By Tessa Roy, WPRO News
After being sworn in for a second term, Governor Gina Raimondo gave an inaugural address pushing for more economic progress and calling for Rhode Islanders to unite in the face of a divided nation.
Raimondo touted economic accomplishments during her first term, but said “our work’s not done” until everyone in the state has felt some semblance of recovery. Raimondo hit on a number of points she frequently makes, including protecting healthcare, ending the opioid crisis, improving education, job growth, and equality in workplaces.
“Our work’s not done until women and men have the same economic opportunities and can thrive in workplaces free from harassment,” she said, also citing “record numbers” of women who ran for office in 2019.
Raimondo also specifically called for legislative action on gun control, another subject on which she’s been vocal.
“Since I’ve been Governor, I have lowered the flags at the State House 13 times in four years for 223 lives lost in mass shootings. It is time to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines,” she said. “Our children’s future and their lives depend on it.”
Though she acknowledged an “us-vs-them” mentality present in modern political culture and that some perspectives may be “missing,” Raimondo emphasized a need for inclusiveness.
“No matter the rhetoric in Washington, or the divisiveness we see on TV, no matter the attempts to use fear to breed anger, Rhode Islanders of all races, faiths, and backgrounds can unite and rise above our differences so that our progress will endure,” she said. “The cure to divisiveness is action. So, let’s show everyone what Rhode Island can do. Above all, we anchor ourselves to hope. Hope makes us resilient. Hope cannot be easily taken away. And hope guides us toward lasting progress.”
