The economy in Rhode Island (2009, business, average)

[mikey2]

that a very good article.

I was so upset to hear that the state is opting out of the medicaid system and hiring a managed care company to step on anyone's throat who tries to access benefits.

I don't object to keeping people out of nursing homes who don't really need to be there, but you have to have support systems in place to do that and you have to FUND those systems over time to make that work.

This is going to hurt a lot of people-- particularly the very poor-- who can't advocate for themselves.

Now, just reading this article, I learn that taxes are going to be cut 7% to the filthy rich ---like they need it. The taxes breaks to the wealthy will cost the state $35 million this year.

Even though I no longer live in the state, all my friends and relatives do, and I care deeply about what happens to people...particularly those who are less fortunate.

This governor should be ashamed of himself .... he served on the board of The Providence Center for years. He of all people should know how this is going to effect the people.

Mikey

[hoohoohaa13]

Originally Posted by Rhodeislander

"the sales tax here is identical to that in many other states, including florida. (a place many rhode islanders go to, more for the weather than for economic reasons despite conservative talking points.) "

State Sales tax Food
RI 7 0
Conn 6 0
Florida 6 0
Mass 5 0
NH 0 0
Doesnt look the same to me, and did you forget Florida has no state income tax? Only 3 states have 7% sales tax other than Rhode Island, non higher.

I see you like to comment about the Republican governor. Tell me something, in this Democratically controlled state, why do we elect Republicans as Governor? I have my thoughts about why, what do you think?
The house and Senate are a huge DEMOCRATIC majority in this state, how exactly does our Governor overcome that? You seem to think HE is responsible for all that ills us. Its a little more complex than that. When I state Rhode Island has been Democratically controlled for 64 years, thats fact, not a slight, or offhanded remark.
I think both parties need to get thier acts together, its not about them, its about us the citizen taxpayers....No?

Don't forget the extra 1% most cities/towns charge on top of the 7%

[hoohoohaa13]

Originally Posted by Signora

I have heard from relatives still in RI that the powers that be are thinking of taxing vehicle milage on a yearly basis!!! Has anyone else heard this? Yes, this has been brought up. It wouldn't surprise me, being that everything else is taxed I also heard that the Fast Pass they just started on the Newport Bridge is a total failure because the gate doesn't go up until you get right up to it... making it slower than the token lane! What the heck?

Do they want people to stay in RI? I know a lot of families who are moving out because of taxes... etc. It's not just taxes. Some of the reasons may be related to taxes, etc, but it is more than just taxes These include professionals like electrical engineers, physicians (the malpractice insurance in RI is ridiculous). Some of them are going to continue physically living in RI for a while (worried they can't sell in this market) but going over to work in MA.

It is a shame because RI is such a beautiful state. The reason we don't live there is definitely economic....

.

[POhdNcrzy]

"After RIPTA makes its schedule cuts at the end of January, it will be hard to find a bus."

Rnrboy, I hope they cut Route 64 (URI-Newport).

That would technically make it legal for me to ride my bike over the Jamestown-Verrazzano Bridge, I believe.

[ProvGuy]

I just read the tax panel is looking at lowering income taxes for those making under 30k and over 110k, while raising taxes on those making between 30-110k. Does that make any sense?? Aren't we supposed to be helping the middle class? What is wrong with this state?

[Rnrboy]

I heard that on NPR. And it's a Republican proposing the tax hike on the middle class while a Democratic President is proposing a tax cut for these folks.

Problem is, the Republicans who need to hear this stuff have their heads buried in the sand listening to WPRO, so they'll never know. (Or if they do, they'll call Carcieri a "closet liberal" instead of facing reality.)

Heaven forbid we give the middle class a break so they can stimulate the economy.

[1979]

Yes, this is completely accurate. At least Michigan has a good excuse: people are not buying cars. The only excuse R.I. could possibly have, is that it is usually more concerned with paying state workers good wages, with nice big, healthy pensions, some as high as 103%. Rhode Island has more state workers per capita than any other state, and the salaries these workers get is very comparable to what much richer states pay. School teachers, a few years ago were making about 80K a year with school principals making roughly 160K.

But really, it is the voters who keep electing the same people in over and over that keep protecting these state workers. Last Sunday, Jim Taracani had the three mayors from the three largest cities in the state; Providence, Warwick and Cranston, and all they could talk about was how they could not do without the services and employees governor Carcieri wants to cut. They didn't give a crap about the tax payers. According to many of these people, only the private sector is allowed to lay off; states workers should be immune . If their paycheck comes from the tax payer, then they believe they have every right to not be laid off, because they are special.

The fact that R.I. is losing population is actually much worse than indicated, when you consider R.I. has a huge number of illegals coming in to take advantage of the lax welfare laws in the state, many of which eventually work the system and become legal citizens, via making babies. We have acquired enormous amounts of people from Guatamala, and West Africa, many of these people, of which, have never been to school; they are classified as refugees that the tax payer must take care of.

What was interesting, is that a few years ago, R.I. had one of the highest increases in real estate values in the country. It was right up there with Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Florida. They called it a "real estate correction", because it was estimated R.I. real estate was under-valued for so long in the state. Many people are now kicking themselves for not selling when they had the chance.

[1979]

Originally Posted by hoohoohaa13

Don't forget the extra 1% most cities/towns charge on top of the 7%

Actually, Texas has 8.5% sales tax.

[Rnrboy]

Originally Posted by Rnrboy

I heard that on NPR. And it's a Republican proposing the tax hike on the middle class while a Democratic President is proposing a tax cut for these folks.

Problem is, the Republicans who need to hear this stuff have their heads buried in the sand listening to WPRO, so they'll never know. (Or if they do, they'll call Carcieri a "closet liberal" instead of facing reality.)

Heaven forbid we give the middle class a break so they can stimulate the economy.

One huge thing I forgot to mention: This proposal would prevent itemized state tax write offs for the aforementioned income bracket. This would be utterly disasterous.

[1979]

Originally Posted by Signora

I was just reading online that RI is the second most densely populated state in the US.... New Jersey is the most densely populated....

Actually, when you consider the majority of people live in the northeast corner of the state it is probably much denser than NJ. Also, if I remember correctly, I think Central Falls is in either the almanac or Guiness book as one of the densest cities in the country.