Providence city council president Rachel Miller has lived in the West End for over 20 years. During that time, she says the neighborhood has become virtually unaffordable for most working-class residents. “I’ve seen rent grow at first very slowly, and then, since 2020, very fast,” Miller said. “Apartments that were, maybe $1,100 are now $2,200. […]
Providence City Council
Posted inHousing, Local, Metro Desk
As winter drags on, Providence’s unhoused people want to see long-term solutions
Durell Parker arrived at Providence City Hall last Tuesday evening, dubious. With wind chill, the temperature outside felt like the single digits. He’d spent the previous night, and most nights before that for the past several years, outside, in a tent. When an outreach worker told him the city council was using its chambers as […]
Posted inEnvironment, Possibly Podcast
How will Providence make its buildings carbon neutral?
Providence has set the goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. And recently, the city government passed a new ordinance to help it meet that goal.
Posted inArticle, Politics
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For March 6
Question of the week: Does Rhode Island face an outsized perception for corruption largely due to its small size? Read on, for more on that. Thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As always, I welcome your tips and comments, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For November 15
Question of the Week: How does ill will in the body politic affect important policy issues? Read on for more on that, and thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. 1) We’re […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Fane Fight: Proposed 46-Story Luxury Tower Sparks Clash In Providence
The most disputed piece of land in Providence is just a patch of grass right now. It’s a triangle-shaped parcel smack between the city’s new pedestrian bridge and the Wexford building on Dyer Street. Fane tower is a proposed 46-story luxury residential development in Providence’s I-195 District. While opponents take a very different view, supporters […]
Posted inArticle, Education, Politics
Fewer Than Half Of Providence Politicians’ Children Go To Traditional Public Schools
A review by The Public’s Radio shows that fewer than half of the school-age children of elected officials from Providence attend traditional public schools. This finding raises questions about whether elected officials are vested in new efforts to improve Rhode Island’s largest school system.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Aponte Steps Down From Providence City Council Seat After Embezzlement Plea
Luis Aponte, who was part of the cutting edge of Latino politics when he first served on the Providence City Council in 1999, resigned Tuesday after pleading nolo contendere to a felony charge of embezzlement. In a one-sentence letter to the city clerk, Aponte wrote: “Please accept this letter as my official resignation as a […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
Rising Property Values Spark Unwelcome Tax Increases In Providence
Many Providence residents are reeling from sticker shock on the new property tax bills landing in their mail boxes. But there are few easy answers for how to reduce the tax bite in Rhode Island’s capital city.
Posted inArticle, Politics
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Politics/Media Roundup For July 19
You think it’s hot out there? Give it a few months and we’ll be griping about the cold. Regardless, thanks for stopping by for my weekly column. As usual, your tips and comments are welcome, and you can follow me through the week on the twitters. (A program note: TGIF is taking a summer break […]
