CCRI Promoting Promise Scholarship Application, Despite Lack of Final Budget Approval
GoLocalProv News Team
CCRI Promoting Promise Scholarship Application, Despite Lack of Final Budget Approval
On Friday, a heated battle broke out between the Rhode Island House and Senate, after the Senate approved a budget containing a last-minute amendment by Senate President Dominick Ruggerio; House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello held an unprecedented press conference blasting the move, and refused to call back his members to approve the Senate version.
The lack of final budget means that the state government as of Monday was continuing to operate on the Fiscal Year 2017 budget -- which means no "Promise Scholarship" at this time.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTDespite the stalemate, CCRI is still encouraging families to apply for the currently non-existent scholarship -- touting the fact that there is no means-testing, and anyone can apply.
"The budget is still in the possession of the Senate. The House is on summer recess. Speaker Mattiello is encouraging the Senate to come back into session and pass the budget that Senate President Ruggerio agreed to and the Senate Finance Committee overwhelmingly approved before the Senate amended it at the 11th hour," said Larry Berman, spokesperson for Mattiello.
"If the Senate comes back into session and approves an unamended budget, then all of the provisions of the budget will commence," said Berman. "The House already approved its budget that included significant car tax relief and tuition assistance, among many other programs."
Raimondo's office did not respond to request for comment on Monday.
CCRI Website Tells Students to Apply
You've probably heard a lot about the Rhode Island Promise program, which will allow all Rhode Island high school graduates to pursue an associate degree at CCRI, and you don't have to pay tuition regardless of your family's income.
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Political Lightning Rod
Raimondo had originally proposed two years of free college tuition at any of the state's higher education institutions -- including Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island -- but the House Finance Committee scaled it back to be applicable to just the Community College of Rhode Island.
"We're the fourth state in America to provide tuition-free community college — at a high level I’m really quite pleased," said Raimondo last week, before the General Assembly failed to approve a final FY18 budget.
But even before the budget impasse, the Republican Governors Association took the watered-down version of the Governor's plan to prove a GOP victory.
"RI Dem Gov Gina Raimondo's Signature Proposal Gutted by Her Own Party in State Budget," gloated the RGA.
SLIDES: FY18 HOUSE FINANCE BUDGET
FY18 House Finance Budget
WINNER
CCRI
The state's community college is poised to be the sole beneficiary of the Governor's Promise scholarship program.
It would make Rhode Island the fourth state to have tuition-free community college, allowing every resident the opportunity to earn an associate's degree tuition free. There is no means testing for the program and few standards.
The cost would be roughly $3 million in the FY18 (for the first cohort of students) and then $6 million the following year there are two classes.
LOSER
State Government
As part of negotiations -- and the fiscal realities facing Rhode Island with a nearly $140 million shortfally, the Speaker announced Thursday that $25 million will be cut in general spending.
"It's something we discussed with the Governor and she thinks she can make [it] work," said Matteillo.
Also on the chopping block -- funding for the legislative office to the tune of $2 million.
WINNER
Elderly and Disabled Bus Riders
After levying fares on some of the most needy RIPTA bus riders (the elderly and disabled) for the first time this past year, which resulted in strong public outcry, the House Finance budget contains just over $3 million -- for each of the next two years -- to refund the program this coming year.
WATCH: Opponents of RIPTA Fare Hikes to Rally at RI State House Wednesday Afternoon
Mattiello noted that after the two years is up, it is up to the Governor to find the funding.
TIE
Governor Raimondo
On Thursday, Raimondo learned she is poised to get a piece (jCCRI) of her free college tuition proposal, which had been a major focal point of her budget proposal - and political strategy.
On the flip side, she is tasked with finding $25 million in government spending to cut, in order to balance the budget.
Unlike the May estimating conference, where Rhode Island revenues were found to be off nearly $100 million plus, the Governor can't say she didn't see this coming.
LOSER
Medical Marijuana Expansion
In June, Raimondo called for an increase in medical marijuana dispensaries and an increase in licensing fees to generate $1.5 million in revenue for the state.
She called for "no less than six licensed compassion centers."
On Thursday, Mattiello said it was not in the budget, due the proposal's late timing.
WINNER
Davies High School
The House finance budget contains additional help for manufacturing, including $3.6 million to upgrade facilities at Davies Career and Tech.
LOSER
Commerce Corporation
While Mattiello made scant mention of cuts in the briefing Thursday - save for the $25 million out of government spending -- the question was raised as to where the rest of the $140 million shortfall will come from.
"Millions in cuts came from the Commerce Corp budget. The budget kept the Rebuild RI funding, but money for several other Commerce programs were reduced," said Larry Berman, spokesman for Mattiello.
TIE
Mininum Wage Hike
Workers will be happy, employers might not.
The FY18 budget proposal calls for a $.50 minimum wage increase as of January 1, 2018, and then an additional $.40 the following year.
Business owners have continuously fought against such hikes.
