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COLUMN | DAN MCGOWAN

Imagine Providence with no WaterFire. It could happen.

With corporate donations dwindling, and state leaders hemming and hawing over providing additional financial support, the world–renowned arts event is struggling.

Latest R.I. Commentary Headlines

RI VOICES | SCOTT MACKAY

4th of July in Bristol, R.I.: tradition, patriotism, and civic pride

The annual series of concerts, fund-raising events, galas, beauty contests, and carnivals has ushered in the biggest day on the town’s social calendar.
COMMENTARY | JEANNE COLA

Rhode Island can’t solve this housing crisis without everyone’s help

A recently passed $120 million housing bond will go before voters in November. It’s worth celebrating while also nowhere near enough, writes the director of the Rhode Island office of LISC.
COLUMN | DAN McGOWAN

Rhode Island’s takeover of Providence schools is a mess. Everyone deserves blame.

The state’s intervention finds itself at an important crossroads as key decisions are looming.

COMMENTARY | Paige Clausius-Parks and Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies
A crucial step forward for vulnerable Rhode Island families
In the next legislative session, the Raising RI Coalition will advocate to index the RI Works benefit amount to at least 50 percent of the federal poverty level, write the directors of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and the Economic Progress Institute.

COMMENTARY | Michael Yelnosky
R.I. Governor McKee should veto the General Assembly’s end run around judicial merit selection
A two-track system for judicial appointments signals that some judicial officers are the product of a patronage system, writes a Rhode Island law school professor and former dean.

COLUMN | DAN McGOWAN
He’s served 14 years in America’s most thankless job: Little League baseball president
Richard Hemphill helped save a youth league in Providence, expertly teaching the game while ensuring that kids are actually having fun. Now he’s ready to step away.

COMMENTARY | Vimala Phongsavanh
Commentary: R.I. groups aim to bring reproductive health care resources to the state’s Southeast Asian community
Planned Parenthood of Southern New England notes that the community is rapidly growing but still faces hurdles to care due to institutional inequities and the “model minority” myth, which hides their challenges.

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More Rhode Island Commentary

COMMENTARY | Brissia Rodriguez Reyes and Aaliyah Rivera

Our vote matters, as much as our seat

Youth council member should be granted the right to vote on important decisions that will impact them and the students they represent.

COMMENTARY | Julie Owens and Lisa Ranglin

A marketing campaign isn’t what our small business community needs

For the thousands of business owners in the shadow of the Washington Bridge, targeted grants could provide critical funds.

COMMENTARY | REBECCA KISLAK, DAVID MORALES, KAREN ALZATE

Are R.I. millionaires paying their fair share of state taxes?

A 3 percent surtax on annual incomes above $1 million could be dedicated to public transportation, education, and child care.

COMMENTARY | LAURA HAMMAN-ORTIZ

Rhode Island’s future is multilingual

The General Assembly is considering two bills that would help grow the number of bilingual education programs, an important investment in our state’s future.

COMMENTARY | BRIDGET VALVERDE AND TERRI CORTVRIEND

Let’s change the way we look at our food scraps in Rhode Island

New legislation aims to fund composting and organic waste diversion programs with just a $2 per ton surcharge on the trash we send to the landfill.

COMMENTARY | John A. Pernorio

Governor McKee must live up to his promises for Rhode Island’s nursing homes

Establish the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board and hold nursing homes accountable to invest public dollars in frontline staff and residents.

COMMENTARY | CRUZ CARIDAD BUENO

Investing in child care is an investment in R.I. families and our economy

The General Assembly is considering two bills that would help more families afford quality child care and incentivize more early educators to remain in the sector.

COMMENTARY | ANDREW SCHIFF

Let’s prioritize children’s nutrition in Rhode Island

If we want to shorten the lines at food pantries, then we should do what’s necessary to feed more children at school. It’s that simple, writes the head of the Rhode Island Food Bank.