Providence Mayor Smiley Threatens Budget Cuts

The city is waiting on a Superior Court judgment that could require it to kick in additional millions in school funding

Mayor Brett Smiley warned the city could significant budget cuts if forced to pour millions into school funding.
Mayor Brett Smiley warned the city could significant budget cuts if forced to pour millions into school funding.
Nina Sparling / The Public’s Radio
Share
Mayor Brett Smiley warned the city could significant budget cuts if forced to pour millions into school funding.
Mayor Brett Smiley warned the city could significant budget cuts if forced to pour millions into school funding.
Nina Sparling / The Public’s Radio
Providence Mayor Smiley Threatens Budget Cuts
Copy

Libraries. Parks. Summer programming for kids. The latest phase of the legal battle between city and state over funding the Providence School Department could mean significant reductions in these and other essential city services, Mayor Brett Smiley announced at a press conference on Tuesday.

“We’re going to have no choice but to have harmful, harmful cuts,” Smiley said. “(They) are going to impact the very same children and families that the school department says that they’re trying to help.”

City employees could face a furlough, Smiley said. New hires and discretionary spending are already on pause. Tax increases are on the table, Smiley warned.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

Still no news on McKee’s request for face time with Trump
For North Providence history teacher Tina O’Brien, studying the past makes ‘you feel more connected to the world around you’
Seasonal increases, end of COVID-era debt repayment terms pose a double whammy for vulnerable R.I. Energy customers
After three bat sightings in August — including one that prompted a weeklong office closure — union workers say the Providence building is unsafe, urging state officials not to renew DCYF’s 10-year lease
Commission holds public hearing on separate proposals to increase cap on gift values and apply limit to certain lobbyists
Gov. McKee responds by criticizing Foulkes over opioids