RI mayors, leaders stand in support of Gov. McKee’s re-election. List of accomplishments made.

Governor McKee announced his campaign for Gov. surrounded by mayors, municipal leaders, and with Lt. Gov. Matos. Notably in attendance was Republican Mayor Hopkins of Cranston, though he did not issue a statement of support. Pawtucket Mayor Grebien was not in attendance but did provide a statement of support. Warwick Mayor Picozzi, an Independent was invited but unable to attend due to a prior scheduled commitment (UPDATED) but did not release a statement. When he was reached his office said, “as the campaign unfolds he will make a decision on who he will support and vote for”.

Here is Gov. McKee’s statement, in full:

Governor Dan McKee today announced his campaign for re-election as governor, pledging to build on his progress leading the state through the COVID-19 pandemic and deliver economic growth for Rhode Island families. McKee will spend the next few months sharing his vision to grow jobs, lower costs for hardworking families, support small businesses, and put money back in people’s pockets.

”Over the last year, we’ve delivered strong leadership in a time of crisis, and going forward, my message to Rhode Island is simple: I’m running for re-election to grow jobs, boost wages, grow our economy, and put money back in your pockets. As we continue to lead our state through a once-in-a-century crisis, our sole focus is delivering an economic rebound for working people,” said Governor Dan McKee.

“Rhode Islanders don’t ask for much. They want the security of a good job, with a good wage. They want to know their schools are delivering for their kids. They want a safe home to live in. They want their government to have its finances in order, just like they do. That’s exactly why I’m launching my campaign for re-election: to keep us moving forward with strong leadership, good jobs for hardworking people, support for our small businesses, and a growing economy – for everyone.”

McKee made his campaign announcement at igus, a manufacturing company in East Providence that has made tremendous growth during the pandemic – adding more than 100 workers. Over the past year, Governor McKee has worked closely with manufacturers and small business owners to navigate a responsible reopening, earning national recognition for the state’s approach. Governor McKee is dedicated to helping businesses like igus to expand, partnering with cities and towns to support small business growth and attract new companies to Rhode Island.

Accomplishments for Rhode Island

Strong Leadership in a Time of Crisis

COVID-19 reached Rhode Island in the early days of the pandemic and has impacted all 39 cities and towns. One month before Governor McKee took office, Harvard University ranked our vaccine rollout as one of the poorest in the country, with a failing grade.
Since then, Governor McKee’s relentless focus on getting shots in arms has delivered results:
• #1 in Vaccines Administered: With over 2 million doses administered statewide, Rhode Island is tied with Vermont for most vaccinations per capita, with 95% of Rhode Islanders receiving at least one shot and 80% fully vaccinated.
• #3 in Boosters Administered: With 41% of the state boosted – the third highest among the 50 states – Rhode Island was prepared to handle the recent Omicron surge. Governor McKee and state officials continue to encourage boosters as the pandemic transitions to an endemic phase.
• #1 in Tests Conducted: Testing continues to be a critical tool to managing the pandemic and Rhode Island is leading the way, conducting more tests per capita than any other state in the country.

An Economic Rebound For All of Us

The pandemic’s impact on Rhode Island’s economy was severe: we lost over 100,000 jobs – including nearly 50,000 in service industries – in the early months of the pandemic. Over the past year, Governor McKee has provided targeted relief to support Rhode Island’s recovery:
• Creating New Jobs. Rhode Island has recovered 86,600 jobs lost during the pandemic, including many in the hardest-hit sectors like retail, leisure and hospitality (nearly 40,000 jobs). Unemployment is down to 4.8% in December 2021 from a pandemic-high of 17% in 2020 – one of the largest declines in the country.
• Supporting Small Businesses. Small businesses are the lifeblood of Rhode Island’s economy and the McKee Administration has – and continues to – support small business owners across the state. A new grant program last year delivered nearly $18 million in relief to over 3,700 businesses statewide, and more help is on the way.
• Reopening Responsibly. Rhode Island is currently ranked #1 in the Northeast – and #9 among all 50 states – on Moody’s Back-to-Normal Index, which assesses states’ economic recoveries. According to Thumbtack’s Small Business Friendliness Survey, Rhode Island was ranked #2 among all 50 states for its COVID-19 response.

• Bringing Key Sectors Back to Life. Major industries are booming again: the construction sector not only recovered all of its pandemic-related job losses but also posted the highest number of average monthly jobs on record since 2007 with 21,000 jobs. Manufacturing has likewise recovered all of its lost jobs, something it hasn’t been able to do in the previous three recessions.
• Attracting New Businesses. Companies are investing in Rhode Island again – a testament to the state’s incredible economic comeback over the past year. The McKee Administration has worked with many companies including Amazon to grow thousands of new jobs.
• Building a Budget Surplus. Thanks in part to a growing budget surplus, Governor McKee has laid out fiscally responsible plans to make important investments in housing and clean energy, cut taxes for small businesses and veterans, and expand Medicaid coverage for children and families who need it most in the coming year.

Building a Brighter Future for Everyone

Governor McKee believes this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a brighter future for Rhode Island, taking bold and innovative steps to establish a more resilient, prosperous, and equitable state.
During his time in office, he has taken a range of actions to put more money in people’s pockets, lower the cost of living, double down on health and education and prepare for the future. These include:
• Raising the Minimum Wage. Good jobs with good wages are central to Rhode Island’s economic prosperity today and tomorrow. That’s why Governor McKee signed a bill that will raise the minimum wage over the next three years to $15 an hour.
• Advancing Pay Equity. Every Rhode Islander deserves to be paid equitably for their work. Working together with state lawmakers, Governor McKee signed legislation that prohibits wage discrimination.
• Investing in Families and Children. Governor McKee launched RI Rebounds, a once-in-a-generation, $119 million investment plan to support small businesses and sectors most impacted by the pandemic; promote affordable housing and housing stability; and support child care.
• Supporting Our Educators. Our schools are only as good as our educators. Governor McKee was proud to announce a new contract with the Providence Teachers Union that both raised teachers’ pay to reward their hard work and implemented measures to improve students’ learning and outcomes.
• Making Our Communities Safer. The scourge of gun violence has impacted communities and families across the state. Last year, Governor McKee signed two gun safety bills to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals and off school properties.
• Charting a Bold Path Forward. Governor McKee isn’t just focused on continuing Rhode Island’s recovery today, he’s also leading the charge to propel the state into the next decade with strength. With the release of RI 2030 – a working draft of a strategic framework for the state over the next decade – he has laid a bold and ambitious agenda for the state’s future that drives economic growth, lowers costs, invests in education and public health, and more.

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Over the last year, Governor McKee has delivered leadership when Rhode Island needed it most: 

• #1 in Vaccines Administered: With over 2 million doses administered statewide, Rhode Island is tied with Vermont for most vaccinations per capita, with 95% of Rhode Islanders receiving at least one shot and 80% fully vaccinated.

• Creating New Jobs. Rhode Island has recovered 86,600 jobs lost during the pandemic, including many  in the hardest-hit sectors like retail, leisure and hospitality (nearly 40,000 jobs). Unemployment is  down to 4.8% in December 2021 from a pandemic-high of 17% in 2020 – one of the largest declines in  the country. 

• Supporting Small Businesses. Small businesses are the lifeblood of Rhode Island’s economy and the  McKee administration has – and continues to – support small business owners across the state. A new  grant program last year delivered nearly $18 million in relief to over 3,700 businesses statewide, and  more help is on the way. 

• Reopening Responsibly. Rhode Island is currently ranked #1 in the Northeast – and #9 among all 50  states – on Moody’s Back-to-Normal Index, which assesses states’ economic recoveries. According to  Thumbtack’s Small Business Friendliness Survey, Rhode Island was ranked #2 among all 50 states for its  COVID-19 response.

• Raising the Minimum Wage. Good jobs with good wages are central to Rhode Island’s economic  prosperity today and tomorrow. That’s why Governor McKee signed a bill that will raise the minimum  wage over the next three years to $15 an hour. 

• Advancing Pay Equity. Every Rhode Islander deserves to be paid equitably for their work, regardless of  what they look like, who they pray to or how they identify as. Working together with state lawmakers,  Governor McKee signed legislation that prohibits wage discrimination. 

• Investing in Families and Children. Governor McKee signed RI Rebounds, a once-in-a-generation, $119  million investment to support small businesses and sectors most impacted by the pandemic; promote  affordable housing and housing stability; and support child care. 

With Tuesday’s announcement, Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos and seven municipal leaders announced their endorsement of Governor McKee’s campaign for re-election.

“Governor McKee took office not even a year ago. He stepped in and led us through a tough moment for our state, with children struggling to learn, businesses struggling to stay open, and a slow-moving vaccine roll-out. But in a short period of time, Governor McKee demonstrated strong leadership to put us on the right track and get our state moving again,” said East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva. “That’s why I’m supporting Dan McKee for Governor in 2022 – he’s led us through challenging times, and he’s dedicated to creating jobs all across our state, he’ll work to put more money in Rhode Islanders’ paychecks and in their pockets, and he’s proven that he knows how to keep our economy moving.”

Since Day One in office, Governor Dan McKee has guided a strong pandemic recovery in Rhode Island by prioritizing public health and putting working people first. From getting vaccines distributed statewide and into people’s arms, to supporting small businesses and the hardest-hit sectors with much-needed relief, to getting children safely back into classrooms, the McKee Administration has been focused on getting Rhode Island moving again. In addition to delivering immediate relief for businesses and families, Governor McKee is making once-in-a-generation investments to ensure Rhode Island is a more affordable, equitable and safer place to live and work for today and decades to come.

“As our state looks toward recovery, Rhode Island families deserve a governor who knows the hardships they’re facing, understands how to work with their communities, and has the experience to get things done. For the past year, Governor McKee has worked tirelessly to help us rebound – we’re leading the nation in vaccine distribution, helping our state to reopen responsibly, and investing in our small businesses so that we can create jobs,” said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos. “Governor McKee is the right leader to continue our recovery, with bold plans to lower taxes and costs for veterans and families, invest in green jobs and affordable housing, and improve our schools and child care. He’s dedicated to fighting for Rhode Island families, I’m proud to support him for Governor, and I’m looking forward to working with him to move Rhode Island forward.”

“As someone whose family has owned a small business in Rhode Island for more than 100 years, Governor McKee is delivering strong, steady leadership for Rhode Island when we need it most. Governor McKee took office amidst a once-in-a-century crisis and today, we’re now leading the nation in putting shots in arms while keeping our economy open and our children in school,” said North Providence Mayor Charlie Lombardi. “No matter the challenges we’ve faced, Governor McKee has remained laser-focused on helping Rhode Island families and I’m proud to support him for re-election.”

“Governor McKee has shown that he is committed to supporting every corner of our state and all 39 of our cities and towns. As a former Mayor who still lives in the same town that he grew up in, he understands what Rhode Islanders are looking for: a good economy, great schools, safe streets, 21st century infrastructure, and a government that focuses on the details to help make it just a little bit easier to get by,” said Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt. “Governor McKee—from when he was Mayor of Cumberland through his announcement today—has always supported hardworking families and will continue to do that as Governor.”

“Governor McKee’s message has always been straightforward: he is focused on growing jobs, supporting businesses big and small, including standing side by side with the Pawtucket during the Pawtucket Red Sox negotiations, and ensuring we build an economy that delivers for hardworking people in this decade – and the next,” said Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien. “At this critical moment for our state, now is the time for leadership. That’s exactly what we’re getting from Governor McKee and that’s why I’m proud to support him for re-election.”

“In this unique moment in our history, we must come together – and work together – for the future of our state. Rhode Island families want a leader who will stay focused on the issues – a strong recovery so they can get back to work, better schools so that their children are learning, and great communities where they can raise their families,” said Johnston Mayor Joe Polisena. “Hardworking families across Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns know that Governor McKee is in their corner, fighting for them, and he deserves to be re-elected to lead our recovery in the years ahead.”

“Rhode Island needs leadership and experience as we navigate this recovery. Governor Dan McKee is a former mayor and knows better than anyone that what Rhode Island families want is a leader who will work hard, focus on the details, and make progress,” said Lincoln Town Administrator Phil Gould. “Under Governor McKee’s leadership, we’re working together as a state to make a full recovery – with the best vaccination rates in the country and plans in place to support businesses and create jobs. I know what it’s like to come into office mid-term and the governor has done an excellent job, especially in a time of crisis. Governor McKee deserves to be re-elected to keep Rhode Island moving forward.”

“When you’re leading a town, it’s a hands on job and you have to get the details right. When Governor McKee took office, he put his decade-long mayoral experience to work for the people of Rhode Island. He rolled his sleeves up and went to work with municipalities to get shots in arms, safely reopen our economy, and keep kids in classrooms,” said Bristol Town Administrator Steven Contente. “You need strong leadership in times of crisis and, under Governor McKee’s watch, we have the highest vaccination rate in the country, our economy is rebounding, and we have a plan for the path forward. I’m proud to be supporting the Governor as he works to lead our state for another four years.”