Connor Blier for City Council

Running for Ward 13 in Providence.

VOLUNTEER WORK

POLICY POSITIONS

1. Close Corporate Tax LoopholesSince Providence relies heavily on property taxes for revenue, when large institutions avoid paying their fair share, the burden falls on everyone else. Currently, 44% of property is exempt from taxes in Providence shifting the burden to our residents.Brown University is one example. Despite having one of the largest university endowments in the country, it operates as a tax-exempt nonprofit while continuing to expand its real estate footprint throughout Providence. Every property removed from the tax rolls shifts more of the burden onto residents and small property owners.I support pursuing mandatory, state-level reforms such as property-tax exemption reform, land-value taxation applied to large institutional holdings, and formula-based PILOT requirements (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) to ensure large, qualifying institutions are legally required to contribute fairly to the communities they benefit from.2. Reinvest in ResidentsIf we successfully close these loopholes and generate additional revenue, those funds should be reinvested directly into our community. I would prioritize three areas:2a. Build a Permanent Housing Stability Fund.The Rental & Essential Needs Transition Fund (RENT) is a strong foundation that helps renters facing temporary hardship. I would build on that success by creating a Permanent Housing Stability Fund that expands both the reach and duration of support available.This fund would continue helping renters stay housed while also supporting low-income homeowners and seniors facing foreclosures and displacement. The goal is simple: no Providence resident should lose their housing because of a temporary setback, rising costs, or circumstances beyond their control.2b. Invest in public schools.Strong schools strengthen neighborhoods and create opportunity for future generations. Our public schools both need extensive audits to identify areas of improvement - and additional support.2c. Create pathways to homeownership.Homeownership should not become a privilege reserved for the wealthy. For example, a first-time buyer purchasing a $300,000 condo with an FHA loan may only need approximately $9,000 for a down payment but still struggle with closing costs, insurance, taxes, and ongoing expenses.I would support creating a fund that helps qualified residents overcome these barriers through closing-cost assistance, targeted tax relief, and support for ongoing housing-related expenses like insurance and mortgage credits. The dream of owning a home should remain attainable for local families and young people who want to build their future here.3. Encourage Responsible Housing DevelopmentProvidence needs more housing. Increasing supply is an important part of addressing affordability, and I support continuing both the development of new housing and maintaining affordable unit production above mandated minimums. However, we should be strategic about who we build with and how we encourage development.Under current Tax Stabilization Agreement (TSA) policies, the City has provided tax incentives to irresponsible corporate landlords, including a company that received a tax stabilization agreement worth approximately $370,000 after becoming the subject of significant controversy surrounding tenant evictions - a case that helped galvanize the formation of one of Providence's first tenant unions.I support partnering with responsible developers who have a demonstrated record of integrity to build the housing our city needs while respecting the historic character and design of our neighborhoods.At the same time, we should direct larger-scale development toward vacant and underutilized commercial properties that have already been rezoned for residential development, rather than incentivizing the acquisition of Providence's historic multifamily homes. Those properties should remain accessible to local families, owner-occupants, and small-scale landlords who are invested in the long-term health of our neighborhoods.4. Protect Tenants from Predatory PracticesThere is a difference between a local homeowner or small landlord and a large entity that owns housing at scale. They should not be treated the same under public policy.I support accountability measures focused on large housing operators. We should identify bad actors that repeatedly raise rents across large numbers of units without meaningful reinvestment, especially while neglecting serious issues like mold, lead, or unsafe housing conditions.If a large housing operator is implementing substantial rent increases, there should be evidence that those increases are tied to material updates to the property.5. Reserve Affordable Housing for Community Service RolesAs Providence builds and supports new affordable housing, we should make sure that the people who serve our community have a fair chance to live in it.First responders, police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, public works employees, and other essential workers are part of the backbone of our city. Many of them serve Providence every day but can no longer afford to live in the neighborhoods they help hold together.I support exploring a local preference or prioritization program for affordable housing opportunities that gives qualified essential workers and long-term Providence residents a fair leg up when new affordable units become available.Affordable housing should not only be about adding units. It should also be about keeping the real community rooted here.6. Build Transportation Around a Growing ProvidenceProvidence is growing, and our infrastructure needs to keep up. Since the early 2000s, the city’s population has grown by roughly 12%, while Providence County has continued adding residents as well.As more people live, work, and commute through the city, we need transportation planning that reduces unnecessary traffic rather than simply accepting more congestion as inevitable.I support maintaining and expanding bike paths where they make sense, improving pedestrian safety, and investing in transportation options that give residents real alternatives to relying on cars for every trip. This should be done thoughtfully, with community input, so that bike lanes, roads, sidewalks, speed bumps, one way streets, parking, and public transit work together instead of competing against each other.7. Optimize Education Budgets Towards OutcomesProvidence students deserve better than political talking points. They deserve schools that produce real outcomes.As Providence schools return to local control, I support a full audit of the education budget, school spending, and student outcomes. We should be asking clear questions: Where is the money going? Which programs are improving attendance, graduation rates, reading, math, and college or career readiness? Which programs are failing to deliver?Providence has seen some recent progress, including improved graduation rates and reduced chronic absenteeism, but the gaps remain serious. Too many students are still missing school, falling behind, or graduating without the skills they need to succeed.I believe we should invest in policies tied to measurable results, not ideological preferences. That means supporting what works, ending what does not, and being honest with families about the outcomes.I also support encouraging responsible outside investment and partnerships that expand educational options for students who need help now. Improving public schools must remain a priority, but families with children today should not be told to wait years for better outcomes tomorrow while their children fall further behind.8. Restore Fiscal Responsibility at City HallProvidence residents have faced record tax increases while many families, homeowners, renters, and small businesses are already stretched thin.Every dollar City Hall spends comes from someone who had to earn it. That means the city has a responsibility to prove that new spending is necessary, effective, and tied to real public benefit.I support stronger auditing, clearer budget transparency, and a serious review of staffing growth, salary increases, department spending, outside contracts, and administrative expansion. We need to make sure taxpayer dollars are going toward core services, not unnecessary bloat.The question should not be how much more City Hall can spend. The question should be whether residents are getting better results for the money they are already paying.9. Restore and Protect the Historic Character of Our CommunityWard 13 and the surrounding neighborhoods are home to some of the most historic and culturally important places in Providence. We should treat that history as an asset, not an afterthought.The Cranston Street Armory at Dexter Park is one of the most visible examples. This landmark has sat vacant and deteriorating for years while the community has waited for action. I support moving forward with a serious reuse plan that restores the Armory and brings it back to life as a community-centered space.Historic preservation should also be part of how we approach housing and development. We can build new housing while still protecting the character, architecture, and identity of our neighborhoods.I also support exploring public safety approaches that add both visibility and community connection without making neighborhoods feel over-policed. Bringing back mounted police in appropriate areas could help create a stronger sense of safety, presence, and local character, especially around parks, events, and high-foot-traffic areas.Restoring our historic places is not just about preserving the past. It is about giving our community stronger public spaces, safer streets, and a deeper sense of pride in where we live.10. Bring This Role Back to the CommunityAbove all else, a City Council seat should be a constituent-focused role.That means answering calls, responding to emails, showing up in the neighborhood, and helping residents solve basic quality-of-life problems before they become bigger frustrations.The role should not be about platform politics first. It should be about making sure the basics work: sanitation, trash pickup, potholes, sidewalks, street safety, lighting, public works, infrastructure, parks, permits, and making City Hall easier to navigate.Residents should not feel ignored when they need help. They should know who represents them, how to reach that person, and whether someone is actually following through.