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We have cut social welfare like crazy Professor. THe only reason we didn't dusgustingly cut benefits to the handicapped is because they showed up enmasse at the Statehouse last week and DEMANDED that we keep their benefits. (And rightfully so.)
We've HAD a so-called "pro-growth" tax policy in place in this state since 2002 when we cut the capital gains. Where is that trickle down effect? There is none. Because as George Bush SR. said - "It's voodoo economics."
Meanwhile MA and CT realized the fallacy here and business for them is picking up again. (Relatively speaking, let's remember that Rhody doesn't exist in a vacuum, almost the entire country is veering toward a recession at the moment.)
It isn't pensions that have thrown us off track. (Though arguably, firefighters and cops get too much whilst teachers don't get enough.) It's bad economic policy that's been foisted upon us repeatedly by both political parties.
But the "legislators-should-sacrifice-too" is just feel-good stuff that does not solve the real problem. The problem is not a few dozen legislators; the fundamental problem is an electorate (both Democrat and Republican) that refuses to do what is necessary to solve the basic fiscal problems of the state. What needs to be done is adopt pro-growth policies to expand the tax base while simultaneously cutting government expenditures. Adopting pro-growth policies--whether its building casinos, rolling back local zoning restrictions, or cutting business and/or investment taxes--encounters stiff opposition. Simlarly, state cuts to social welfare spending and public employee pay/benefits/pensions also provokes the nay-sayers.
I realize a few legislators getting their benefits cut is not the one solution to what seems to be an insurmountable problem in this state. But the General Assembly does not work together to solve problems. They all have their own agenda and are not working FOR the people of this state. I thought Carcieri with all his business background would have done something to reduce the deficit by now. I am very disappointed in his inability to fiscally manage the mess we're in. Everyone knows property taxes will be going up again. THe citizens of RI will end of paying the price once again. You are so right about the public employee pensions and the cost of social welfare spending. It's time to limit the time for people to be on welfare and promote job training and education. I know people who say they've known people to be on welfare in this state for 8-10 years. That's absurd.
1). Social programs have already been cut...every year for many years... to the bone.
Patti, you spoke of advocating for your child...which is great, but there is no one advocating for effective change for the poor and mentally ill. ... they have no voice.
Let me give one example out of hundreds:
Mother of two children, one child mentally handicapped. Family lives in rat infested apt in Pawt and pays $500 month for heat which flies out drafty windows.
This mother tries to take classes to better herself.. not easy because she suffers from mental illness and is not that bright to begin with.
This family lives hand to mouth... difficult for mom to find work... she has her hands full with her son who needs constant watching. Also her appearance does not make her very employable.
Out of the blue her medicaid (health benefit) is cut out... just stops...no explanation... no one in the welfare office gives a straight answer.
About 2months later, I get a call from the emergency room doctors... her condition has deteriorated, she is hysterical, they don't want her there .... and she has no insurance. The cost of treating her in an ER is far greater than it would be outpatient....
But there are thousands of these stories out there every day...and there are no happy endings.
As people are pushed further into desperation and despair what we will be facing is more violence.
We do need job programs that can actually put people to work earning a living wage. That's not here now...
Governor Carcieri once served on the board of directors of The Providence Center (mental health agency) for years, so he of all people should know all too well of examples like I just gave above.
One last thing....please no casinos... that is a disgusting, parasite industry that preys on the poor and vulnerable. It creates nothing and funnels money into the pockets of the few.
MA and CT population/economies are not keeping pace with the national average. They lag far behind. I'm not a full throttle backer of pro-growth policies, but the Professor makes a valid argument. Consider that the only state in New England that is keeping pace with the population and economic growth of the U.S. average is New Hampshire. And what separates NH from the other New England states? There are no W2 income taxes in NH. There are also no sales taxes. The NH economy is growing mightily.
In Virginia, economic and population growth is several points higher than the national average. Our tax burden is even lighter than in NH. In North Carolina, where the tax burden is lighter still, the economy and population grows even faster.
From my perspective as a business owner, it's pretty dead simple. I bet there are plenty of manufacturers who would love to invest in RI. The unemployment is +/- 6%, implying a good availability of workers. The natural environment is wonderful. However, the tax burden is too high. Result? Another manufacturing plant opens up in Virginia or North Carolina. Now, I'm not suggesting that 8-10% growth every 5 years is sustainable. But at the moment, the U.S. is growing its population at around 6.4% every 5 years. RI is growing its population every 5 years by 1/4th that rate.
Social programs have already been cut...every year for many years... to the bone.
This is demonstrably false. Though there have been cuts to social welfare spending in RI, per capita spending in this area remains much higher than the levels found in states such as Texas, Florida, Mississippi, New Hampshire and other low-tax/low-service states. Even after recent cuts, per capita social welfare spending in RI remains higher than MA and CT.
Folks in RI have no idea what "cuts to the bone" are.
We do need job programs that can actually put people to work earning a living wage. That's not here now...
One last thing....please no casinos... that is a disgusting, parasite industry that preys on the poor and vulnerable. It creates nothing and funnels money into the pockets of the few.
This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about. The Rhode Island perspective is "the government should be my helper and protector" while simultaneously saying "let's not do something different to bring in new revenue."
The tax burden *is* too high, but it's not just taxes. It's also a workforce that has some of the the lowest education levels in New England. It's a populace that clings to faded visions of factory jobs as the road to prosperity and who are thus unprepared to compete in a new economy. It's a regulatory environment that makes it difficult for builders to construct new homes and new retail development to take place. It's a population which is willing to spend too much on state employee benefits and not enough on infrastructure like roads, bridges, and expanding the state's main airport.
This is demonstrably false. Though there have been cuts to social welfare spending in RI, per capita spending in this area remains much higher than the levels found in states such as Texas, Florida, Mississippi, New Hampshire and other low-tax/low-service states.
I'm really not in a position to scrutinize what goes on in other states. I work with people every day, one on one, at a grass roots level, not academia, and not at a political level.
What is included in social welfare statistics??
Rhode Island has had Rite Care to provide health insurance for mothers with dependent children--I'm quite sure some other states don't offer that. It has been cut, but does still exist.
Are you advocating more cuts in programs such as this as an answer??
I can tell you first hand that the cost of living in Florida, Texas, etc. is much lower than R.I.
Rents/housing are much less.
Florida profits from 67 million dollars every year from tourism...which creates tax revenue and jobs.
Again, tough to compare.
One initiative that would benefit RI immediately would be a significantly expanded tourism related marketing campaign. To be honest, the absolute last time I heard about RI in popular media was during the release of the movie "Me, Myself and Irene" about 8 years ago. By contrast, Vermont gets air time on a regular basis down here in Virginia.
This is demonstrably false. Though there have been cuts to social welfare spending in RI, per capita spending in this area remains much higher than the levels found in states such as Texas, Florida, Mississippi, New Hampshire and other low-tax/low-service states. Even after recent cuts, per capita social welfare spending in RI remains higher than MA and CT.
Folks in RI have no idea what "cuts to the bone" are.
That's because FL and MS in particular are completely backwards states in a lot of ways. I'm from FL, and the school system there is sooooo much more screwed up than ours it's not even funny. At least Rhody has SOME good public schools.
If you want to get even a decent education in FL, you're going to private school.
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Sure..
