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.

Mayor argues policy won’t lower rents and could slow housing development
Early skirmishes in the battle for governor of Rhode Island
The hospital’s operator says it plans to keep the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center open, but that it needs to raise more funds to ensure its viability
Revived ‘Riding the Circuit’ program brings real-world clarity on law, life to students
From tips for your gardening and a documentary about book bans to the Greenes of Rhode Island and a book club that meets at a local cat café, here’s what’s happening at the Tiverton Public Library this month
Plus: the African American Museum of Rhode Island opens this weekend and Andrew Bird plays with the RI Philharmonic