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2010 Rhode Island Legislative Session Begins |
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The 2010 legislative session of the Rhode Island General Assembly began on Tuesday, January 5, 2010. The session began with an estimated projected budget deficit of $219 million for fiscal year 2010 and $400 million for fiscal year 2011. Hearings on the Supplemental Budget Bill (the Governor's revised budget for state fiscal year 2010) began in December and will continue over the next few weeks. Proposals to close the fiscal year 2010 budget deficit include cuts to current year budgets for education and a reduction in child care subsidy provider rates.
To find the latest information on legislation, budget articles and hearing dates for the Rhode Island General Assembly, bookmark our current legislation page that will be updated daily throughout the session with issues affecting children and families. |
Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition Holds
State House Vigil to Fight Poverty |
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The Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition's second annual interfaith vigil, One Voice to Reduce Poverty in Rhode Island, was attended by 100 religious leaders, advocates and community leaders. View pictures from the event at the State House, coverage from the Providence Journal or download the Coalition's fact sheet on poverty in Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition is a faith-based partnership whose purpose is to fight poverty. The Coalition includes over 40 faith and advocacy organizations in the state, including Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. The Coalition is part of a national initiative with over 20 faith-based organizations whose goal is to cut poverty in half within 10 years. |
Establishing a School-Funding Formula for
Rhode Island |
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Rhode Island continues to be the only state without a school- funding formula. The state stopped using an updated formula to distribute new school aid in the 1990s, according to a recent Providence Journal article by columnist, Ed Fitzpatrick. He spoke at length to Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Executive Director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, about the need for a school-funding formula in Rhode Island. View the article, "2010 may be year of school-funding formula in R.I." |
New Urban Arts Featured on
Rhode Island KIDS COUNT TV Show |
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New Urban Arts is an out-of-school time interdisciplinary arts program for high school students and emerging artists. On the latest episode of the Rhode Island KIDS COUNT cable show, Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Executive Director, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, interviews Jason Yoon, Executive Director at New Urban Arts and Rosalia Mayen Velis, Chair of the New Urban Arts Student Team Advisory Board. This episode focuses on the incredible artistic work resulting from youth and adult partnerships at New Urban Arts, nationally recognized recently with an award presented by First Lady Michelle Obama. |
