Dissenting Opinions: When The Herald’s editorial page board disagrees, members have the opportunity to publish a dissent to explain why they voted against the editorial. Editorials — and dissents, if any — are written by members of The Herald’s editorial page board, which is separate from those of The Herald’s newsroom and the 136th Editorial Board, which leads the paper.
State Rep. David Morales MPA ’19 (D-Providence) should be Providence’s next mayor. The Brown alum, 5-year state representative and professional wrestler has the experience to lead our city into a new and brighter chapter. His resume as a state legislator — cracking down on wage and tip theft, capping insulin costs and preventing utility shutoffs — shows his commitment to defending our city’s most vulnerable. I have volunteered for the Morales campaign by knocking on doors around Providence this summer, and through this work I have seen that his coalition has brought together the best of our city: its healthcare workers, teachers, homeless care workers, renters, working families, immigrants, students, public servants and all those who believe that a Providence for all is possible.
Housing has become an issue at the forefront of Providence politics for two reasons: because housing policy is one of the chief responsibilities of a municipal government, and because Providence has been named the least affordable city for renters in the United States. Both Morales and the incumbent mayor, Brett Smiley, agree that increasing housing supply is necessary. But Morales’ plan pairs supply-side solutions with a smartly designed rent stabilization ordinance that provides rapid, lasting relief to residents in danger of being priced out. Where Smiley’s governance primarily serves his landlord and developer donors, Morales would rebalance power between tenants and landlords…