Senator Jessica de la Cruz

@RISenateGOP Leader and State Senator representing RI's 23rd District - North Smithfield, Burrillville, and Glocester. Proud daughter of immigrants. 🇺🇸🇵🇹

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

If we haven't met yet, I'm your state senator representing Burrillville, Glocester, and North Smithfield.

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

Gov. McKee says he had no idea his campaign ad had sex and drug jokes in it.

I actually believe him — this is the same guy who didn’t know what happened with the Washington Bridge, or the massive data breach, and apparently has no idea why Zambarano Hospital hasn’t had a shovel in the ground in the five years after the GA appropriated funds.

[Ted Nesi @TedNesi]

McKee is shrugging off his campaign's "sex yes" ad snafu, telling me today, "I don't think it's a big deal ... I'm glad we're still talking about the ad"

Foulkes senior adviser slams McKee team, saying mistake "shows what a clown show his campaign is" https://t.co/sBmiHEjyYc

[RI Senate Republicans @RISenateGOP]

.@JessicaforRI reacts to proposed $15.2 billion state budget.
#HoldMyCoffeeMilk

[RI Senate Republicans @RISenateGOP]

.@JessicaforRI on McKee Administration abandoning plans for new LTECH hospital in Burrillville after unexplained delays and millions of taxpayer dollars wasted.

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

$14.3 billion to $15.2 billion…… $1 billion more reasons not to vote for this budget.

[Nancy Lavin @NancyKLavin]

House lawmakers see governor’s proposed FY27 budget and raise it to $15.2B https://t.co/fPIH6ZUtWX

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

Early bird: ✅
Early worm:💀

[RI Senate Republicans @RISenateGOP]

Senate Minority Whip Gordon Rogers - Surplus tax funds should be returned to the taxpayers. It's the right thing to do. @JessicaforRI

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

Rhode Island is finally moving toward an Inspector General — and that's a good thing. But not all IG bills are created equal.

House Bill 8562 exempts the General Assembly entirely. If you spend public money, you should answer to an IG.

A step forward is still a step forward. Even if it's five steps forward and two steps back.

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

My phone keeps autocorrecting, his name is George Barber, not John

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

Honored to pay tribute this Memorial Day to our fallen soldiers. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13. God bless their memory & God bless America.

Also so grateful to have seen WWII veteran Mr. John Barber in attendance — 100 years old and still going strong. A living testament to the Greatest Generation.

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

@AuburysNavy As my kids would say, “That's sus.”

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

cc: RI Office of Inspector General

[katherine gregg @kathyprojo]

1st letter of opposition to RISpeaker's Inspector General bill comes from Narragansett Bay Comm which "opposes/creation of another oversight agency that will ultimately cost the NBC's ratepayers additional monies without providing benefits above that which are already ensured"

[RI Senate Republicans @RISenateGOP]

#GiveItBack Time for Rhode Island taxpayers to get a break. @JessicaforRI

[RI Senate Republicans @RISenateGOP]

RIPEC President & CEO Michael DiBiase asks what we get for increasing taxes on high earners and who's next.

[Nancy Lavin @NancyKLavin]

Dueling inspector general proposals by Speaker @CBlazejewski and Senate Minority Leader @JessicaforRI will have concurrent committee hearings two floors apart today. Plus, there are 2 more IG bills already in the mix
https://t.co/gUrA0fGzVV

[Jody Baldwin Stone @TheStonesEG]

RI Chamber of Commerce @RISenateGOP @RISenate @RISenateDems @JessicaforRI

[The LIBRE Initiative @LIBREinitiative]

Blocking new health care providers means fewer options and higher prices for patients. @JessicaforRI and @VoluntaryXCHG explain how Certificate of Need hurts patients. https://t.co/lHlFVXbSJu

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

I’ve estimated the office of Inspector General to cost around $1.5 million. Speaker Blazejewski is telling the media that it would come in at $2 million.

But what does the Office of Budget Management (OMB) say? According to their fiscal notes, they estimate the cost at $5.0 to $8.2 million per year! That’s 3 to 5 times higher than what’s being said publicly.

Quick explainer: a fiscal note is the official cost estimate OMB is required to produce for the legislature. This one’s fair game since last year’s hearing already happened.

OMB’s number is wildly inflated. And if they are this bad at producing a fiscal note, it makes you wonder about the accuracy of their other fiscal notes — and more importantly, their role in revenue estimating conferences that shape our entire state budget.

Chronic miscalculations could be the big reason we keep seeing surprise deficits and surpluses year after year.

[Senator Jessica de la Cruz @JessicaforRI]

I’ve filed Inspector General legislation for several years— and even though good ideas take the scenic route in Rhode Island, this one has real momentum, and I’m proud to be leading that charge.

I’m glad the Speaker of the House wants to pass it as well — hopefully we can align on a final version.

Rhode Islanders deserve accountability, transparency, and real oversight of their tax dollars.

[Juan Martinez @VoluntaryXCHG]

Thrilled to co-author this op-ed with Sen. @JessicaforRI! Repealing RI’s outdated CON laws will expand healthcare access, slash costs & help Rhode Islanders. Let’s pass H.7143/S.2865!

https://t.co/yyrKPCn0wG

[Steph Machado @StephMachado]

"When I read it, I almost fell off my seat," said Republican Senate leader @JessicaforRI, who said she is "ecstatic" about the inspector general proposal
https://t.co/naehwuig0N