Breeze, up and coming budget airline, chooses Providence

T.F. Green International Airport was announced today as a base of operations for Breeze Airways, the young budget airline announced in multiple places. The Providence airport will become the home of 20 routes, with an estimated 20 departures weekly 16 months from now. That number goes to 44 by 2027, multiple outlets said.

9.1% INFLATION SHOCK! Recession Already Here? The Lesson …

Today’s shocking federal data showing a 9/1% year-over-year inflation rate should come as no surprise to anyone with a basic understanding of money-supply economics. The LESSON that all lawmakers – state and federal – should keep in mind is that indiscriminate or wasteful government spending leads to increases in the money supply and the velocity […]

This is What the Average Rhode Island Household Pays in Bills Every Month

The cost of living in the United States is well below the cost of living in several other developed countries, including the Nordic nations as well as New Zealand and Australia. Still, living expenses in the U.S. are higher than in much of the world.

U.S. Treasury Secretary says recession is not inevitable, CEOs say it is on the way

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s says that a recession is not inevitable, comments that have been met with skepticism by business leaders.

Over $10 billion in fraudulent pandemic relief funds returned to federal government

(The Center Square) – Ahead of a congressional subcommittee hearing being held Tuesday, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis announced that over $10 billion worth of fraudulent payments made through federal pandemic relief programs has been recovered and returned to the federal government. “These relief programs were vital to helping Americans in need during […]

Americans expect more inflation, not confident in economy

Americans expect inflation to get worse and are not confident in the U.S. economy, according to a new survey. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Center for Microeconomic Data released its “Survey of Consumer Expectations” Monday, which found Americans expect more inflation over the next year.

Lawmakers pressure Treasury secretary on soaring gas prices, inflation

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen testified before the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday where lawmakers grilled her on the rising federal debt, energy costs and soaring inflation. Gas prices have hit record highs almost daily over the past month, with the national gas price average for regular unleaded gas nearing $5 per gallon. Federal data shows that in the last 12 months, food prices have risen about 10%, energy prices have risen more than 30%, and prices overall have risen at the fastest rate in decades.

Steady climb to $5: Gas prices spike again Saturday

If recent trends continue – and there’s no reason to think they won’t – several other states will join the $5 club soon, including Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and others.

Gas prices hit new record high on Memorial Day

he cost of gasoline hit a new record high on Monday as many Americans kicked off the summer season traveling over Memorial Day weekend. The average price of a gallon of gasoline climbed to $4.62 a gallon Monday, up about a penny from Sunday and $1.58 higher than last Memorial Day, when the average cost was $3.04.

Here’s How Many People Are Quitting Their Jobs in Rhode Island

In what has been dubbed the Great Resignation, Americans have been quitting their jobs in record numbers in recent months – a trend that shows no signs of slowing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 4.5 million Americans quit their job in March 2022, the most ever recorded in a single month, and up from 4.4 million quits in February.

This Is the Income a Family Needs to Cover Normal Living Expenses in Rhode Island

We all require a certain amount of money each month to pay for normal living expenses, and in recent months, that amount has gotten much higher. Whether at the pump or the grocery store, Americans are being hit with a severe case of sticker shock.

Is the U.S. in a recession? Many analysts think so

Then White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in October that inflation increases “will be transitionary.” But today, they have surpassed 40-year highs, and many believe the U.S. is already entering a recession or soon will be. Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk said the U.S. is probably already in a recession in a discussion with the hosts of the All-In podcast.

Here’s How Rich Rhode Island Residents Are Compared to the Nation

The United States is in a period of historic inflation. The consumer price index rose by 8.5% over the 12 months ending in March 2022, the fastest increase in over four decades. Though it is not keeping pace with inflation, income is also on the rise in the United States.In Rhode Island, per capita income stands at $64,156, slightly lower than the national figure and the 18th highest among states.

How the Homeownership Rate in Rhode Island Compares to Other States

The American housing market took off during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The homeownership rate – or the share of housing units occupied by their owner – jumped by 2.6 percentage points from the first quarter to the second quarter of 2020, by far the largest increase ever recorded. By the end of 2020, there were 2.1 million more homeowners in the United States than there were a year earlier. In Rhode Island, the homeownership rate stands at 61.6%, lower than the national average.

New study shows which states are best for working moms

WalletHub has ranked Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island as the three best states for supporting working mothers in its 2022’s Best & Worst States for Working Moms. Vermont ranked seventh in the report, which indicates that 68% of women with children under the age of 18 are in the work force since 2021.

How Much Food Costs in Rhode Island, Compared to the Nation

Inflation is surging in the United States – in large part because of rising food prices. In cities across the country, food today is 8% more expensive on average than it was a year ago, and American families are feeling the pinch. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit think tank, a family of four – two adults and two children – can expect to pay an estimated $9,835 on food in 2022.

Discounting Drugs from the Great White North

As it currently stands, the price point for Canadian generics (the same drug without the name brand) is, on average, 38% lower than the comparable brand price in Canada. In stark contrast,  generic prices within the United States were 74% lower than the comparable U.S. brand price. Comparing the two, patients who purchase drugs in America are paying up to 88% over their Canadian counterparts.

REPORT: Teacher Unions Unlawfully Collecting Dues?

Are Rhode Island Teacher Unions Unlawfully Collecting Dues? Unconstitutional Provisions Discovered in Many CBAs School District Employees Not Being Informed of Their Rights Providence, RI – A report released today by the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity detailed how over 1-in-4 reviewed school district Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), put into place since the landmark2018 […]

Grover Norquist on Taxes #InTheDugout

Grover Norquist is the president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), a taxpayer advocacy group he founded in 1985 at the request of President Reagan. ATR works to limit the size and cost of government and opposes higher taxes at the federal, state, and local levels. In this clip from the #InTheDugout podcast, he tells […]

Sten ON A TEAR

Sten ON A TEAR 5PM #InTheDugout Watch LIVE ON TWITCH Topics: -settles BoSox ground-rule-double controversy -Guest, Nicole Solas, domestic terrorist, files POLICE REPORT, Jim Crow/DOJ – Westerly CRT on nat’l news -Doc Skoly & #ParentsUnited update -Economic & Health Dep’t malfeasance

Peter Tsemberides: Rhode Island’s Wealthy Charge Taxpayers

While upgrading EV charging infrastructure may sound good on the surface to some: giving electric car owners more places to charge their glorified go-karts, it does nothing more than help the state’s wealthy. Looking at RI’s median household income of $67,167, a large majority of RI residents cannot afford an electric vehicle, making the spending virtually useless.

In The Dugout: RI’s “Sugary Drinks” Tax

Today’s show is live at 5pm. Watch it now then share it on social media! Topics: -CRT infecting our schools, we’re investigating. -Grover Norquist in a Liberty Byte -Mario Lopez of the Hispanic Leadership Fund & Eli Berkowitz on why the regressive RI “sugary drinks” tax especially hurts low-income families & small businesses struggling to […]

Connecticut’s Refusal of the TCI Gas Tax Should Kill the Bills in RI

It would be cruel for lawmakers to impose this fuel tax, which will especially harm rural and low-income residents, just so the elite can receive a subsidy for their expensive electric vehicles.

A Key Chart on Economic Climate Change

Our state and federal governments are using their regulatory and policing power to shut down an industry sector to make themselves and their fashionably green friends rich and powerful at the expense of our rights, our prosperity, and increasingly our lives.

One Year In: Lockdowns 100% Destruction; Zero Benefit

On its one year anniversary, it would be irresponsible not to look at the effectiveness of the COVID-19 lockdown. Florida and California vividly demonstrate that the answer is “completely ineffective”: the two states have had similar outcomes to very different approaches, making it clear that lockdowns did not and do not work to slow or stop the spread of COVID-19.

What about Rhode Island? Well, we locked down. And we have the third highest COVID-19 deaths nationally.

Lockdowns, even if they worked exactly as hoped, were never a good solution because of the enormous public health and other consequences they inflict. One year later, it is clear, as they do not achieve even their hoped-for goal, that they are entirely destructive with zero public health benefit.

Now, let’s look at where Rhode Island stands on the original reason for a lockdown: two weeks to flatten the curve and not overwhelm hospitals. Below is the trend of Rhode Island’s hospitalizations; specifically, Column U, “Currently Hospitalized” of this sheet:

4/28/2020: 375 (Spring, 2020 peak)

12/15/2020: 516

1/25/2021: 380

3/9/2021: 141

By this original goalpost, Rhode Island can open up fully, now. (Please stop with the agonizing and ineffective baby steps.) More to the point, the state never needs to lock down again for this (or any) reason. This is because, to her credit, former Governor Gina Raimondo set up COVID-19 field hospitals. While they were recently shut down because COVID-19 cases have dropped markedly, they will remain in place in the event of a surge.

The evidence and observed science one year into COVID-19 lockdowns is blaring and indisputable: they do not work. All states can and should open up immediately, fully, without restrictions – including nursing homes with reasonable protections. Refusing to do so is to deny the plain evidence and prolong the needless suffering and very serious health and other consequences of lockdowns.

Center Calls on McKee to Withdraw R.I. from Raimondo’s TCI Gas Tax Scheme

The Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity calls on the newly sworn-in Governor of Rhode Island, Daniel McKee, to officially withdraw the Ocean State from the regional gasoline cap-and-trade scheme, known as the Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI).

“For years as Lieutenant Governor, Dan McKee expressed verbal support for the small business community. Now is the time for the Governor to take action and to separate himself from his predecessor’s anti-business policies. The Governor should immediately put to rest any notion that his administration will impose a job-killing, budget-destroying gasoline tax on businesses and families who are struggling to recover from the pandemic,” commented Mike Stenhouse, the Center’s CEO. “Today, our Center calls on the Governor to take executive action to formally withdraw Rhode Island from the TCI compact.”

In December, former Governor Gina Raimondo signed-on Rhode Island, just one of three states to do so, to the TCI Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU). Implementation of TCI would lead to a significant increase in automobile and diesel gasoline prices, while also systematically limiting regional supplies of vehicle fuel.

In calling on Governor McKee to eschew the costly TCI gas tax, the Center points to research and polling that shows why TCI is poor public policy:

  • Rhode Islanders are not “bad guys” that should be punished for driving their vehicles, as one gov’t official in Mass. expressed
  • The regressive TCI gas tax would disproportionately harm low-income families
  • The high economic costs and job losses would further hamper our state’s faltering economy, with virtually no environmental benefit in return
  • An overwhelming majority of polled Ocean Staters do not support TCI, once they understand the high costs
  • A TCI gas tax would make our state even less competitive, by weakening our already worst-in-the-nation business climate

Later this week, the Center will announce a public campaign to petition the Governor and state legislative leaders to reject the TCI compact.

More information about the proposed TCI gas tax can be found on the Center’s TCI webpage: RIFreedom.org/NoTCItax. The Center is one of over two-dozen organizations in the northeast working cooperatively to defeat TCI in their respective states.

[This is a public statement released by the Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity today.]

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