Oscar Otoniel Vargas
Democratic · RI · Providence City Council Member, Ward 15
Oscar Vargas has represented Ward 15, which covers Silver Lake, Olneyville and Manton, on the Providence City Council since 2021. He owns a small business in Olneyville and previously worked as a legislative aide in the Rhode Island Senate.
Where Oscar Otoniel Vargas stands, based on their records
Opposes
Civil Rights (1 record), Public Infrastructure (1 record)
Mixed record
Environment and Public Health (1 support · 1 oppose), Government Spending Reduction (3 support · 1 oppose), Housing Affordability (1 support · 1 oppose)
Track record
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 1 support · 1 oppose
Voted against a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers in Providence, with $100 fines for repeat use starting in 2032. It passed 9-3.
November 6, 2025Opposes Environment and Public Health
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Co-sponsored an ordinance setting energy efficiency and carbon neutral goals for city-owned buildings. The council passed it unanimously.
March 7, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 3 support · 1 oppose
Voted against letting the city borrow up to $6.2 million to rebuild streets and sidewalks around Benefit Street (the Mile of History Project). It passed 7-3.
December 17, 2025Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Voted against the city's amended budget, saying it was unfair to people on fixed incomes. The council passed it 11-2 on its first vote.
July 7, 2025Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: yahoo.com
Voted against a $57.7 million city waste services contract with Waste Management of Rhode Island. It passed 10-4.
June 5, 2025Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Voted for the city budget package for the 2021-22 fiscal year at his first council meeting. It passed 9-6.
July 15, 2021Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 1 support · 1 oppose
Voted against the Providence Rent Stabilization Act, which limits yearly rent increases on many apartments. The council passed it 9-6 on its final vote.
April 16, 2026Opposes Housing Affordability
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Co-sponsored an ordinance banning landlords in Providence from using software that sets rents from pooled data. The council passed it 14-0.
May 15, 2025Supports Housing Affordability
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 1 oppose
Voted against an ordinance that bars the city from fining people who sleep or camp on public property because they have no shelter. It passed 10-4.
April 3, 2025Opposes Civil Rights
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 1 oppose
Voted against letting the city borrow up to $6.2 million to rebuild streets and sidewalks around Benefit Street (the Mile of History Project). It passed 7-3.
December 17, 2025Opposes Public Infrastructure
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Track record — General
General · 8 records
Voted against the ordinance that set Providence property tax rates for the 2025-26 fiscal year. It passed 11-3 on its final vote.
July 14, 2025
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Testified at a city licensing board meeting against a liquor license for the Olneyville New York System restaurant. He said the area already had over a dozen liquor licenses.
May 30, 2025
Source: turnto10.com
Voted against accepting the council majority's choice of Pedro Espinal as majority leader. The vote passed 8-6.
October 3, 2024
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Co-sponsored and voted for a council resolution urging President Biden to push for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza and to send aid to Gaza. It passed 11-1.
November 2, 2023
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Led the City Council's Committee on Public Works as its chairman, reporting the committee's recommendations to the full council.
February 16, 2023
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Was elected by the City Council to a four-year term on the Providence Water Supply Board.
January 5, 2023
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Voted against a property tax break deal (tax stabilization agreement) for Seventy One Richmond, LLC. It passed 11-3.
December 15, 2022
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Voted to override the mayor's veto of 10 city charter changes for the ballot, including a partly elected school board. The override passed 11-3.
August 10, 2022
Source: providenceri.iqm2.com
Past race Oscar Otoniel Vargas ran in:
- City Council Member Ward 15 · November 3, 2026 · Providence city, Rhode Island · incumbent