Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

What has the governor been doing besides privatizing goverment businesses to his friends?

no big surprise on that one.we got a governor who only care about the rich.we got democrats in the house and saenate who only care about whats in it for them.corruption is everywhere in this state only the voters can change this state

Just another notch in the head board of our illustrious leader, "Don" the CEO of the Public Sector of Rhode Island. Way to go Don, can't wait to see what bomb will dropped next. Can't wait for the upcoming election. Who will the Republicans dare through in the pot. Middle class taxpaying constituents can't wait to see what you have up your business sleeve.

This is a disgrace! All of the Artists, Musicians and Slackers in Providence should get off their duffs and go out and get Jobs!

The high unemployment rate in this State comes as no surprise and is a tell-tale sign of a very unfavorable business climate in the State of Rhode Island. As individuals we are among the highest taxed in the nation at the State and Local level. State Income Tax, Property Tax, Inventory, and Tangible asset tax rates are among the highest in the nation and discourage new business. State and Local tax coffers support a legion of public employees and retirees far in excess required by a population of this size. Consolidation of school districts, police, fire departments, municipal public works employees to perhaps no more than 4-5 regional districts would cut out a lot of duplication that we currently tolerate particularly at the executive and administrative pay grades, at the expense of the taxpayer. By lessening the overall tax burden, more businesses would be attracted to set up shop here. There are many states that don't levy inventory and tangible asset taxes, and their public services are run more efficiently and as a consequence provide a more attractive climate for businesses and investment capital wanting to come in to the state to conduct their enterprise, and with it provide jobs. The current cycle of public employee largesse is short sighted and in reality shortchanges the very people who argue in it's favor. It is no surprise then that there are not enough businesses in the State to absorb the 8.8% reported in today's Providence Journal, and sadly, many are leaving.

The lack of employment opportunities is a major reason why I moved away from Rhode Island. What is happening to the state is a disgrace. Word has it if the state's economic situation continues to worsen, Rhode Island will be auctioned on eBay. Starting bid, $6 billion, Brown University is thrown in for free. Why do you tolerate the corruption???? Whoever is the last resident to leave the state, be sure to turn off the light.

How fast all of you are to pint the finger at the GOV. Think for a moment, but for the old school, old thinking, Democrat controlled General Assembly how could the GOV get any reforms of the entrenched pro-union, anti-taxpayer State Representatives and Senators. It is a joke up there and they are mostly to blame for all of this. Rhode Island did not make way during the boom times and back then the GOV was trying to push for reform. Now, well read the headlines, every single day and when you bump into your local Senator or State Rep. pat him on the back and thank him for not doing anything positive during hisor her tenure in the General Assembly. The GOV responsible? No, not in this case!

Costa said it all. We are taxed to death here in Rhode Island. Governor Carcieri hasn't helped his state in the least bit. We need change.

We may be the smallest state in the Union, but by golly, WE'RE NUMBER ONE!!

Let's not fool ourselves-

It's not the governor's fault.

It's not the general assembly's fault.

It's BOTH their faults. We need change at both levels. I think Carcieri has done absolutely nothing for our state, however, we do NEED to convene a constitutional convention to ammend the state's constitution to give the state three EQUAL branches of government. Currently the General Assembly has more power than either our legislative or judicial branches. Until then be prepared for the same-old same-old. No change is coming anytime soon.

Are you kidding me? The governor's fault? Hello? You have elected and keep electing the lovely people we have in the legislature! For cryin' out loud Rhode Islanders, WAKE UP! Throw every single bum out on their you-know-what like West Warwick did with Alves and get some new blood in there. We need new businesses in RI to make jobs, to create a tax base to make it desireable for people to relocate here so that they can buy houses and spend money within this state. And our current legislature wants to raise the sales tax? Are you kidding me??? People drive over the bridge to buy big items anyway in MA to save 2 percent and they want to raise them more? Throw the bums out! WAKE UP RHODE ISLAND!