Monday, August 29, 2022
PHOTO: Stephanie Ewens
Brett Smiley is a Democratic candidate for mayor of Providence. He is what he has to say.
1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign cycle?
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Right now, I think the biggest policy issue in this campaign cycle is public safety. People feel unsafe, especially in Providence. Restoring that sense of safety starts with providing our police with the resources and staffing they need to be successful. By increasing the numbers of officers on the force, we can deploy the nationally recognized community policing that we had practiced. We know that every 9-1-1 call does not require a response from an officer with a gun and that by providing evidence-based and immediate crisis response, we can improve outcomes while allowing officers to focus on violent crimes. By better investing in mental health and substance use supports and expanding the current behavioral response program, we can better serve residents and reduce the burden on our first responders. Lastly but possibly most importantly, studies have shown that the best way to prevent crime long-term, improve quality-of-life and support our local economy is through immediate and significant investments in opportunities for youth-employment, recreation and education. As Mayor, I will also increase year-round employment opportunities, extend recreation hours to meet the needs of the community and prioritize education investments inside and outside of the classroom.
2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island’s economy?
The best thing we can do as a state to improve our economy is to improve education for folks of all ages. By expanding programs like RI Pre-K that I was proud to work on with Governor Raimondo, we can ensure that our earliest learners have access to high-quality education opportunities from a young age and access to adults who can assess other barriers they may be experiencing. As students grow, we need to better inform high school options and pathways available to students in middle school so they understand the opportunities available to them. Lastly, we must provide better career AND college awareness and education for our students and better promote programs like RI Promise to provide free college opportunities for our youth. I am proud that the program has served 1,139 Providence youth but know that we could increase that number by better promoting the program to students.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
Rhode Island, like many states, is facing a housing crisis. Last year, one in five renters reported that they were unable to keep up with their rent. We know that our cities and our communities of color, renters and families faced the greatest hardships and COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives. Providence residents experiencing homelessness require supportive services, not just temporary housing, today. Right now, we need to increase housing at all price points and we must strategically spend the millions in housing dollars the city and state have access to. We need to streamline our building and permitting so that we can build more units at an effective rate and ensure our WMBEs and local unions have access to these projects. Lastly, we know that homeownership can impact upward mobility for generations. By incentivizing homeownership for sectors in-demand and educating residents on all pathways to homeownership, Providence can improve economic, health, social-emotional and behavioral outcomes for families and children in every neighborhood.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
I am running for mayor because I love Providence. Like more and more people, I chose Providence. We have all the ingredients to be a world-class city – vibrant, diverse neighborhoods, some of the best food and arts and culture in the country, top universities, and thousands of small businesses- assets that most cities can only dream of. We also have the potential to be the best-run city in the county by focusing on what matters – improving schools, increasing safety and delivering high-quality city services. I am uniquely qualified because I will be ready on day one. I’m the only candidate who has managed a budget and personnel of this size, I’m the only candidate who has negotiated union contracts, and I’m the only candidate who has already managed city operations. I know that with my experience in city and state government, I can make Providence the best-run country in the entire country and a true world-class city.
5. Who is your inspiration?
I find inspiration in many of my family and friends but professionally, I am inspired by Secretary Pete Buttigieg. As another young, openly gay politician, I admire his ability to communicate, the momentum he built and his work ethic during his time in South Bend and on the campaign trail. Throughout his campaign his ability to clearly articulate his message, his vision and his experience made him stand out in a very crowded race. He has continued to hone those communication skills and has developed an incredible way of tying storytelling and personal connection to concrete policy actions and plans. He paved the way as the first gay presidential candidate and has gone on to become the Secretary of Transportation.
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