Rhode Island leaders talk legislative session's priorities

PROVIDENCE — Investing in job training programs, phasing out the car tax and expanding sports betting are the top priorities for Rhode Island’s Democratic leaders in the upcoming legislative session.

Gov. Gina Raimondo, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio discussed their plans for the 2019 legislative session in interviews with The Associated Press. The session begins Jan. 1.

Raimondo said her top priority continues to be solidifying the state’s economic momentum.

“Everything I do will be with that in mind,” she said.

She said she’ll continue investing in job training programs, education and infrastructure. She wants to expand her free tuition program, which is currently offered at the Community College of Rhode Island, but she’s not sure whether that can be done next year. The state faces tough choices because of the budget deficit, which stands at about $200 million largely due to increasing costs of Medicaid and aid to municipalities, Raimondo added.

Read more: https://www.newportri.com/news/20181221/ri-leaders-talk-legislative-sessions-priorities