“Governor McKee’s Exciting FY 2026 Budget: Prioritizing Workforce Development, Education, and Community Wellness” – Newport Buzz

Rhode Island’s Governor Dan McKee recently presented his budget for the fiscal year 2026. This budget aims to invest in education, job training, and public health, all without increasing taxes for residents. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the governor has avoided major tax hikes.

“This budget protects the progress we’ve made over the past four years,” McKee shared. “As we return to a strong fiscal position, we must refine government operations while supporting programs that enhance education, boost incomes, and promote healthier lives. These are the core ideas in our Rhode Island 2030 plan.”

Here are the key investment areas:

Improving Education and Job Readiness

• Learn365RI Grants: $2.5 million for quality out-of-school programs to help kids build important skills, following a $5 million investment from last year.
• K-12 Funding: An increase of $43.4 million, raising per-student funding to $13,322.
• Ready to Build Program: $800,000 to create pre-apprenticeship programs at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI).
• Culinary Training Hub: Investments at CCRI’s Newport Campus for training in culinary and hospitality fields.
• Work-Based Learning: $6 million to create 1,000 job opportunities for youth through programs like Real Skills for Youth.
• Dual Enrollment: $2.9 million to help high school students take college courses.
• Higher Education: A $10.6 million raise for universities, including $1.7 million for career preparation.

Upgrading Infrastructure

• RhodeRestore Program: An additional $6.5 million to assist local transportation projects.
• Electric Vehicle Registration Fees: New fees of $300 for electric vehicles and $150 for hybrids to support infrastructure improvements.

Promoting Health and Safety

• Assault Weapon Ban: A proposed ban on new sales and manufacturing of assault weapons, plus a sales tax break for gun safety supplies.
• Primary Care Provider Support: Plans to review and improve support for primary care professionals.
• Loan Repayment Assistance: $400,000 to help primary care providers in underserved areas with their loans.
• Senior Services Funding: Increased funding for services supporting seniors, raising it from $1.4 million to $1.6 million.

Increasing Government Efficiency

• Agency Consolidation: Buying a building in East Providence to group state agencies together and save costs.
• Corrections Reform: Closing the Minimum Security Facility and moving operations to the Medium Security Facility to improve services.
• Fraud Prevention: Adding positions in Medicaid to identify and prevent fraud, expected to save $2.3 million next year.

Addressing Homelessness

• Hotel Tax Expansion: A new 5% tax on entire home short-term rentals, projected to bring in $2.1 million.
• Real Estate Tax Increase: Raising the tax on properties over $800,000 to 1.25%, which could generate an additional $2.3 million.

As McKee’s budget moves to the General Assembly, it aims to balance future investments with responsible financial management, keeping Rhode Island’s recovery efforts strong.

Source link

politics