Dear Rhode Islanders,
On March 2, Rhode Island residents will have the opportunity to vote in the Special Election. Mail-in ballot applications are beginning to land in the mailboxes of community members statewide. There will be a total of 7 questions on the ballot that will cover the following topics:
Question 1 - Higher Education Facilities
Question 2 - Beach, Clean Water and Green Bond
Question 3 - Housing and Community Opportunity
Question 4 - Transportation Infrastructure State Match
Question 5 - Early Childhood and Education Capital Fund
Question 6 - Cultural Arts and the Economy Grant Program and State Preservation Grants Program
Question 7 - Industrial Facilities Infrastructure
These Special Election questions ask residents to approve or reject the State’s long-term borrowing through bonds. Approval of the question will grant the state of Rhode Island permission to invest in the different areas of our state. Bonds are similar to mortgages or loans, they are paid back over a period of time with interest.
For the purpose of this blog, we are going to focus on Question 2 - the Beach, Clean Water and Green Bond. A “yes” vote will support the authorization for the state to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $74 million for state beaches, parks, recreational facilities, and water projects. A “no” vote is a vote in opposition of the state issuing bonds pertaining to this matter. Let’s go ahead and zoom in on the proposed projects totaling $74 million for our beaches, land and water.
I encourage you to vote for what matters to you and conduct your own research! Not sure where to start? Check out these helpful links:
Rhode Island State Department Voter Information Center
A Guide to State Referenda and Voting Procedures in Rhode Island
Ballotpedia: Rhode Island Questions
Rhode Island DEM 2021 Beach, Clean Water & Green Economy Bond
WPRI Rhode Island Special Election
Thoughts and feedback welcome! Let’s get the conversation flowing.
