Raimondo To Deliver Final RI State Of The State Address

PROVIDENCE, RI — Just a few weeks before she is expected to head off to Washington, D.C., Gov. Gina Raimondo is set to give her final State of the State address Wednesday night. In the speech, Raimondo is expected to look back over six years as governor.

Throughout her time as governor and in her introduction as President Joe Biden's pick for Commerce Secretary, Raimondo has highlighted her focus on rebuilding Rhode Island's economy and investing in job training and resiliency.

"This is the Rhode Island we have built together over the last six years," the speech reads in part. "This is the foundation we have laid for a bright future – for a Rhode Island that brings everyone along. We have to keep up that fight."

The coronavirus pandemic will undoubtedly be the defining moment of Raimondo's time as Rhode Island governor. She called 2020 "a year we will never forget," while applauding residents for coming together to get through the crisis.

"Together, we faced challenges and tragedy like never before. But we got through it. We did what Rhode Islanders have always done: we innovated, and we persevered," reads an excerpt from the address.

Raimondo is also expected to touch on topics of education — including her push for universal preschool in the state, climate change and green energy, inclusion and racial equity and more. Rhode Islanders can watch the speech live at 7 p.m.