Rhode Island

Providence poised to raise city tax levy by 7 percent – The Boston Globe

Published

7 months ago

May 28, 2025

Providence poised to raise city tax levy by 7 percent – The Boston Globe

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s administration is one step closer to getting legislative approval to raise the city’s tax levy by more than 7 percent, but there are still two state senators who are going to have a major say over how the city’s legislative agenda takes shape over the next month.

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill last night that allows the city to exceed the state’s 4 percent cap on tax levy increases, a proposal Smiley says is largely necessary because of the city’s settlement last year to increase funding for the school department.

That bill still needs Senate approval, and the two senators to watch are newly elected Majority Leader Frank Ciccone and Senator Jake Bissaillon.

Ciccone and Bissaillon are both viewed as supporters of Smiley, but their neighborhoods are poised to see some of the largest property tax increases, which they fear will substantially drive up rents for their constituents.

Start with the obvious: Ciccone is suddenly much more powerful than he was three months ago. As majority leader, he likely has the ability to singlehandedly push through or kill Smiley’s tax bill.

As Channel 12’s Alexandra Leslie reported on Tuesday, the Smiley administration is warning that not passing the tax levy bill could result in massive layoffs and other cuts in the city. With state leaders facing their own budget challenges, the last thing they want is a Providence budget crisis that, in some ways, the Senate would be creating.

Then again, Ciccone doesn’t want to be a one-term majority leader (unless he gets a promotion). A vote for the levy increase could add to the likelihood that he’ll face a challenger in the Democratic primary next year.

Bissaillon’s bet: Bissaillon has been much more direct with the Smiley administration: He maintains that he won’t support a tax levy increase unless it agrees to an obscure tax change related to industrial properties in the city – his argument is that he doesn’t want properties like the Manchester Street Power Station to see a tax decrease when his constituents are going to see large increases.

In some ways, Smiley’s team took Bissaillon for granted. They were dismissive of his proposal, and assumed he’d be a good team player and support their levy increase anyway. But he has made it clear that he isn’t bluffing, and the administration has indicated it will support a version of his bill.

“I won’t support it unless I feel like I’ve done everything I can to help my constituents,” Bissaillon said Tuesday.

What to watch: The tax levy bill isn’t the only one the Smiley administration is seeking. Lawmakers seem poised to support an event parking tax that could help the city, and there appears to be momentum on a new tax breaklargely aimed at the “Superman” building.

This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.

Dan McGowan can be reached at dan.mcgowan@globe.com. Follow him @danmcgowan.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 16, 2025

Published

11 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 16, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

20-24-46-59-65, Mega Ball: 07

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

03-04-19-24-39, Lucky Ball: 11

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

Midday: 0-5-9-8

Evening: 8-5-3-5

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

03-14-15-29-38, Extra: 30

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Rhode Island

RI schools urged to review safety protocols in wake of Brown University shooting

Published

23 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

RI schools urged to review safety protocols in wake of Brown University shooting

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is urging local elementary and secondary schools to review safety protocols following the mass shooting at Brown University.

Days after two people were killed and nine others were injured in a shooting on the college campus, the department reminded schools statewide to ensure they are following existing safety policies, including keeping exterior doors closed and locked at all times.

“While the events of this weekend are tragic, they are also a reminder and an opportunity to re-train, reinforce, and go through the necessary safety steps, once more,” Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green said in a statement.

She emphasized the importance of following the protocols, including visitor policies, “as designed and written.”

In its latest announcement, RIDE also provided a list of resources for students, families, and school staff for “navigating difficult conversations” about topics such as violence and hate.

Rhode Island schools reminded to keep interior doors closed, exterior doors closed and locked

While all exterior doors should remain closed and locked, the department said, all interior doors should also remain closed. All visitors should go through a single, secure point of entry, according to RIDE.

In Providence, all elementary, middle, and high schools are also required to establish staff “crisis teams” and conduct 15 safety drills each year, according to the district’s existing safety protocols.

In the wake of the Brown University shooting on Dec. 13, Providence Public Schools said students should expect an increased police presence on and near their campuses.

All after-school activities, sporting events, and field trips at Providence schools planned for Monday, Dec. 15, and Tuesday, Dec. 16, were canceled out of an “abundance of caution.”

The district said that it would announce its plans for the rest of the week as soon as possible.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 15, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 15, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

23-35-59-63-68, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

12-16-27-34-41, Lucky Ball: 12

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

Midday: 4-9-8-3

Evening: 1-3-5-3

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from Dec. 15 drawing

10-13-28-33-37, Extra: 35

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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