Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

We wish Governor Carcieri and the RI delegation well at the Republican National Convention (RNC).

Yes, just as we wished the Dems well at the DNC.. We make it a point to watch both conventions and read the associated news print.

Clearly it is very important for RI to stay in the mix as the choices for the next national election draws near.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING OUR RI DELEGATION to the RNC on TV and the Governor on TV today at 4 PM from the RNC.

Governor Don Carcieri, while not popular in some local circles. is our governor for two more years.
Clearly Governor Carcieri is dedicated ,and above party and politics, to reform the generations of very poor business choices made for the operation of state government in RI.

Yes, reforms that reduces the oversize RI State Government while increasing efficiencies / innovation and quality of service to our citizens.

We must understand that the ratio of taxpayers to government workers in RI is way out of wack. That means way to few workers are paying the burden of an over size and inefficiently structured State government.

What seems to be making Governor Carcieri less popular in some circles is the series of reforms imbedded into a state budgets crafted and already approved by the General Assembly (and hence LAW)). This budget is intended to reform RI Government cost and make the state a much more attractive environment for businesses. Yes, business and commerce where ideas can grow sometimes resulting in creation of wealth and value added e.g. Jobs for the future. Yes, and where most of us receive pay checks from private business and not the state or town governments. Hence we need a viable business climate.

Equally important this is the tax money / cash now being spent less than wisely that can be redirected to infrastructure / public works projects and education etc.

One of many reforms, but key, is the correction and reform of RI state workers total compensation package including pay and benefits, pensions etc. RI now pays well beyond market value for its employees total cost! This means reform is over due in the area of pay, medical benefits cost sharing and pensions. Yes, ALL corrected and scaled to the prevailing market rates for Federal public workers and the private sector. This is only one of many very necessary reforms but is getting the most attention and some reactionary behavior.

The behavior of some RI citizens, over the past several weeks. As our budget is implemented has been less than appropriate.
Yes, some of our Unions and even some of the other employees within institutions in state government seem to be a very negative and a disruptive force! Yes, becoming part of the problem rather that in contrast an agent of change contribution to lively debate and the solution that will ultimately correct our RI Government practices and total cost..

Yes, we all have the luxury of our own opinions - however we do not any longer in RI have the luxury to our own set of self serving distorted facts. The institutions of State Government and State Employees alike this is no longer business as usual\. That is you need to better understand the difference in Official Government POLICY modification VS day to day government Process (policies and procedures) in running government. Yes, just like any business! Moreover you must understand your limited roles and responsibilities and obligation to both our Governor Don Carcieri and the citizens of RI. Yes, change will and must come regardless of foot dragging and bad behaviors. Yes, even some misguided but I hope well intended behaviors by some pockets of "institutional government (boards and courts) " and various unions and their very wide rang of special interest lobbyists. These people do not seem to understand that the rules must and will accordingly change resulting in less government more efficiencies and lower cost. These several modifications reflected in our latest State of RI Budget) all resulting in a better state environment for opportunity, for each and every citizen.

Last, while I may disagree with a particular position, action or opinion of our RI General Assembly and or Governor I do respect their office and position. I trust that more of us need to take heed. I look forward to ALL elements of the recent budget being implemented with dispatch.

Again, I LOOKED FORWARD TO SEEING OUR RI DELEGATION to the DNC and now RNC on TV and the Governor of RI on TV today at 4 PM from the RNC.
wfh
Middletown,RI