City’s mid-year finances, the budgetary impact of charter schools, and the City’s lobbyist registration program

From Sam Zurier's January 31, 2016 Ward Letter

On January 25, the administration submitted a Report describing government’s performance against budget through the end of the second quarter of the fiscal year (December 31, 2015).  It includes several adjustments to the original budget, which when combined leave the budget more than $200,000 ahead of its original “bottom line.”
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On January 26, the Education Committee met to discuss the financial interaction between charter schools and school districts...  The  Education Committee reviewed an Analysis of high school sports, estimating that support of charter school student-athletes costs the Providence Public Schools approximately $800 per student-athlete... This year, the School Department’s budget includes $15.1 million in “tuition” payments to charter schools.  In 2012, the Internal Auditor published a Report estimating that the School Department recovered (in “marginal cost” savings) less than half the money it lost to the charter schools.
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In 2013, Providence became the first Rhode Island city to adopt a lobbyist registration program, a major advance in open government.  The Clerk’s Office maintains a Database of 34 lobbyists and quarterly reports they submit.

KIDS COUNT Data Center Moves Race-Related Statistics Center Stage

POSTED JANUARY 19, 2016, BY THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION

Users can now Search by Characteristic when sifting through data and hunting for trends on child and family well-being...

To this end, users can quickly pull data on a wide range of topics — everything from birth rates and poverty rates to school suspension rates — and break these statistics down by race and ethnicity.

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ResilientPVD Lab Feb 1 - 3

On February 1st through the 3rd, a team of experts from around the country will come to Providence for three days of charrettes, workshops, and community meetings to explore how Providence's infrastructure, buildings, and neighborhoods can prepare for the impacts climate change. Join Mayor Jorge Elorza and the Office of Sustainability February 1st at 6 PM for a community workshop, and February 3rd at 6 PM for the final presentation...

The Office of Sustainability has invited hundreds of stakeholders to participate in various events over the course of the three days. Residents and other community members are encouraged to participate in the evening workshop on the 1st, which will be held at Providence Career and Technical Academy, and the final presentation on the 3rd, which will be held at 444 Westminster St. Both events are at 6 PM. Please click here for more information and to register...

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Shorthanded on enforcement?

Posted: Saturday, January 23, 2016 12:05 am
BY PATRICIA DADDONA | DADDONA@PBN.COM
Providence Business News

State environmental agencies have less staff to adequately protect Rhode Island waters than in the past, and that could negatively impact the local economy, say advocates...

The agency has seven staff attorneys, down from nine in 2005; and as of 2014, had 23 staff in compliance and inspection, down from 39, and 67 in the water division, down from 86 in 2005...

as of 2013, the most recent year available, there was a DEM backlog of 150 enforcement cases in the Office of Compliance and Inspection.

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Harbor Management Final Report

Communication from Lisa Carnevale, Chair of the Providence Harbor Management Commission, submitting the final 2016-2021 Harbor Management Plan (HMP) for the City of Providence.

LIVE MAP: Major Power Outages Across RI

Track power outages and expected repair times on this real time interactive tracker.  Widespread outages are expected to hit. Check the Live Map direct from NationalGrid

City Services - Snow

Winter Weather Tips and Info

To learn more about the City of Providence's snow and ice removal policies, and how you can prepare for winter weather, visit
www.providenceri.com/snowready
-Mayor Jorge O. Elorza