Brett Smiley is the mayor of Providence, Rhode Island. He previously served as Rhode Island's director of administration, chief of staff to Governor Gina Raimondo and Providence's chief operating officer.
Case
Brett Smiley vetoed Providence's proposed 4% rent cap; David Morales supports it. The dispute concerns rent protection, housing supply and the ordinance's exemptions. The ordinance did not become law.
Role at the time: Mayor of Providence and 2026 Democratic mayoral-primary candidate
Statement summary
Brett Smiley said he still believed his rent-control veto was the right decision and argued that the policy would worsen home affordability in Providence.
“I do believe it will make things worse and not better in Providence for home affordability.”
The case asks whether Providence should adopt a 4% annual rent-increase limit. Smiley says the policy would make home affordability worse and reaffirms his veto, which is a direct substantive objection to adoption.
Role at the time: Mayor of Providence, explaining his veto in a signed letter to the council president.
Response to this claim
Providence's proposed rent stabilization ordinance would constrain housing supply and shift the tax burden onto single-family homeowners.
“In Providence, this ordinance would also shift the tax burden onto single-family homeowners...”
Relative to adopting the proposed 4% rent-cap framework, Smiley rejects it through his veto and argues against its expected effects. His opposition addresses the policy itself.
Statement dates: April 17, 2026 to September 15, 2026
Statement dates: April 17, 2026 to September 15, 2026
