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.
Justin writes live from a contentious Central Coventry Fire District annual meeting in Coventry.
A Superior Court Ruling in Town of North Kingstown v. North Kingstown School Committee requires the school department to live within its budget but solidifies legal precedent requiring town governments to cover losses in state aid unless the budget makes estimates “expressly contingent” on actual revenue.
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.
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.
Step increases for teachers are, indeed, mandated by law, but that does not change them into something other than raises or present the public with a single path forward.
Audio of Justin’s appearance on the Dan Yorke Show relates to the larger questions of structure and strategy that Rhode Island has to answer.
A study being touted by left-leaning think tanks defines economic health dubiously by leaving out population and workforce growth.
Far from receiving “no raises,” the increases in pay of the teaching staff in Woonsocket amount to $4.7 million over the period covered by their current contract.
Justin finds in an RI Future post by Bob Plain evidence of the rhetorical method of barricading the door to discourse.
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.
Technical objections raised to legislation that would give town/city councils authority to ratify employment contracts appear to have been overstated or incorrect.
Photos from the rally against Governor Chafee’s proposed tax increase on meals and beverages.
A letter by Providence business owner John Palmieri might provide a good indicator of the problems that Rhode Island fundamentally needs to address.
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.
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.
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.
Experts disagree about whether the seven legislative proposals to increase personal income taxes on “the rich” will have an adverse effect on Rhode Island’s economy, but the complexity of such changes requires a more local debate.
Justin cites James Lileks’ illustration of the absurdity of bureaucratic spending in a down economy.
Hal Meyer reflects on his move from Rhode Island to Idaho.
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.
Justin writes live from the RISC Winter Meeting at the Radisson Hotel.
Efforts to increase the top tax rate shouldn’t be viewed in terms of the current tax system, but the system before the tax reform that is just kicking in. In that case, it represents a massive increase on more than just “the rich.”
Local political analyst Tom Sgouros asserts that government ought to be measured against income, rather than in line with other expenses, but it isn’t as reasonable a premise as it may at first seem.
A labor-friendly senator proposing reform-minded legislation indicates the need for the careful consideration of unintended consequences as Rhode Island shifts the way it does business.
Jennifer Hushion explains why her family is considering moving out of Cranston and Rhode Island
As impossible as it may be to deny the necessary changes in public policy related to the economy and government spending, the will to reform is not strong enough for due speed.
A new Tax Foundation study exposes some of the flaws in RI’s economic development practices.
National Journal ranking of liberal and conservative legislators points to politics and posturing.