RI State Rep Wants Less Money in Budget for New State Police Barracks, More for Children’s Health

RI State Rep Wants Less Money in Budget for New State Police Barracks, More for Children’s Health

A State Representative is calling for less money for a new state police barracks in the approved Rhode Island House Finance budget making its way through the General Assembly — and more money for children’s healthcare. 

Last week, the House Finance Committee approved a Fiscal Year 2022 budget that included Governor Dan McKee’s recently revised proposal to replace the North Kingstown and Richmond State Police barracks with a single new $28.1 million barracks to be built in East Greenwich. The revised proposal would no longer require voter approval due to a different funding mechanism.

Now, Representative David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence) told GoLocal he is looking to put forth an amendment that would divert some of that funding to go toward healthcare for undocumented children. 

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“The Governor had originally wanted the barracks funding to be a bond. It wasn’t until three or four weeks ago his office came back and said they wanted the line item [in the budget],” said Morales. “Their rationale was the current barracks are in very rough condition and they needed to ‘expedite the process.’”

“Given the fact that almost every year we see an increase in police budgeting at the state and local level, I think when it comes to a significant investment to determine whether this is something we want for our communities — and whether here’s a good return on investment — it should have been a bond,” said Morales. 

“I had a bill this year to expand Medicaid to cover all kids,” said Morales. “Currently any child in a household under 250% of the federal poverty level is eligible. But we currently we children who are not eligible due to their immigration status.”

According to the statement from bill sponsors when the legislation was introduced, there are about 3,000 uninsured children in our state who are not enrolled in the RIte Track program and are not able to access the health care services they need.

“The fiscal estimate to expand eligibility I was told would be $1.6 to $5.5 million,” Morales. “The way the amendment has been proposed, we would strip some money from the barracks, around $6 million [to fund the program].”

“From my understanding, leadership is aware of this — we’re still having conversations,” said Morales. 

Read more about the approved House Finance Fiscal Year 2022 budget HERE.