One day after the start of Rhode Island’s new General Assembly session, a group of lawmakers, religious leaders and advocates for the poor planned to demonstrate at the Statehouse. The Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty organizes the annual event to encourage lawmakers to take up issues affecting low-income Rhode Islanders.
Though largely ceremonial, the event is usually attended by high-ranking lawmakers, including the Governor.
Emily Jones, of the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty, praised lawmakers for progress last year, citing an increase in the state’s earned income tax credit and the passage of an affordable housing bond, which voters approved in November.
“I think there is still some significant work to be done on issues like the minimum wage, drivers’ licenses for undocumented immigrants,” said Jones.
Jones said she hopes lawmakers save at least one program already on the chopping block: free bus passes for low-income seniors and disabled Rhode Islanders.
“That program is set to end on February 1st,” said Jones. “So we’re really hoping that some immediate action can be taken to protect transportation access for about 13,000 low-income seniors and people with disabilities.”
The organization is also watching changes that may be coming with the new Presidential administration.
“We’re closely monitoring federal action regarding the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid, and want to work to ensure that Rhode Islanders continue to have that coverage and access to care,” said Jones.
According to the 2015 American Community Survey from the National Census Bureau, 14 percent of Rhode Island’s population lives below the federal poverty rate.
