Providence City Council Grants First Passage to FY26 City Budget

by Council Staff | Jul 7, 2025 | Add Council Logo

Final Passage of Amended Budget, Including Fairer Tax Rates Negotiated by City Council, Expected Next Week

Tonight, Providence City Council passed the Fiscal Year 2026 City Budget for the first time. The budget will require second passage at a special council meeting next week, Monday, July 14th, before going to the mayor’s desk for his signature.  

Last month, Providence City Council President Rachel Miller and Finance Chairwoman Helen Anthony announced that they had reached an agreement with Mayor Brett Smiley on a revised budget that corrected major inequities in the mayor’s proposed tax structure, ensuring a fairer distribution of the city’s property tax collection. The revised budget raises the tax levy by 5.85%, well below the 8% increase authorized by the General Assembly. On Monday, June 30, the Committee on Finance voted unanimously to advance the amended budget to the full city council.  

“This is a tough budget.  Home valuations are through the roof, rents are too high, and the city is making up for decades of underfunding our public schools in just one year,” said Council President Miller. “In the face of rising costs for residents and for the city, we had difficult decisions to make to meet our obligations and protect core city services. This levy distributes taxes more evenly across properties, protecting homeowners and renters alike, while the budget preserves core services that matter to residents, including no-charge bulk trash pickup. It is a fair and balanced solution to the city’s financial issues.  Thank you to Chairwoman Anthony, members of the Finance Committee, all Councilors, and city staff – who worked together long into the night over the last several months to thread this very difficult needle.” 

Tonight’s first passage represents one of the final milestones in a budget process which began with the mayor’s proposal on April 16th and included two public hearings and more than a dozen meetings of the Committee on Finance, as well as community meetings all throughout the city. This year’s process was delayed past the typical fiscal year-end deadline of June 30th while city officials waited for the General Assembly to pass legislation granting the city a one-time exemption from the state-mandated 4% levy increase cap. With this first passage, the administration can now begin preparing tax bills. 

Throughout the budget process, councilors listened and responded to constituent concerns about the mayor’s original budget proposal, which would have unnecessarily burdened working families by overtaxing mom-and-pop landlords and their tenants while providing tax cuts for larger buildings and commercial properties. Through negotiations with the administration, councilors demanded and won fairer tax rates that will more equitably distribute necessary tax increases without punishing or favoring any one group.  

In the mayor’s original proposal, owner-occupied duplexes and triple-deckers, home to tens of thousands of residents would have seen a 16% average increase in annual tax bills citywide, while single-family properties would have seen a much smaller 4% average increase. An average 16% increase would have given many owners no choice but to pass on the cost to their renters or to sell their properties. In all likelihood, considering the state of the housing market, the purchasers would be large for-profit, corporate entities, which would contribute further to pricing working families out of their neighborhoods. 

City Council stepped in and stopped this. Under the negotiated agreement, both owner-occupied single-family homes and owner-occupied 2–5 unit homes will see equal, modest average increases of just 6%. The change from a 16% impact for over last year’s tax bill to just a 6% increase will save these small landlords—and their tenants—over $400 on average compared to the original proposal. 

Below are the final negotiated tax rates by class with estimated citywide average increases:

In addition to the fairer tax rates, councilors secured a number of other important wins on behalf of residents in negotiations with the mayor, including preservation of a Sustainability Policy Associate position originally slated for elimination and city funding to cover resident fees for bulky item disposal.   

After it is passed for a second and final time, the amended budget will return to the mayor’s desk for his signature before taking effect.  

El Concejo Municipal De Providence Aprueba El Presupuesto Municipal Para el Año Fiscal 2026

La aprobación final del presupuesto modificado, que incluye tasas impositivas más justas negociadas por el Concejo Municipal, se espera para la próxima semana.

Esta noche, el Concejo Municipal de Providence aprobó por primera vez el Presupuesto Municipal para el Año Fiscal 2026. El presupuesto requerirá una segunda aprobación en una reunión especial del concejo la próxima semana, el lunes 14 de julio, antes de pasar al escritorio del alcalde para su firma.

El mes pasado, la presidenta del Concejo Municipal de Providence, Rachel Miller, y la presidenta de Finanzas, Helen Anthony, anunciaron que habían llegado a un acuerdo con el alcalde Brett Smiley sobre un presupuesto revisado que corrigió importantes desigualdades en la estructura de impuestos propuesta por el alcalde, garantizando una distribución más justa de la recaudación de impuestos a la propiedad de la ciudad. El presupuesto revisado aumenta la recaudación impositiva en un 5,85%, muy por debajo del aumento del 8% autorizado por la Asamblea General. El lunes 30 de junio, el Comité de Finanzas votó por unanimidad a favor de presentar el presupuesto enmendado al pleno del concejo municipal.

“Este es un presupuesto difícil. Las valoraciones de las viviendas están altísimas, los alquileres son demasiado caros y la ciudad está compensando décadas de financiación insuficiente para nuestras escuelas públicas en solo un año,” dijo la presidenta del Concejo Miller. “Ante el aumento de los costos para los residentes y para la ciudad, tuvimos que tomar decisiones difíciles para cumplir con nuestras obligaciones y proteger los servicios municipales esenciales. Esta recaudación fiscal distribuye los impuestos de forma más equitativa entre las propiedades, protegiendo tanto a propietarios como a inquilinos, mientras que el presupuesto preserva los servicios esenciales que importan a los residentes, como la recogida gratuita de basura voluminosa. Es una solución justa y equilibrada para los problemas financieros de la ciudad. Gracias a la presidenta Anthony, a los miembros del Comité de Finanzas, a todos los concejales y al personal municipal, quienes trabajaron juntos hasta altas horas de la noche durante los últimos meses para resolver este problema tan difícil.”

La primera aprobación de esta noche representa uno de los hitos finales en un proceso presupuestario que comenzó con la propuesta del alcalde el 16 de abril e incluyó dos audiencias públicas y más de una docena de reuniones del Comité de Finanzas, así como reuniones comunitarias en toda la ciudad. El proceso de este año se retrasó más allá de la fecha límite habitual de fin de año fiscal, el 30 de junio, mientras los funcionarios municipales esperaban a que la Asamblea General aprobara la legislación que otorga a la ciudad una exención única del límite estatal del 4% para el aumento de impuestos. Con esta primera aprobación, la administración puede comenzar a preparar las facturas de impuestos.

A lo largo del proceso presupuestario, los concejales escucharon y respondieron a las inquietudes de los constituyentes sobre la propuesta presupuestaria original del alcalde, que habría sobrecargado innecesariamente a las familias trabajadoras al gravar excesivamente a los propietarios de pequeñas viviendas y a sus inquilinos, a la vez que habría proporcionado recortes de impuestos para edificios más grandes y propiedades comerciales. Mediante negociaciones con la administración, los concejales exigieron y lograron tasas impositivas más justas que distribuirán de forma más equitativa los aumentos de impuestos necesarios sin penalizar ni favorecer a ningún grupo.

En la propuesta original del alcalde, los dúplex y los edificios de tres pisos ocupados por sus propietarios, hogar de decenas de miles de residentes, habrían experimentado un aumento promedio del 16% en las facturas de impuestos anuales en toda la ciudad, mientras que las viviendas unifamiliares habrían experimentado un aumento promedio mucho menor, del 4%. Un aumento promedio del 16% habría obligado a muchos propietarios a trasladar el costo a sus inquilinos o vender sus propiedades. Con toda probabilidad, considerando el estado del mercado inmobiliario, los compradores serian grandes corporaciones con fines de lucro, lo que contribuiría aún más a que las familias trabajadoras se vean obligadas a abandonar sus vecindarios debido a los altos precios.

El Concejo Municipal intervino y detuvo esto. Según el acuerdo negociado, tanto las viviendas unifamiliares como las viviendas de 2 a 5 unidades, ocupadas por sus propietarios, experimentarán aumentos promedio iguales y modestos de tan solo el 6%. El cambio de un impacto del 16% en la factura fiscal del año pasado a un aumento de tan solo el 6% les ahorrará a estos pequeños propietarios—y a sus inquilinos—más de $400 en promedio, en comparación con la propuesta original.

A continuación, se muestran las tasas impositivas finales negociadas por clase, con aumentos promedio estimados en toda la ciudad:

Además de las tasas impositivas más justas, los concejales lograron una serie de otras victorias importantes en nombre de los residentes en las negociaciones con el alcalde, incluyendo la preservación del puesto de Asociado de Política de Sostenibilidad, originalmente pensada para eliminación, y la financiación municipal para cubrir las tarifas a los residentes por la recogida de basura voluminosa.

Tras su segunda y última aprobación, el presupuesto enmendado volverá al escritorio del alcalde para su firma antes de entrar en vigor.

Providence City Council Announces Fairer Tax Rates After Reaching Agreement with Mayor

by Council Staff | Jun 26, 2025 | Add Council Logo

New tax and budget agreement evens out impact across property types, limiting impact on renters, and lowers levy increase to 5.85%

Today, Providence City Council President Rachel Miller and Finance Chairwoman Helen Anthony announced that they have reached an agreement with Mayor Brett Smiley on a revised Fiscal Year 2026 budget that corrects major inequities in the proposed tax structure, ensuring a fairer distribution of the city’s property tax collection.

The original proposal, introduced in April, would have had an uneven impact, raising some homeowners’ tax bills much more than others compared to last year—with 2–5 unit homes facing the steepest increases. Owner-occupied duplexes and triple-deckers, home to tens of thousands of residents would have seen a 16% average increase in annual tax bills citywide while single-family properties would have seen a much smaller 4% average increase, and some large buildings and commercial properties were slated to receive tax cuts.

This uneven distribution would have overburdened working families by balancing the budget on the backs of “mom and pop” landlords and their tenants at a time when Providence is consistently ranked among the least-affordable cities in the country for renters.

Councilors pushed back—and secured a more balanced approach.

Under the negotiated agreement, councilors were able to dramatically reduce this burden. Now, both owner-occupied single-family homes and owner-occupied 2–5 unit homes will see equal, modest average increases of just 6%. The change from a 16% impact over last year’s tax bill to just a 6% increase will save these small landlords—and their tenants—over $400 on average compared to the original proposal.

By aligning the average tax bill increases for owner-occupied single-family and owner-occupied 2-5 unit properties, this budget will ensure that the collective responsibility of funding city schools, parks, essential services, and the city workforce is more evenly shared. In this amended budget, no one group is punished, nor favored over any other.

“This is a hard budget year. Revaluations are sky high, and Providence is making up for decades of underfunding schools in just one year,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “But that doesn’t mean working families should carry the burden. These revisions make the system fairer, protecting homeowners, renters, and small local landlords. By evening out the impact, we are preventing displacement and working to keep Providence affordable—for all of us.”

The final rates and negotiated budget keep the total property tax levy increase to just 5.85%, well below the 8% cap authorized by the state legislature. The budget reflects a shared commitment by the Council and Mayor to fund core services and public education while mitigating harm to those least able to absorb sharp increases. 

Below are the final negotiated tax rates by class:

This year’s budget was especially challenging: a court-mandated increase in school funding, a state-mandated revaluation that dramatically raised property assessments, and rising costs across city operations. But councilors entered this difficult budget process determined to negotiate a budget that protects essential services and distributes tax impacts fairly. This goal was accomplished in the agreement secured today by councilors in negotiations with the mayor. 

In addition to correcting the tax rate inequities, the Council also successfully preserved the Sustainability Policy Associate position, which had been eliminated in the mayor’s proposed budget. Councilors heard from dozens of residents and environmental advocates who voiced concerns about the cut and the potential impact of downsizing the Sustainability Department on Providence’s efforts to address climate change. After hearing from constituents, councilors ensured the position was restored in the final agreement.

Finally, the Council heard significant concern about new fees on bulky trash pickup in the Waste Management contract. Responding to concerns that the $20-35 per-item collection fee on furniture and large appliances would lead to more illegal dumping and create public health and environmental hazards in already overburdened neighborhoods, councilors amended the budget to cover the fees. Because of this change, residents will not have to pay out of pocket when disposing of large items.

“We heard residents loud and clear: protect city services and limit the impact of increased taxes, especially on those who can least afford it,” said Finance Chairwoman Helen Anthony. “Our negotiated agreement with Mayor Smiley does just that.”

On Monday, June 30 at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, the Committee on Finance will hold a public hearing on the amended budget. Spanish translation and, for the first time, free childcare will be provided for those who need it. Residents can also submit written testimony by emailing cityclerk@providenceri.gov. The budget will then be advanced out of committee, after which it will require two passages by the full City Council. The first passage is tentatively scheduled for July 7, with a second vote on July 14.

Council Announces Citywide Immigrant Rights Mailer to be Sent to Every Household

by Council Staff | Jun 25, 2025 | Add Council Logo

Today, in direct response to the brutal and unconstitutional enforcement tactics currently being undertaken by the far-right federal administration, Providence City Council President Rachel Miller announced that a “Know Your Rights” mail piece will be sent to every household in the city with instruction in both English and Spanish about how to respond to immigration enforcement officials. By taking this unprecedented action to protect our immigrant communities, councilors are sending a clear message: every Providence resident has a right to lead a dignified life free from state-sponsored intimidation and terrorization.

“The Providence City Council is partnering with organizations that represent our diverse community to promote safety and inclusion in the face of fear and uncertainty that pervades our city’s immigrant communities due to the reckless cruelty of the Trump administration,” said Council President Miller. “For nearly 400 years, immigrants have been and continue to be vital to Providence. The Council stands together to say immigrants are welcome here and to encourage every member of our community to educate themselves about their constitutional rights and where to find help if they need it.”

The two-sided, 6×11 jumbo postcard was created by the city council in partnership with several local immigrant rights, labor, and advocacy organizations, including:

• Progreso Latino
• Olneyville Neighborhood Association
• New Bridges for Haitian Success (NB4HS)
• Providence Youth Student Movement (PRSYM)
• Unite Here Local 26 Providence
• SEIU 1199 RI
• Rhode Island AFL-CIO
• Alliance of RI Southeast Asians (ARISE)
• Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance (AMOR)
• Guatemalan Center
• Latino Policy Institute
• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)
• Quisqueya en Acción
• Center for Justice
• Parents Leading for Educational Equity (PLEE)

The card consists of two sections – in the top section, residents are advised of their constitutional rights with actions to take if an ICE agent comes to their door, for example not to open the door unless officers present a valid warrant signed by a judge. The lower portion of the card can be cut from the whole, kept in a wallet, and presented to immigration enforcement officers when no valid judicial warrant is displayed.

The card also lists no-cost legal assistance helplines, including a 24/7 helpline operated by Dorcas International, supported in part by council-allocated funds, as well as the bilingual Deportation Defense Line of Rhode Island, which alerts trained responders to suspected ICE presence in local communities.

Finally, residents are advised of the free municipal ID cards available to all Providence residents through the “IDPVD” program. More information on this program can be found at www.providenceri.gov/idpvd.

“Providence is a city of immigrants in a nation of immigrants,” said Council President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo. “Nothing is more fundamental to the American experience than the right to live here peacefully and prosperously, regardless of country of origin or documentation status. This mailer will help remind our residents of those rights and of the resources available to our immigrant communities.”

The mailer is currently being processed and should begin arriving at residents’ homes over the next several business days.

El Concejo Anuncia el Envío de una Tarjeta Informativa a Todos los Hogares con Información sobre los Derechos de los Inmigrantes

Hoy, en respuesta directa a las tácticas brutales e inconstitucionales que está utilizando la actual administración federal de extrema derecha, la presidenta del Concejo Municipal de Providence, Rachel Miller, anunció que todos los hogares de la ciudad recibirán por correo una tarjeta informativa titulada “Conozca Sus Derechos”, con instrucciones en inglés y español sobre cómo responder ante la presencia de agentes de inmigración. Con esta acción sin precedentes para proteger a las comunidades inmigrantes, el Concejo Municipal envía un mensaje claro: todas las personas que viven en Providence tienen derecho a vivir con dignidad, sin miedo, y libres de intimidación o terror patrocinado por el Estado.

“El Concejo Municipal de Providence se ha unido a organizaciones que representan a nuestra comunidad diversa para promover la seguridad y la inclusión ante el miedo e inseguridad que viven nuestras comunidades inmigrantes por la crueldad imprudente de la administración de Trump”, dijo la presidenta del Concejo, Rachel Miller. “Durante casi 400 años, los inmigrantes han sido y siguen siendo esenciales para Providence. El Concejo reafirma que las personas inmigrantes son bienvenidas aquí e invita a toda la comunidad a conocer sus derechos constitucionales y dónde buscar ayuda si la necesitan”.

La tarjeta informativa, de gran tamaño (6×11 pulgadas) e impresa por ambos lados, fue diseñada por el Concejo en colaboración con diversas organizaciones locales que trabajan por los derechos de las personas inmigrantes, laborales y comunitarias, entre ellas:

• Progreso Latino
• Asociación Vecinal de Olneyville / Olneyville Neighborhood Association
• New Bridges for Haitian Success (NB4HS) / Nuevos Puentes para el Éxito Haitiano
• Providence Youth Student Movement (PRSYM) / Movimiento Juvenil de Estudiantes de Providence
• Unite Here Local 26 Providence / Sindicato Unite Here Local 26 Providence
• SEIU 1199 RI / Sindicato Internacional de Empleados de Servicios 1199 Rhode Island
• Rhode Island AFL-CIO / Federación Estadounidense del Trabajo y Congreso de Organizaciones Industriales de Rhode Island
• ARISE – Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education / Alianza de Asiáticos del Sudeste de Rhode Island
• AMOR – Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance / Alianza para Movilizar Nuestra Resistencia
• Guatemalan Center / Centro Guatemalteco
• Latino Policy Institute / Instituto de Políticas Latinas
• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) / Unión Internacional de Pintores y Oficios Afines
• Quisqueya en Acción
• Center for Justice / Centro de Justicia
• Parents Leading for Educational Equity / Padres Liderando por la Equidad Educativa

La tarjeta tiene dos secciones principales. La parte superior explica los derechos constitucionales que protegen a todas las personas. Ofrece instrucciones claras sobre qué hacer si un agente de inmigración (ICE) llega a la casa, por ejemplo, no abrir la puerta a menos que muestren una orden válida firmada por un juez. La parte inferior se puede recortar y guardar en la cartera. Esta parte puede mostrarse a oficiales si no presentan una orden judicial válida.

También se incluyen números de teléfono gratuitos para asistencia legal, como la línea 24/7 operada por Dorcas International, financiada en parte con fondos del Concejo, y la Línea de Defensa Contra Deportaciones de Rhode Island, bilingüe, que activa una red de respuesta ante la presencia de ICE en la comunidad.

Finalmente, la tarjeta informa sobre el programa municipal IDPVD, que ofrece tarjetas de identificación gratuitas para todos los residentes de Providence, sin importar su estatus migratorio. Más información en: www.providenceri.gov/idpvd.

“Providence es una ciudad de inmigrantes en una nación de inmigrantes”, declaró el presidente pro tempore del Concejo Juan M. Pichardo. “Nada es más esencial para la experiencia estadounidense que el derecho a vivir aquí en paz y prosperidad, sin importar el país de origen ni la documentación. Este folleto ayudará a recordar a nuestros residentes esos derechos y los recursos disponibles para nuestras comunidades inmigrants.”

La tarjeta ya está en proceso de impresión y comenzará a llegar a los hogares en los próximos días laborables.

Providence City Council to Honor Informational Boycott of ABC6 in Support of Unionizing Workers

by Council Staff | Jun 12, 2025 | Add Council Logo

Today, Providence City Council President Rachel Miller announced that the city council will be honoring an “informational boycott” of WLNE-TV television news station, the ABC affiliate for the Providence market, in response to a request from workers at the station who have been engaged for over a year in contract negotiations with parent company Standard Media.

The newsroom union representing workers at the station, NABET-CWA, issued a request on the morning of June 11th for elected officials to cease all non-essential correspondence and engagement with the network, following management’s recent abandonment of good-faith negotiations with the union. Organizers at the station, operating as NABET-ABC6, are seeking standard job benefits and a livable wage.

“The need for high-quality local journalism is fundamental to any functioning democracy. This need is more acute now than ever, at a time when both our democracy and our information environment are facing existential threats from the federal government,” said Council President Miller. “So it is particularly disappointing and disturbing that Standard Media has chosen not to pay its workers a fair wage. Providence City Council will not work with any business that treats workers in this way. We urge station management to return to the negotiating table immediately.”

With the exception of urgent situations affecting the safety of Providence residents, this release will be the final communication the Providence City Council office sends to ABC6 until workers and station management reach a fair contract.

Under the leadership of Council President Miller, Providence City Council has consistently demonstrated unwavering support for the essential right of Providence workers to collectively bargain. In March of last year, Providence City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of unionization efforts at ABC6. In October, President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Ward 9), Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6), and Chief of Staff June Rose spoke at a rally outside of the ABC6 headquarters.

More recently, councilors passed resolutions supporting unionizing educators at Highlander and Cuffee charter schools as well as striking healthcare workers at Butler Hospital, just a few of the 13 such resolutions passed by city council this term. Last month, Council President Miller, Councilor Justin Roias (Ward 4), and Councilor Miguel Sanchez joined Butler workers with SEIU 1199 NE on the picket line.

Providence City Council will continue to advocate and show up for organized labor in our city and defend the right of workers everywhere to demand fair wages, safe working conditions, and the dignity they deserve.

Councilors Introduce Noise Ordinance Exemption for Striking Workers, Rights of First Refusal for Tenant Organizations and Workers

by Council Staff | Jun 5, 2025 | Add Council Logo

Tonight, Providence City Council President Rachel Miller introduced an amendment to the city’s noise ordinance which would exempt striking workers from violations. This protection follows the recent unnecessary and targeted fining of workers at Butler Hospital, who for more than two weeks have been exercising their right to peacefully demonstrate for a livable wage and safe working conditions.

“The noise ordinance was never intended to silence people exercising their right to fight for their families,” said Council President Miller. “The workers at Butler Hospital are striking for fair wages and safe working conditions—and doing so peacefully. I’ve joined them on the picket line, bullhorn in hand, and seen firsthand their commitment to their patients and our community. Yet they’ve been hit with $500 fines simply for making their voices heard. Butler’s workers are eager to return to the jobs they love—as soon as they win a fair contract that ends poverty-level wages and unsafe conditions. We won’t punish them in the meantime. This amendment makes it clear: Providence will not use selective enforcement of the noise ordinance to silence workers standing up for their rights.”

The measure was referred to the Committee on Ordinances. Council also passed a resolution of support for these striking workers, once again sending a clear message of councilors’ unwavering commitment to Providence workers and their right to collective bargain.

Councilors also granted final passage to an ordinance adopting the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget for Program Year 2025-26, and authorizing the city to submit its annual CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership, Emergency Solution Grant, and Housing Opportunity for Persons with AIDS grant applications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The total CDBG allocation is $5,340,000 for more than a dozen local organizations serving the Providence community.

“The Community Development Block Grant program is an invaluable lifeline to the frontline organizations serving communities across our city,” said Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), who, as Chairwoman of the Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning, has oversight of the CDBG award process. “From elder care and literacy programs to food for neighbors in need, the services provided by this year’s awardees enrich, shape, and even save lives. Just last week, we attended the opening of a new 35-unit Health and Housing development by Crossroads Rhode Island, an organization supported in part by CDBG. Every dollar spent through this program makes our communities stronger.”

Tonight’s meeting featured introduction of two ordinances providing tenant organizations and local business employees “rights of first refusal” for the purchase of apartment buildings and businesses, respectively, listed for sale in Providence. The first such ordinance, introduced by Councilor Justin Roias (Ward 4), would give tenant organizations at subject properties the first chance to buy their properties from building owners when the owners decide to sell, with qualified nonprofits given the second opportunity to purchase before those properties can be sold to other parties. A second ordinance, introduced by Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6), would grant the same right to employees of small businesses in the city. Both ordinances were referred to the Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education.

Also tonight, councilors passed several resolutions in support of legislation currently pending before the Rhode Island General Assembly, including House Bill H6334, introduced by Representative Rebecca Kislak at the request of the city council, which would authorize municipalities to impose a surcharge of $2 on ticket sales for venues with a capacity of more than 800 people. This small surcharge would represent a major new source of revenue for the City of Providence during a time of acute financial challenge and is just one of several new revenue streams proposed by councilors to be enacted alongside a fair and balanced city budget.

Councilors also introduced three ordinances relating to college student housing in the city. The first, introduced by Councilwoman Shelley Peterson (Ward 14) and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) would create a student impact fee for buildings that rent entirely to students. The second, introduced by Councilwoman Peterson, would create a licensure process for student housing providers. The third, also introduced by Councilwoman Peterson, would codify the Nuisance Task Force under the purview of the City Solicitor. All three ordinances were referred to committee.

Additional meeting highlights:

• Passage of a resolution introduced by Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) establishing an honorary street designation in tribute to Mattie L. Smith.
• Passage of a resolution introduced by President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Ward 9) and advanced with unanimous support from the Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education opposing the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education.
• Passage of a resolution introduced by President Pro Tempore Pichardo supporting a state legislative measure to grant limited state recognition to the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe.

 Los Concejales Presentan Exención de la Ordenanza de Ruido para Trabajadores en Huelga, Derecho Preferente para Organizaciones de Inquilinos y Trabajadores

Esta noche, la presidenta del Concejo Municipal de Providence Rachel Miller presentó una enmienda a la ordenanza municipal sobre ruido que eximiría a los trabajadores en huelga de infracciones. Esta protección surge tras las recientes multas innecesarias y selectivas a los trabajadores del Hospital Butler, quienes durante más de dos semanas han ejercido su derecho a manifestarse pacíficamente para exigir un salario digno y condiciones laborales seguras.

“La ordenanza sobre el ruido nunca tuvo la intención de silenciar a las personas que ejercen su derecho a luchar por sus familias”, dijo la presidenta del Concejo Miller. “Los trabajadores del Hospital Butler están en huelga por salarios justos y condiciones laborales seguras—y lo hacen de forma pacífica. Me he unido a ellos en el piquete, con megáfono en mano, y he visto de primera mano su compromiso con sus pacientes y nuestra comunidad. Sin embargo, han recibido multas de $500 simplemente por alzar su voz. Los trabajadores de Butler están ansiosos por regresar a los trabajos que aman—tan pronto como obtengan un contrato justo que acabe con los salarios que los mantienen en la pobreza y las condiciones peligrosas. Mientras tanto, no los castigaremos. Esta enmienda lo deja claro: Providence no utilizará la aplicación selectiva de la ordenanza sobre el ruido para silenciar a los trabajadores que defienden sus derechos.”

La medida fue remitida al Comité de Ordenanzas. El Concejo también aprobó una resolución de apoyo a estos trabajadores en huelga, reforzando una vez mas el firme compromiso de los concejales con los trabajadores de Providence y su derecho a la negociación colectiva.

Esta noche, los concejales también aprobaron una ordenanza que adopta el Presupuesto de Subvenciones en Bloque para el Desarrollo Comunitario (CDBG, por sus siglas en ingles) de la ciudad para el Año Programático 2025-26 y autoriza a la ciudad a presentar sus solicitudes anuales de subvenciones CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership, Subvenciones para Soluciones de Emergencia y Oportunidades de Vivienda para Personas con SIDA al Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos. La asignación total de CDBG es de $5,340,000 para más de una docena de organizaciones locales que prestan servicios a la comunidad de Providence.

“El programa de Subvenciones en Bloque para el Desarrollo Comunitario es un recurso vital invaluable para las organizaciones de primera línea que sirven a las comunidades de nuestra ciudad,” declaró la concejala Mary Kay Harris (Distrito 11), quien, como presidenta del Comité de Reurbanización, Renovación y Planificación Urbana, supervisa el proceso de asignación de CDBG. “Desde programas de cuidado de personas mayores y alfabetización hasta alimentos para vecinos necesitados, los servicios provistos por los beneficiarios de este año enriquecen, moldean e incluso salvan vidas. La semana pasada, asistimos a la inauguración de un nuevo complejo de Salud y Vivienda de 35 unidades de Crossroads Rhode Island, una organización apoyada en parte por CDBG. Cada dólar invertido a través de este programa fortalece nuestras comunidades.”

En la reunión de esta noche se presentaron dos ordenanzas que otorgan a las organizaciones de inquilinos y a los empleados de negocios locales “derecho preferente” para la compra de edificios de apartamentos y negocios, respectivamente, en venta en Providence. La primera ordenanza, presentada por el concejal Justin Roias (Distrito 4), otorgaría a las organizaciones de inquilinos de las propiedades en cuestión la primera oportunidad de comprar sus viviendas de los propietarios de los edificios cuando decidan venderlas, y a las organizaciones sin fines de lucro que cumplan los requisitos la segunda oportunidad de compra antes de que esas propiedades puedan venderse a cualquier otra persona o entidad. Una segunda ordenanza, presentada por el concejal Miguel Sanchez (Distrito 6), otorgaría el mismo derecho a los empleados de pequeños negocios en la ciudad. Ambas ordenanzas fueron remitidas al Comité de Salud, Oportunidad, Prosperidad y Educación.

También esta noche, los concejales aprobaron resoluciones en apoyo a la legislación actualmente pendiente ante la Asamblea General de Rhode Island, incluyendo el Proyecto de Ley de la Cámara de Representantes H6334, presentado por la Representante Rebecca Kislak a petición del Concejo. Este proyecto autorizaría a los municipios a imponer un recargo de $2 en la venta de entradas para locales con capacidad de más de 800 personas. Este pequeño recargo representaría una importante fuente de ingresos para la Ciudad de Providence en un momento de graves dificultades financieras y es solo una de las nuevas fuentes de ingresos propuestas por los concejales para su implementación junto con un presupuesto municipal justo y equilibrado.

Los concejales también presentaron tres ordenanzas relacionadas con la vivienda para estudiantes universitarios en la ciudad. La primera, presentada por la concejala Shelley Peterson (Distrito 14) y el concejal John Goncalves (Distrito 1), crearía una tarifa de impacto estudiantil para los edificios que se alquilan exclusivamente a estudiantes. La segunda, presentada por la concejala Peterson, crearía un proceso de licencia para los proveedores de vivienda estudiantil. La tercera, también presentada por la concejala Peterson, codificaría el “Grupo de Trabajo contra Molestias,” bajo la supervisión del Abogado de la Ciudad. Las tres ordenanzas fueron remitidas a comité.

Puntos destacados adicionales de la reunión:

• Aprobación de una resolución presentada por la concejala Mary Kay Harris (Distrito 11) que establece la designación honoraria de una calle en homenaje a Mattie L. Smith.
• Aprobación de una resolución presentada por el presidente pro tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Distrito 9), aprobada con el apoyo unánime del Comité de Salud, Oportunidad, Prosperidad y Educación, que se opone al desmantelamiento del Departamento de Educación de los Estados Unidos.
• Aprobación de una resolución presentada por el presidente pro tempore Pichardo que apoya una medida legislativa estatal para otorgar reconocimiento estatal limitado a la Tribu Seaconke Wampanoag.