Current:Home > FinanceRhode Island governor says higher wages, better student scores and new housing among his top goals-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Rhode Island governor says higher wages, better student scores and new housing among his top goals
View Date:2024-12-23 20:12:54
BOSTON (AP) — Higher wages, stronger student scores and increased housing production are some of the goals Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee promised in his annual State of the State address Tuesday.
One pledge McKee made was to increase the buying power of the state’s residents in coming years by setting a goal to raise the per capita income in the state by at least $20,000 by 2030.
Within the next 100 days, the administration will roll out a game plan for raising incomes, the Democrat said.
McKee also said the budget for the new fiscal year that he’ll be submitting to the General Assembly later this week will prioritize programs that will help raise incomes while also making key investments in education, small businesses, and health care — all without raising broad-based taxes.
“Just think how much housing insecurity and food insecurity we could address as a state if we double down and work to raise per capita income across Rhode Island, helping every family,” McKee said.
Another priority for the new year is education.
McKee said that last year, the administration set a challenge for Rhode Island to reach Massachusetts student achievement levels by 2030, including by raising scores on the Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System assesments.
He said he’ll propose $15 million for math and English Language Arts coaching for students and professional development for teachers to help meet the goal.
Another challenge facing Rhode Island, and many neighboring states, is the lack of housing.
To help jumpstart production, McKee said he’ll propose that a $100 million housing production bond be placed before voters. He said the initiative would be the largest housing production bond in the state’s history.
“We’re going to ensure that – if approved by the voters – these dollars will create more inventory and help put young people on a path to homeownership in our state,” he said.
Health care is another top issue. McKee said he’ll sign an executive order in coming weeks focused on improving Rhode Island’s health care systems and working to ensure “we have access to an efficient and effective health care delivery system aligned with our state’s needs.”
To help make Rhode Island a leader in life sciences McKee pointed to a new State Health Lab that is being built. He also noted his budget will also propose construction of a new life science school at the University of Rhode Island through a bond referendum.
Other high-paying jobs include those in cybersecurity. McKee said he wants Rhode Island College to dedicate itself to responding to the demand.
“Let’s pass a first-of-its-kind cybersecurity bond to grow RIC’s current cybersecurity program into a cybersecurity school of choice,” he said. “And in five years – let’s have 1,000 students enrolled in this school graduating 250 students a year with these degrees.”
On the tax front, McKee called for reducing the corporate minimum tax from $400 to $350 –- a tax that he said impacts the state’s smallest businesses the most. He also said he’s targeting “six annoying fees” for elimination – including liquor manufacturing fees.
“Let’s finally pass an assault weapons ban in Rhode Island,” he added.
The state is also looking ahead to its second offshore wind project, Revolution Wind, which is set to begin construction this year, he said. When complete, Revolution Wind will power nearly 263,000 households.
Another question McKee said he wants to put before voters on the 2024 ballot is whether the state should build a new State Archive and History Center to display the state’s founding documents and important treasures.
Finally, McKee said the state is continuing to make strides on pitching itself as a destination, including to filmmakers, who used the state in the HBO series The Guilded Age.
veryGood! (116)
Related
- Katherine Schwarzenegger Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Pratt
- Sinéad O'Connor's cause of death revealed: Reports
- Minnesota prepares for influx of patients from Iowa as abortion ban takes effect
- Florida police union leader blasts prosecutors over charges against officers in deadly 2019 shootout
- Burt Bacharach, composer of classic songs, will have papers donated to Library of Congress
- 3-year-old dies in Florida after being hit by car while riding bike with mom, siblings
- Quake rattles Southern California desert communities, no immediate reports of damage
- Why US Olympians Ilona Maher, Chase Jackson want to expand definition of beautiful
- USMNT Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal Leg 1 vs. Jamaica: Live stream and TV, rosters
- Bachelor Nation’s Victoria Fuller Dating NFL Star Will Levis After Greg Grippo Breakup
Ranking
- Trump ally Steve Bannon blasts ‘lawfare’ as he faces New York trial after federal prison stint
- Former MLB Pitcher Reyes Moronta Dead at 31 in Traffic Accident
- Paris Olympic organizers cancel triathlon swim training for second day over dirty Seine
- Park Fire is the largest of more than 100 fires currently ablaze across US
- College Football Playoff ranking release: Army, Georgia lead winners and losers
- Pennsylvania man arrested after breaking into electrical vault in Connecticut state office building
- Former MLB Pitcher Reyes Moronta Dead at 31 in Traffic Accident
- Massachusetts governor signs $58 billion state budget featuring free community college plan
Recommendation
-
New York nursing home operator accused of neglect settles with state for $45M
-
11-year-old accused of swatting, calling in 20-plus bomb threats to Florida schools
-
Martin Phillipps, guitarist and lead singer of The Chills, dies at 61
-
Selena Gomez Claps Back at Plastic Surgery Speculation
-
FBI raids New York City apartment of Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan, reports say
-
Beacon may need an agent, but you won't see the therapy dog with US gymnasts in Paris
-
Park Fire is the largest of more than 100 fires currently ablaze across US
-
Olympic surfer's head injury underscores danger of competing on famous wave in Tahiti