Rhode Island lawmakers approve $13.9 billion budget plan, slew of other bills

Rhode Island lawmakers gave final approval to a proposed $13.9 billion state budget plan early Friday that includes additional funding for education and a $120 million bond to expand affordable housing.

The budget was among a slew of bills approved by lawmakers in the final days of their legislative session. Democrat Gov. Daniel McKee is set to sign the budget bill on Monday at the Statehouse.

Under the state spending plan, schools would receive a $70.9 million increase in state aid — $33.8 million more than originally sought by McKee — to help schools and students still recovering from the effects of the pandemic.

The budget plan would also fully fund an $813,000 proposal by McKee to provide free breakfast and lunch to the 6,500 students statewide who currently receive reduced-price school meals.

Lawmakers used the budget to add $20 million to the governor’s proposal for a bond question on the November ballot to support more affordable housing, bringing the total to $120 million, the largest housing bond in the state’s history.

The budget would also set aside $83.6 million for the state match for federal funds for the reconstruction of the shuttered westbound Washington Bridge that brings Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River between Providence and East Providence.

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