and elimination of state taxes on Social Security benefits, a pet cause of Mattiello, for low- and moderate-income seniors.

“This budget also sets us on a longer-term path to our comeback by focusing on three things. First, by helping people build the skills they need to compete in our economy; second, by putting shovels in the ground; and third, by making it easier to do business in Rhode Island.”

Raimondo listed specifics, giving emphasis to the high cost of Medicaid and pension reforms.

“This budget takes steps to address that [Medicare costs], and to begin positioning Rhode Island as a leader in health innovation. The budget provides more than $70 million in state savings from Reinventing Medicaid and incentivizes hospitals and nursing homes to offer better care at a better value for Rhode Islanders,” she said. “And it locks in our pension reforms, providing retirement security for thousands of public employees and retirees by approving the pension settlement.”

As legislators gathered around her to watch her sign the budget, Raimondo gave pens to key leaders.

“You do things together,” she said to Mattiello, “and you’ll get more pens.” The two laughed.

And as she signed the final document, Raimondo snapped the pen, declaring, “It’s official.”

A MOMENT TO SAVOR: Cranston Sen. Hannah Gallo, who has pushed for universal all-day kindergarten, smiles with the acknowledgement of her work for the bill that is now law.

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