"Thank You, Rhode Island": Raimondo Gives Farewell Address

Cranston RI

04 February, 2021

12:22 PM

Description

CRANSTON, RI — In what was likely her final State of the State address, Gov. Gina Raimondo reflected on her six years as Rhode Island governor Wednesday night, applauding Rhode Islanders for persevering through the challenges and tragedies of the COVID-19 pandemic and helping to build a stronger state. Raimondo is set to join President Joe Biden's cabinet as commerce secretary if she receives 51 votes in the Senate. If she is appointed, Lt. Dan McKee will become governor, most likely within the next few weeks. "There's a lot of work to do, but I stand here confident that we have laid the foundation for a stronger and more equitable Rhode Island," said Raimondo. "And I know that Lt. Governor McKee is prepared to lead our state. He's passionate, he's experienced, he's committed to public service, and he's going to do a great job." Assuring residents that the state will continue its current COVID-19 response, Raimondo said she is confident that Rhode Island is "I'm a good, stable place". The state currently has a weekly positivity rate of 3.3%, the lowest it has been in over three months, a consistent decline in hospitalizations, and an increase in testing and vaccinations. Before going into the changes she made in the years leading up to 2020, Raimondo took a moment to remember the 2,200 residents who have died from COVID-19 and acknowledge the 11% of the state's population that have tested positive. "2020 was a year we will never forget," she said. "Together, we faced challenges and tragedy like never before. But we got through it. We did what Rhode Islanders have always done: we innovated, and we persevered." "2021 will be our year of rebuilding," she continued. Raimondo went on to discuss her accomplishments during her term and a half as governor, which began at the wake of the Great Recession. She specifically focused on the economic growth Rhode Island has seen over the last six years, noting that the state now has more jobs than ever before and experienced a vast growth in commercial real estate investment. "The year we took office, Rhode Island saw just $84 million in commercial real estate investment," said Raimondo. "But by the end of our first term, we had record growth and over a billion dollars in new investment." The governor also pointed to the fact that her administration has increased wages for childcare and home care workers, guaranteed paid sick and family leave, expanded health insurance coverage, codified Roe v. Wade, and raised the minimum wage four times. Raimondo highlighted her efforts to repair the state's infrastructure and create jobs in the process, as well as growing the green economy by building the first offshore wind farm in the nation. She said Rhode Island is on track to be the first state powered by 100% renewable energy. "Rhode Islanders can be proud that we're leading the way in the fight against climate change," said Raimondo. As far as her efforts to improve education, Raimondo discussed her investments in K-12 education, including repairing school buildings, adding pre-K classes and implementing all-day kindergarten, teaching computer science in every public school, increasing the number of career and technical training programs, and opening the Westerly Education Center. The Raimondo administration also implemented a program to make community college tuition-free for every high school graduate. Since the start of the program, the graduation rate at Community College of Rhode Island has tripled. "Now our country looks to us as a model," said Raimondo, thanking legislative leaders for committing to making the tuition program permanent. During Raimondo's terms, she chose two Rhode Island Supreme Court justices, Melissa Long and Erin Lynch Prata, making the Rhode Island Supreme Court both multi-racial and majority-female. "Rhode Island was founded on the principles of inclusion, acceptance and equality," she said. "We believe all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and should have the same opportunities for success - no matter your race, religion, gender, ethnicity, who you love or where you come from." Raimondo said if she is confirmed as the next U.S. commerce secretary, it will be difficult for her to leave her home state of Rhode Island, but it will also be a privilege to serve in Biden's cabinet. She thanked residents for their support during her time as governor and promised to continue to serve the state in her new role. "You have my commitment that I will continue to wake up every day focused on making life better for you, and for all our fellow Americans." The governor closed with a message for young girls and women in Rhode Island, asking them to "summon the courage to lead". "This world needs you," said Raimondo. "We need your voice. We need your ideas. We need you to lead." "And I'm looking forward to the day when one of you is our governor," she added. Watch the full speech here.