A Treasurer Who Takes an Active Stake in the Financial Health of All Rhode Islanders

Financial empowerment refers to the skill set and knowledge base necessary to build personal wealth and financial stability in the long-term.

Without leadership dedicated to helping teach these skills and build this understanding, too many Rhode Islanders are being excluded from our economic system, with some needlessly at-risk of bankruptcy or poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exasperated the problem. With inflation on the rise, we need to do more to provide Rhode Islanders with the financial know-how they need to succeed in today’s economy.

As a policy leader and public voice, the General Treasurer can champion efforts to financially empower Rhode Islanders and help them feel confident in their ability to manage their personal finances. Treasurer Seth Magaziner and the General Assembly have made much progress in recent years. In 2021, the General Assembly passed legislation — introduced by my incredible fiancé, state Senator Sandra Cano — that requires Rhode Island students take personal financial education courses before graduating high school. With the strong financial footing this curriculum will provide, young adults will be better equipped to transition from the classroom to the real world.

Treasurer Magaziner has also established a quarterly Financial Empowerment Roundtable, which brings together public, private and nonprofit representatives to share ideas and promote financial empowerment for all ages.

It’s exactly these kinds of efforts that will put Rhode Island on the path to long-term fiscal security, and that will foster a dynamic economy accessible to all. We must continue and expand consumer education efforts to ensure we keep moving towards a strong and resilient economy.

To do so, we have to engage everyday Rhode Islanders. I believe the Treasurer has an obligation to the people, not just to be a steward of the economy, but to be a source of compassion and understanding for the financial challenges occasioned by today’s economy. I know those challenges because I’ve lived them, my family lived them and the people I served while Mayor of Central Falls — those I still interact with every day — have lived them.

As Treasurer, I intend to implement a new program that brings consumer education workshops to high schools and community centers across our state. The office must meet people where they are. And by traveling to each of our 39 cities and towns, hearing from people directly — their concerns, and the challenges they face — the Treasurer can act as the bridge between the people and our financial system. Such community workshops can explain our banking system, personal financial management and the economy, all while educating individuals about the Treasurer’s role and how the office betters their daily lives. They can also teach practical skills to help adults and young adults alike learn how to save for the long term, write a check, open a bank account, and use the tools in our financial system to their advantage. While there is much to be done, a Treasurer who takes an active stake in the financial health of all Rhode Islanders can help break generational poverty.

I plan to be that Treasurer.