2021 -- S 0639

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LC002344

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

SUPPORTING THE CONVERSION OF RHODE ISLAND'S ECONOMY FROM

MILITARISM TO CLIMATE RESILIENCY

     Introduced By: Senator Tiara T. Mack

     Date Introduced: March 18, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island economy was reliant on the military sector for 7.6 percent

of its economic output according to the Southern New England Defense Industry Alliance’s

(SENEDIA) latest report from 2017; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s reliance on the military sector has grown since the

SENEDIA report, with millions of dollars in recent state commitments through incentives,

exemptions, direct infrastructure spending, and training partnerships; with up to $20 million in

incentives to General Dynamics/Electric Boat and 4.5 million for training in 2019; and

     WHEREAS, The federal military budget comprises over 50 percent of federal

discretionary spending and far outpaces federal spending on other crucial societal needs such as

transportation, infrastructure, education, food and housing security; and

     WHEREAS, Our growing global military footprint in many ways is a destabilizing factor

upon our security and global well-being, possibly inducing a new global arms race; and

     WHEREAS, The effects of the climate crisis are becoming more clear and investments in

climate mitigation and resilience industries more needed; and

     WHEREAS, Public investment in other industries, such as clean energy, infrastructure,

education, and health care rather than in the military produces a greater number of jobs, according

to research presented by the Costs of War Project at Brown University’s Watson Institute; and

     WHEREAS, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that

“rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society” will be required to avoid

a climate catastrophe; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby supports redirecting

resources away from militarism and toward the mitigation of and adaptation to the climate crisis

in a way that guarantees a just transition for Rhode Islanders working in sectors of reduced

economic activity and onto a path that will benefit all Rhode Island communities and in

particular, communities of color and poverty whose well-being is often neglected; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable Governor of the State of Rhode

Island.

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LC002344

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