'RI Needs A Stimulus' | Layoffs, Cuts In Works For Budget

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island's state leaders are planning for a budget catastrophe, Gov. Gina Raimondo said. With additional stimulus funds uncertain, officials are preparing for every eventuality.

"Rhode Island needs a stimulus," the governor said during Wednesday's new conference. "Do something and give us some predictability."

In September, Raimondo, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio announced that budget talks would be paused until after the general election in November.

"As we await direction from Washington regarding additional relief for states, Rhode Island’s FY21 budget picture remains uncertain," a joint statement said. "COVID-19 has caused significant damage to our national and local economies, and it is critical we have a full understanding of the funding available to the State. Likewise, the placement of bond issues on the ballot is directly linked to the overall budget plan. Given these considerations, we look forward to holding a special session in November to consider the FY21 budget, as well as a special election shortly thereafter to vote on this year’s bond initiatives."

In the wake of President Donald Trump's announcement that federal stimulus negotiations will be halted until after the election, Raimondo said the state is preparing for every eventuality: no more federal funding, more flexibility of how the state's current federal stimulus funds can be used and more.

If no more federal funding is provided to help bridge the state's budget gap, across-the-board cuts will be needed, Raimondo said, from mass layoffs of state employees to education funding.