Gina Raimondo in 2020 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
We've made it easier to do business in Rhode Island
We've made it easier to do business in Rhode Island, cutting thousands of pages of regulations and providing 120 loans to small business--more than half of
which have gone to women and minority-owned businesses. That small business loan fund didn't even exist when I became governor.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Budget & Economy:
Put line-item veto on the ballot
It is time to pass line item veto. We know this is something the vast majority of Rhode Islanders want. Nearly every other state uses line item veto to reduce waste in government spending and corruption--and to ensure that tax dollars help all citizens,
not just those with connections. Let's restore Rhode Islanders' confidence in government and put line item veto on the ballot.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Education:
Additional $30 million to support schools statewide
Schools in every community have to do better, so I am announcing an additional $30 million to support students and teachers in every community. In every district across the state, we'll invest in high-quality curricula and ensure more students have
access to advanced classes in high school. We'll invest to support multilingual learners for whom the playing field is still devastatingly unequal. We'll increase the number of mental health professionals in our schools.
A very bright spot in our education system is our public PreK. Rhode Island is a nationally recognized leader. The problem is, for too many people, it's unaffordable.
So let's invest in what we know works. Kids shouldn't have to be lucky or rich
to get a strong start. Tonight, I'm proposing a more than 50% increase in the number of high-quality public PreK classrooms throughout the state. That's taking a big step forward toward our goal of Universal PreK for every 4-year-old in Rhode Island.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Education:
Make scholarships for community college permanent
A few years ago, we tried something new to help more young people get a college degree and training for a good job. We enabled high school graduates to enroll at CCRI tuition-free. Today, the Promise Scholarship is a proven success. CCRI's
graduation rate has tripled. That scholarship is set to expire. Let's make the Promise Scholarship permanent and cement affordable higher education and job training into the very foundation of our economy.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
First state to be 100% renewable energy by end of decade
About three years ago I set an ambitious goal to increase our clean energy ten-fold by the end of 2020. By the end of the year, we'll exceed that goal. We're the nation's leader in offshore wind, and in a few years, we'll have enough offshore
wind energy to power half of the homes in Rhode Island. It's time to set our sights higher. This week I'll sign an executive order to make Rhode Island the first state in America to be powered by 100% renewable energy by the end of this decade.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Gun Control:
Close loopholes; ban assault weapons
Protecting our future means protecting our neighborhoods, workplaces and schools from gun violence. Even one tragedy with an untraceable, homemade firearm is one too many. Loopholes that allow extremely dangerous people to get guns need to be closed.
Military-style assault weapons don't belong in our communities and should be banned. So this year, I will once again propose a comprehensive package of gun reforms. Stand with me and keep Rhode Island safe.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Health Care:
Almost 97% insurance rate through state health exchange
When I became governor, we decided to keep running our own state health exchange instead of giving it to the federal government. Because of that decision--and a lot of hard work--almost 97% of Rhode Islanders have health insurance.
That's higher than almost any other state. While premiums are increasing across the country, here in Rhode Island most premiums will decrease this year on our exchange. No one should have to choose between going to the doctor and buying groceries.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Jobs:
Raise minimum wage; expand earned income tax credit
Since I've been governor, we've raised the minimum wage three times. Our hardest working Rhode Islanders deserve a raise. Let's do it again this year.
At the same time, let's expand the earned income tax credit so hardworking Rhode Islanders can keep more of their money in their pockets. No one who works full time should live in poverty.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Tax Reform:
Cut car tax & unemployment insurance tax
We've made all this progress while cutting taxes every year. So let's continue on that path by cutting the car tax again this year for every single Rhode Islander. Let's also cut taxes for small businesses, who for almost
25 years saw no relief from their unemployment insurance taxes. Tonight, I'm proud to announce the third cut in unemployment insurance taxes since I took office.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Technology:
Fixed roads and bridges; now let's do public transportation
In the last four years, we've fixed more than 100 roads and bridges, and right now, we're fixing another 100. Now, just imagine what Rhode Island would look like if we improved our trains, buses, and public transit the same way we've tackled fixing
our roads and bridges. Imagine a day when high speed commuter rail connects Providence to Boston; when electric buses powered by solar panels zip through dedicated bus lanes. That's within our grasp right now.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
On Welfare & Poverty:
Create dedicated funding stream to build new housing
No one should struggle to keep a roof over their head either, and right now too many working families do. Our housing shortage threatens all of the economic progress we've made.
This year I propose a housing bond and--for the first time ever in Rhode Island--a dedicated funding stream to build more housing. Nearly every other state already has this. Let's do it, and let's get to work building more homes.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021