Replacing the Henderson Bridge Workshop 12/14

  The Cities of Providence and East Providence, the East Providence Waterfront Commission, and the Seekonk Riverbank Revitalization Alliance will host a workshop on:

Friday, December 14 at 3:30 PM Providence Department of Planning & Development 444 Westminster Street, first floor auditorium

The workshop will present designs for replacing the Henderson Bridge developed by Professor Will Green (URI) and his senior design studio for comment and input.

Last Yard Waste Pick-up - Dec. 10-14

Garbage & Recycling:
Waste Management will end the 2018 yard debris season the week of December 10th, on the normal trash day service.
Providenceri.gov/public-works

Monday’s Service:          December 10
Tuesday’s Service:          December 11
Wednesday’s Service:    December 12
Thursday’s Service:        December 13
Friday’s Service:              December 14

Adverse weather could impact the schedule.

WPRI: Everything you need to know about the 2018 RICAS results

By: Dan McGowan 
Posted: Nov 29, 2018 09:45 AM EST
Updated: Nov 29, 2018 11:32 AM EST

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Rhode Island’s latest standardized test results for public schools are in, and they’re not pretty.

The R.I. Department of Education released a school-by-school breakdown of outcomes on the Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System exam Thursday, giving parents, educators and other stakeholders their first glimpse at proficiency rates in English Language Arts and math under the state’s new annual exam for students in grades three through eight.

So how do things stack up? Here’s an overview.

(Click here to view proficiency rates by school)

Rhode Island Transit Master Plan - Public Workshops 12/11-12/12

Public Open House Workshops - December 11-12, 2018
Providence, Woonsocket, Newport

The Transit Master Plan will envision how our passenger transportation network should look and operate in the future. In Rhode Island, our passenger transportation network currently includes bus, rail and water transportation services. The Transit Master Plan will envision how this network should be enhanced and further developed to best meet the travel needs of the state's residents, workers and visitors. To develop this plan, we will use data, public input, stakeholder feedback and more. Both short-term and long-term projects will be proposed, as well as an implementation strategy identifying potential partnerships, policies and needed investments.

Get Involved/FAQ

Reminder: Conversation with Tom Hoagland, Providence Business Loan Fund 11/15

Providence Conversation

Come learn about the Providence Business Loan Fund

Guest: Thomas Hoagland, Director
          Providence Business Loan Fund

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Place: 133 Dexterdale Rd, home of Barbara Riter

Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm

For government, “economic development” translates into public money to private businesses. On the one hand, businesses often desperately need capital, beyond what banks are willing to loan. On the other hand, often the banks are appropriately cagey: the businesses are not sure bets.

 (Remember 38 Studios).
How does Providence balance the need to bolster its businesses, against the worry that some of those businesses may die, even with a public subsidy?
Come hear Thomas Hoagland, Director of the Providence Business Loan Fund

Conversation and coffee, tea and cookies

RIPEC Report on November 2018 Ballot Initiatives and State's Debt Position & Budget Outlook

PROVIDENCE R.I. (October 2018) – On November 6, Rhode Island voters will be asked to consider three ballot questions, which would authorize $589.5 million in additional debt costs, accounting for estimated interest and borrowing costs.  Today, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) released a report intended to assist voters as they consider these ballot initiatives.  The report provides an updated look at the state’s FY 2019 budget and out-years, based on the preliminary FY 2018 closing, as well as Rhode Island’s current debt position.  The purpose is to provide voters with information regarding the current financial position of the state and other related issues, which may be helpful when deciding whether to approve the referenda. The report also provides a summary of the 2018 ballot initiatives, and includes a set of questions for voter consideration.  The full report is available here.

WPRI Debates - Providence Mayoral, US Senate, RI Governor

Providence Mayoral Debate
Incumbent Democrat Jorge Elorza, and independent Dianne "Dee Dee" Witman.
https://www.wpri.com/on-air/newsmakers-1122018-providence-mayoral-debate/1568956402

Rhode Island US Senate Debate
Incumbent Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican challenger Robert Flanders.
https://www.wpri.com/on-air/watch-in-full-us-senate-debate-between-whitehouse-flanders/1507353993

Rhode Island Gubernatorial Debate
Democratic incumbent Gina Raimondo, Republican nominee Allan Fung and independent Joe Trillo
https://www.wpri.com/politics/watch-in-full-wpri-12-gubernatorial-debate/1480435225

Emergency Mail Ballot

Reminder: although it is too late to apply for a regular absentee ballot, you may still go to your local city/town hall and apply for an Emergency Mail Ballot. You can also download the Emergency Mail Ballot and return it to city/town hall before election day.
https://vote.sos.ri.gov/ovr/voters/emergency_ballot

Providence Conversation: Thomas Hoagland, Director, Providence Business Loan Fund

Providence League of Women Voters
Invites you to a
Providence Conversation

Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 7pm

Providence needs its small businesses.
Sometimes those small businesses need a boost from the city.

Come learn about the Providence Business Loan Fund

Guest: Thomas Hoagland, Director
          Providence Business Loan Fund

Conversation and coffee, tea and cookies


Date: Thursday, November 15, 2018
Place: 133 Dexterdale Rd, home of Barbara Riter
Time: 7 pm - 8:30 pm

Mayoral Candidate Forum - Audio online

The Providence League of Women Voters, in conjunction with URI's MPA Program at the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies hosted a Providence Mayoral Forum on September 4 at URI's Paff Auditorium on the Providence Campus. It was an informative night moderated by Scott MacKay a commentator for RIPR's (now the Public's Radio) Political Roundtable. Candidates shared their views on the proposed skyscraper in the city's jewelry district, how to solve billions of dollars in unfunded pension liabilities, how to improve public schools, and more.

Candidates: ROBERT A DEROBBIO, Democrat: JEFFREY E LEMIRE, Independent (present but not participating); JORGE O ELORZA, Democrat; KOBI JASON DENNIS, Democrat; and DIANNE S WITMAN, Independent

Thanks to RIPR you can listen to the full discussion here.

R.I. gun-safety task force releases final recommendations

By Katherine Gregg
Providence Journal Political Writer

Posted Oct 4, 2018 at 4:06 PM
Updated Oct 4, 2018 at 7:16 PM

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The 43-member gun-safety task force that Gov. Gina Raimondo created last April in the wake of the Parkland, Florida, high school massacre released its final recommendations on Thursday, and they include passage of a passel of new laws that the Democratic leaders of Rhode Island’s General Assembly have thus far been unwilling to bring to a vote.

They include: a ban on ammunition feeding devices — known as magazines — with a capacity of more than 10 rounds, prohibiting the concealed carry of firearms on school grounds and within 1,000 feet of elementary or secondary schools and in government buildings, and raising the age to buy a “long gun” from 18 to 21, where it already stands for handguns.

The group stopped short, however, of backing a ban on military-style assault weapons, opting to call instead for a new requirement that they be registered with a state or local law enforcement agency.
Full Story

Last day to register before the November 6th Election is October 7.

The League of Women Voters  of Providence will be at the Stephen Hopkins House, 15 Hopkins Street (corner of Benefit St) Providence, RI 02903 Saturday, October 6, from 10am to 4pm to register voters, make address changes and answer questions.

Primary Election is Wednesday (not Tuesday), September 12

Voting Reminder from the Providence League of Women Voters

Because some polling places have changed,  check the Secretary of State’s website for your spot.

Click onto “Find a Polling Place.”

 Vote. Vote. Vote.

Memo Alert - Firearms in Schools

It has been brought to RIDE’s attention that there is confusion among local education agency (LEA) personnel regarding who may carry a firearm, including a concealed-carry firearm, in a school. This confusion stems from inconsistencies among various state laws, regulations, and LEA policies that govern safety and firearms on school grounds.

With the start of the new school year, this document provides direction on how to navigate this issue and will be binding on LEAs and their personnel, effective immediately and until such time as the underlying laws are reconciled. The intent of this document is to ensure that all students in Rhode Island attend safe and secure schools, and is based on feedback from public safety experts, including the State Police, local police, as well as school administrators, teachers, and town officials.

Full Document

Check your voter registration

If you registered to vote at the DMV this year, you can check your voter registration status at https://vote.sos.ri.gov/

Software glitch affects voter registration info for about 5,000 in RI
By: Ted Nesi 
Posted: Aug 31, 2018 05:56 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 31, 2018 09:13 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - About 5,000 voter registrations were processed incorrectly by the outside company that runs the official state website RI.gov, state officials confirmed Friday.

Joseph Graziano, a spokesman for Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, said her office learned earlier this month about "an issue regarding changes to voter records done through the online driver's license renewal webpage handled by RI.gov." The website is operated by NIC Inc., a publicly traded company based in Kansas.

Full Story

Emergency Mail Ballots

If circumstances arise within 20 days of an election, you can apply for an emergency mail ballot and vote at your local board of canvassers until 4 P.M. on the day before the election.

You can also apply for an emergency mail ballot and have it mailed to you or authorize someone to pick up your emergency mail ballot on your behalf within 20 days of an election. Remember that the State Board of Elections must receive your mail ballot by 8:00 P.M. on Election Day.

Download emergency mail ballot application:
https://vote.sos.ri.gov/…/pdfs/emergency_mail_ballot_primar…

Board of Canvassers list:
http://www.elections.state.ri.us/canvassers/

What you should know about every school district in RI

By: Dan McGowan 
Posted: Aug 27, 2018 12:04 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 27, 2018 12:11 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – With classes set to begin for students across Rhode Island, Eyewitness News asked superintendents from every district to identify their district’s biggest strengths and challenges heading into 2018.

Each school leader was asked five questions: 1. What’s the number one thing parents and students should know about this district this year?2. What is the biggest challenge your district faces? 3. With voters set to consider a $250-million ballot question for school repairs across the state, what are the top three building improvements needed in your district? 4. What will your school district look like 10 years from now? 5. Tell us something nobody knows about your district.

So how did they respond?

Dan McGowan's Voter Guides - Wards 9 and 15 (belated)

Ward 15 
Posted: Aug 10, 2018 12:01 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 10, 2018 07:49 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Next up: the candidates for the Ward 15 City Council seat.

Councilwoman Sabina Matos is facing a primary challenge against Democrat Oscar Vargas to represent parts of the Olneyville, Valley and Silver Lake neighborhoods. The winner of the Sept. 12 primary will not have an opponent in the general election.

Ward 15 Voter Guide


Ward 9
Posted: Aug 20, 2018 12:01 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 20, 2018 12:01 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – It's round three for Councilwoman Carmen Castillo and Hector Jose.

Castillo has twice defeated Jose in the past, first in the 2011 special Democratic primary to fill the Ward 9 seat following the death of Miguel Luna, and again in 2014. Now the two will have their first head-to-head matchup in the Sept. 12 primary.

Ward 9 Voter Guide


Ward 1
Ward 2
Ward 4
Ward 5
Ward 7
Ward 8
Ward 10
Ward 12
Ward 13

Dan McGowan's Voter Guides - New! Wards 7 and 10

Ward 7
Posted: Aug 17, 2018 12:04 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 17, 2018 08:54 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The chairman of the most powerful City Council committee in Providence is facing a Democratic primary.

Councilman John Igliozzi, who serves as majority leader and chairman of the Finance Committee, is facing a challenge from David Marshall in Ward 7, which includes Silver Lake.

Ward 7 Voter Guide

Ward 10
Posted: Aug 15, 2018 12:01 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 15, 2018 12:01 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – It’s a rematch in Ward 10.

Providence City Councilman Luis Aponte is facing a Democratic primary challenge from Pedro Espinal, who lost by just 15 votes when the two squared off in 2006. Ward 10 includes the
Washington Park and Lower South Providence neighborhoods.

Ward 10 Voter Guide


Ward 1
Ward 2
Ward 4
Ward 5
Ward 8
Ward 12
Ward 13

LWV Mayoral Debate

The Providence League of Women Voters, in conjunction with URI's MPA Program at Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies, is excited to announce, that it will host a Providence Mayoral Forum on September 4 from 7-8:30 p.m. at URI's Paff Auditorium on the Providence Campus, located at 80 Washington Street. The public is invited to hear the five candidates discuss the issues that affect the capital city.

Questions for the candidates may be sent to LWVProvidence@lwvri.org (please note that this address is case sensitive). Time will be limited, so we may not be able to ask all questions.

The program will be moderated by Scott MacKay a commentator for Rhode Island Public Radio's Political Roundtable.

Candidates:
ROBERT A DEROBBIO, Democrat
JEFFREY E LEMIRE, Independent
JORGE O ELORZA, Democrat
KOBI JASON DENNIS, Democrat
DIANNE S WITMAN, Independent

Dan McGowan's Voter Guide - Ward 4

Ward 4
Posted: Aug 13, 2018 12:03 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 13, 2018 12:03 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Another veteran Providence councilman is facing a challenge from the left.

This time it’s Councilman Nick Narducci, who has a Democratic primary matchup with progressive Jason Roias in Ward 4, which includes the North End. There are no other candidates running in the general election, so the Sept. 12 primary will decide who holds the seat.

Ward 4 Voter Guide

Rhode Island House District 4, Rhode Island Senate District 6, and Mayor of Providence Debates

UPRISE RI
August 10, 2018 - Steve Ahlquist - Elections 2018

Three Democratic party primary debates were held in Providence on Thursday evening at the Dr Martin Luther King Elementary School in  Providence Thursday evening. Candidates for Rhode Island House District 4, Rhode Island Senate District 6 and Mayor of Providence took questions from WPRI/Channel 12 reporter Dan McGowan and the audience, in an event that pushed the three-hour mark on a hot, sweaty night...

The debates were sponsored by the Mount Hope Neighborhood Association, Summit Neighborhood Association and Observatory Neighborhood Association, in collaboration with the Providence Cultural Equity Initiative.

Full Story

Primary Mail ballot applications due by August 22

Can't make it to the polls on Election Day? Remember you can still vote by mail.

For the first time in Rhode Island, Secretary Gorbea is including return postage for all mail ballots, making it easier to vote by mail.

Get the process started by downloading your mail ballot application today.

Primary - Democrat
Primary - Republican
Primary - Moderate
Primary - Non-Partisan

Fill out the application and send to your local board of canvassers by 4 p.m. on August 22.
Learn more about voting by mail.

Learn how to vote by mail at vote.ri.gov.

Dan McGowan's Voter Guides - Wards 1, 2, 5, 8, 12 & 13

Ward 1

Posted: Aug 06, 2018 12:02 AM EDT

Updated: Aug 07, 2018 01:38 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – For the first time in 12 years, Providence’s Ward 1 has a competitive City Council race.

Councilman Seth Yurdin is facing a Democratic primary challenge from Justice Gaines in a ward that includes Fox Point, downtown and parts of the Wayland and College Hill neighborhoods.

Ward 1 Voter Guide

Ward 2

Posted: Jul 30, 2018 07:58 AM EDT

Updated: Jul 30, 2018 07:58 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The race to replace outgoing Providence City Councilman Sam Zurier is on.

Three Democrats – Helen Anthony, Ryan Holt and Mark Feinstein – are seeking to represent Ward 2, the East Side district that includes the College Hill, Wayland and Blackstone neighborhoods.

Ward 2 Voter Guide

Ward 5

Posted: Aug 03, 2018 05:56 AM EDT

Updated: Aug 03, 2018 06:22 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – One of the most vote-rich wards in Providence has a competitive City Council race.

First-term Democrat Jo-Ann Ryan is facing a primary challenge from Steven Cianci and Aaron Jaehnig in Ward 5, which includes the Mount Pleasant and Elmhurst neighborhoods. The primary is Sept. 12.

Ward 5 Voter Guide

Ward 8
Posted: Aug 08, 2018 12:02 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 08, 2018 08:51 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – If it’s election season in Providence, you can bet Ward 8 has a hot race.

Two-term Democratic incumbent Wilbur Jennings is facing primary challenges from James Taylor and Deya Garcia. The winner will take on independents Dave Talan and Carlos Diaz in the general election to represent the South Elmwood, Reservoir Triangle, West End neighborhoods that comprise Ward 8.

Ward 8 Voter Guide

Ward 12
Posted: Jul 27, 2018 12:13 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 07, 2018 01:36 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – With no one else on the ballot in the Democratic primary or general election, Katherine Kerwin is all but guaranteed to be the next councilperson in Providence’s Ward 12.

Kerwin will succeed longtime Councilman Terry Hassett, a Democrat who was first elected in 1997. Hassett did not qualify to appear on the ballot.

Ward 12 Voter Guide responses

Ward 13

Posted: Jul 31, 2018 08:01 PM EDT

Updated: Aug 01, 2018 09:07 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Ward 13 has been represented by only two councilors in the last 34 years: Democrats John Lombardi and Bryan Principe.

Now four new Democrats – Cyd McKenna, Rachel Miller, Raymond Berarducci and Leslie Papp – are vying to replace Principe, who announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election to represent the Federal Hill and West End neighborhoods he has served since 2011.

Ward 13 Voter Guide

Dan McGowan's Voter Guides - Wards 2, 5, & 13

Ward 2

Posted: Jul 30, 2018 07:58 AM EDT

Updated: Jul 30, 2018 07:58 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The race to replace outgoing Providence City Councilman Sam Zurier is on.

Three Democrats – Helen Anthony, Ryan Holt and Mark Feinstein – are seeking to represent Ward 2, the East Side district that includes the College Hill, Wayland and Blackstone neighborhoods.

Ward 2 Voter Guide

Ward 5

Posted: Aug 03, 2018 05:56 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 03, 2018 06:22 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – One of the most vote-rich wards in Providence has a competitive City Council race.

First-term Democrat Jo-Ann Ryan is facing a primary challenge from Steven Cianci and Aaron Jaehnig in Ward 5, which includes the Mount Pleasant and Elmhurst neighborhoods. The primary is Sept. 12.

Ward 5 Voter Guide

Ward 13

Posted: Jul 31, 2018 08:01 PM EDT

Updated: Aug 01, 2018 09:07 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Ward 13 has been represented by only two councilors in the last 34 years: Democrats John Lombardi and Bryan Principe.

Now four new Democrats – Cyd McKenna, Rachel Miller, Raymond Berarducci and Leslie Papp – are vying to replace Principe, who announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election to represent the Federal Hill and West End neighborhoods he has served since 2011.

Ward 13 Voter Guide

Register for the Primaries!

There's still time to register to vote for the Primaries! The deadline for registration is August 13.

For more information: https://vote.sos.ri.gov/

Dan McGowan's Voter Guides - Wards 2 & 13

Ward 2
Posted: Jul 30, 2018 07:58 AM EDT
Updated: Jul 30, 2018 07:58 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The race to replace outgoing Providence City Councilman Sam Zurier is on.

Three Democrats – Helen Anthony, Ryan Holt and Mark Feinstein – are seeking to represent Ward 2, the East Side district that includes the College Hill, Wayland and Blackstone neighborhoods.

Ward 2 Voter Guide

Ward 13
Posted: Jul 31, 2018 08:01 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 01, 2018 09:07 AM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Ward 13 has been represented by only two councilors in the last 34 years: Democrats John Lombardi and Bryan Principe.

Now four new Democrats – Cyd McKenna, Rachel Miller, Raymond Berarducci and Leslie Papp – are vying to replace Principe, who announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election to represent the Federal Hill and West End neighborhoods he has served since 2011.

Ward 13 Voter Guide

Providence redevelopment plan stalls amid community concern

By: Dan McGowan,  WPRI
Posted: Jul 10, 2018 11:25 PM EDT
Updated: Jul 11, 2018 11:24 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – A proposal to redevelop 233 acres of mostly industrial land along the Woonasquatucket River in Providence was met with sharp criticism Tuesday evening from business owners and residents who raised concerns about whether the city will seize their properties.

Repeated assurances were offered by city planning director Bonnie Nickerson that the proposal focuses on “public improvements to public property” and will not result in private properties being taken by eminent domain. But that did little to dissuade dozens of opponents who turned out for a public hearing in City Hall in front of the City Council Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal and Planning (URRP)…

Nickerson agreed to conduct more outreach and return with an amendment that removes eminent domain language from the proposal.

Full Story

Providence seeks to borrow $160M for school repairs

By: Dan McGowan 
Posted: Jul 19, 2018 02:50 PM EDT
Updated: Jul 19, 2018 03:23 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – Providence leaders are racing to add a question to the November ballot that would ask city voters for approval to borrow $160 million for school repairs over the next several years.

The bond question, which didn’t come to light until Thursday, will be introduced at Monday’s City Council meeting. In order to appear on the ballot, it must be approved before Aug. 8, which gives the council just over two weeks to vet the proposal.

Full Story

City Council Ordinance Committee hearing on Fane Tower zoning change 7/18

The City Council Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on the Fane luxury skyscraper proposal on Wednesday, July 18th at 5:30pm in the City Council Chamber (City Hall, 25 Dorrance Street, Third Floor).

Emily Martineau, City Council Chief of Staff at emartineau@providenceri.gov 

Chair Terrence Hassett at Ward12@providenceri.com.

A Towering Debate
By Dan McGowan
for the Eastside Monthly
Posted June 25, 2018

Excerpt
Fane already has an agreement in place to buy the land from the state for about $3 million, but he needs the City Council’s help. The maximum height for a building allowed in the location he wants to build is 130 feet, well short of the 500 feet he currently envisions. The City Plan Commission has already voted against recommending a zoning change, but the council has the final say. The proposal is currently before the council’s Ordinance Committee.

Full story with history of proposal

Here's the scoop on every Providence City Council race in 2018

By: Dan McGowan 
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)
Posted: Jun 28, 2018 12:11 AM EDT
Updated: Jun 28, 2018 09:44 PM EDT

Forty residents from across the city filed paperwork to run for one of the council's 15 seats, including 13 incumbents who are asking voters in their respective neighborhoods to re-elect them to another four-year term.

There are 33 Democrats and seven independents vying for positions on the council, but no Republicans announced plans to run by Wednesday’s filing deadline. (A member of the GOP hasn’t been elected to the council since 1986.) Candidates need to turn in enough signatures by July 16 to make the ballot.

So who is running and what are the key races to watch? Here’s an overview.

Brownfields as Land Reuse for Building Better Communities

Tuesday, July 17 at 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Navigant Credit Union - 693 Broad Street, Central Falls, RI 02863

The City of Central Falls Office of Planning and Economic Development along with New Jersey’s Institute of Technology TAB Team and Grow Smart RI have teamed up to host a free seminar on
Brownfields and how to effectively manage them in your community!

The workshop is open to planners, developers, community members, or anyone interested in the development of brownfields sites in Rhode Island.

For more information and to Register

Regulating Short Term Rentals (Airbnb) - Neighborhood Meeting 6/25

From Councilman Sam Zurier's 6-17-18-Ward-Letter

In recent months, Councilwoman LaFortune and I have received requests from constituents to consider regulation of short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb.  We asked the City Council staff to research current regulations in place in other communities.  We now would like to share that research with you and receive your thoughts and ideas about what type of regulation would make sense in Providence.  With that in mind, we have scheduled a neighborhood meeting to take place at the Rochambeau Branch Library Conference Room on Monday, June 25 at 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Please mark this on your calendar and consider coming if you wish to learn more about this issue and offer your feedback.

12 things to know about Providence's $749M budget

By: Dan McGowan 
Posted: Jun 18, 2018 10:05 PM EDT
Updated: Jun 19, 2018 05:17 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – If all goes as planned, Providence will have a budget in place for the fiscal year that begins July 1 by the end of the week.

The City Council Finance Committee on Monday gave its blessing to a $749-million tax-and-spending plan that differs only slightly from the proposal Mayor Jorge Elorza put forward in April.

The budget, which is comprised of a package of several ordinances, will be considered by the full council at a special meeting Wednesday night and again Friday night. The council is widely expected to support the proposal.
Full Story

Disaffiliation Deadline for Primary - 6/14/2018

Thinking you might want to change parties for the September 12 primaries? To vote in a party primary you must disaffiliate from any other party at least 90 days before the primary date.

Deadline: Thursday, Jun 14, 2018
Description
Deadline for voters to disaffiliate (if necessary) with their local board of canvassers in order to vote in a different party’s primary. If you wish to disaffiliate you must do so at least 90 days prior to the primary. Unaffiliated voters may vote in any party’s primary. [RIGL §17-9.1-24(a)]

You may either go to your local Board of Canvassers or update your voting record at  the Secretary of State's Voter Information Center

Next Stop: Making Transit-Oriented Development Work for RI

GrowSmartRI Forum

Cities and towns across our region and the nation are seizing on the public-private partnership opportunities to build stronger, more vibrant and sustainable communities through transit-oriented development.

With major transit projects currently in the works, increased demand for housing in walkable urban neighborhoods and job sites with convenient access to transit, Rhode Island is poised to take advantage of these trends to grow smart with transit.

For more information and reservations

After millions of dollars in settlements, Providence still faces 1,000 lawsuits

By: Dan McGowan ,  Walt Buteau  WPRI
Posted: May 30, 2018 05:06 PM EDT
Updated: May 31, 2018 05:27 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The decision by Providence officials to settle a high-profile lawsuit challenging the city’s controversial speed camera program may close the books on one high-profile legal challenge, but the city remains a defendant in more than 1,000 civil lawsuits, according to report released by the city’s law department this month.

The report, prepared for the City Council, shows Providence is involved in 1,114 open civil cases, 41 of which the city is the suing entity. Two hundred lawsuits involve entities challenging their property tax assessments, including the building at 100 Westminster Street owned by former Mayor Joseph Paolino.

Full Story

Is there enough affordable housing in your town?

By PBN Staff -
May 6, 2018 12:15 am

The 2017 Housing Fact Book from HousingWorks RI at Roger Williams University notes that households earning the state’s median income of $56,852 in 2016 could afford the median-priced single-family home in only four of Rhode Island’s ­municipalities. For affordable housing advocates, that is not enough to meet the needs of the state’s families. They argue that more affordable housing needs to be built across the state, in every community. What do you think about the state of housing where you live?

PBN Survey

Life or Death for Fane Tower?

PROVIDENCE CITY PLAN COMMISSION NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING

TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018, 4:45 PM Joseph Doorley Municipal Building, 1st Floor Meeting Room 444 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903

CITY COUNCIL REFERRAL
6. Referral 3429 – Rezoning of a portion of AP 20 Lot 397 Petitioner: Fane Organization, Jason Fane and I-195 Commission The petitioner is proposing to create a new height subdistrict – D-1-600 – in the D-1 zone, and rezone AP 20 Lot 397 from D-1-100 to D-1- 600. The additional height is intended to allow for construction of a high rise residential building on the site. The petitioner is also proposing to change the zoning ordinance so that the Downtown Design Review Committee may waive regulations relating to building height, massing and required transition lines – for action (AP 20 Lot 397, Downtown)
Full Agenda

Report: R.I. pensions carry $2.4B in unfunded liability

Chris BergenheimMay 7, 2018 11:02 am
Providence Business News

PROVIDENCE – General Treasurer Seth Magaziner released the report of the Advisory Council for locally administered pension plans last week, and included a new feature, a “report card” for each pension plan, both open and closed, in the state.

The annual report on pension plans began in 2016, when the General Assembly formed the advisory council for pension plans.

This year’s report reviewed the 34 local plans, 20 open plans and 14 closed plans. The plans had a combined $2.4 billion in unfunded liabilities. One-third of the plans in the state were less than 60 percent funded, which the report has deemed in “critical status.”

Thirteen pensions have seen their funding status decrease across the four years ending in fiscal 2016. Seventeen pensions have seen their funding status improve in that time. The report also noted that 12 plans have assumed rates of return at or below 7 percent, which it says indicates that the plans are less likely to face future unexpected shortfalls.
Full Story

How much is Providence Water really worth?

The Objective Facts Behind Elorza’s Plan to Sell Providence Water
Posted on May 6, 2018
By Providence Rules
A project on transparency in government, regulation, law and politics.
Created by Johanna Harris.

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza’s plan to monetize the city’s water supply is ideal material for a four-part mystery series with a twist ending.

In part one, entitled Status Quo, the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission keeps the lid on the rates charged by Providence Water, constraining the utility to earn a zero rate of return. (Yes, zero.) So it’s a mystery why any potential buyer of the city’s water supply would have the remotest incentive to do so.
Full Story

SeeVotesRI.org

It can be hard to understand how state government works and why policies can be slow to change. See Votes RI is using maps to explore issues important to Rhode Islanders by visualizing endorsements, rankings and votes by RI state senators and representatives. Get to know your elected officials.

Gun Control
Reproductive Rights
Environment
Earned Sick Time

League Day at the State House on April 3 - Seth Magaziner

RI General Treasurer Seth Magaziner will be the featured speaker at League Day at the State House on April 3, 2018. His focus will be the new school upgrade plan coming out of Governor Raimondo's Rhode Island School Building Task Force that Magaziner co-chaired.

Agenda for Tuesday April 3rd at the Governor's Reception Room
3 P.M. Social Hour - Meet and Greet - Outside the Governor's Reception Room
4 P.M. League Program
5 P.M. RI General Treasurer Seth Magaziner speaks to the League

Please bring your friends and invite your General Assembly representatives to attend.

RI leaders meet to discuss concerns with census trial run

By: Dan McGowan 
Updated: Mar 28, 2018 02:04 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - With the Trump administration’s decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census stoking fear that many immigrants will ignore the survey altogether, a group of Rhode Island leaders met privately in Central Falls Wednesday to discuss how the question may impact the country’s only trial run happening in Providence County. Full Story

Clean Transportation Listening Sessions

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Office of Energy Resources, and Department of Transportation – on behalf of the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) – will be hosting two public listening sessions to hear ideas on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, increase the resilience of transportation-related infrastructure, and design solutions with environmental justice communities in mind.

Tuesday, April 3, 2018
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Newport City Hall
43 Broadway, Newport RI

Wednesday, April 4, 2018
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Providence Career and Technical Academy
41 Fricker Street, Providence, RI

Advance registration is encouraged at: doa.climatechangeri@doa.ri.gov
Please provide your name, date of the session that you will attend, and any organizational affiliation.
Public comment may also be submitted to the email address above through April 13th.
For more information: http://climatechange.ri.gov/state-actions/listening-sessions.php

Threats to Elections: Should We Worry?

Monday, March 26 Threats to Elections: Should We Worry?

What are the threats to our voting process? Cam technology make our elections secure?

Speakers:
Robert Rapoza - Executive Director, RI State Board of Elections
Joseph Cammarano - Associate Professor of Political Science, Providence College
John Savage - An Wang Professor of Computer Science, Brown University

Place: Lippitt House Museum, 199 Hope St, Providence
Time: 6:30 - 7: 00 pm, reception, 7:00 - 8:00 speakers

Parking available in the Wheeler School lot across the street.
For wheelchair-access, call Carrie Taylor, 401- 453-0688, ctaylor@preserveri.org
For more information, 401-351-2269, or emhead603@hotmail.com

TOM WARD - Let’s get TogetherRI for civil conversations 3/22-4/14

The Valley Breeze
3/6/2018

So, do you wonder, in this era of people becoming more and more disconnected from each other as they stare at and interact with their beloved phones, is it time yet to push back? As people spend less and less time looking at the face of another person and having a conversation, have we had enough of our addiction?...

The Rhode Island Foundation thinks it might be, and so is putting a bit of money, and much of its energy and credibility, behind “20 neighborly get-togethers” around the state, chats where we all can get to enjoy a free family-style meal, then put down our smartphones and speak to one another – fact to face – in a round table discussion. They’re calling it “TogetherRI.”

What will be the topics?
“We don’t know what we will learn,” says Foundation President and CEO Neil D. Steinberg , in a recent visit with me. “We don’t know what will come out of it.”

Dates & Times 
TogetherRI evenings of food (free) and conversation
All gatherings will be catered by Emery’s Catering. Registration is suggested, but not required. Please register online at www.togetherri.org if possible.

I know a Guy: Ethics in RI

Monday, March 19, 2018  -
Time: 6:30 - 7: 00 pm, reception, 7:00 - 8:00 speakers

Lippitt House Museum
199 Hope St
Providence, RI 02906

I know a Guy: Ethics in RI.
Do we have a permissive attitude towards corruption? Can politicians self-regulate?

Speakers:
Jason Gramitt - Education Coordinator, RI Ethics Commission
Jim Hummel - Executive Director & Senior Investigator, The Hummel Report
John Dietrich - Professor of Political Science, Bryant University

Parking available in the Wheeler School lot across the street.
For wheelchair-access, call Carrie Taylor, 401- 453-0688 , ctaylor@preserveri.org

Corruption in Rhode Island: Reality and Perception.

How corrupt are we? How does media expose it? What impact on our economy?

Speakers:
Margaret Curran - Former US Attorney for RI
Tracy Breton - Former investigative reporter, Providence Journal
Richard Ratcliffe - Former RI Assistant Attorney General
Grafton (Cap) Willey IV - Tax and Budget Chair, SBA Small Business Summit

Parking available in the Wheeler School lot across the street.
For wheelchair-access, call Carrie Taylor, 401- 453-0688 , ctaylor@preserveri.org