Providence Mayor Smiley Threatens Budget Cuts

The city is waiting on a Superior Court judgment that could require it to kick in additional millions in school funding

Mayor Brett Smiley warned the city could significant budget cuts if forced to pour millions into school funding.
Mayor Brett Smiley warned the city could significant budget cuts if forced to pour millions into school funding.
Nina Sparling / The Public’s Radio
Share
Mayor Brett Smiley warned the city could significant budget cuts if forced to pour millions into school funding.
Mayor Brett Smiley warned the city could significant budget cuts if forced to pour millions into school funding.
Nina Sparling / The Public’s Radio
Providence Mayor Smiley Threatens Budget Cuts
Copy

Libraries. Parks. Summer programming for kids. The latest phase of the legal battle between city and state over funding the Providence School Department could mean significant reductions in these and other essential city services, Mayor Brett Smiley announced at a press conference on Tuesday.

“We’re going to have no choice but to have harmful, harmful cuts,” Smiley said. “(They) are going to impact the very same children and families that the school department says that they’re trying to help.”

City employees could face a furlough, Smiley said. New hires and discretionary spending are already on pause. Tax increases are on the table, Smiley warned.

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

The prestigious competition lauded 8 local chefs and restaurants, finalists to be named in March
Brown University students return to classes, lean on one another after the Dec. 13 shooting
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said he would veto the proposal if it passes, but the city council could override him with a supermajority of 10 out of 15 councilors
Quinn said in a written statement that he did not intend to seek a fourth term, but would finish out the remainder of the year
The director of the Overdose Prevention Center in Providence says the facility has prevented 93 fatal overdoses and helped drive a 33% drop in overdose deaths statewide
The Warwick Democrat says his experience in the courtroom and State House prepares him to take over when Peter Neronha leaves office