Rhode Island

Governor McKee celebrated leading New England in academic recovery from the pandemic, closing the achievement gap with Massachusetts by 39% in reading and 29% in math. He proposed a first-ever dedicated $50 million CTE bond, announced nearly 100 new CTE programs added during his administration, highlighted the permanent RI Promise (free community college), and proposed making the Hope Scholarship permanent for all qualifying students regardless of income.

Governor McKee announced $156 million in federal funding to transform healthcare in 18 communities, significantly expanding primary care, behavioral health, and opioid overdose prevention. He proposed $9.5 million for a new Marketplace Affordability program to protect 20,000 Rhode Islanders at risk of losing HealthSource RI coverage, $10 million to boost hospital support, and nearly $20 million for Medicaid compliance. He also doubled the state grant to the Community Food Bank and added funding for Planned Parenthood.

Governor McKee reported over 36,000 private sector jobs added since the start of his administration, with business applications growing 16.2% while declining nationally. He highlighted AAA Northeast choosing Rhode Island over Massachusetts for 370 new jobs and proposed $600 million in bond proposals to "Keep Rhode Island Building" across business, higher education, K-12, and housing infrastructure.

Governor McKee proposed $600 million in bond proposals to 'Keep Rhode Island Building,' including investments in business, higher education, K-12, and housing infrastructure. He highlighted the Washington Bridge rebuild being on track to complete two years sooner than Maryland's Key Bridge, and proposed a $120 million housing bond and $115 million economic development bond for maritime and defense infrastructure at Quonset.

Governor McKee addressed the Brown University shooting tragedy that killed two students, noting coordination of mental health providers and review of security protocols at all Rhode Island colleges. He did not extensively detail broader crime policy but emphasized the importance of community resilience and first responder support.

Governor McKee proposed reforms to reduce the 25% of energy bills from state programs and taxes, and highlighted the Revolution Wind offshore project's legal battles against Trump administration stop-work orders. He committed to fighting for the project alongside fellow Democratic governors and proposed energy relief including suspending an energy tax and cutting electric and gas bills.

Governor McKee highlighted Housing 2030, Rhode Island's first statewide housing plan in almost two decades targeting 15,000 new homes by 2030. He proposed another $120 million housing bond with $25 million dedicated to homeownership, plus a separate $20 million homeownership program for hundreds of low-cost homes. He noted the state made the largest investment in housing in Rhode Island history and praised Treasurer Diossa's AnchorHome program for first-time homebuyers.

Governor McKee unveiled an 'Affordability for All' agenda projecting $215 million in first-year savings and $1.4 billion over five years. Key proposals include eliminating the state tax on Social Security, creating a permanent $325-per-child tax credit, rolling back last year's gas tax increase, reforming energy bill charges to deliver $1 billion in energy relief over five years, and making the Hope Scholarship permanent. He also proposed $600 million in bond proposals for infrastructure investment.

Governor McKee highlighted Rhode Island College's new AI degree program, with a student applying AI to help identify pneumonia in lung X-rays. He also mentioned the Institute for Cybersecurity & Emerging Technologies and celebrated increased CTE enrollment of nearly 3,000 students. The state's economic development featured tech companies like Vatn Systems building autonomous underwater vehicles.

Governor McKee highlighted Lieutenant Governor Matos's community outreach during the SNAP crisis, which affected veterans among others. He proposed doubling the state grant to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and noted veterans are among those benefiting from the state's elimination of taxes on military pensions.

Governor McKee proposed $600 million in bond proposals to 'Keep Rhode Island Building' across business, higher education, K-12, and housing infrastructure. He called for holding private health insurers accountable by setting enforceable caps on costs with penalties, and noted the budget would fully close RIPTA's remaining $14 million deficit for long-term transit stability.

Governor McKee proposed Rhode Island's first permanent child tax credit at $325 per child, doubled the state grant to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, and added funding to Planned Parenthood in response to federal cuts. He created a $9.5 million Marketplace Affordability program to support 20,000 residents at risk of losing HealthSource RI coverage. He also proposed investing $10 million in hospital support and $20 million for Medicaid compliance to help recipients stay insured.

Governor McKee unveiled a $215 million "Affordability for All" agenda including eliminating the state tax on Social Security, creating Rhode Island's first permanent child tax credit ($325 per child), rolling back the gas tax increase, reforming energy bill charges to deliver over $1 billion in energy relief over five years, creating a Marketplace Affordability program for health coverage, and making the Hope Scholarship permanent. He also proposed $120 million in housing bonds and $600 million in total infrastructure bonds.