RI Campaign 2010 – Lynch Says State Needs Two-Year Budgets
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Patrick Lynch yesterday said the state needs to change the way it does its budget so it can plan ahead for deficits and avoid burdening taxpayers.
Lynch proposed a move from annual to biennial budgets. He noted that the current budget assumes Rhode Island will get about $100 million in federal Medicaid funds that are not guaranteed. Plus, he said state lawmakers changed the law so that cities and towns can tax cars, except for the first $500 in value. Previously, the first $6,000 had been exempted.
“Our state needs to change the status quo of budget gimmicks, quick fixes and band aids over the problems facing our state,” Lynch said. “We need the benefits of long term planning that biennial budgeting will bring.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“The current method of legislating in the middle of the night, rushing to implement reforms that will impact the state for years and kicking the responsibility for solving our problems down onto the cities and towns is the wrong way to run a state,” Lynch added.
Chafee in Blackstone Valley
Independent candidate for governor Lincoln Chafee will be spending most of his morning today in Blackstone Valley. Chafee will visit Blackstone Valley Industries in Pawtucket, help out with SORT, a local recycling program for small businesses and schools, and observe Dimensions, a recreational, social, and therapeutic program for adults unable to live on their own.
Kilmartin Promises Crackdown on Medicare Fraud
Attorney General candidate Peter Kilmartin yesterday said fighting Medicare fraud would be one of his top priorities, if elected. “Medicare fraud hurts our seniors as well as the taxpayers who shoulder the burden,” Kilmartin said. “As Attorney General, I will crack down on Medicare fraud by investigating all false claims and prosecuting those who violate the system.”
Kilmartin said he would launch an educational outreach program to help seniors, families, and caregivers recognize and avoid Medicare scams.
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