Rhode Island Politics

Sitting Down with the Treasurer

By Justin Katz | January 21, 2009 |

RI General Treasurer Frank Caprio invited Anchor Rising for a sit-down chat in his office last night, centering on pension issues, but touching on various other matters. In general, I think the four of us in attendance were reasonably impressed with the treasurer’s explanations for economic policies and his knowledge of political history in Rhode…

So Goes the Despicable Game

By Justin Katz | January 18, 2009 |

Last June, I predicted that the midyear budget shortfall for the state of Rhode Island would be $364 million. As it turned out, I overshot by just $7 million (less than 2% off the mark) — the point being that, whether the cause was revenue, administrative overspending, or unreasonable savings and income expectations, the number…

Groundwork for Political Cover

By Justin Katz | January 15, 2009 |

I’m not saying that the governor’s supplemental budget is perfect, nor am I claiming evidence of his staff’s diligence with regard to the items included therein, but this has the sound of political cover being draped over intentions to shift the onus of the budget fix and not to make necessary changes: “This is extremely…

Two Views of the East Providence Teacher Contract Situation

By Monique Chartier | January 12, 2009 |

NEARI President Larry Purtill sent this letter to all Rhode Island members of the NEA on Friday. And RISC sent out the following e-blast yesterday: PETITION ALERT FOR ALL RHODE ISLANDERS! Today, Rhode Island’s emergency is in East Providence, but it could easily be coming to your town next. There is a very serious situation…

Links to the Gov’s Stats

By Monique Chartier | January 12, 2009 |

In his speech Wednesday evening, Governor Carcieri cited certain statistics pertaining to Rhode Island’s taxing and spending. [These links are from my own research.] Rhode Island’s property tax burden is the seventh highest in the country. H’mm, the Tax Foundation says we have the fifth highest property taxes, state and local combined. School spending per…

Wrongly Thought, Wrongly Said

By Justin Katz | January 8, 2009 |

My grammatical standards drop for items that I read on the Internet. It’s a quick and populist medium, so expecting perfectly honed paragraphs constitutes a show of arrogance. That said, somebody who has just decried the governor’s ” doddering style” should be careful not to offer such phrases as “Rhode Islander’s overwhelming rejected” as a…

Moving Forward

By Justin Katz | January 8, 2009 |

Last night on the Matt Allen show, I mentioned our coverage of the governor’s speech and gave some general suggestions about the direction of Anchor Rising in the new year. Stream by clicking here, or download it. I have to say that the governor’s plan takes more ground (and concedes less) than I’d expected, giving…

Liveblog: Governor Carcieri’s State of the Crisis Address

By Engaged Citizen | January 7, 2009 |

The comments section of this post is devoted to liveblogging the governor’s speech presenting his “supplemental budget.” A lot could be riding on this speech. If the governor doesn’t step up to the plate and show indomitable determination to resolve some long-standing problems — perpetuated by powerful interests — the state could be in for…

Tim Williamson on Taxes

By Carroll Andrew Morse | January 5, 2009 |

State Representative Tim Williamson (D-West Warwick) speaking today on the Dan Yorke show (WPRO 630AM)…There won’t be any new taxes. There might be increases to old taxes.Is the Democratic position on the budget beginning to take shape?

Which Side Their Bacon’s Buttered On

By Justin Katz | December 29, 2008 |

I’ve been meaning to make sure y’all are aware of a newly available resource for transparency in state government: For the first time, the commission has posted online the latest financial disclosure statement filed by each of the state’s general officers – the governor, lieutenant governor, state treasurer, secretary of state and attorney general –…