Eight months ago the federal government passed the American Rescue Plan and allocated $1.13 billion dollars to the state of Rhode Island to begin to address our economic, public health, education, and climate crises. RI is the only Democrat controlled state in the country and the only state in New England to not spend any of it’s ARPA funding. Now, after facing growing public pressure, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio is considering bringing the Senate to session to discuss Governor McKee’s plan to spend just 10% of the ARPA money. House Speaker Joe Shekarchi has remained silent. But spending just 10% of the ARPA money cannot address the crisis we’re in.

Our state's inaction is putting lives on the line: Michael Niemeyer is a lifelong Rhode Islander and working father to an 18 month old who suffers from a developmental brain disability. His daughter is alive today because of the care she receives from Early Intervention—a state program for babies and toddlers with disabilities. Due to Governor Dan McKee, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, and Speaker Joe Shekarchi’s inaction, Michael’s daughter is about to lose her lifesaving care. There are thousands of Rhode Islanders like Michael's daughter who desperately need this money. Governor Dan McKee, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, and Speaker Joe Shekarchi, I am calling on you, to make a plan to spend all our money, start spending it now, and spend it rescuing our communities.