Historic moments don't come often. But if that phrase can be applied to any happening at the Statehouse, it surely is appropriate to do so for the unanimous passing of the fiscal 2016 budget by the R.I. House of Representatives.
What was contained in the budget was good news enough for the business community: more than one dozen economic incentives proposed by Gov. Gina M. Raimondo, including $25 million for the Interstate 195 redevelopment district, job-creation tax credits, and real estate tax credits designed to reduce the financial feasibility gap for private development in Rhode Island.
The pension-reform issues for state workers seem finally to have been put behind us, although the topic needs to be addressed regarding municipal pensions now.
But perhaps more importantly, the tone that the process and the action set showed off a spirit of cooperation and common purpose that has not been seen in many years.
Gov. Raimondo and House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello should take a bow for this refreshing exercise in leadership. They not only were able to agree on the big ideas, they were able to translate them into a specific legislative roadmap that has the potential at least to help the state move forward (thanks in no small part to an unexpectedly robust revenue picture in the current fiscal year).
Still to do is the crafting of a plan to help rebuild the state's crumbling highways and bridges, something that a special session of the legislature could solve. But let's savor this victory. This budget was one for the ages. •