Elorza Issues Statement on Budget From Hawaii - Says Finance Committee Version Is Irresponsible

Elorza Issues Statement on Budget From Hawaii - Says Finance Committee Version Is Irresponsible

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza issued a harshly worded statement in response to the City Council Finance Committee's revised budget passed earlier Saturday. The statement was issued from Hawaii where Elorza is attending a conference of Mayors.

ELORZA'S FULL STATEMENT

"As municipal leaders, we have worked incredibly hard throughout the last half-decade to make Providence a city that works for all its residents and businesses. Through collaboration and with responsible and professional budgeting practices, we have finished each fiscal year with surpluses, paid off our cumulative deficit, established a rainy day fund and realized credit rating upgrades. These changes have allowed the City to begin to make the critical investments needed to improve the conditions of our streets, sidewalks, school buildings, parks, and recreation centers. It has also allowed the City to provide youth summer employment programs, recreation opportunities, additional funding to the Providence Public School System, and improved quality of life for residents and businesses in every single community. We must continue to make these investments in our city to move the needle on chronic, decades-long challenges such as crumbling infrastructure, a failing school system, and the opportunity gap for our residents most in need. 

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The budget that was passed out of the Providence City Council this morning is not at all a representation of our collective commitment to investing in the long term health of our city. This budget was crafted without input from fellow council members and without engaging Department Directors, who are experts in their programs, nor members of the community who did not see the final budget until it was introduced and subsequently passed out of committee this morning. I cannot support and sign a budget that was hastily thrown together and passed without having been through the most basic budgetary processes.

This budget cuts critical services and supports for our residents and reflects an unprofessional negotiation process. Instead of focusing on important public policy issues, the council was inappropriately intent on settling personal scores with specific city employees.

Time is running out for us to pass a responsible budget before the city begins to feel the consequences. I ask the council to go back to the table in earnest to pass a responsible budget."