Washington Bridge, Budget, and Endorsements

Construction on the new Washington Bridge span kicks off with a late 2028 completion date, setting the stage for traffic chaos and political drama ahead of the 2026 elections. Meanwhile, Governor McKee signs a $15 billion budget including a child tax credit, but lawmakers worry about rising spending and a new 1% surtax on incomes over $1 million. Political endorsements are heating up, with the governor’s hometown committee poised for a close vote and labor groups like the Rhode Island AFL-CIO preparing their decisions. In the General Assembly, several reps are retiring or eyeing higher office, including a 20-year veteran who lamented last-minute bills but cherished her service. On the bright side, overdose deaths dropped sharply to 219 in 2025 from 329 the year before — a win credited to state-community collaboration. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/0d9fbd6b4ff4cc37