[Summit] Gov. Raimondo's message -- Investing in our future (by taking out more bonds) [Covid News no. 341]

[David Kolsky]

   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Gina Raimondo <communications at governor.ri.gov>To: Sent: Monday, July 27, 2020, 11:10:59 PM EDTSubject: Investing in our future
  
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| Hi David,
Though it may be hard to imagine now, there will come a day--hopefully within the next year--when we have a vaccine or effective treatment for COVID-19. We won't have to wear masks or worry about social distancing any more. We'll be able to attend concerts and sports games. But if we fail to make strategic investments now, the economic impacts of this crisis will continue to affect our state for years. 
We need to get Rhode Islanders back to work. In order to come back stronger than ever after the COVID crisis, we need to create high-wage jobs and opportunities.
We need to build an inclusive recovery. Our communities of color and low-income workers have been some of the hardest hit in this crisis. This public health crisis has revealed the way zip code determines health and the economic crisis has revealed the degree to which many were left behind in our last recovery.
We need to double down on long-term investments. Now more than ever, it’s critical that we make responsible decisions to both address our immediate needs and double down on the programs will allow us to bounce back quicker from a recession.
Experts agree that bonding is a smart, responsible way to spur economic growth during a financial crisis. With that in mind, today I put forward significant increases to my proposed FY21 bonds.  |

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| Click the graph to see check the Department of Health's COVID-19 data dashboard.

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RI Department of Health COVID-19 Respon...
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| That includes making an additional $40 million investment in affordable housing and community revitalization. We already had a shortage of affordable housing before this crisis, and the pandemic has only made things worse. This program will support the design, development, or repair of approximately 2,000 housing units across the state. It will also fund a competitive grant process to help communities recover from the economic and health impacts of COVID-19.  I'm also proposing $107 million to create a new, state-of-the-art health laboratory for disease prevention and management. This facility will help improve our overall health care infrastructure, serve as a hub for innovation and research, and ensure that we're fully prepared for any new pandemic that may come our way.  As we look to build a more resilient and equitable Rhode Island, it's critical that we make significant, long-term investments. The bond proposals I put forward today reflect the urgency of this moment and the opportunity before us. We can spur economic growth and create jobs while supporting our communities that have been hardest hit by this crisis--and to protect our future, we must. 
We're all in this together,
-Gina RaimondoGovernor
P.S.: Information is our greatest weapon in the fight against COVID-19, If you or someone you know wants to sign up to receive these emails, you can use this link. |

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|  Governor's Office | 82 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02903  |
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