Matos, Principe Issue Statement Regarding Aponte Indictment

by Billy Kepner | May 10, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15

City Council President Pro Tempore Sabina Matos today issued the following statement regarding Council President Aponte’s indictment:

“I am concerned and saddened by today’s indictment against Council President Aponte. Luis has been a colleague and friend for many years. This is a difficult time for the City and our constituents.

As President Pro-Tempore, I wish to assure the people of Providence that their Councilors remain committed to continuing their hard work to ensure that Providence is a vibrant, successful city for all its residents. While the judicial process unfolds, I will remain focused on our work and committed to moving the City of Providence forward.”

Majority Leader Bryan Principe issued a statement echoing Councilwoman Matos’ emphasis on the Council’s commitment to constituents:

“At the end of the day, the judicial process that began today is out of our hands, and we can’t control its outcome. Instead, we will remain focused on fulfilling our commitment to the people of Providence and continue to serve the City to the best of our ability.”

Providence City Council Endorses RI Promise Program

by Billy Kepner | Mar 7, 2017 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15

The City Council on Thursday approved a resolution endorsing Governor Raimondo’s proposed expansion of the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship to provide every Rhode Island high school graduate with a two-year scholarship to an in-state public college or university.

The resolution was introduced by Council President Pro Tempore Sabina Matos (Ward 15), who lauded the proposal as a win for the state and its students: “The cost of higher education is an insurmountable barrier for so many families. Our high schools are full of talented young people eager to learn and achieve. Many of them dream of going to college but don’t have the financial resources to get there.  This is their ticket to higher education, upward mobility, and economic security.”

Cracking the barrier to college, said Matos, can also have a tremendous impact on the state: “Cultivating a highly educated, highly skilled population is good for everyone. This proposal strengthens the state’s ability to retain its best young minds. Our state schools have so much to offer, and this is our chance to capitalize on that.”

Data suggests that an educated workforce is critical to economic development. According to the 2016 Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook, 71% of jobs in Rhode Island will require post-secondary education by 2020. Between 2010 and 2014 in Rhode Island, adults with high school diplomas were almost three times more likely to be unemployed as those with bachelor’s degrees or higher.