Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee used his first State of the State address Tuesday to tout new efforts to promote the state’s economy through investments in housing, education, and small business.
Using the upbeat tone typical of the annual address, McKee sketched out some of the themes and initiatives he’ll emphasize while trying to fend off challenges from five rival Democrats later this year.
McKee, who will make public his latest budget plan later this week, outlined the following proposals:
— Investing $250 million in housing, and $50 million in downpayment assistance;
— extending Medicaid coverage for new mothers, from 60 days after birth to 12 months;
— fully funding the education funding formula and using more than $430 million to construct education facilities for K-12 schools, colleges and universities;
— Creating a Higher Education Academy, intended to help more than one thousand people boost their employment prospects with a credential or degree;
— Reducing the corporate minimum tax, creating a post to help individuals and small businesses navigate the state Department of Taxation, and allowing restaurants to continue to sell alcoholic drinks to go, with takeout food.
— Putting $10 million into strengthening minority businesses.
“Tonight, I am here to lay out our Administration’s plan to build a stronger tomorrow – to increase per capita income for individuals and families across our state,” the governor said in his prepared remarks. “This means increasing earning power for all Rhode Islanders. It means putting more money in your pocket and improving your quality of life for years to come. And the only way to do that is by building a stronger, more stable, and fairer economy while prioritizing public health decisions that keep us all safe.”
Speaking in the House chamber at the Statehouse, McKee said Rhode Islanders will make it through the pandemic by working together. He said thousands of residents have taken part in an effort, dubbed Rhode Island 2030, to firm up priorities for the state’s future.
On the blue economy, McKee said, “Let’s build the nation’s premier Smart Bay in partnership with the University of Rhode Island that will make our state a world-leading center for researching, developing and testing ocean technology. Let’s also increase our port capacity to support the offshore wind supply chain by making critical investments into the Port of Davisville at Quonset and East Providence’s South Quay. Let’s also invest in aquaculture, including seafood processing, so we no longer need to ship so much of our calamari out of state to prepare it for sale.”
McKee, 70, became governor in March when his predecessor, Gina Raimondo won confirmation as U.S. Commerce Secretary. At the time, the Cumberland native was lieutenant governor, a job he first won in 2014.
The other Democrats running for governor are activist Matt Brown; former CVS Health executive Helena Foulkes; Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea; General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, and activist Luis Daniel Munoz. The primary is in September.
McKee has faced controversies involving his former chief of staff and a firm hired to help with school openings, but the State of the State address offered a chance for the governor to elaborate on his plans and goals.
The former Cumberland mayor said he wanted to offer special thanks to state Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, who last week announced she will be leaving that job, and touted the state’s response to COVID
“So, to each and every one of you, thank you,” McKee said. “It’s because of you, Rhode Island, that I can stand here before you tonight with confidence and say that the state of our state is resilient and full of opportunity.”
In the GOP response, House Minority Leader Blake Filippi Democrats for supporting what he called excessive restrictions during COVID. He said Rhode Island has untapped potential, but is being held back by under-performing public schools.
Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org. Follow him on Twitter @IanDon. Sign up here for his weekly RI politics and media newsletter.
