Six Months Into Pandemic, Raimondo Taps Elorza, Diossa for "Economic Resiliency Task Force"

Six Months Into Pandemic, Raimondo Taps Elorza, Diossa for "Economic Resiliency Task Force"

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced Friday that she is convening a "Municipal Resilience Task Force" to develop "innovative recommendations that help build economic resiliency and acquire cost savings while improving services for Rhode Islanders."

The move comes six months into the coronavirus pandemic -- and record unemployment in Rhode Island. 

“With so much financial uncertainty, now is the time to begin exploring creative steps they can take to become more efficient and flexible,” said Raimondo. “This task force will bring together a diverse group of community leaders who are committed to addressing and responding to the immediate challenges presented by COVID-19, while simultaneously working together to build a more resilient Rhode Island in the days to come.”

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Raimondo announced that Central Falls Mayor James Diossa and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza will be on the eight-person "private-public" task force.

See Task Force Members BELOW

According to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, “The total number of initial unemployment claims in Rhode Island since March 9 is 406,363, consisting of 182,275 PUA claims and 224,088 regular UI claims.” 

There have been 34,055 TDI/TCI claims over the same time period. 

“Rhode Island has never adequately adapted its economy to the realities of functioning as a successful post-manufacturing economy, it will very likely take three to five years before it returns to pre-pandemic levels of activity,” said URI Professor Leonard Lardaro in his latest economic conditions report. 

Raimondo on Task Force 

Raimondo said the move "comes at the request of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns." The Task Force will be composed of eight members from the public and private sector:

James Diossa, Mayor, Central Falls; President, R.I. League of Cities and Towns
Jorge Elorza, Mayor, Providence
Kate Michaud, Town Manager, Warren
Andy Nota, Town Manager, East Greenwich
Joe Codega, Chief Economic Policy Analyst, Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Steve Coleman, Chief, Division of Municipal Finance, Department of Revenue (DOR)
Michael DiBiase, President & CEO, Rhode Island Public Expenditures Council (RIPEC)
Michael D’Amico, Finance Consultant, D’Amico Consulting

The group’s primary focus areas will include "quantifying the impact of COVID-19 on city and town finances; building economic resiliency in municipal budgets; exploring intergovernmental partnerships and shared services; improving service delivery through innovation and technology; and reviewing municipal revenues, cost drivers and state mandates."

“Cities and towns have spent millions of dollars responding to COVID-19 and now face potentially devastating budget challenges,” said Diossa, who will chair the task force. “Local leaders need to work closely with state and federal partners to avoid property tax increases and service cuts. Rhode Island’s economy cannot rebound if cities and towns are struggling. Mayors and town leaders look forward to collaborating with state leaders to address the mounting issues caused by COVID-19 at the local level for the collective good of all Rhode Islanders.”