How Much Union Members Are Paid, And How Much Taxpayers Can Afford

With the third highest property taxes in the country, a major encumbrance within an overall anti-taxpayer and anti-business climate that has dropped Rhode Island into bottom-10 rankings in a number of critical national indexes, the excessive costs of collectively bargained government services can be directly linked to this statewide problem.
According to our new report, we calculate that Ocean State taxpayers are dishing out an extra $888 million per year, providing up to a 27% total compensation premium for government workers. These conclusions are consistent with previous national studies.
With almost two-thirds of these excessive costs being heaped upon municipal taxpayers, our report further estimates that property taxes could be reduced by as much as 25%… if more reasonable, market-based collective bargaining terms were to be negotiated.
With the 9th most favorable pro-union laws, and despite these entrenched institutional benefits, Rhode Island regularly sees its public employee unions seek even further unfair advantage by demanding greater legislative protections and by encouraging their union executives to seek state and local elected office.
Treating the 10% of unionized government employees more like the 90% of the rest of us are treated is not only more fair, but also builds trust that government is looking-out after everyone the same.
We must find a better balance between how much union members are paid and how much taxpayers can afford.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in The Ocean State Current, including text, graphics, images, and information are solely those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the views and opinions of The Current, the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity, or its members or staff. The Current cannot be held responsible for information posted or provided by third-party sources. Readers are encouraged to fact check any information on this web site with other sources.

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