As House Democrats emerged from a closed-door caucus on Tuesday afternoon concerning the budget proposal, a picture began to develop of what might be included in the annual spending bill which will be released Thursday.
“There’s probably not going to be tax increases,” said Frank Ferri, a progressive Democrat from Warwick.
But he and other lawmakers said restoring funds cut last year for the developmentally disabled, DCYF and to nursing homes are being considered. One House member said in the closed-door caucus this year’s budget proposal was referred to as “the year of restoration.”
The big debate of this year’s budget meeting could be $2.6 million the governor’s office requested as part of the final settlement with Central Falls retirees. Part of the deal receiver Bob Flanders negotiated with the retirees called for the General Assembly to contribute to their retirement costs.
“My concern is it could be a slippery slope,” said Jamestown Democrat Deb Ruggerio. Several legislators told me they worry that it could set a precedent for other struggling communities to ask the state to appropriate funds as part of a deal with pensioners.
House Democrats also hope to include more money for public education, a Chafee initiative, to help expedite the new school funding formula. “It’s been a priority of the governor’s since Day One,” said Director of Administration Richard Licht.
It doesn’t seem like it will be funded by an increase in the meals tax, as was proposed by Chafee. “I’d say that’s dead,” one legislator told me after the caucus meeting.
Public transportation supporters made a big push for more operational money this year, but it seems, if anything, there will only be money for new buses.
Finance Committee Chairman Helio Melo, who has been logging long hours as of late putting together the budget proposal with staff, said this year’s bottom line will be helped by a one-time windfall from this year’s Poweball winners, which will inject an additional $15 million into state coffers for the next fiscal year.
The House Finance Committee will consider the budget on Thursday at the rise of the House. A summary of the proposal will be released earlier in the day.
I think Rep Ruggerio needs to understand that cities and towns are struggling largely because they have been getting choked for years by the decision makers at the State House.
I think Rep Ruggerio needs to understand that cities and towns are struggling largely because they have been getting choked for years by the decision makers at the State House.
You have to be concerned with the precedent but doesn’t this close the bankruptcy process and return government back to the Central Falls?
“I think Rep Ruggerio needs to understand that cities and towns are struggling largely because they have been getting choked for years by the decision makers at the State House.”
You have to be concerned with the precedent but doesn’t this close the bankruptcy process and return government back to the Central Falls?
Local Liberals need to understand what Illinois just figured out: CUT SPENDING (they just cut $2Billion from budget), and CUT TAXES and you save the state.
This passion for SCREWING the TAXPAYER and gaming the system has run out of gas.
Taxpayers are leaving the state in increasing numbers.
Question: Who will pay for beloved liberal giveaway projects going forward? Illegal aliens? the poor?
Who’s left to support those evil businesses?
The average income here is about $36k, we save about 1% or $3600. NOT a lot to “spread around” after the government takes 68% (in ALL taxes, levies, tolls, etc). AND the prices of food/fuel (though NOT counted anymore by liberals in government GAO) rises 7-8% a year.
Our state spending has increased 81% over the last decade. 81% !!! That’s a whole lot of (phoney) Social Justice, ain’t it my fellow LIBTARDS ??
So just what do we have to show for it?
A failed state.
Thanks for voting democRAT.
Our state spending has increased 81% over the last decade.
Source? RIPEC put the number at 68.9% (for state and local expenditures). That’s 8 points less than the national average.
Illinois cut that spending by taking Medicaid coverage from the poor. That’s only a cost savings if you ignore the long term effects on the costs of healthcare and ignore the inevitable rate increases they’ll see in private insurance to pay for uncompensated care. That’s your model for fiscal responsibility?
Let’s get rid of the bus monitors……..yeah, that’ll restore Rhoe Disland back to financial health