Governor Chafee Announces Central Falls Cost Reductions and Increased Efficiency

On February 13, Governor Chafee announced that after stabilizing Central Falls’ municipal finances, the Office of the Receiver is now pursuing additional cost reductions and increased operational efficiency through the consolidation of municipal functions and shared services between the City and the Central Falls School District.

State-appointed Receiver Robert G. Flanders, Jr. signed an order on February 13 creating the Department of Administration and Finance, an office of shared services that will oversee and coordinate all finance and administrative functions.

“As Central Falls eliminates duplicated services and tightens up operational efficiency, it also sends a message to other cities struggling both within Rhode Island and beyond, that consolidation and regionalization of services are vital steps on the road to recovery,” said Governor Chafee.

Governor Celebrates First Class of Special Olympics Rhode Island Hall of Fame Inductees

On February 9, Special Olympics Rhode Island held an induction ceremony and dinner to honor its first class of inductees to the 2012 Inaugural Hall of Fame. Special Olympics Rhode Island provides sports training and athletic competition for 2,700 Rhode Islanders with intellectual disabilities.

“Tonight’s charter class should feel very proud for all they have done and continue to do for the Special Olympics, and I look forward to this Hall of Fame continuing to grow with outstanding inductees in the years ahead,” said Governor Chafee at the event.

The Governor spoke about how traditionally, for most sports halls of fame, the members of the first class of honorees – the “charter class” – are giants of the sport. He described how Baseball’s charter class, for example, included Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson.

Governor Chafee, General Assembly, RI Black & Latino Caucus Celebrate Black History Month at State House

Rep. Anastasia Williams, Chair of both the House
Labor Committee and the Black & Latino Caucus, is pictured
with Governor Chafee 

Governor Chafee attended the 3rd Annual Joint Legislative Black History Month Celebration, titled “Hope, Unity, and Action,” on February 8. The program featured keynote speaker Corey D. B. Walker, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Africana Studies at Brown University.

At the event, the Governor spoke about the important contributions African Americans have made to Rhode Island over the centuries. As the Governor noted, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, composed largely of African American soldiers, played a key role in winning the 1778 Battle of Rhode Island during the Revolutionary War. The Regiment is credited with saving the American line and widely believed to be the first African-American military regiment.

In the Year of Cities and Towns, Governor Leads Efforts to Aid Ailing Capital City

Last week, Governor Chafee organized a meeting with Brown University President Ruth J. Simmons and Mayor Angel Taveras at the State House to discuss solutions to the city’s fiscal crisis. Governor Chafee announced that he will file an amicus brief with the Rhode Island Supreme Court in support of the City of Providence’s efforts to move retirees into Medicare. Filing the brief will be the Governor’s latest action in his ongoing efforts to strengthen Rhode Island’s cities and towns.

“Given Providence’s dire fiscal condition, the reasonable and necessary measures Providence has already undertaken, and the important implications for the entire state involved in this case, I have decided to file an amicus brief with the Rhode Island Supreme Court articulating the state’s significant interests in this matter. The outcome of this case will not only affect Providence, but potentially all municipal and state efforts to achieve fiscal health through needed reforms,” Governor Chafee said.

American Hockey League’s 2013 All-Star Weekend to be Held in Providence, Will Spur Rhode Island Economy

Governor Chafee joined with officals from the City of Providence, The Dunkin’ Donuts Center, and the Providence Bruins to announce that Providence will host the American Hockey League’s 2013 Dunkin’ Donuts All-Star Weekend. Governor Chafee spoke about the benefits of the event for Rhode Island’s tourism and hospitality industry.

The Governor highlighted that the event will draw visitors from all over the country and as far as Canada to enjoy the weekend-long spectacle.

Governor Announces Energy Technology Company to Relocate to Rhode Island, Creating Forty-Seven High-Paying Jobs

At last week’s Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation Meeting, the Board of Directors, led by the Governor, approved a $500,000 Renewable Energy Fund loan to Washington state based PCS Utilidata, Inc. The loan will allow PCS Utilidata to relocate to the state and bring an estimated 8 to 15 jobs in 2012. By 2015, the company plans to have 47 full-time employees in Rhode Island, with an average annual salary of around $91,000.

“Utilidata is exactly the type of company we want to attract to relocate and expand in Rhode Island, bringing high-paying jobs to our state. I am pleased to welcome Utilidata to Rhode Island and look forward to their contributions to our growing knowledge economy,” Governor Chafee said.

Following the approval of the loan, in an effort to streamline the process for energy policy initiatives, Governor Chafee proposed that the Renewable Energy Fund be brought under the supervision of the Office of Energy Resources. The fund totals approximately $5.8 million and is designed to foster new business growth in the state and encourage businesses to use sustainable energy practices. The Governor believes that consolidating these efforts under the Office of Energy Resources will help these processes move more expeditiously.

Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education Votes to Move Forward with Achievement First

On February 2, the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education voted to allow Achievement First to open its first school in Rhode Island. Achievement First currently operates 20 schools in New York and Connecticut and has been working to expand into Rhode Island.

The school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2013, and plans to enroll students through a lottery system. The school will give special consideration to children from low-income families.

Click here to read additional coverage of the meeting.