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The Reporter February 2012
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Welcoming Rhode Island is an affiliate of Welcoming America. There are currently 18 other states across the country that are affiliates of the national organization, from Nebraska to South Carolina. Most recently, the White House recognized Welcoming America and its affiliates for the work they are doing around the country which is at the forefront of helping America’s communities to be globally competitive and welcoming places for all people to live and work. Welcoming Rhode Island is guided by a 35 member advisory committee to which Governor Lincoln Chafee is the Honorary Chair. Currently, the East Providence subcommittee is forming and State Representative Helio Melo has recently joined in support of the initiative. East Providence joins with communities in Alabama, Idaho, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Oregon, who have passed resolutions that declare their communities welcoming or “immigrant friendly.” To view the full resolution and watch a video clip of the event, visit the Welcoming Rhode Island blog at http://welcomingri.tumblr. com/. For more information or to get involved with Welcoming Rhode Island, contact Michelle DePlante at (401) 784-8644 or mdeplante@ iiri.org. International Institute Rhode Island, founded in 1921, is an independent non-profit agency serving immigrant, refugee, and native-born individuals and families. Our mission is to enable all area residents, especially immigrants and refugees, to become self-reliant, invested participants in our communities, while fostering respect and understanding among all people.
Education Aid Advance Bill Passes Assembly Bill Assists Financially Strapped East Providence
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State House – The House and Senate have given final approval to legislation requested by the East Providence Budget Commission to allow the city to receive its state education aid early to prevent it from running out of cash on Friday. The legislation (2012-H 7052, 2012-S 2016) is sponsored by the chairmen of the House and Senate Finance Committees, both of whom are from East Providence, Rep. Helio Melo (D-Dist. 64, East Providence ) and Sen. Daniel Da Ponte (D-Dist. 14, East Providence , Pawtucket ). The bill, which will now head to the governor’s desk, gives budget commissions – the panels appointed by the state to help financially troubled municipalities address their fiscal needs – the authority to certify to the state Department of Revenue that the city needs an advance of its education aid, and to determine the amount necessary. Under the legislation, if the state were to lose any interest by forwarding the advance, the general treasurer is to deduct that amount from the funds advanced. Without an infusion of cash, East Providence would have run out of money on Jan. 20, according to the city’s state-appointed budget commission. The advance would be more cost-effective for East Providence than borrowing more tax anticipation notes, since the city’s bond rating was recently lowered. Under the legislation, the city will be allowed to receive a $12.6 million advance on its education aid. The money is not a loan, but an early payment of aid the city is already scheduled to get from the state during this fiscal year.