City and State Reach Agreement on Providence School Funding

The city of Providence and the Rhode Island Department of Education say they’ve agreed on how much the city owes the state in unpaid education funding

“We know that families and businesses in Providence are strained, and additional taxes only add to the cost of housing, the cost of rent, and the cost of doing business,” said Mayor Smiley. “Our taxpayers should know that city government is doing its part to tighten its belt as well.”
“We know that families and businesses in Providence are strained, and additional taxes only add to the cost of housing, the cost of rent, and the cost of doing business,” said Mayor Smiley. “Our taxpayers should know that city government is doing its part to tighten its belt as well.”
Olivia Ebertz / The Public’s Radio
Share
“We know that families and businesses in Providence are strained, and additional taxes only add to the cost of housing, the cost of rent, and the cost of doing business,” said Mayor Smiley. “Our taxpayers should know that city government is doing its part to tighten its belt as well.”
“We know that families and businesses in Providence are strained, and additional taxes only add to the cost of housing, the cost of rent, and the cost of doing business,” said Mayor Smiley. “Our taxpayers should know that city government is doing its part to tighten its belt as well.”
Olivia Ebertz / The Public’s Radio
City and State Reach Agreement on Providence School Funding
Copy

The city of Providence likely owes Rhode Island somewhere between $11 million and $55 million to help fund its schools. In a press conference on Wednesday, Mayor Brett Smiley said Providence homeowners will have to reach into their pockets to help pay for the money owed to the state.

Smiley said he is likely to ask the state legislature to approve higher-than-normal property tax increases next year in order to fund the amount. The parties plan to share the amount and other details, which are still being worked out, on Friday.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

State leaders say the deal keeps the Rhode Island hospitals open while the Atlanta-based Centurion Foundation attempts a financial turnaround
New England Aquarium observers documented the rare sightings during an aerial survey over waters south of Rhode Island
URI hoops, Providence hockey and JWU basketball headline a surge of winter titles across the Ocean State
February’s historic blizzard disrupted more than 1,500 blood donations, leaving the center with far less than the seven-day supply required to support local hospitals
Backing underscores long-running tensions with Gov. Dan McKee ahead of the September Democratic primary; McKee’s campaign responds by raising opioid concerns
Student organizers say the event aims to bring Providence and Brown University together through music and raise money for local causes