During this pandemic, Rhode Islanders will not be safe unless all people (including immigrants, prisoners, and the homeless) have medical care and the means to survive while not working. Workers who are providing essential services need proper safety protections and fair pay.

As the world enters a major recession, already existing inequalities are becoming more brutal and acute. This is especially true in America because public services are criminally underfunded. The predatory private market fails to produce enough medical supplies, denies many people treatment, and brings financial ruin to our neighbors. Poor and working people bear the burden of mistakes made by elites. That’s why Providence DSA will fight to bail out the working class, not the rich.

We believe the following measures are the minimum necessary at this time. Most have already been implemented in other states and countries. The Rhode Island General Assembly, which has so far refused to act, must move immediately to fill in the gaps left by federal legislation. The people need relief now without any red tape; all costs should be paid later through progressive taxes.

Workers’ Bailout

• A monthly, emergency cost-of-living payment of $1500 for every adult in Rhode Island, plus $800 per child, provided to all residents immediately (regardless of income, citizenship, or benefits already received from the government)

• Workplace safety standards, personal protective equipment, hazard pay, a minimum wage of at least $15, and free childcare for all essential personnel – including grocery store workers, janitors, garbage collectors, healthcare workers, pharmacy technicians, drivers, and warehouse workers

• Unlimited paid sick leave for all workers who are ill or acting as caretakers

• A statewide moratorium on all evictions, foreclosures, utility shut-offs, health insurance terminations, and debt collection of any kind

• Restoration of utility services to residents previously shut off, and guaranteed access to phone and Internet

• Suspension of rent and mortgage payments for the duration of the crisis

• Forgiveness of all state-backed student loans

• Free food delivery for all Rhode Island residents who cannot leave their homes

Health Care Now

• An immediate increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates and cancellation of all Medicaid cuts

• Systematic testing of all Rhode Islanders for Covid-19 as soon as possible, administered for free

• Automatic enrollment of all Rhode Island residents (regardless of immigration status) in a statewide public insurance program, so that everyone can easily access care without cost

• Public ownership and control of hospitals, under the Department of Health, should the private hospital system become overburdened

• Emergency measures to manufacture scarce medical supplies within Rhode Island, using any power at the state’s disposal to compensate for federal inaction

Safety for All

• Emergency reduction of the prison population to prevent the spread of infection, by releasing all low-level offenders and individuals whose health is at risk (the elderly, the immunocompromised, pregnant women)

• Replacing arrests with citations wherever possible in order to prevent further crowding jails

• Acquisition of vacant property and empty hotels to safely house the homeless

• Immediate enactment of a sanctuary state policy to ensure that immigrants can access public services with no fear of ICE

Fair Deal for Businesses and Taxpayers

• Subsidies to businesses on the strict condition that they maintain payroll throughout the crisis, respect union contracts, and do not oppose unions trying to organize their workers

• A state equity stake in any business with more than 50 employees that receives state aid, with dividends from shares sent directly to taxpayers through a social wealth fund

• Conversion of failing businesses to cooperative ownership, by granting employees zero-interest loans, technical assistance, and right of first refusal to buy firms that would otherwise close

• Transfer of oversight of the Commerce Corporation to the Office of the Secretary of State to guard against corrupt business dealings

The Right to Vote

• Mail-in ballots for all elections from now on

• Automatic voter registration

Will you fight to make these policies a reality in Rhode Island? If so, please sign and join us!