R.I. Gov., Providence Mayor separated after tense confrontation

July 31, 2021 carleyshaffer1 US 0

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 25: (L-R) Providence, Rhode Island, Mayor Jorge Elorza; Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; and Anaheim, California, Mayor Tom Tait participate in a meeting about immigration during the U.S. Conference of Mayors' 86th annual Winter Meeting at the Capitol Hilton January 25, 2018 in Washington, DC. The non-partisan conference of mayors from cities with populations of 300,000 or larger meet annually in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

(L-R) Providence, Rhode Island, Mayor Jorge Elorza; Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; and Anaheim, California, Mayor Tom Tait participate in a meeting about immigration during the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 86th annual Winter Meeting at the Capitol Hilton January 25, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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UPDATED 11:36 AM PT – Friday, July 30, 2021

A press conference in Rhode Island took an unexpected turn on Wednesday when Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza (D) confronted Gov. Daniel McKee (D) regarding the Providence Teachers Union contract. During an interview, Mayor Elorza attempted to defend his actions and said the governor needed to stop hiding from the conversation.

At a celebratory event on Wednesday, Elorza was seen pointing his finger at McKee and yelling “you’ve got to face the community on this,” regarding a bargaining contract with the state’s teachers union. Elorza commented on the situation where he said he regrets nothing. He added the governor is trying to conduct deals under the table and not showing the full contract, and therefore is preventing parents from being involved in crafting the policies that shape their children’s education.

The mayor has asked lawmakers to put a pause on the teacher’s contract until the community is given the opportunity to provide their input. He hinted that this is just the beginning of his plans to ramp up the pressure on the governor to do the right thing.

We need to support small businesses in every way we can during our economic recovery. That’s why I was proud to sign the outdoor dining legislation into law. Thank you to sponsors @repmcentee33 and @AlanaDimario. This is a win for local businesses! pic.twitter.com/WH3KiDHZJI

— Governor Dan McKee (@GovDanMcKee) July 26, 2021

Meanwhile, Gov. Mckee declined to comment on the exchange, but said he would have more to say at his next press conference. Both Democrats are expected to run against each other in the 2022 gubernatorial race where more tension is sure to arise.