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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – It’s more than likely that recreational marijuana will be legalized in 2021, state lawmakers told ABC 6 on Tuesday. Rep. Karen Alzate put the chances at about 95 percent. According to several lawmakers, the pandemic only added to a massive budget deficit of about $275 million, and marijuana sales would be considered as one possible solution.
Despite
these 2021 Budget wins, the 2022 budget battle may be harder, as some of the
key battles were avoided due to a smaller than worst-scenario budget gap of
$275m versus a projected $900m. One of the lines in the General Assembly press
release reads, ominously, “The bill includes no cuts to state agencies that
would result in staff layoffs
at this time.”
Emphasis mine.
Layoffs
of public sector employees have cascading effects. These layoffs inevitably
result in an increase in unemployment, but also contribute to a decrease in
public services, as understaffed government agencies struggle with staff
shortages.
The 2007 layoffs led by Republican Governor Donald Carcieri and his Democratic enablers such as
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Speaker-elect Joe Shakarchi
When I was sworn in as Mayor of Central Falls, I inherited a city in crisis. With the support of our residents, our taxpayers and an unprecedented coalition of local, state and federal partners, we prevailed and were able to right this ship. Chief among those partners who made this possible was the Rhode Island General Assembly. For this I am grateful.
Next month, around the same time that I leave my office at Central Falls City Hall for the last time, a new leader will be taking the helm of the Rhode Island General Assembly as Speaker in the midst of an unprecedented crisis. I am pleased that it will be K. Joseph Shekarchi of Warwick. As a son of immigrants who still holds the American Dream close, I know that Joe shares many of my experiences and the lessons instilled by an immigrant father. Hard work and compassion in everything that we do, whether someone is watching.
12/29/2020
COVID-19 impacted everything in Pawtucket in 2020
Nia Dacruz proudly showed off her diploma jacket after officially graduating from Tolman High School in June. She said she was happy to be able to walk across a stage for her graduation. Like at so many other schools, the students at Tolman were deprived of a normal high school graduation ceremony. The school recorded the graduates walking across the stage at McCoy Stadium as well as speeches to compile a full graduation video that aired on Capitol TV. (Breeze file photo by Charles Lawrence)
PAWTUCKET – There was no aspect of life in Pawtucket this year that hasn’t been touched in some way by the COVID-19 pandemic, from the lives lost or turned upside down by health scares to the financial impacts for residents and business owners.