Justin Katz

Battling the Machine

By Justin Katz | February 4, 2008 |

While conducting some research, yesterday, that is at the top of my to-post list, it struck me how extensive the machine is that pushes policies to take our money by force of law — much of it funded with our money, in one way or another. There’s no way that we could match the chain…

Now Here’s a Tax Bill That Ought to Pass

By Justin Katz | February 3, 2008 |

With the growing stack of tax-raising bills, it’s good to know that the General Assembly will at least have to address a different approach (emphasis added) In an effort to bring some much needed tax relief to Rhode Islanders, while generating revenue in this era of hundred million dollar budget deficits, Representative Victor Moffitt (R-Dist.…

Re: The All-American, Union Family

By Justin Katz | February 3, 2008 |

Legend has it that, upon Napoleon’s crowning himself emperor, Beethoven tore or scratched Bonaparte’s name from his Eroica Symphony manuscript in a fury. The revolutionary inspiration had been perverted, but still, many followed the general even thereafter, some perhaps out of a nostalgic faith that the principles of liberté, egalité, and fraternité would win through…

Increasingly Ham-Handed Spin

By Justin Katz | February 3, 2008 |

It’s a minor thing, almost not worth mentioning, but pixels are cheap, and it won’t take but a moment to correct Crowley’s pitiful attempt to find contradiction where there is none. Jim Baron, of the Pawtucket Times paraphrased Jeff Neal, spokesman for Governor Carcieri, as follows: Neal deemed the claim that 90 percent of Rhode…

Such a Disappointment

By Justin Katz | February 2, 2008 |

Yesterday, Ian Donnis suggested that my latest Providence Journal op-ed “oversteps in prescribing [ascribing?] an advocacy role to [WPRI’s Steve] Aveson, who like [himself] and other panelists, uses various rhetorical devices (the ever-popular devil’s advocate, for example) in the interest of posing questions and stimulating discussion.” Truth to tell, I didn’t see myself as ascribing…

Four of These Fees, Doing The Same Thing; One of These Fees, Doing Its Own Thing

By Justin Katz | February 2, 2008 |

To be honest, I’m reluctant to delve too deeply into the governor’s proposed budget for next year; it’s not as if the General Assembly is likely to let much of it stand. Still, the Providence Journal’s report thereon strolls past an interesting lesson in government revenue: Those with good driving records would have to pay…

Stepping the Taxpayer Back

By Justin Katz | February 2, 2008 |

For some reason, the Sakonnet Times publishes different letters online and in the paper. Therefore, I can’t link to a letter of mine in the current edition. By all means, pick up a copy, but here’s what I wrote: To the editor: Tiverton School Committee Member Leonard Wright made himself the union’s champion when he…

Today’s Reason to Give

By Justin Katz | February 2, 2008 |

Because the Big Blue Bug saw its shadow. Six more years of political corruption unless we amplify our voices and scare the thing back into its hole. (Hey, whataya want? It’s Saturday.) Donations of $60 or more will inspire a gift of this year’s AR apparel choice, a navy blue sport shirt with red collar…

Piles of Bills to Increase the Bills

By Justin Katz | February 2, 2008 |

Unsurprisingly, state Representative Charlene Lima (D, Cranston) has become the next legislator through the door with a tax increase bill, and it appears to feature some of the same measures and reasoning as the Economic Death and Dismemberment Act. It’s as if they intend to flood the legislature with slightly variegated bills so that one…

Higher Ed Anathema

By Justin Katz | February 1, 2008 |

I’m sorry (dark times, and all), but I had to laugh. The student newspaper at URI, The Good 5¢ Cigar, has a story on decreasing state funding, and accompanying editorial contains this gem: University President Robert L. Carothers said that the administration will have to do “some creative thinking.” Has it really come down to…