McKee defends proposal for incremental cut in sales tax on '10 News Conference'

Appearing for a taping of "10 News Conference" on Friday, Gov. Dan McKee defended his proposal to cut the state sales tax to 6.85% in the next budget with a long-term goal of getting it in line with Massachusetts (6.25%) and Connecticut (6.35%).

Critics say the state should make a bold move and make a bigger cut all at once.

The governor also said Providence Public Schools won't return to city control any time soon. The state took over in late 2019, saying the city's schools were in crisis.

McKee said he would send his new granddaughter to the school district, in contrast to former Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza said he wouldn't send his son to Providence schools.

The governor also explained that his budget proposal is larger than last year's budget because of a larger than expected surplus.

McKee also talked about his push for an assault weapons ban in Rhode Island.

• 10 NEWS CONFERENCE: Mayor Brett Smiley discusses schools, police leadership

McKee, a Democrat, was elected to his first full term as governor in November's election. The former lieutenant governor became the state's chief executive in March 2021 when his predecessor, Gov. Gina Raimondo, became U.S. commerce secretary.