Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo used her final State of the State address Wednesday to recount highlights of her tenure, emphasize the impact of the pandemic and offer a goodbye to the state.
Speaking to a largely empty House chamber in the Statehouse, Raimondo cited the harsh effect of COVID-19 and said the state is headed for better days under the leadership of her soon-to-be successor, Lt. Gov. Dan McKee.
“Our weekly percent positive is about 3 percent,” the governor said. “That’s lower than it’s been in months. Our hospitalizations continue to decline. We’ve performed over two and a half million tests and administered over 100,000 vaccines.”
She said 2021 will be a year of rebuilding.
Regarding the pandemic, she said, “None of this has been easy, and everyone has sacrificed. To every Rhode Islander who has missed out on celebrating holidays and milestones, who has canceled travel, who has worn a mask every day – thank you. You have saved lives. While much has been taken from us, the strength and spirit of who we are as Rhode Islanders endures.”
Raimondo’s nomination to become Commerce secretary in the Biden administration cleared the U.S. Senate’s Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on a 21-3 vote.
But it’s unclear when the nomination will get confirmation in the full Senate, since Republicans say they may wait until after the impeachment hearing for former President Donald Trump.
Raimondo said she views her designated role as Commerce secretary as a way of continuing her advocacy for Rhode Island.
“I promised you I would go anywhere, talk to anyone, work with anyone who wanted to do what was right for Rhode Island,” she said. “And that’s exactly what I have done every single day as your governor. I have tried to the best of my abilities to honor that commitment to you.”
Raimondo cited how Rhode Island went from high unemployment to more jobs during her time in office, although that coincided with an improving national economy. She credited lawmakers with supporting new economic tools and job training that she predicted will continue helping the state.
The governor also pointed to renewed school construction, more funding for schools, her free tuition initiative at CCCRI, statewide all-day kindergarten, and other steps to improve education.
State Sen. Jessica de la Cruz (R-North Smithfield), who gave the GOP response to the governor’s address, said progress to improve public schools has languished during the pandemic.
“And this is why Republicans vigorously oppose the proposed charter school moratorium,” de la Cruz said. “These charter schools have been one of the few bright spots for many urban children. Yet, some of our leaders want to halt their progress. Rhode Island families deserve more choice and ownership over their child’s education.”
Other GOP gripes: that Raimondo had too much authority during the pandemic; that too many people were denied in-person access to relatives during the pandemic; and that the state’s business climate is too punishing for small businesses.
Under normal circumstances, governors used their State of the State address to address a House chamber packed with lawmakers, Cabinet officials, judges, university presidents and other dignitaries.
Due to the pandemic, only House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, Raimondo’s husband, Andrew Moffit, and their two children, Ceci and Tommy, were visible during the broadcast on Capitol TV. The Statehouse remains, for now, closed to the public.
Although Raimondo had a distanced relationship from McKee, she expressed confidence in his ability to lead the state.
She pointed to how the word ‘plantations’ has been removed from the state name and how she has brought more diversity to the state judiciary, including a female-majority state Supreme Court.
“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,” she said. “And I know that Lt. Gov. 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.”
