Mayor signs $748 million budget, highlights youth programs

By: Associated Press

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – The mayor of Rhode Island’s capital city has signed its fiscal year 2019 budget.               

Mayor Jorge Elorza has signed the over $748 million spending plan for the fiscal year of 2019 on Monday.

Elorza says he’s excited about the “robust investments in youth and education.”

“The budget sets aside $3.6 million for the city’s rainy day fund. Highlights from the budget include the fourth consecutive years with no tax increase and 100 percent pension payments by the city, and eliminating $7 million in old judgments and liabilities that predate the administration.            

The budget includes $75,000 in funding to launch a menstrual hygiene products program for middle and high school, and a $1 million allocation to the summer jobs program. It proposes a $20 million bond for school infrastructure work over two years.

© Associated Press WLNE-TV / ABC6 2018