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 U.S. Department of Justice is seeking patient records from Rhode Island Hospital and at least a dozen other health centers
The business-backed Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council says the state should shift more funding toward middle-income housing
The former World Series champion reflects on the Red Sox’s sluggish offense, his early nerves as an analyst and finding community in South Kingstown
Here’s where to find live music, spring birds, local art and a little historic graveyard intrigue this weekend
Longtime Public Media Leader Brings Decades of Experience to Rhode Island
Cities and towns could allow bars and restaurants to serve until 3 a.m. during select World Cup games