Public Policy News & Events

As part of public engagement and awareness efforts, United Way sponsors various public information and education events involving all aspects of the community. Activities range from targeted group meetings, statewide meetings, and conferences that address critical community issues and cooperative efforts related to promoting the common good.

United Way Holds Finance Forum with Rhode Island Leaders

About 75 members of the business and non-profit communities met with Rhode Island's fiscal leaders on January 29 at the year's first Public Policy Roundtable organized by United Way of Rhode Island. The forum's featured speakers included House Finance Chair Representative Steven Costantino, Senate Finance Chair Senator Daniel DaPonte, and Gary Sasse, Director of the RI Department of Revenue. Full Story

United Way Convenes Session to Discuss State’s Budget Crisis

As part of an ongoing series of Public Policy roundtable discussions, United Way of Rhode Island hosted a meeting with House Finance Committee Chair Steven Costantino to discuss the state’s current fiscal crisis. The purpose of the session was to engage the organization’s leadership and volunteers to discuss significant proposed changes in state department budgets which will impact our state’s disadvantaged population and the services that support them. Full Story

Rhode Island News:

With eye on deficit, communities plan for lean times - Providence Journal (November 13, 2008)

As state leaders wrestle with a second-straight year of mid-term budget cuts, mayors and managers across Rhode Island are looking at everything from later bill payment schedules to union concessions to offset expected losses in state aid. Full Story

Deficit to require dramatic action - Providence Journal (November 10, 2008)

State leaders learned yesterday that Rhode Island is facing a gaping budget hole of $372 million for the current year, its largest mid-year deficit in nearly 20 years.

The bleak news probably sets the stage for rounds of painful budget cuts likely to affect everyone who pays property taxes, enjoys state beaches, depends on subsidized health insurance or works for the state.

Adding to the dismal financial forecast, the House fiscal office also projected a deficit of “about $450 million” for the budget year that begins next July, although that figure may change substantially in the coming days. Full Story