Chafee’s Budget: $200 Million in Ballot Proposals
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Voters will be asked to consider whether the state should borrow more than $200 million to invest in infrastructure projects this November under Governor Chafee's budget proposal.
The plan calls for:
- $65.2 million to fund the URI/RIC Nursing Center
- 44.7 million for academic buildings at RIC
- $21.5 million for transportation/RIPTA
- $20 million for Clean Water/Drinking Water
- $25 million for affordable housing
- $25 million for open space, recreation and water quality
Brenda Clement, Executive Director of the Housing Action Coalition, said she is happy to see the Governor remain committed to affordable housing.
"In light of significant reductions in federal housing programs, the Governor’s funding of affordable housing in his budget comes as welcome news. Housing is an economic engine," Clement said. "In the current economic climate, we need to be fueling that engine. The Governor’s decision to continue our state’s investment in affordable housing is a wise one because of the ripple effect housing development has on the local economy. While this funding is a great first step, we now turn to the General Assembly to address our immediate, short-term needs by pursuing legislation aimed at homeless and foreclosure prevention and affordable housing production."
