House Finance Committee Approves $13.947 Billion Budget for 2025, Emphasizing Education, Healthcare, and Affordable Housing – Newport Buzz

Rhode Island House Finance Committee Approves $13.947 Billion Budget for 2025 Fiscal Year

The Rhode Island House Finance Committee voted 13-1 Friday to approve a $13.947 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year, directing substantial funding toward education, children, and healthcare, alongside a historic $120 million affordable housing bond. The budget, which is $60 million less than the current fiscal year’s, reflects the cessation of federal pandemic aid.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 4: Quality Education
2. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
3. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
4. Goal 1: No Poverty
5. Goal 2: Zero Hunger
6. Goal 5: Gender Equality
7. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
8. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
9. Goal 13: Climate Action

Budget Details

• The proposed budget includes a $70.9 million increase in state aid for schools, aimed at aiding schools and students still recovering from the pandemic’s effects.
• Increases for multi-language learners (MLL), the governor’s Learn365RI initiative for out-of-school learning, and efforts to boost reading and math achievement were modest but significant.
• Higher education also sees benefits with an additional $1 million for the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and $2 million for the University of Rhode Island (URI).
• Among the most notable elements is a $120 million affordable housing bond, the largest in the state’s history.
• Healthcare receives significant attention with over $160 million allocated to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates next year, including $3.8 million for Early Intervention providers.
• The budget proposal also includes a $30.6 million increase to support providers contracted by the Department of Children, Youth and Families.
• Recipients of the Rhode Island Works program will receive a 20% raise in cash benefits, and eligibility for child care supports will be expanded.
• The House plan provides additional funding for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to close a budget gap following the end of federal pandemic aid.
• The budget includes a $10 million bond referendum to support arts infrastructure in Rhode Island.

The House Finance Committee’s comprehensive budget plan reflects a careful balance of investment in key areas, ensuring Rhode Island’s continued progress and stability amidst the conclusion of federal pandemic aid.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
• SDG 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education.
• SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
• SDG 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
• SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• SDG 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
• SDG 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 4.1: Percentage of children completing primary and secondary education.
• Indicator for SDG 4.2: Percentage of children with access to early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education.
• Indicator for SDG 11.1: Percentage of population with access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing.
• Indicator for SDG 3.8: Percentage of population with access to essential health-care services.
• Indicator for SDG 8.5: Employment-to-population ratio.
• Indicator for SDG 9.1: Proportion of the population with access to electricity.
• Indicator for SDG 17.16: Amount of financial resources mobilized for developing countries.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Fuente: thenewportbuzz.com

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