Though the event was about housing, the discussion was far and wide, with subjects such as healthcare, Hasbro, taxing the rich, and the chaos from Washington being discussed.
Steve thank you so much for this. I'm heartened by Speaker Shekarchi and Councilmember Anderbois -- this is the direction and leadership Rhode Island needs. Housing is the #1 issue in this state.
as usual, good coverage Steve, but I'm also impressed with the quality Speaker Shekarchi, Councilor Anderbois, and, the audience asking questions! I wish we had any of this in North Providence (where there is resistance to housing density too)
I don't think the Speaker got to the excellent question about making housing more affordable by revisiting some of the strict code requirements that might be excessive. Similarly we could reduce the high cost of providing lots of parking if we supported our transit system better so households could get around with fewer expensive vehicles. The state finds about $235 million to allocate to eliminate property taxes on motor vehicles, $260 million or so to widen I-95 north in central Providence, but can't seem to find $32 million to keep our transit system going
The life sciences hub, if successful, will continue the gentrification of RI and Providence and push lower income people out of their neighborhoods. It is also a business very dependent upon Fedreral government financing, which is very iffy for the next 4 years. RI would do better focusing on primary care.
Steve thank you so much for this. I'm heartened by Speaker Shekarchi and Councilmember Anderbois -- this is the direction and leadership Rhode Island needs. Housing is the #1 issue in this state.
as usual, good coverage Steve, but I'm also impressed with the quality Speaker Shekarchi, Councilor Anderbois, and, the audience asking questions! I wish we had any of this in North Providence (where there is resistance to housing density too)
I don't think the Speaker got to the excellent question about making housing more affordable by revisiting some of the strict code requirements that might be excessive. Similarly we could reduce the high cost of providing lots of parking if we supported our transit system better so households could get around with fewer expensive vehicles. The state finds about $235 million to allocate to eliminate property taxes on motor vehicles, $260 million or so to widen I-95 north in central Providence, but can't seem to find $32 million to keep our transit system going
The life sciences hub, if successful, will continue the gentrification of RI and Providence and push lower income people out of their neighborhoods. It is also a business very dependent upon Fedreral government financing, which is very iffy for the next 4 years. RI would do better focusing on primary care.