Chase bank charges fees to use unemployment debit cards
Trimming the costs of governance isn’t inherently a bad thing, but charging the unemployed fees to access their account information probably isn’t the best way for the state to save money. However, that’s exactly what happened when Rhode Island outsourced the management of unemployment fund accounts to JP Morgan Chase in 2007. “JPMorgan Chase agreed [...]
Occupy East Bay tonight, Occupy URI teach-in on Thursday
A new Occupy group is starting in Rhode Island and while the first one focused on Providence this one will focus on the East Bay. “People there are interested in doing something,” said Randall Rose, one of the organizers of Occupy East Bay, which meets tonight at the Bristol Library (525 Hope St.) from 6 [...]
Payday Reform and Policy Change: A Recent Conversation on Sonic Watermelons on BSR
PROVIDENCE, RI – Are Rhode Islanders paying fees for loans that are higher than what residents in other states are paying? The answer in some cases is yes – 260% versus 36%. Learn more about the type of loans that charge these rates, the impact of these loans on RI families, and what you can [...]
Jack Reed Work-Sharing Language Passes
Little fanfare, but this work-sharing legislation will (hopefully) come to make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans by creating incentives for employers roll back hours during downturns rather than lay people off wholesale. If you needed to cut payroll by 10%, the new law would make it more sensible to reduce everybody’s [...]
Brown can and should pay Providence more
While it was the hospitals Mayor Angel Taveras met with late last week, the focus again this week will likely be a new deal with Brown University. After all, the hospital industry in Rhode Island is struggling, reports Megan Hall of Rhode Island Public Radio. The hospitals here lost a combined $4 million last year, [...]
The Wages of Austerity
In political terms, austerity is a self-inflicted wound. In some ways, it is equivalent to cutting off one own feet before running a race. Gruesome imagery, but no more gruesome that the severe hardships austerity wreaks upon citizens who face its burden while those who caused it go unpunished and in many cases, seemingly rewarded. [...]
Taveras to meet with hospital CEOs today
With a deal inked with Johnson & Wales and another seemingly imminent with Brown University, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras turns his attention toward the hospitals this afternoon when he will meet with the CEO’s of the three medical institutions this afternoon. “There’s been a lot of focus on Brown and the colleges and universities,” said [...]
Poverty Institute Becomes Economic Progress Institute
The name changes, but the mission will stay the same. Over a year ago I (and many others) had conversations with a consultant who was working with the Poverty Institute to rebrand their image. And today, in coordination with the annual Budget Rhode Map, the Poverty Institute is officially changing its name to the Economic [...]
TOMORROW: 5th Annual Budget Rhode Map Conference
Register now for The Poverty Institute‘s 5th Annual Budget Rhode Map Conference ”From Poverty to Progress“ to hear from leading experts about the economic vitality of Rhode Island and its residents. Thursday, February 16, 2012 8:30 am: Registration and Continental Breakfast 9:00 am – 12:30 pm: Conference Rhodes on the Pawtuxet 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston, RI 02905 $35 per [...]
Despite headline, RI actually has moderate sales tax rates
If you only read the headline from the Projo today you’d think Rhode Island has again, as the common talking point goes, landed on the losing end of a list of worst states as far as taxes go. “RI tax burden still among highest in U.S.,” reads the headline. However, if you took the time [...]
38 Studios, Kingdoms of Amalur, and Economic Development
Everyone is certain to remember the controversy surrounding the 38 Studios $75 million loan guarantee deal. I, for one, was concerned about the tepid clawback provisions in the deal that would let 38 Studios off with a $400,000 fine if it didn’t create 400 jobs in the state. In any case, Kingdoms of Amalur was released [...]
Feb 12: Sen. Whitehouse Community Dinner in Narragansett
As Rhode Islanders continue to struggle in this tough economy, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse will host a community dinner in Narragansett this Sunday, to listen to local residents’ concerns and take questions. Sheldon will discuss his fight to support Rhode Island small businesses, preserve Social Security and Medicare benefits, and implement the “Buffett Rule” to make [...]
Been there, done that reiterated
First, let me apologize that I’m not addressing this in the comments of the original post. I simply am not able to participate in the discussion on the threads. However, I am pleased to see the amount of intelligent discussion that took place. In particular, there was some back-and-forth about unregulated capitalism, what constitutes it, [...]
Feb 9: Art from the Heart Benefit Event
Mark your calendars for the 6th Annual “From the Heart” Art Show to support McAuley House, a Providence-based organization that serves those who are homeless and struggling. The event will be held on Thursday, February 9th from 5pm to 7:30pm at McAuley House located at 622 Elmwood Ave., Providence. This event is free and open [...]
Lucky Duckies
One of the more reprehensible things that conservatives have come out with of late is the idea of the ‘lucky duckies.’ This is what the Wall St Journal’s op-ed page called those of our society who are ‘fortunate’ enough to make such a low salary that they don’t have to pay fed income taxes. This [...]
AG Kilmartin, Hold Wall Street Accountable for its Fraud
Dear Attorney General Kilmartin, Hold Wall Street Accountable for its Fraud The rule of law must be applied equally to all people. Yet, the most massive organized crime spree in history has not only gone unpunished, but has actually been rewarded with trillions of dollars of bailouts and interest free loans to the criminals responsible. [...]
Fighting for Rhode Island
The last few years have been tough for our great Ocean State. Across Rhode Island, I’ve organized community dinners, main street tours, and coffee hours where I’ve heard firsthand from so many people struggling to find work, seniors worried about their Social Security and Medicare, families being crushed by unfair credit card rates, and students [...]
Been there, done that
I suppose the aspect of conservative thought that most…puzzles? annoys? makes me laugh?…let’s say ‘puzzles’ me is the sense they seem to have that their ideas are somehow bold, and daring, and novel. In fact, conservative ideas–low taxes, no regulation, no government–have all been tried. In fact, these ideas describe how government operated throughout most [...]
Imagination, Collective Struggle, and the Inclusion of Artists and Ordinary People: Angela Davis Speaks at RISD in Providence
PROVIDENCE, RI – Click on the image above to hear a short podcast with Dr. Angela Davis. It is from a brief interview I conducted with her after a keynote address she gave on Monday, June 23, 2012 at Rhode Island School of Design. More information about her talk is below; in the podcast/interview, I [...]
Apple: The Company No American Should Be Proud Of
When most Americans think of Apple, they think of the hip commercials, the latest must have gadgets, and the industry leading innovation. What most do not realize is the untold story of how Apple has perfected stealing the seeds of American ingenuity and harvesting them under a complex system of third world slave labor. Throughout [...]
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