FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 16, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT

Lauren Greene

401-965-3972

Governor's Budget Invests in 39 Cities and Towns

Strengthening Rhode Island Together

Providence, R.I. – The Rhode Island League of Cities and Town (the League) released today their analysis of the Governor’s FY 2026 budget. The League found that the Governor invested in several of the League’s priorities, including local aid, education, and municipal roads and bridges.

“Governor McKee recognizes that Rhode Island is stronger when its 39 cities and towns are supported,” said East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva, President of the League. “Despite a challenging budget, we appreciate the Governor prioritizing investments in the critical areas of education, local infrastructure and seniors which will allow communities to protect taxpayers financially and strengthen job growth.”

Earlier this month, the League shared its legislative priorities with the Governor and members of the General Assembly, including:

• Education funding reforms, which include improving budget certainty and increasing the state share of teacher pensions;
• Funding for transportation, infrastructure and resiliency programs, including the successful Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program and Municipal Road Program;
• State-mandated tax emption reform, which includes state reimbursement for property tax exemptions or structuring exemptions as enabling legislation; and
• Workforce management reforms, including parity with state pensions for municipal disability pensions and municipal injured-on-duty benefits and common-sense safeguards that limit the scope of binding arbitration.

“Municipal leaders and their taxpayers appreciate the Governor’s efforts to balance the budget with minimal affect on cities and towns,” said Randy Rossi, Executive Director of the League. “We are hopeful that when revised revenues are issued this spring, further investment in education aid and local communities can be made. Our members and staff look forward to working collaboratively with the General Assembly this session.”

The Governor’s budget also supports unhoused members of our communities, which will assist municipalities efforts. Additionally, the Governor’s investments in senior centers are a critical connection for our older residents.

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Founded in 1968, the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns is a municipal membership organization that serves as the unified voice of local government in Rhode Island.