WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP) — Gov. Gina Raimondo says she’s optimistic that she and legislative leaders are on the same page as they make compromises before lawmakers finalize the state budget.
The Democrat visited a Woonsocket preschool Wednesday to urge legislative leaders to approve her budget plan, which includes $5.2 million for early learning.
House leaders are scheduled to release a final budget proposal as early as this week.
Senate Finance Chairman Daniel DaPonte, an East Providence Democrat, tells the Providence Journal that the thorniest items being negotiated include changes to the school-aid formula, Raimondo’s proposed medical marijuana fees and her economic development initiatives.
Raimondo says the state’s just beginning to come out of a very weak economy so it’s important to make smart investments in schools, housing and job creation.
