Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

Rhode Island finally passed a funding formula this past session. I voted against the proposed formula because both Tiverton and Portsmouth are scheduled to lose $1.5M and $2.7M respectively. The state needs to fund more than the 27% that they currently appropriating for education if we are to ever get real property tax relief down to our cities and towns.
Our Post-Secondary Education system must remain competitive and affordable, while providing a broad range of educational opportunities for those who wish to go to Trade Schools, Colleges or Universities. If Rhode Island is going to compete for high tech businesses, then we are going to need a highly skilled and educated work force. Those businesses and others require skilled tradespeople, as well as engineers, trainers and teachers, lawyers and marketers, and so many other professions--but the requirement is the same--solid education and training. Our future depends on how well we provide this to the next generation. Internationally-renowned companies have relocated to Rhode Island in the past because of our skilled workforce. We must insure the continuation of that workforce. As a State Representative, as a business man, and as the father of three children who will be part of that workforce, I am committed to working on these issues.

Source