Raimondo struggling against “hometown negativity”

January 26, 2016 4:43 pm

By The Associated Press

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ Gov. Gina Raimondo says she is struggling to overcome Rhode Island’s "hometown negativity" and longstanding distrust of state government as she pushes forward an agenda to improve the state’s lagging economy.

The Democratic governor said Tuesday she is puzzled by the strong opposition to some of her unorthodox economic policy moves, such as using the Rhode Island College Foundation to pay for a new state innovation office.

Her comments came during an hour-long meeting with reporters where she talked about her work to foster economic growth and attract high-paying jobs to the state.

She says part of what has held the state back is a resistance to change. She counted a number of promising business and job creation developments during her first year in office.