PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Today, Lt. Governor Daniel J. McKee launches "Advance RI," a monthly television show aimed at amplifying the voice of Rhode Islanders who have firsthand experience in McKee's three main issue areas: Supporting small businesses, advocating for excellent public education and helping municipal leaders create efficiencies in Rhode Island's cities and towns. The first episode airs this evening, Wednesday September 28, 2016 at 7:00 pm on Cox Channel 13, Verizon Channel 32 and Full Channel 49.
Each month, McKee will host a forum on the show allowing a new group of guest to share their unique perspective on the things being done and the things that need to be done to make Rhode Island stronger. "Advance RI" is a key part of McKee's ongoing effort to listen to and understand the real needs of as many Rhode Islanders from across the state as possible.
"I've spent a lot of time traveling around Rhode Island listening to the stories of business owners, educators, recent college graduates, and community and municipal leaders, people who want to make our state a better place," said McKee. "The first step is listening to Rhode Islanders, the second step is making sure their voices are heard."
The first episode of "Advance RI" features six local business owners from McKee's 39 Cups of Coffee Tour, a statewide outreach initiative currently underway that takes him to a locally owned coffee spot in each of Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns. At every stop on the tour, McKee meets with business owners, customers and municipal leaders to ask, what can Rhode Island do to support you?
"Some of the owners I've met have been in business for 70 years and others just 4 months. No matter how long they've been doing business in Rhode Island, they deserve to have a voice in Rhode Island," McKee added. "After all, no one knows small business like someone who owns a small business."
McKee invites all Rhode Islanders to join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag, #AdvanceRI.
WHO: Lt. Governor Daniel J. McKee Ken Tetzner, Phil's Main Street Grille, South Kingstown Corey Dumas, Lil & Gene's, Lincoln Frank Flowers, Green Eggs, Bristol Greg Stevens, Olneyville New York Systems, Providence Jimmy Kipreos Patriots Diner, Woonsocket Rich Clark, Fresh Gound Garden Café, Richmond
SCHEDULE: Cox Channel 13, Verizon Channel 32, Full Channel 49 Wednesday, September 28, 7:00 pm Wednesday, October 5, 7:00 pm Wednesday October 19, 7:00 pm Wednesday, October 19, 7:00 pm
Cox Channel 18, Verizon Channel 31 Wednesday September 28, 10:00 pm Wednesday, October 5, 10:00 pm Wednesday October 19, 10:00 pm Wednesday, October 19, 10:00 pm
Saturday, September 1, 5:30 pm Saturday, September 8, 5:30 pm Saturday, September 15, 5:30 pm Saturday, September 22, 5:30 pm
Media Contact: Andrea Palagi | andrea.palagi@ltgov.ri.gov | 401 222-2371