The Rhode Island General Assmebly members consider this to be their greatest accomplishment. It fits very well with the other report showing income leaving our state at an even faster rate than the population drop.

The smart kids are getting out, being replaced by the dependency culture.

It is always well to remember how small Rhode Island is. If it were part of Connecticut, or Massachusetts, it would only qualify as a "segment". It must stand, or fall, on its own. To my mind, this makes the "fall" all the more likely.

Everyone knows the real problem in the state is right wing dominance and the low taxes on the riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiich.
You are a rayzist who hates gay people and drag queens. You are also anti-science.

Arizona is a conservative's paradise, from the article at wallstreet.com Arizona is the 46th least generous

According to a number of measures, Arizona was one of the nation’s least generous states. In the third quarter of 2012, unemployment insurance benefits covered, on average, just 24.6% of residents’ previous weekly wages, the second lowest rate in the nation. In 2010, the average family enrolled in TANF (temporary assistance to needy families) received just over $200 a month. This was worse than all but a few states. The state was also among the nation’s worst for both per pupil spending and Medicaid spending,

Warrington Faust,

Rhode Island is the size of Maui County (landmass) in State of Hawaii which is 1,500 mile long across 132 islands and atolls.

RI is the TP (Don't get confused it means Takers Paradise) of the great United States. I'm sure that RI will experience an influx of Greeks wishing to continue their lifestyles of basking without working. Let us open our arms to all freeloaders wherever they may be. The inDEPENDENT man atop the state house has filed for early retirement (with disability, of course).

Posted by KenW:
" Rhode Island is the size of Maui County (landmass) in State of Hawaii which is 1,500 mile long across 132 islands and atolls."

And? Does that mean that RI is less likely to sink? Reminds me of the old Rocky & Bulwinkle episode where RI is towed out to sea.

Warrington Faust,

You were comparing landmass size of Rhode Island and I happened to try and find what size Rhode Island is to Hawaii and lo and behold Rhode Island is a teeny bit smaller than the size of Maui County one of the 4 counties that make up Hawaii.

You can fit 3 ¾ Rhode Island landmasses on the Big Island of Hawaii which is only one island in Hawaiian chain but also the tallest mountain in the world measured base to peak of Mauna Kea at 33,474 ft. some 4,439 taller than Mount Everest which is measured from sea level base to peak at 29,035 ft.

I would say tow Rhode Island out to Hawaii and it will sink as the waters here are deeper than back on east coast!!!!! LOL

Given the information in earlier posts "As a percentage of population, Rhode Island lost more taxpayers, from 2003 to 2010, than any other state in the country. In terms of AGI, Rhode Island’s per capita loss was third largest. Absent this exodus of income, the state could grant every man, woman, and child in Rhode Island a $1,142.59 tax deduction every year." (RI only state losing...), I wonder how this state can afford these generous and growing benefits while hemorrhaging taxpayers.

Mike,

According to The Tax Foundation interactive graph information that merged US Census Bureau and IRS tax information, RI has been hemorrhaging taxpayers every year since 1993 to 2010 except for years 1998-99, 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03. Current US Census Bureau and IRS tax information supports continued migration out of RI for 2011 and 2012.

What I like about the graph is you can see where the migration going to other states.

Tax Foundation Webpage; ://interactive.taxfoundation.org/migration/graph.php