June 26, 2009

BREAKING: Budget Passes Senate

Justin Katz

It's not online, yet, but the Senate has emailed a press release announcing passage of the budget:

The Senate today voted to approve a $7.76 billion state budget for the 2010 fiscal year that closes a $660 million deficit while avoiding cuts to school aid, pharmaceutical assistance to the elderly and disabled, and welfare and dental benefits for the poor.

The budget bill (2009-H 5983Aaa), which passed the House Wednesday and has now been transmitted to the governor, includes $60 million in pension savings and $58 million in cuts across state office budgets, and avoids increasing the sales tax or income taxes or creating any new taxes on services.

And now — in the absence of new policies that will improve Rhode Island's health — we begin the clock on accumulating "unexpected" costs and shortfalls, putting the fall/winter deficit announcement at... what? I'll go with $340 million, which puts the total realistic deficit that the state ought to be addressing right now at a cool billion.

The governor should veto the beast... at least to let Rhode Islanders know that it's no good.

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All I can say is Laffey was right. Along with Ayn Rand.

and the House and Senate played on....

Posted by: Roland at June 26, 2009 9:56 PM

Federal stimulus funds: tobacco money redux.

Thanks to the Democrat General Assembly, Rhode Island continues its fiscal and economic descent, and Rhode Island's future remains bleak.

Rhode Island is much like Michael Jackson - tremendous potential wasted away by an unwillingness to address serious issues and change ... so slowly but inevitably heading toward a bad end.

Posted by: Tom W at June 26, 2009 11:33 PM
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