By Associated Press - Tuesday, December 22, 2020

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island’s $12.7 billion budget for the fiscal year that started in July has been signed into law by Gov. Gina Raimondo.

The budget approved Monday by the Democratic governor comes about a week after the state House and Senate approved the spending plan to address both one-time pandemic expenses and the routine operations of state government, The Providence Journal reported.

Much of the budget relies on one-time federal coronavirus relief money.

“In the face of historic challenges and economic uncertainty, it is critical that we continue to make investments in education, job training, and economic development that will help us recover from this recession,” Raimondo said in a statement.

She added that the budget “will lay the foundation we need to create a more resilient, inclusive and equitable Rhode Island.”

The budget includes $400 million in proposed new borrowing, via sale of bonds, that will go to voters in March and is meant to address needed investments in housing, pre-K classrooms, beaches and parks, higher education, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.

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