04/05/12 – House Floor Session & Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Justin writes live from the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources hearing, including (for one thing) creation of a new public consortium with powers of eminent domain.

Gambling as a Regressive Tax

Justin wonders why the concern of left-wing commentator Robert Reich that state-run gambling is a regressive tax receives no voice in Rhode Island.

04/04/12 – Senate Committee on Special Legislation

Justin writes live from the Senate Committee on Special Legislation, with particular interest in casino-related legislation submitted on behalf of the attorney general.

Caps on College Loan Interest Shift Pressure Away from the Problem

Democrats in Congress are looking to slow the expanding cost of financing college while people are beginning to notice the questionable priorities of the institutions that ultimately collect their money. Justin suggests that it would be better to rethink the entire system.

The General Fund Revenue Surplus Continues to Disappear

Updated “budget to actual” numbers show that the extra state revenue once heralded as a sign of economic recovery continues to fade.

Government Legal Action Isn’t About the Money (But Isn’t the Money Grand?)

Justin expresses concerns that a windfall forfeiture from Google to government agencies is further evidence of dangerous incentives for an entity that has the authority to tax, regulate, imprison, and kill.

Rep. Trillo: Casino Research Should Seek Equal Revenue, Include Allens Ave.

Rep. Joseph Trillo supports a casino ballot question, but he has submitted legislation for a broader study of ways to increase RI’s gambling revenue, possibly including a casino on Allens Ave. in Providence.

The Supply Chain Is Not Immortal

From digital cameras to cancer treatments, the supply chain is not immune to disruption, and the drive to build the perfect system cannot rely on an assumption that the status quo will hold.

Tax Hike Kills Four Times More Jobs than Resisting Casinos

Comparing job loss estimates related to casino gambling with those related to taxing the rich shows that the latter will be four times more destructive than avoiding the former. However, in one case, the government’s incentive is in opposition to the workforce’s.

Newport Grand Casino Legislation Quietly Amended Based on Twin River Study

In the space of three minutes, the Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs had amended and approved legislation calling for a public vote allowing state-run casino operations in Newport Grand and Twin River without further economic analysis.

The State Table Games Corporation Nears Reality

Justin notes the movement of Newport Grand casino gambling through the General Assembly and suggests that a government-run casino may not benefit the people of Rhode Island.

03/27/12 – House Committee on Labor

Justin writes live and extemporaneously from the House Committee on Labor hearing concerning E-Verify.

Contrary to Left-Leaning Analysis, Tax Rates Do Correlate with a Healthy Economy

A study being touted by left-leaning think tanks defines economic health dubiously by leaving out population and workforce growth.

Doggedly on the Leftist Message

Justin finds in an RI Future post by Bob Plain evidence of the rhetorical method of barricading the door to discourse.

RI on a Spree of Losing Jobs and Giving Up

Unemployment only “ticked” up, this month, but the overall labor force dropped more from December to February than it has since the dot-com bust. Public officials looking for a turnaround should consider the power of their message.

Meals Tax Tea Party Video

Video of the speeches from the meals tax tea party protest.

03/21/12 – Meals Tax Tea Party

Photos from the rally against Governor Chafee’s proposed tax increase on meals and beverages.

Death by 1,000 Government Bills

A letter by Providence business owner John Palmieri might provide a good indicator of the problems that Rhode Island fundamentally needs to address.

A Free-Market Catholic’s Conversation with the Bishop, Part 1 of 3

The Current interviews Roman Catholic Bishop of Providence Thomas Tobin, part 1 of 3: welfare and charity; “a global authority”; solidarity and subsidiarity; giving authority over to the state.

Real Hourly Earnings on the Decline, Due to Inflation, but RI Might Be Doing a Little Bit Better than U.S.

BLS data shows real earnings on a slide, nationally, and although RI might be doing slightly better by this marker, it’s hardly enough to overcome unemployment problems.

Betting It All to Force a Turnaround

The Providence Journal is pumping up the common wisdom on how to turn RI around, but Justin suspects the project is going in the wrong direction from the start.

Winners, Losers, and Losing More

The 2010 tax reform had winners and losers in every income range. Increasing taxes this year, even if only on wealthier residents, would arguably represent two straight years of tax increases.

Iannazzi (and Taxes) Did It

Every bit of legislation raising taxes, every apparently corrupt action, contributes to the culture and sense of hopelessness that is driving people away from Rhode Island. Justin argues that that’s the first thing that has to change.

Unemployment Down in RI, but Labor Force Down More

Rhode Island’s unemployment rate fell, from December to January, but the exodus from the labor force has accelerated.

Hal Meyer: Revisiting My Former Home from the Outside

Hal Meyer reflects on his move from Rhode Island to Idaho.

Memo to EDC and 38 Studios: Economic Development Is More than Just Money

As Mark Patinkin notes, in a Sunday Projo column, the EDC and 38 Studios need to realize that it isn’t enough for Rhode Island just to be a place with some buildings in which stuff happens that makes money.

Owner Liability and Renter Trust in H7136 and S2212

Foreclosure-related legislation illustrates the need for in-depth debate between advocates for and against the proposals. Even those that appear to be common sense may have unintended consequences affecting the public at large.

Societal Structure (Including Boys and Men) and Societal Health

Educational imbalances and legal bias against boys and men and the corrosion of cultural mores illustrate why small-government, fiscal conservatism requires a dose of social conservatism, as well.

Video of 2012 RISC Winter Meeting

Video of RISC’s 2012 Winter Meeting, featuring Central Falls Receiver Robert Flanders, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, Woonsocket Mayor Loe Fontaine, Providence advisor Gary Sasse, and Rep. Larry Ehrhardt.

03/10/12 – RISC Winter Meeting

Justin writes live from the RISC Winter Meeting at the Radisson Hotel.

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