Brett Smiley (politician)

Providence voters will decide Question 7, a ballot ordinance requiring the city to divest investments tied to "genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and prolonged military occupation." Backed by Providence for Palestine, the measure doesn't name Israel but organizers say it targets investments connected to the war in Gaza. Retired federal judge William Smith, in an analysis requested by the city solicitor, called the ordinance "poorly drafted," likely beyond the City Charter's limits on voter-initiated petitions, and warned it would trigger a "litigation frenzy" and harm the city's pension fund. Mayor Brett Smiley has called the measure unlawful; organizer Zack Kligler dismissed such warnings as "fearmongering," saying the ordinance is legally and financially sound.

Providence officials have asked retired federal judge William Smith to provide independent legal analysis of Question 7, a citizen ballot initiative that would require the city to divest from countries and companies linked to genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and prolonged military occupation. The measure, backed by Providence for Palestine, is widely understood to target investments tied to Israel over the war in Gaza, though the ordinance does not name any country. City Solicitor Jeff Dana sought outside review after the Law Department's initial guidance drew criticism. Mayor Brett Smiley calls the ordinance unlawful and unmanageable, while city officials warn it could jeopardize the underfunded pension system. Mayoral candidates David Morales and Dave Talan are split on the measure.

Providence's City Council met with the Department of Public Works and Emergency Management Agency to plan winter snow removal well ahead of the season, following criticism of the city's response to a historic blizzard that dropped nearly 38 inches of snow last winter. The earlier push comes amid a leadership transition after Mayor Brett Smiley's primary defeat and the departure of DPW's deputy director, whose position remains unfilled. DPW Director Patricia Coyne-Fague said the city is reworking pretreatment timing, addressing parking-ban concerns, and awaiting five new plow trucks, with 19 vendors and 31 pieces of equipment under contract. Councilor Miguel Sanchez said he remains unsatisfied with progress. Another planning session is set for Nov. 17.

A proposal before the Providence City Council would prohibit right turns on red in the downtown area starting Jan. 1, with the restriction expanding citywide by 2028. First-time violators would get a warning, with fines following for repeat offenses.

City leaders, including Mayor Brett Smiley, say the measure is intended to improve pedestrian safety by reducing the chance of drivers hitting people in crosswalks while focused on traffic to their left before turning right. Smiley acknowledged the change could be an inconvenience for drivers but said the city needs to find a "middle path" between safety and traffic flow.

Reaction among residents has been mixed: some see a pedestrian-safety benefit, while others, including a local Uber driver, worry the ban could worsen traffic congestion and argue distracted pedestrians are also part of the problem. The proposal faces another City Council reading before any final adoption.

Maureen McManus, deputy director of Providence's Department of Public Works, has continued collecting her roughly $128,000 annual salary since being quietly placed on paid leave on January 10, with the city declining to explain why. McManus, who has held the role since 2021 and serves as second-in-command under Director Patricia Coyne-Fague, did not respond to requests for comment, and a spokesperson for Mayor Brett Smiley said the city does not discuss personnel matters.

The Providence City Council's Committee on Claims and Pending Suits has met four times since June on the unresolved "personnel matter" without taking action, and a fifth meeting is scheduled. McManus's leave began just before two major snowstorms, including a historic late-January blizzard, exposed criticism of the city's snow removal efforts under Smiley and Coyne-Fague. State Rep. David Morales, who defeated Smiley in the Democratic mayoral primary, has said he intends to replace the DPW director if elected in November. McManus's absence also meant she was uninvolved in this spring's budget preparation process.

State Rep. David Morales, 27, a democratic socialist endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Ro Khanna, defeated incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley, 47, in Providence's Democratic primary by a 53%-48% margin, marking the first time a sitting Providence mayor has lost a primary. Morales is heavily favored over Republican Dave Talan in November and would become the city's youngest-ever mayor if elected. Smiley had touted falling crime and the city's regained control over its schools, while Morales built his campaign around affordable housing, rent stabilization, and other progressive policies like social housing and housing cooperatives.

The race became entangled with Israel-related politics: Smiley, who converted to Judaism in 2024, drew criticism from Morales over his role in a pro-Israel advocacy summit, while Smiley opposed a binding November ballot measure — which Providence voters will decide as the largest U.S. city to do so — that could restrict city investment in companies linked to Israel. Smiley also faced backlash over vetoing a rent-control ordinance Morales supported. Providence's police union has voiced unease about Morales, citing his past calls to defund police and warning of possible officer departures, though Morales says he wants to work with law enforcement. Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee also lost his primary the same night.