State of Rhode Island secondary Archives: on Welfare & Poverty
Allan Fung:
More work/volunteer requirements in welfare benefits
Allan will be proposing stronger work requirements for the RI works program, or as many people know it, welfare. Currently, "job searching" counts as meeting the 20-hour a week requirement. Allan will strengthen the requirements so that any
able-bodied adult, aged 18-59, will be required to either work, be enrolled in a job training program, or perform community service at least 20 hours a week to receive welfare benefits. Exemptions would be proposed.
Source: 2018 Rhode Island governor Campaign website AllanFung.com
Sep 1, 2018
Dan McKee:
Expand funding for rental assistance programs
- Create a centralized diversion assistance initiative to help households remain housed and to prevent homelessness.
- Expand funding for rental assistance programs as well as services delivered through permanent supportive housing.
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Increase availability of housing-based solutions in addition to shelter-based solutions and supportive solutions.
Source: Governor press release "Rhode Island 2030"
Oct 15, 2021
Gina Raimondo:
Create dedicated funding stream to build new housing
No one should struggle to keep a roof over their head either, and right now too many working families do. Our housing shortage threatens all of the economic progress we've made.
This year I propose a housing bond and--for the first time ever in Rhode Island--a dedicated funding stream to build more housing. Nearly every other state already has this. Let's do it, and let's get to work building more homes.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Lincoln Chafee:
Yes, government has a role in struggle against poverty
Recently, we marked the 50th anniversary of the "War on Poverty." While we would all agree that this is a war worth fighting, I don't think any of us could say it's a war we've won. On the contrary, I strongly agree with Pope Francis, Pres. Obama, and
other leaders who have expressed alarm at the widening disparity of opportunity in our communities. It se ems as though the battleground in the "War on Poverty" is increasingly the fundamental question of whether the government has a role to play in
helping Americans help themselves out of poverty and up into the middle class. To that question, I answer an unequivocal : yes, government can be a force of good in people's lives. Unfortunately, the Tea Party and so-called conservatives have waged a war
of their own on beneficial social programs that have proven to grow our essential middle class. Meanwhile our national economy sputters and the wealth disparity grows larger. We in this chamber have the responsibility to address it here in Rhode Island.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Rhode Island legislature
Jan 15, 2014
Luis-Daniel Munoz:
Supports free public clinics; increase affordable housing
In addition to backing the building of free public clinics and other health infrastructure, Mu&?ntilde;oz supports increasing the supply of affordable housing and expanding Raimondo's free community college program. While it's not clear that he has
tapped into the R.I. progressive base, Mu&?ntilde;oz is running to the left of the current statewide officeholders. He said he ran as an independent in 2018 to avoid the influence of unnamed party operatives who "were not walking the clear ethical line."
Source: Providence Journal on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race
Apr 19, 2021
Nellie Gorbea:
Fully fund school lunch and breakfast programs
Use state and federal funds to fully fund school lunch and breakfast to children at all publicly funded schools. No child should go hungry.
Meals can feed the body, the soul and the mind. Breaking bread with each other has been a long-time strategy for community building.
Source: 2022 Rhode Island Governor campaign website NellieGorbea.com
Jun 26, 2022
Allen Waters:
Affordable Housing in America is in a crisis
Q: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?A: Affordable Housing in America is in a crisis for too many citizens. Many states support private and publicly owned rental properties, which creates cash flow and financial equity
for owners, and saddles tenants with rental and lease payments, often extremely high for the average wages of the local area because units are in short supply in a competitive rental marketplace.
Waters for Congress 2024 (U-RI) supports cooperative (co-op) housing in which the tenants do not own their units, but own shares of the corporation that owns the building.
This especially gives credit qualified poor to working class tenants ownership "skin in the game' that helps to build personal wealth instead of owners receiving all of the owner benefits.
Source: Candidate Connection on 2024 Rhode Island Senate race
Aug 8, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 06, 2026