PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo is tapping college foundations to advance her policy agenda without taxpayers footing the bill, but the unconventional practice is raising the ire of some alumni, donors and lawmakers.
The Democrat persuaded the Rhode Island College Foundation to create a new state innovation office and hire a $210,000-a-year chief innovation officer who will also serve in Raimondo’s cabinet. The University of Rhode IslandFoundation agreed to cover the cost of her trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
But some university donors balked after learning about the planned Davos trip, causing the endowment’s board to rescind the offer. Raimondo canceled the trip Wednesday because of the expected snowstorm.
Lawmakers are now raising questions about why Raimondo created a new cabinet-level position without their approval.
