http://www.governor.ri.gov Office of the Governor - Press Releases en-us [email protected] PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee, Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) today launched Educate401.org, an online recruitment and resource hub for current and prospective educators. The website highlights the best of Rhode Island and... Thu, 05 Oct 2023 16:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46522 PROVIDENCE, RI – Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut today announced New England's first offshore wind multi-state coordination memorandum of understanding (MOU), which creates a pathway for a potential coordinated selection of offshore wind as each state solicits offshore wind energy... Wed, 04 Oct 2023 13:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46512 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee has directed U.S. and Rhode Island flags to be flown at half-staff at all state facilities and buildings in memory of active-duty Marine Gunnery Sergeant Andrew Clermont of Warwick, who passed away on September 20, 2023. The flags will remain at half-staff... Tue, 03 Oct 2023 15:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46506 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee joined leaders from the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) today to get his flu shot and encourage everyone 6 months of age and older to get their flu shots to stay as healthy as possible this fall and winter. "Getting a flu shot is your best protection Tue, 03 Oct 2023 15:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46505 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today endorsed action by the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) to approve a spending plan allocating $2.6 million across state partners to support Rhode Island's implementation of the Act on Climate law. The EC4 is the panel statutorily... Fri, 29 Sep 2023 17:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46485 PROVIDENCE, RI - Governor Dan McKee has directed Rhode Island state flags to be flown at half-staff at all state facilities and buildings. The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of interment in memory of former Johnston Police Chief Joseph Razza who passed away this morning. Fri, 29 Sep 2023 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46482 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee announced today that Rhode Island Energy, the state's leading energy utility, will be issuing a new Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit approximately 1200 megawatts of new offshore wind to help power the state's clean energy needs. "Offshore wind is... Fri, 29 Sep 2023 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46483 PROVIDENCE, RI –?This morning, Governor Dan McKee visited the Rhode Island Convention Center and Amica Mutual Pavilion to tour capital improvements that are reinvigorating the facilities that attract hundreds of thousands of patrons annually for sporting events, concerts, performances, and... Fri, 29 Sep 2023 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46484 PROVIDENCE, RI – The McKee Administration shares the news that Care New England Health System has begun construction of a 25-bed short stay unit at Butler Hospital. Renovations for the new unit are funded through the State Fiscal Recover Fund (SFRF) to recover from the pandemic as approved in the... Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46469 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Office of Energy Resources (OER) today announced they are taking action to provide relief on winter heating costs for Rhode Islanders following this morning's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) vote on winter electric rates. The Administration announced Tue, 26 Sep 2023 16:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46464 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline answered more than 6,000 calls during its first year of operation in Rhode Island, significantly increasing the number of people being connected to mental health resources even as the state continued to... Wed, 20 Sep 2023 15:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46439 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced today that Rhode Island has joined the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which will expand treatment options for people in need of care from a psychologist. Properly credentialed... Tue, 19 Sep 2023 13:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46431 SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI – Governor Dan McKee was joined by state, federal and local leaders today to ceremoniously sign legislation dedicating three state bridges in South Kingstown in honor of three local Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. The bill signing was part of the Town of South Kingstown' Fri, 15 Sep 2023 19:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46416 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced that the Independent Man and the cupola atop the Rhode Island State House dome will undergo an important, historic repair and preservation effort which will include the Independent Man temporarily moving from atop the dome for the first time since Fri, 15 Sep 2023 19:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46415 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and Lt. Governor Sabina Matos today convened the leadership of all state agencies to review preparedness and response plans as Rhode Island continues to ready for additional flash flooding and severe weather as Hurricane Lee approaches. The Administration will... Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46403 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising the public to exercise caution along shoreline areas Wednesday through the weekend due to anticipated dangerous rip currents and high surf as Hurricane Lee approaches southern New... Wed, 13 Sep 2023 16:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46402 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today joined the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Secretary and Chair of the Children's Cabinet Richard Charest, Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Interim President Dr. Rosemary Costigan, and Department of Human Services Director Kimberly... Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46369 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today that $2 million in outdoor recreation matching grants is available to help local municipalities and Native American tribes acquire, develop, or renovate outdoor recreational... Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46359 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee, joined by U.S. Senator Jack Reed, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, and the Office of Energy Resources (OER), today announced the launch of Clean Heat RI, a heat pump program for households, small to mid-sized businesses, and non-profits, which offers incentives for... Fri, 01 Sep 2023 15:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46345 CRANSTON, RI – Governor Dan McKee, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and their partners today announced a medical respite wound care pilot program. This pilot, an extension of EOHHS's medical respite care program, will provide direct wound care services in the community and... Wed, 30 Aug 2023 20:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46333 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced that his Administration's request for a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has been approved for businesses and residents of Block Island impacted by the fire at the Harborside Inn on Aug. 18. "The fire at... Mon, 28 Aug 2023 18:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46324 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced that the State has deployed more than $350 million in pandemic-relief State Fiscal Recovery Funds (SFRF) through June 2023. The funds have gone to develop affordable housing, support small businesses and impacted industries, retain workers in the... Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46304 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced ten projects across Rhode Island that will share over $1.47 million for improvements to commercial districts. The Main Street RI Streetscape Improvement Fund grants will help pay for safer sidewalks, new way-finding signage, upgraded building... Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46300 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, and Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio today announced their appointments to the Cannabis Advisory Board. Per state statute, the Cannabis Advisory Board will work in collaboration with the Cannabis Control Commission to... Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46301 PROVIDENCE, RI – Revolution Wind today announced receipt of its Record of Decision (ROD) from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), successfully reaching a major milestone in the federal environmental review process for the offshore wind project serving... Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46302 CRANSTON, RI — Governor Dan McKee and Department of Human Services Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito today announced the launch of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for Child Care Staff pilot, which was approved in the FY 24 Budget, and expands income eligibility for qualifying providers... Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46303 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), in partnership with the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC), today announced the first round of 54 awardees for the Step Up to Child Care WAGE$® Program (WAGE$) pilot... Tue, 15 Aug 2023 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46246 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced over $650,000 in Site Readiness Awards to eight major projects across Rhode Island. The awards will fund site-specific planning improvements at several ongoing local economic development projects and will support municipal technical assistance,... Wed, 09 Aug 2023 17:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46215 CRANSTON, RI - The McKee Administration's Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) today opened the application for a second round of mini-grants totaling $100,000 for community-based organizations to support Medicaid renewals. "Rhode Island is dedicated to prioritizing residents'... Wed, 09 Aug 2023 15:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46213 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) today announced the recipients of nearly $3.8 million in Advancing Learning Beyond the 180-Day School Year grant program funding aimed to support Rhode Island communities launch or expand extended learning... Tue, 08 Aug 2023 13:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46207 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee, Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti, Jr. and several municipal leaders gathered today at the Rhode Island State House to announce the launch of the application process for the Governor's #RIReady... Wed, 02 Aug 2023 17:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46178 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced that Rhode Island has been awarded $915,000 in federal funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a coordinated, data-driven suicide prevention program for higher-risk populations. For the initiative, the Rhode... Tue, 01 Aug 2023 17:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46171 PROVIDENCE, RI – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing that $3 million in matching grants are available to help communities and local organizations protect valuable open space throughout Rhode Island through DEM's Local Open Space Grant Program. The grant round officially... Fri, 28 Jul 2023 13:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46147 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced that starting this month, the 125-year-old Rhode Island State House will have the entire surface of its Georgian marble professionally cleaned. Johnston-based East Coast Masonry & Restoration Inc. is charged with performing the work. The... Thu, 27 Jul 2023 18:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46140 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts today announced the beginning of the process of naming the next State Poet of Rhode Island. This position, created by law by the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1987, will be filled through a five-year appointment... Thu, 27 Jul 2023 15:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46139 NEWPORT, RI – This morning, Governor Dan McKee, Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong, and Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green visited the Newport Public Schools' Cyber Camp, held this week at CCRI's Newport Campus, to promote learning beyond the formal school day... Wed, 26 Jul 2023 17:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46132 PROVIDENCE, RI – With Rhode Island experiencing extreme heat over the next few days, Governor Dan McKee is alerting Rhode Islanders to the availability of cooling centers statewide and is reminding people about measures to take to stay healthy and safe. "Extreme heat can be a serious health... Wed, 26 Jul 2023 16:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46131 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced that a search committee is being formed to find a new Child Advocate following the resignation of Jennifer Griffith. Griffith's resignation was effective July 16 and Katelyn Medeiros has been serving as the state's Acting Child Advocate while... Tue, 25 Jul 2023 16:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46124 WARWICK, RI – Governor Dan McKee today signed an Executive Order announcing that the 34th annual Governor's Bay Day celebration will take place on Sunday, July 30. Major perks include free beach parking at all state beaches and free Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) beach bus service. Mon, 24 Jul 2023 19:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46118 WARWICK, RI – This morning, Governor Dan McKee, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Congressman Seth Magaziner, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti, Jr., and Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi gathered at Balise Toyota of... Fri, 21 Jul 2023 16:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46103 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced that 31 Rhode Island communities have signed onto the Administration's Learn365RI Municipal Compact and committed to increase out-of-school learning opportunities for young people in their communities. "If we're going to catch up with our... Thu, 20 Jul 2023 19:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46096 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee released the following statement on today's jobs report, which shows that Rhode Island's unemployment rate dropped to 2.9 percent. Rhode Island's unemployment rate is also well below the national rate of 3.6 percent, and June marked the 19th consecutive month... Thu, 20 Jul 2023 14:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46092 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced that Rhode Island's Office of Energy Resources (OER) will be receiving a combined total of $6.6 million in federal funding from the U.S Department of Energy's (DOE) Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant Program ($3.4 million) and the... Wed, 19 Jul 2023 13:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46082 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today is recognizing the Newport Festivals Foundation (NFF) for ensuring that the upcoming productions of its world-renowned concerts, Newport Folk and Newport Jazz, will be sustainable events this summer. NFF undertook a rigorous process to earn a green... Wed, 19 Jul 2023 13:30:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46083 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced new funding opportunities for the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties, known as brownfields, across Rhode Island. DEM is seeking proposals for brownfield site... Thu, 06 Jul 2023 16:45:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/46003 WARWICK, RI – Governor Dan McKee and Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi today signed the Learn365RI Municipal Compact. "I thank Mayor Picozzi and our partners in Warwick for recognizing the importance of this initiative and joining our growing coalition," said Governor McKee. "I look forward to seeing... Wed, 05 Jul 2023 17:00:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/45996 NEW SHOREHAM, RI – Today, Governor Dan McKee and New Shoreham Town Manager Maryanne Crawford today signed the Learn365RI Municipal Compact. "Across Rhode Island, we want to get all of our children to cross the finish line without slowing down – and we want to remove the hurdles that may be... Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/45963 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today signed into law legislation sponsored by Senator Melissa Murray that will help reduce the spread of HIV transmission by making HIV-prevention and post exposure medications accessible and covered by insurance, including newer injectable formulations. The... Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/45964 WOONSOCKET, RI- Yesterday, Governor Dan McKee and Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt today signed the Learn365RI Municipal Compact. "Woonsocket has already hit the ground running to provide expanded out-of-school learning opportunities for their students. Today, I'm proud that the City has... Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/45965 PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today signed legislation that establishes a statewide exemption of $50,000 of tangible property from the tangible personal property tax. The tangible personal property tax is paid by businesses on property like computer equipment, office furniture and equipment. Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:15:00 GMT http://www.ri.gov/press/view/45966