Dear Neighbors:
I hope you are enjoying Summer. Though the General Assembly is not in session, I would like to discuss with you some developments in our City and State, namely the Act on Climate, the State’s bus system (RIPTA) and the conclusion of Helen Anthony’s service on the Providence City Council.
A. The Act on Climate
In 2021, the General Assembly passed the Act on Climate, which provides a framework for the State of Rhode Island to be “carbon neutral” by 2050. As I have discussed in previous letters, in recent years I became interested with and concerned with the successful implementation of the Act’s program through the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4). In the recent session, the Senate approved the formation of a study commission to review and support the Act’s successful implementation. The Commission held its first meetings on July 17 and 23, at which time we received a briefing from DEM Director Terry Gray on the EC4’s strategic planning process, which it will complete at the end of this calendar year. You can review Director Gray’s presentation by clicking on this link. In the coming months, I plan work with Senate staff to schedule presentations next year that will inform the Commission of the science and policy issues necessary for us to make a positive contribution to this project.
B. The Rhode Island Public Transit Agency (RIPTA)
The State’s enacted budget contains a funding gap of approximately $10 million for RIPTA. (During the budget discussions, I proposed an amendment to redirect some of RIDOT’s funds to close this deficit, but it did not gain approval.) RIPTA is now conducting hearings to describe service reductions to close the deficit. Legislative leadership and the Governor justified the deficit by citing RIPTA’s need to complete an efficiency study. RIPTA published that study on August 1, which you can read here. The study documents RIPTA’s position throughout the budget hearings that its cost structure (as recorded in such metrics as cost per service hour) is in line with its peers. I believe RIPTA’s necessary service reductions will harm thousands of Rhode Islanders severely and unnecessarily, resulting from serious mistake in this year’s budget. I will advocate with my colleagues to correct this error as soon as possible.
C. Helen Anthony’s Service In The City Council
Also on August 1, we learned through this email that Helen Anthony will resign her seat representing Ward 2 in the City Council effective September 1 due to serious health concerns. Helen served as Chair of the Finance Committee in her second term, adding transparency and efficiency to the City’s budget process. I can attest from personal experience to the challenges our City government faces. I am grateful to Helen’s service in taking them on when it would have been easier to defer them to another time. Helen also brought her professional experience as a land use attorney, helping to shape the City’s comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance to address our future needs. Her resignation on September 1 will open a 90-day window in which eligible voters who reside in Ward 2 (as shown on this map) can campaign for the vacant seat prior to a special primary and special election. To my knowledge, this is truly an open seat. When Helen was first elected in 2018, we had a broad field of candidates, an informative campaign and (in my opinion) we made an excellent choice in electing Helen. I encourage all of you who reside in Ward 2 to consider this important opportunity for public service.