With the exciting news that Kate Brock is moving on from Ocean State Action to take a policy position in Governor Chafee’s administration, I was thinking about who could be the next Director of Ocean State Action. I say this because Ocean State Action is probably one of the most important, if not the most important, progressive organizations in the state. Over the years, they have been able to shape the debate in Rhode Island, elect progressive candidates to the General Assembly, and push for more progressive policies that benefit all Rhode Islanders. Admittedly, they have not been 100% successful, but more often than not their success lies in advocacy, movement building, and adding the progressive perspective to policy debates.
Here are some of my thoughts about who (in alphabetical order).
This is not at all a full list, and I’m certain that potential candidates will come out of the woodwork for this important position. What’s top of mind for me is that I hope the next Director does NOT come at the expense of the good work being done at another organization. Whoever the next director is, we need to keep building the Progressive movement in the state.
]]>“We’re doing this because Brown’s part of this community, too,” said Becca Rast, a sophomore. “As such, we need to step up and do our part to help make Providence the city we all want it to be.”
Brown and the City of Providence have been in negotiations for over a year about increasing the University’s payment in lieu of taxes, but recently talks fell apart when the Brown Corporation refused to pass part of an agreement in which the University would pay an additional four million dollars per year to the City, of which half would be earmarked for the Providence public schools and half for taxes on land in the newly-opened I-95 corridor. Following this breakdown, Mayor Angel Taveras recently announced that the City may run out of funds before the year is out.
“To me, it’d be different if Brown were the only entity being asked to pay more,” said Saski Brechenmacher, class of 2012. “But in the last year, Providence students and families have lost their schools, taxpayers have had their taxes raised yet again, and union members have given up benefits. As students, we are not willing to sit back and watch our university refuse to share in the sacrifices being made by so many other Providence stakeholders.”
“We love our school. That’s why we want it to do the right thing,” said Zack Mezera, a junior at Brown. “And it’s why we are calling on the Corporation to agree to contribute at least the $4 million amount that President Simmons endorsed earlier this year, as well as to begin an open and transparent review process of Brown’s fiscal relationship to the city, with participation and feedback from the student body and the Providence community about what a truly engaging and productive city-university connection should look like.”
Students made clear that they understand the many ways Brown contributes to Providence already, and say they do not think this is about the city becoming dependent on the University. “We’re not here today to in any way imply that Brown is the cause of Providence’s fiscal crisis or the answer to it,” said senior Tara Kane. “What we are saying is that Brown has a responsibility to step up and be part of the answer. Because that’s what good neighbors do.”
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