Community Inequality Is Biggest Economic Obstacle in RI
The biggest problem affecting Rhode Island’s economy is not high taxes, pension benefits or special interests. Not even close. It’s the income inequality that exists between the affluent suburbs and the depressed urban areas. An extremely important post in Pacific Standard today highlights this, in part, by pointing out that while Providence is closing schools [...]
RIPEC Report: State Cuts Strangled Struggling Cities
A new report from the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council confirms an idea that RI Future has been reporting on for a month now, namely that state cuts to cities and towns are a big factor in the state’s struggling cities inabilities to balance their budgets. Since 2008, says the report, state aid to cities [...]
Department of Education Posts Funny Numbers
What do you think about our state’s shiny new education funding formula? Neither Woonsocket nor Pawtucket are big fans and they are headed to a court date next month with the RI Department of Education (RIDE) over it. Using measures that used to be part of the funding formula, these two cities are taxed more [...]
Lawsuit vs. State Could Cut Woonsocket Deficit in Half
Woonsocket may be taking heat for saying it might have to close schools, but the School District has a mighty strong hand in its negotiations with the state on how to close the budget deficit. The Department of Education plans to pay Woonsocket $4.3 million in state aid that the cash-strapped city didn’t receive under [...]
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