Tagged: Angel Taveras

Being Providence mayor is a tough job, but it isn’t all about filling potholes and budget deficits and cajoling municipal union leaders. On Sunday, Mayor Angel Taveras showed up at Veterans Memorial Auditorium to greet jazz great Wynton Marsalis.

Before introducing Marsalis, Taveras told the packed house that being mayor ``comes with certain privileges.’’

That phrase drew a ripple of  knowing Rhode Islandesque laughter. Taveras quickly deadpanned, ``I’m not Buddy.’’

Welcome back to my Friday column. Your thoughts and emails are welcome at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org. Let's get to it.

Moody’s Investors Service is giving Providence mixed comments on its fiscal condition.

Moody’s says an audit revealing a $15 million Providence deficit for the last fiscal year could hurt the city’s credit rating. But it says Providence now has a balanced budget, and it calls that a sign of progress toward restored fiscal stability.

Mayor Angel Taveras inherited a $110 million deficit when he took office in 2011. Moody’s says a series of previous deficits caused by state aid cuts leave Providence little room for error if other revenue gets squeezed.

Glimmers of Lincoln Chafee's campaign message for 2014 are starting to emerge as part of the media offensive in support his latest budget.