NEW: RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity Offers Set of ‘Win-Wins’ For RI
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Tired of what they say are a lack of “bold new policy reforms” to grow Rhode Island’s economy, the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity released a set of policy initiatives it believes will help keep local families in their homes.
“With the worst jobs outlook in the entire nation, as one of the highest cost of living states, and suffering from a severe population and out-migration crisis, public policy in Rhode Island is tearing families apart by driving away loved family members,” the organization said. “With the goal of restoring competitiveness to the state, the Center's proposed solutions will drive down the cost of living and conducting business in the state and will provide expanded options to parents of disadvantaged students.
Mike Stenhouse, the CEO for the Center, says neither the Governor nor the General Assembly have stepped forward to propose “serious reforms”.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"The Political Class restricts itself with undue concern about how to fund such an obviously failed budget; a budget that has resulted in persistent misery and unemployment; a budget that has grown significantly faster than it need have,” he said. “Can anyone seriously question whether or not this is a budget that deserves to be blown up? It's time for a new game plan and to start playing to win around here."
The Center proposed a list of seven policies it feels will steer the state on the right path.
First, it argues Rhode Island needs to repeal the sales tax, the minimum corporate tax and the estate tax.
In addition, it implores the state to expand options for parents to choose which schools to send their children to and is asking that the state implement a new rule that requires a two-thirds majority to pass any future tax increases.
The Center also encourages new action on pensions, saying retirees need better accounting and reporting practices to know where they stand, and on energy costs.
The full set of recommendations, with additional details and analysis, can be found at http://www.rifreedom.org .
