EDITORIAL: Governor McKee - A New Tone for Rhode Island
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL: Governor McKee - A New Tone for Rhode Island
One, tremendously ambitious who has sought and now gained a national platform — the other is much more about grabbing a cone at the Ice Cream Machine in Cumberland.
McKee’s acceptance speech on Sunday the formal inauguration was about Rhode Island working as a team. “We will get through these challenging times – and we will rise together to reach our highest potential. By lifting each other up. By making each other better. By working as a team. As a great team,” said McKee in his inaugural address.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn contrast, Raimondo in 2017 gave her State of the State address using “I” thirty-eight times.
McKee has a chance to be a stark contrast to Raimondo.
But, McKee needs to be more than approachable and the "regular" guy.
There are simply too many challenges and opportunities to delay.
About 70,000 Rhode Islanders are out of work.
Rhode Island's economy was last ranked before the pandemic hit according to CNBC.
McKee needs to create tools for small businesses. And so much more.
His decision to reduce restrictions at this phase of the pandemic may prove to be very damaging to the state's recovery. If McKee was premature and the state hits the third wave of the outbreak it will be devastating to the economy and potentially risk Rhode Island's critical tourism season.
One thing McKee will not have to worry about is the budget.
President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package will be a windfall for Rhode Island. RI’s projected $500 million deficit will be zeroed out with the federal dollars.
Overall, RI’s budget situation goes from red to black and McKee may end up with a one-time windfall of $300 million at his discretion.
We all need McKee to be successful. He needs to lead his proverbial team to victory -- and no longer can we continue to be last ranked.