Connect to Providence: Mayor Smiley Calls Transition to Morales Smooth - WJAR

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley announced on Tuesday that he does not intend to enforce a voter-approved divestment measure during his remaining time in office, citing legal concerns and potential costs to taxpayers.

The divestment measure, known as Question 7, passed with 74% support from Providence voters. While the ballot language did not specify a country, the public discourse surrounding the measure centered on Israel, WJAR reported.

Mayor Smiley explained during a live interview with NBC 10 that he anticipated the measure’s passage but remains concerned that voters were not fully informed about the potential complications it poses for the city’s pension fund and the likelihood of ensuing legal challenges.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley spoke after David Morales defeated him in the Democratic mayoral primary.#rhodeisland #providence #mayor #politics pic.twitter.com/Kh7ZiRI2MJ

— Post by @NBC10 on X

Despite these policy disagreements, Mayor Smiley said that the transition to the incoming Morales administration is proceeding in a smooth and professional manner. The two met in person on Tuesday morning to discuss the transfer of power, following weeks of coordination between their respective staffs. “We’re well underway in what will be a smooth, professional, and I hope seamless transition,” Smiley told WJAR.

The transition process is already taking a tangible shape. Mayor-elect Morales recently introduced an 11-member transition team co-chaired by a mix of political figures and community leaders, including City Council President Rachel Miller and Ward 3 City Councilor Sue AnderBois. Morales has tasked this group with developing policy proposals and budgetary ideas.

“Just yesterday, Providence voted for a city that they can afford and feel safe calling home,” Morales said on November 4. “Now that the election is over, the work of building a ‘Providence for All’ is just beginning.”

The incoming administration faces immediate decisions regarding city leadership. Morales has already promised to remove Department of Public Works Director Patricia Coyne-Fague, though he has invited Providence Chief of Police Oscar Perez to remain in his post. Perez has not yet confirmed whether he will accept the offer.

Beyond personnel shifts, the Morales transition team has organized nine policy committees involving 135 participants to draft recommendations for the new administration. The group intends to host community meetings through December to gather input on their vision for the city. “We’ll be making space for new voices and new opportunities to look at old problems in new ways,” said City Council President Rachel Miller, one of the transition co-chairs.

Connect to Providence: Mayor Smiley Calls Transition to Morales Smooth - WJAR — Photo: pvdeye.org

For his part, Mayor Smiley emphasized that his current administration remains focused on maintaining city operations and ensuring that ongoing projects proceed without interruption. While acknowledging that he and the Mayor-elect are not personally close and that he did not endorse Morales during the campaign, Smiley expressed a desire for his successor’s success.

“I know he cares about the city,” Smiley told WJAR. “I want the city to do well, which means I want the mayor to do well.”

The tension surrounding Question 7 highlights the broader challenges of municipal governance when voter-mandated policies collide with administrative and legal realities. As the city moves forward, the focus remains on how the incoming administration will address these unresolved policy questions while managing the day-to-day functions of City Hall.