Hurricane Sandy: Rhode Island's Readiness, Response, and Recovery Efforts

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Governor Chafee releases a new web video thanking all those involved in helping get Rhode Island through the storm safe and secure.

http://youtu.be/4jSHN7VAzEk

Changing the Way Rhode Island Does Business: Governor Chafee Releases New Web Video Highlighting Ongoing Progress in Rhode Island

On the heels of the announcement that JetBlue will begin service at T.F. Green airport, Governor Lincoln Chafee releases “Changing the Way Rhode Island Does Business,” a web video highlighting recent progress that has been made despite the many challenges facing our state. While recognizing that “going forward, we still have more work to do,” the Governor reaffirms his belief that focusing on the fundamentals – most notably, getting our fiscal house in order – will bring renewed economic growth to Rhode Island.

 

“We have our challenges. We want to be more business friendly and we work at that every day.”

http://youtu.be/DLqFfOg45Wk

Supporting Rhode Island Small Businesses in South Kingstown

Governor Chafee recently toured three Rhode Island businesses as part of his continued effort to make it easier to do business in the state. The Governor visited The Farmer’s Daughter, the Education Exchange, and Pier Cleaners, all located in South Kingstown.

Each of the three small businesses offers unique services for Rhode Islanders. The Farmer’s Daughter is a revolutionary garden center located on a 15 acre farm and is part of the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association. The Education Exchange provides GED preparation, literacy, and work readiness programs to adult students. Pier Cleaners is an environmentally-friendly dry cleaner that recycles hangers and plastic bags and bans the use of Perchloroethylene, a cancer-causing agent.

These companies represent the diverse, innovative spirit of Rhode Island small businesses. The Governor has emphasized the importance of small business to Rhode Island’s economy. Over the past several months, he has hosted numerous community forums designed to promote the tools available at the state level to help businesses and to give owners an opportunity to voice their concerns. He has also taken steps to make it easier to do business in the state by eliminating excessive red tape through his role as chair of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation.

During each visit, the Governor took a tour of the business to see its daily operations. Following the tour, the Governor spoke with owners and staff and listened to their questions and concerns about doing business in Rhode Island. Each business owner relayed to the Governor the adjustments they made to adapt to the changing economy and their continued commitment to provide important services to their community.

Providing Better Access to Capital and Improving Regulatory Processes for Rhode Island Businesses: Governor Chafee Leads EDC Board’s Important Decision

Focusing on two key job growth priorities, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) Board of Directors, led by Governor Chafee, voted to adopt focused yet flexible work plans that help Rhode Island businesses gain better access to financing and streamline state and local regulatory processes to save companies time and money.

The RIEDC Board’s subcommittees on ‘Access to Capital’ and ‘Making it Easier to Do Business’ have been working over the past several months with members of Rhode Island’s business community, federal, state and local officials and other public and private economic development stakeholders to develop their respective work plans. The goal was to identify the best ways to help existing Rhode Island companies or businesses looking to relocate to the state succeed and create quality jobs. Each establishes a clear, adaptable and measurable set of action steps to improve the state’s business climate and accelerate job growth.

Governor Celebrates Reading Week at Local Elementary Schools

Governor Chafee has been visiting elementary schools as part of Reading Week, an annual event held in elementary schools across Rhode Island. During the designated reading weeks, elected officials and other members of the community visit local schools and read to students. The Governor has participated in Reading Week events at Quidnessett Elementary School, Meadowbrook Elementary School, Garvin Memorial School, and Cumberland Hill Elementary School. He also plans to visit Oakland Beach School. K-12 education funding was a key priority in Governor Chafee’s proposed fiscal year 2013 budget.

Cutting through the Red Tape: Governor Chafee Announces New Program that Fast Tracks Business Expansion to Create Jobs

Pre-Permitting "Pad Ready" Program at Quonset Business Park a Model for a Larger "RI-Ready" Demonstration Project

Building on a recent initiatives at Quonset and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) to make it easier to do business and improve regulatory and permitting processes in Rhode Island, Governor Chafee joined with state officials and local business leaders to launch two innovative site readiness programs aimed at fast-tracking land parcels for development, business expansion and job growth.

In March, Governor Chafee and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) Board of Directors adopted a focused yet flexible work plan aimed at streamlining state and local regulatory processes to save companies time and money and accelerate the creation of jobs, while protecting the health, safety and quality of life for Rhode Island’s citizens. “Helping businesses cut through the red tape with an easy to understand and predictable regulatory system is key to making Rhode Island an attractive place for companies to invest. These site readiness programs will keep Rhode Island ahead of the marketplace, anticipating what businesses need to keep growing here or come to our state and create more jobs,” Governor Chafee said. “By state agencies and municipalities working together to make it easier for companies to expand or relocate here, we will be able to continue to move our economy forward and be competitive.”

$4.2 Million in Recreational Development Grants Awarded to Twenty-Three Rhode Island Communities

Governor and DEM Director Janet Coit Announce Recipients

Governor Chafee and the Department of Environmental Management announced the awarding of $4.216 million in open space recreational development matching grants for 35 projects in 23 communities across the state last week. The grants will fund a variety of projects benefiting Rhode Island cities and towns from Woonsocket to Westerly, including new basketball, tennis, and horseshoe courts; skate parks; sports fields; handicap docks; a nature trail; restrooms; and various site improvements.

“Today’s grants will provide new and expanded opportunities for Rhode Islanders of all ages in urban, suburban, and rural communities to participate in physical activity,” said Governor Chafee. “As a former Mayor, I know how important these bond funds are to our cities and towns because they will help our communities provide and maintain clean, safe, and attractive local parks and recreation facilities for their residents to enjoy.”

“DEM is delighted to award these grants that will help expand and improve the recreational opportunities available to Rhode Islanders in neighborhoods across the state,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “The wide range of projects funded by the grants will help enhance the quality of life in local communities and ensure a beautiful Rhode Island and healthy Rhode Islanders.”

All of the grants have been awarded from state funds and represent the last round of grants from the state’s 2008 Open Space and Recreation Development Bond Authorization along with remaining funds from other recreational bond issues. The grants will provide 50 percent of funding to acquire, develop, or renovate outdoor recreation facilities. Categories include large grants which range from $75,000 up to $200,000 each, and small grants of up to $75,000 each for projects of smaller cost. The state grants will be matched by local bond funds and federal grants to generate $10.575 million in recreational project improvements throughout Rhode Island.

These grants will enhance the state's efforts to preserve open space by establishing a diverse group of recreational facilities. The grants provide $958,734 in funding for 16 small recreation development projects including the development of new fields and courts at Corliss Park and Pastore Park in Providence; construction of a handicap dock on the Pawtuxet River in West Warwick; and renovation and upgrade of basketball courts, playground equipment and fields at Silver Spring Playground in East Providence.

The grants will also provide $2,249,895 in funding for 13 large urban and suburban projects including development of a sport complex and construction of new basketball, tennis and horseshoe courts in Bristol; installation of new football turf, lighting and site improvements at Tucker Athletic Complex in Cumberland; and waterfront improvements, restrooms and a parking overlook at Canal Street Park in Westerly.

Also awarded was $1,008,050 in parkland grants to six communities to acquire 137 acres of land that will be used for park development. This includes 115 waterfront acres for the Hall/Seaman’s Waterfront Project in Coventry; 15 acres for park development at Camp Meehan in North Providence; and five acres for construction of four new fields at Glocester Memorial Park in Glocester.

The Rhode Island Recreation Resources Review Committee selected the 35 projects from a total of 44 applications. DEM is administering the grants.

Local Business Expands with Help from Policies Enacted by Governor and RIEDC

Governor Chafee’s Focus on Providing Better Access to Capital is Helping Companies Grow

On the heels of a recent move by Governor Chafee and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) Board of Directors to provide better access to financing for Rhode Island businesses, the Governor joined company management and employees in East Providence to celebrate the continued growth of Infusion Resource, LLC. The Rhode Island healthcare company is adding 13 new jobs with the help of a $250,000 loan from the RIEDC’s Small Business Loan Fund.

Twenty-Nine of Rhode Island’s Cities and Towns Sign on to Governor’s Plan to Save Municipalities

Read the Governor’s Recent Providence Journal Op-Ed Urging Rhode Islanders to Support Municipal Reform and Relief:

As I stood in Pawtucket City Hall recently with municipal leaders from across Rhode Island, I couldn’t imagine a more fitting place to announce a legislative package that would empower local officials to help get their communities back on sound financial footing. Pawtucket, the city that launched the American Industrial Revolution, is symbolic of so many of our state’s communities — a once-thriving leader of industry that in recent years has endured hard times.

 A glance at the morning headlines, which recently included Woonsocket’s school-budget crisis, Providence’s downgraded bond rating and the ongoing issues in Central Falls, serves as a dire warning that municipal reform and relief can wait no more. We can no longer let our cities and towns run the risk of falling into bankruptcy, one by one.

 Consider that in Central Falls, residents have lost their independence, seen their services cut and suffered another property-tax increase. They have watched as their friends, neighbors and family members have had their pensions marginalized — citizens such as the Central Falls police officer who retired as a lieutenant with a $28,968 annual pension. Under the new rules imposed by receivership, this modest pension has been cut to a barely livable $13,035.

Municipal Strategy Session: Governor Hosts Forum for City and Town Leaders to Discuss Reform and Relief Package

Governor Chafee hosted a Municipal Strategy Session for Rhode Island’s municipal leaders yesterday at the State House. Representatives of 25 of the state’s 39 cities and towns attended the meeting, where discussion focused on the legislative package of municipal reform and relief measures Governor Chafee has introduced in the General Assembly. The Governor’s legislative package will empower communities to take the necessary steps to achieve fiscal health and offer relief from costly and burdensome state mandates.

“I am always pleased to welcome Rhode Island’s local leaders to the State House for a productive discussion on how best to put our communities on a path to fiscal health and prosperity. As we work to address the crisis in our cities and towns, the collaboration and partnership of municipal leaders is essential. The reform and relief package I have submitted to the legislature will empower communities to use the tools they need to achieve fiscal stability, and I am pleased to have the support of the overwhelming majority of municipal executives across the state,” Governor Chafee said.

Call to Action: Governor’s Web Video Urges Support for Municipal Reform and Relief Package

Governor Chafee released a web video last week urging support for his legislative package of municipal reforms and illustrating the severity of the fiscal crisis facing Rhode Island’s cities and towns.

The video, “Governor Chafee’s Plan to Save Our Cities and Towns,” provides background information about how this crisis came about, a list of the key measures included in the Governor’s legislative package, and supportive comments from several state and local officials and media outlets.

It also provides a link to a new website, http://www.governor.ri.gov/stoptheclock, where Rhode Islanders can review the Governor’s proposed legislation and send messages to their state legislators and municipal council members, urging support for these critically important bills.

Support for Governor's Municipal Reform and Relief Package Mounts Across State

Governor Chafee’s municipal reform and relief package, announced last week, has garnered support from organizations and media outlets across the state.

“Chafee’s legislative package represents a comprehensive attempt to curb the soaring costs of local retirees as well as help communities get control of the runaway contract costs built into their school budgets,” said Harriet Lloyd, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Statewide Coalition. “Budget problems and pension debt vary from town to town so we believe the Governor had no choice but to take this multi-tiered approach in trying to prescribe reforms that could provide relief to communities.”

“We applaud Governor Chafee for much of his administration's big legislative package aimed at giving the state’s fiscally distressed communities more power over their finances,” stated a Providence Journal editorial on March 20.

The editorial went on to discuss the difficulties facing cities and towns across Rhode Island, and the ways in which the Governor’s municipal package addresses those issues in a proactive manner.

“The Chafee administration should be praised for bravely coming forth with a remarkably broad initiative to address these issues,” the editorial says.

The Westerly Sun also published an editorial assessing the Governor’s proposal. “Chafee is recommending tough medicine as a way to continue treating the epidemic of unfunded pension plans,” the editorial states. “The lack of funds is a sad reality, but it is the reality. We don’t take lightly the thought of backing a plan that reneges on promises. But the reality is current governors and mayors and town councils and legislators are stuck dealing with the games their predecessors played,” asserts the editorial.

The Governor unveiled his proposal in Pawtucket last week alongside mayors and officials from cities and towns across Rhode Island.

Community Forums Highlight Resources for Rhode Island Small Businesses

In recent weeks, Governor Chafee has continued his outreach to Rhode Island small business owners, hosting four additional community business forums in cities and towns across the state. The forums were most recently held in Woonsocket, Newport, South Kingstown, and Hopkinton.

The events provided local business owners with the opportunity to learn more about available services to help them succeed and grow, including the resources available at the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center, and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. In particular, businesses received information about financing and energy programs as well as the Small Business Ombudsperson.

Governor Chafee is committed to making it easier to do business in Rhode Island. The community forums also give businesses a chance to voice their own concerns and share their own experiences with the Governor and other state officials.

“We hope to go all over the state making sure everybody knows about the good programs we have at EDC to help your businesses grow,” Governor Chafee emphasized at the Hopkinton forum.

Governor Unveils Bold Reform and Relief Package for Rhode Island Cities and Towns

Legislation Empowers Municipal Leaders to Make Necessary Reforms, Achieve Savings, Relieve Communities of Costly Mandates

Delivering on his promise to aid struggling cities and towns, Governor Chafee joined with municipal leaders from across Rhode Island on March 15 in Pawtucket to unveil a legislative package of reform and relief measures that will empower local officials to take the needed steps to achieve fiscal health for their communities. Pointing to news of Woonsocket considering closing schools early and Providence’s bond rating being downgraded, Governor Chafee called the municipal fiscal crisis a critical economic development issue and said in no uncertain terms that the time to act – the “time of urgency” – has arrived.

“We are facing three choices in Rhode Island: let our communities go bankrupt, watch property taxes continue to skyrocket, or give our municipal leaders the tools and relief they need to achieve fiscal stability for their communities. Today, I propose that we choose the latter,” Governor Chafee said.

“This legislation will empower municipal officials – many of whom I am pleased to join with today – to address the structural problems that threaten our cities and towns and hold hostage the very future of our state. Only when we have fixed the structure and workings of state and municipal governments in Rhode Island will we revitalize our economy and create the jobs and opportunities we need. I call on the House and Senate to move quickly to pass these bills and provide much-needed relief to our struggling communities and the property taxpayer,” Governor Chafee continued.

“Governor Chafee’s municipal legislative package is a way forward for cities and towns that need the necessary tools to make structural reform. I support and applaud the Governor’s efforts and believe that cities and towns must make tough, structural changes to strengthen our entire state,” said Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. “I will continue to work with Governor Chafee to get Providence on firm financial ground, and I appreciate his determined efforts to strengthen Rhode Island.”

“In proposing this new legislation, Governor Chafee clearly recognizes the need for the state to better support its cities and towns. He understands that for the State of Rhode Island to survive and prosper, its cities and towns must survive and prosper,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien.

The Governor’s municipal reform and relief legislative package includes seven bills:
(read the full summaries)

• Municipal Pensions:
• Allowing municipalities with poorly funded pension plans to suspend annual cost of living adjustments until the plans are better funded – just as the state did as part of its pension reform.
• Requiring communities with overly generous pension benefits to bring pensions in line with the state system.
• Reducing disability pension benefits for employees that can perform other jobs.
• Highly Distressed Communities:
• Offering mandate relief and binding arbitration reform for four highly distressed communities – Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, and West Warwick. These communities were hit hardest by the loss of state aid to municipalities in recent years. The state cut $220 million in municipal aid between FY 2008 and FY 2011, but did not repeal costly mandates, forcing cities and towns to raise property taxes and slash services. This legislation provides mandate relief to control costs and reduce the need for additional property tax increases. It also limits the scope of binding arbitration in highly distressed communities to only salary-related issues and places primary emphasis on a community’s ability to pay when deciding awards. 
• Education:
• Instituting new budget accountability measures for school spending following numerous cases of significant deficits and fiscal mismanagement by school committees. The state will have greater oversight of school budgets and have an early warning system if schools are spending above their budgets. 
• Providing certain exemptions for school maintenance of effort requirements. 
• Cash Flow:
• Advancing municipal aid to avoid cash flow problems.

Growing Rhode Island’s Economy: Governor Hosts Venture Development Luncheon, Panel Discussion

As part of his ongoing efforts to foster job creation in Rhode Island’s knowledge economy, Governor Chafee last week led a panel discussion with experts from venture development organizations that assist companies in entrepreneurial and innovative ventures. Panel participants included Chris Coburn, executive director of Innovations at Cleveland Clinic, Richard Lunak, president and CEO of Innovation Works in Pittsburgh, and Providence native Jeanne Mell, vice president of marketing and communications at the University City Science Center in Philadelphia.

Since taking office, the Governor has visited several cities, including Pittsburgh, to understand how they are capitalizing on assets such as medical and education centers to grow their local economies.

During the discussion, Governor Chafee emphasized the job-creating potential of “meds and eds,” and highlighted the important role they will play in the development of Providence’s Knowledge District.

The Governor moderated the interview-style panel discussion, through which the audience learned more about the strategies these experts have used to help diversify their region’s economy, the challenges they had to overcome, and the level of government involvement in entrepreneurial ventures.

Over fifty  leaders from the Rhode Island business community, state and local governments, academic institutions, venture organizations, and the medical and research fields attended the luncheon and panel.

Promoting Rhode Island’s Economic Assets: Media Tours Key Components of Marine Trade Industry

Governor Highlights Importance of Industry for Rhode Island’s Economy

Last week, Rhode Island businesses in the marine trade industry opened their doors to national trade media, showcasing the important work being done here in the ocean state. Electric Boat, the URI Graduate School of Oceanography, ASA Science, Blount Boats, Rite Solutions, and NUWC all hosted media outlets to familiarize them with their operations.

The marine trade industry will play an important role in the Governor’s efforts to revitalize Rhode Island’s struggling economy. As plans to develop Providence’s Knowledge District move forward, the Governor has stated that he believes these industries, which carry great potential for high-skilled manufacturing, will be crucial, just as they have been throughout the state’s history.

Rhode Island’s marine trade industry encompasses a combination of the state’s key assets. Together, the strong existing defense industry, the academic excellence of ocean technology and research and development at local universities, and the private investment of companies such as Electric Boat can help foster continued economic growth for the state.

Governor Nominates Mary McElroy for Rhode Island Public Defender

Would be First Female Public Defender in Rhode Island History

Last week, Governor Chafee announced his nomination of Mary S. McElroy, a career public defender with nearly twenty years of experience at the state and federal level, for Rhode Island Public Defender. McElroy would be the first woman to hold the position since it was established in 1941.

“Mary McElroy has extensive experience as both a state and federal public defender,” Governor Chafee said. “Over the course of her accomplished career, she has gained invaluable knowledge of the judicial system and its workings and is highly regarded on both sides of the courtroom. I am confident that Mary will live up to the high standards set by her predecessor, the beloved John Hardiman.”

“I am proud and humbled that Governor Chafee has entrusted me with the important duty of ensuring the rights of the people of Rhode Island,” McElroy said.

McElroy has been an active member of the Rhode Island legal community for two decades. After graduating from Providence College, where she was a member of the Liberal Arts Honors Program, McElroy attended Suffolk University School of Law, from which she received her J.D., cum laude, in 1992 and received the American Jurisprudence Award. She then clerked for the Honorable Donald F. Shea of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and spent a year as an associate with the Providence firm Tate & Elias.

From 1994 to 2006, McElroy served as Assistant Public Defender in the Office of the Rhode Island Public Defender. In this role, she represented indigent defendants charged in felony cases, conducted felony jury trials in Rhode Island Superior Court, and assisted mentally ill and chemically dependent clients in securing treatment alternatives to incarceration.

Since 2006, McElroy has served as Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Office of the Federal Defender for the U.S. District of Rhode Island. In this capacity, she has represented indigent defendants in criminal matters in federal court, managed each aspect of the criminal process from arraignment to trial and sentencing, and conducted suppression hearings, sentencing hearings, and felony jury trials – among other responsibilities.

McElroy is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, the Bar of the U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island, and the Bar of the First Circuit Court of Appeals. She is currently President-elect of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Supporting Arts Education for Rhode Island’s Students

Governor Speaks at Rhode Island State Council on the Arts’ $10,000 Bank of America Grant Announcement

Since 2010, Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA)’s Big Yellow School Bus program has helped transport over 24,900 students to 233 different events across Rhode Island. In 2011 alone, 10,000 Rhode Island students from over one-hundred schools were transported to arts and cultural events throughout the state.

Last week, RISCA announced that Bank of America has given a $10,000 grant to the Big Yellow School Bus program. The Governor spoke of the benefits the service provides Rhode Island’s young people, recalling the important role exposure to the arts played in his own education, and thanked Bank of America for making it possible.  

Because of the generosity of businesses like Bank of America, Rhode Island students are able to visit museums such as the RISD Museum and the Newport Art Museum, take trips to the Stadium Theatre and the Museum of Work and Culture, and attend student performances of the Rhode Island Philharmonic.

As school districts across the state face funding challenges, programs like RISCA’s Big Yellow School Bus can provide students with opportunities they might not otherwise have in arts education.

Brain Injury Awareness Month: Sarah Jane Comes to Rhode Island

On March 14, Governor Chafee, along with Congressman Cicilline and Congressman Langevin, welcomed Sarah Jane Donohue and her father, Patrick Donohue, Esq. to Rhode Island to tell their story about pediatric brain injury. Mr. Donahue talked openly about the tragic pediatric acquired brain injury his daughter Sarah Jane suffered after she was shaken by her baby nurse when she was just five days old. Along with Dr. Carole Jenny and Dr. Victor Pedro, Patrick and Sarah conveyed a message of hope in raising awareness about the leading cause of death and disability for young people in America.

Each year, over 765,000 new brain injuries occur, with 80,000 hospitalizations and over 11,000 deaths. Representatives Langevin and Cicilline are co-sponsoring federal legislation, HR 2600, which would allocate $2.9 billion to prevent and treat brain injuries in American young people. If passed, the legislation will bring more than $32 million to Rhode Island to research and track treatments for brain injuries.

“The $32 million in funding that would come to Rhode Island as a result of this legislation will fuel the exciting and important work already being done in one of the most promising sectors of our economy: the ‘meds and eds,’” said Governor Chafee. “One of our premier economic assets is our abundance of world-class hospitals, such as Hasbro Children’s Hospital, which has been designated the Lead State Center for the National Acquired Brain Injury Plan.”

Governor Joins CCRI & National Grid to Announce Scholarships to Energy Certificate Program

Program will be Funded by U.S. Department of Energy Grant; National Grid Gives Eight Scholarships

Last week, the Governor spoke at the presentation of scholarships to CCRI’s first-ever energy utility technology certificate class and congratulated the scholarship recipients. The program was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory. In addition, National Grid generously donated funds for eight scholarships to the program.

“This is an outstanding example of a successful partnership between the Federal government, a state academic institution, and the private sector,” said Governor Chafee. “In these difficult economic times, all of these partners have collaborated to train hard-working, committed students for good-paying jobs in a high-demand field.”