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April 25, 2008

House voting on deficit-avoidance plan at this hour

PROVIDENCE -- The House slogged through hours of fiery arguments and failed amendments and is voting this evening on a deficit-avoidance plan that lawmakers say would close this fiscal year's $168-million budget gap.

Known as a supplemental budget, the plan under consideration would mean reductions in programs for poor children, financial assistance to cities and towns, and the state payroll in the budget year ending June 30. But it also calls for no tax increases -- though some have argued on the House floor it will simply lead communities to raise property taxes.

If approved by the House, the budget bill would head to the Senate.

Some highlights:

* The governor's proposal to cut non-education state aid to cities and towns by $12 million remains intact so far -- though this budget article is getting heavy debate at this hour.

* The plan would drop subsidized health care for about 2,800 immigrant children.

* The bill would reduce health-care benefits for state employees who retire after Sept. 30, 2008.

* The proposal would also end welfare benefits for adults and children after 60 months.

Rep. Steven M. Costantino, chairman of the powerful House Finance Committee, said on the House floor this evening that the plan mostly keeps to what Governor Carcieri proposed, mentioning one change each to the revenue and expenditures sides of the ledger.

"I can tell you, this is a very difficult budget," Costantino said. "This supplement budget is a first step in getting Rhode Island back on track."

The more difficult step may be yet to come: Lawmakers will have to grapple with a projected $384-million deficit in next year's budget.

See the amended budget online.
-- projo.com staff writers Michael P. McKinney and Brandie M. Jefferson, with Journal archival reports

Posted by Mike McKinney at 6:40 PM | Permalink

Comments

I think heated parking garages are a waste of money. Is anyone cutting that???

Jessica | April 25, 2008 7:11 PM link

I thought after 5 years you were surpose to be kicked off welfare.

Bill | April 25, 2008 9:53 PM link

The budget bill is a joke. Why can't the General Assembly do their job and see what the governor is doing. He has claimed over the years if you give giant tax break to big business they will hire people in high paying jobs and it will pay for itself and improve the RI business climate.
Well where are the jobs and why is he asking for more and more from the taxpayers. He and his friends in big business want to pay no taxes as the rest of us keep paying. He is not and never has been a businessman. What business did he run, Old Stone bank? What he did for that business which is not HIS business, was help it go under.
Now the state is going under and his friends are helping him. He is laughing at all of you.
How much money is the Dept. of Economic Development costing? Where is that in the budget? Look at their budget and who is getting the tax credits that give away so easily? When the working poor has to tighten their belts why not DED? They are giving the money away to businesses that are greedy and don't care. The media does not even look at what money is being spent there. They only see the Union members wanting a decent pay and benefits for working. They are taxpayers too. The media is quite on the hiring of high paying out of state consultants and management positions but are out there when the people who are working want a fair contract.
Wake up people!

Auntie C | April 26, 2008 7:27 AM link

Could you please clarify:

"The plan would drop subsidized health care for about 2,800 immigrant children."

Does this apply to illegal immigrants, or both legal and illegal?

Legal or illegal? | April 26, 2008 9:38 AM link

This will not end, the following year is going to be worst, what are we going to do then. I see cuts being made on the poor again, when things get tight, the poor will see an increase pressure on them. R.R.H

R.R.H | April 27, 2008 12:31 PM link

April 25, 2008

House voting on deficit-avoidance plan at this hour

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