PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Gov. Dan McKee gave his annual State of the State address on Tuesday. WATCH: Gov. McKee’s State of the State Address In the speech, McKee focused on a variety of issues that his budget proposal, which will be revealed Thursday, plans to address, while also explaining progress on components of his 2030 plan. Here are some of the key takeaways from his speech. No tax increases in his budget The governor said his budget won't include any "broad-based tax increases." "This is the fifth budget I’ll submit without a single broad-based tax increase, and across these five budgets, we delivered over $200 million in tax relief for Rhode Island families and businesses," McKee said. "This budget will not just protect Rhode Island’s progress, it will protect the taxpayers of our state." This budget faces an estimated $250 million deficit. McKee cited revenues growing by 2.5% each year and spending increasing by 3.7%. House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio have acknowledged lawmakers will face tough decisions ahead because of the deficit. RI’s $300M budget deficit top of mind this legislative session Renewing push for assault weapons ban Toward the end of his speech, McKee reiterated his support for passing an assault weapons ban in Rhode Island. The governor has previously voiced support for a ban, and for the first time his budget "will include a ban on assault weapons." "Nearly 50,000 lives lost to gun violence in America each year," McKee said. "Gun safety is a crucial public health issue impacting every single state." BACKGROUND: McKee, state leaders introduce assault weapons ban bill McKee noted that during his time as governor, he signed the safe storage law, a ban on high-capacity magazines, raising the age to 21 for purchasing guns and banning open carry of rifles and shotguns. Continuing goal of raising incomes by 2030 The governor announced initiatives that he hopes will achieve a goal he mentioned in his speech last year, which is raising Rhode Island's per-capita income $20,000 by 2030. "Raising incomes is our best defense against rising costs and our best offense for growing our economy," he explained. His budget will have funding to "create 1,000 new work-based learning opportunities" in the state and for Real Jobs RI to train 500 additional residents. The proposal will also fund a career and technical education program at the Community College of Rhode Island called "Ready to Build." Owner of Fatima, Roger Williams hospitals filing for bankruptcy McKee briefly addressed concerns about the future of Fatima and Roger Williams hospitals after news of their parent company, Prospect, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. "We are in conversations with Prospect and the Centurion Foundation, the nonprofit looking to buy the hospitals," the governor said. "It is our hope that Prospect is able to carve out its Rhode Island facilities from its restructuring plans and get this deal done." MORE: Roger Williams, Fatima hospital owner files for bankruptcy McKee explained that Prospect "does not anticipate any interruptions to patient services or care at their facilities," which he said is "reassuring news." Shortage of doctors in the state The governor explained his plan to curb the shortage of primary care physicians practicing in Rhode Island. He said his budget will contain additional student loan forgiveness for doctors who commit to staying and working in the state. Similar to his proposal last year, McKee will include primary care providers being in the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner's rate review process. "This is an important step in creating a competitive primary care job market here in Rhode Island, and I’m asking for the General Assembly’s partnership to get it done," he said. Taking on the issue of homelessness McKee also focused on the topic of addressing homelessness. The governor acknowledged frustration on how long it's taking for Providence's empty pallet shelters to be open. He said the project will get "over the finish line without compromising on safety" and that he was on site last week with House of Hope's executive director. RELATED: RI senators push for emergency declaration to address homelessness crisis McKee mentioned that the state's Department of Housing will be unveiling a public dashboard to show how many shelter beds are available across the state. "That utilization information will help us make smart decisions about funding in the future," he added. He also plans to reintroduce a funding stream dedicated to taking on the issue of homelessness. McKee didn't mention anything about the calls for him to declare a state of emergency to help those dealing with homelessness. So far, the Providence City Council, R.I. Senate leadership and several state representatives have called on McKee to declare one. The governor has previously rejected the idea declaring a state of emergency on this issue. Repairing and repaving local roads McKee highlighted that RhodeRestore, a state program dedicated to funding road projects in municipalities, has funded "over $100 million in local upgrades so far." "As a former Mayor, I know all too well that 80 percent of the roads in our state are maintained not at the state level, but at the local level," he said. "Yet for far too long, cities and towns didn’t have enough support from the State to maintain them." McKee said the program has so far supported 1,000 projects, improved 686 lane miles of road and 25 miles of sidewalk. The Washington Bridge Speaking of infrastructure, McKee explained the current progress in building a new westbound portion of the Washington Bridge, which closed in December 2023 due to "critical failure of some original bridge components from the 1960s." "Since March 14, when I determined the bridge must be rebuilt, we've made progress toward ensuring Rhode Islanders will have a new bridge that has a state-of-the-art design and improved traffic flow," McKee said. "And it will be a bridge that outlasts our lifetimes and keep people safe." ALSO READ: Key moments since the westbound Washington Bridge closed one year ago He explained that the demolition part of this project is "nearing 75 percent completion" and two "nationally renowned construction companies" are bidding for a contract to build the new bridge. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nesi's Notes SIGN UP NOW