NEW: Raimondo Makes Case for New Rhode Island School Building Authority
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo toured Newport's Pell Elementary School on Friday -- the last school constructed before the moratorium on new construction in the state -- to make the case for her proposed School Building Authority.
"This was the last school that was funded before the moratorium went into effect. It's high time we lift the moratorium so that this can happen again," said Raimondo at a press conference at the school.
The Governor's proposal increases Rhode Island's school construction appropriation to $90 million this year, and commits $80 million each year after. Raimondo has also called for the creation of a capital fund to help communities gain access to capital, seeded with $20 million from the proposed debt restructuring.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"The budget I proposed lifts the moratorium for a new school building authority within RIDE to partner with cities and towns to rebuild schools," Raimondo said on Friday. "[The] first charge is an independent professional assessment of the current need. This allows for projects to be prioritized. We should assess the need, how the schools are measuring up, and prioritize a number of factors."
Raimondo addressed the construction component to the plan.
"We need to put people back to work, and our children need modern schools, so we're making it a priority to invest in school construction," said Raimondo. "These investments will help spark an economic recovery and strengthen our state now and in the long term."
"This initiative is very important if we're going to have new construction. The moratorium was in place for far too long," said Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed. "We need to ensure the construction of new modern schools building with technology and energy efficiency which is critical to improving education in the state."
General Treasurer Seth Magaziner was on hand to tour the school on Friday as well.
"As a former elementary school teacher who worked in a crumbling school building, I know the impact it has on students, teachers and the entire community," said Magaziner. "I am proud to be working with the Governor and Senate President on a plan to fix our schools with smart financing that will also put people back to work and boost Rhode Island's economy."
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