James Earl Taylor
Democratic · RI · Providence City Council Member, Ward 8
James Taylor has represented Ward 8, which covers Elmwood, South Elmwood and Reservoir Triangle, on the Providence City Council since 2019. He previously worked for the Providence Fire Department.
Where James Earl Taylor stands, based on their records
Supports
Government Efficiency (1 record), Government Spending Reduction (1 record), Social Programs and Welfare (1 record),
Opposes
Housing Affordability (1 record)
Track record
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 1 support
Sponsored a resolution, passed by the council, that allowed an outside audit of $226,780 in city payments to State Towing after the city's internal auditor found billing problems.
January 19, 2023Supports Government Efficiency
Source: web.archive.org
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 1 support
Publicly questioned the city's public safety budget. He asked where the unused $175,000 fire chief salary went, opposed a $40,000 raise for the public safety commissioner, and called for ending that post to save money.
September 25, 2020Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: web.archive.org
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 1 oppose
Voted against Providence's rent stabilization ordinance, which caps yearly rent increases at 4% for some rentals. It passed its first vote 9-6.
April 2, 2026Opposes Housing Affordability
Source: rhodeislandcurrent.com
Track record — Social Programs and Welfare
Social Programs and Welfare · 1 support
Introduced an ordinance asking the city to stop tax sales of homes with unpaid property taxes for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 1, 2020Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: web.archive.org
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 1 support
Co-introduced an ordinance with Councilman Michael Correia to set clear rules for snow parking bans. It called for a ban when 4 or more inches of snow were forecast.
March 8, 2019Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: web.archive.org
Track record — General
General · 8 records
Endorsed Mayor Brett Smiley in the 2026 Providence mayoral election.
September 10, 2026
Source: pvdeye.org
Was removed as City Council Majority Leader after 8 of 15 councilors signed a petition. Pedro Espinal replaced him.
September 23, 2024
Source: wpri.com
Was appointed by the City Council to the city's Special Commission on Veterans Affairs.
April 20, 2023
Source: web.archive.org
Was elected chair of the City Council's Rules Committee, which sets the council's rules.
January 12, 2023
Source: web.archive.org
Was chosen by the council's Democratic caucus as City Council Majority Leader for the 2023-2027 term.
January 2, 2023
Source: web.archive.org
Served on the city's Charter Review Commission, which recommended a school board with both elected and appointed members.
July 11, 2022
Source: web.archive.org
Put a wooden box around the Columbus statue in Columbus Square before park repairs, to protect it. He supported keeping the statue in its place.
June 12, 2020
Source: golocalprov.com
Introduced a resolution asking that the Columbus statue in Elmwood's Columbus Square not be moved or removed without input from the Elmwood community. The council sent it to committee.
November 7, 2019
Source: turnto10.com
Past race James Earl Taylor ran in:
- City Council Member Ward 8 · November 3, 2026 · Providence city, Rhode Island · incumbent