I value the productive relationship I have had with Governor Carcieri on many issues, but I am must express to the Governor and his staff my extreme disappointment in this budget. It is talk without action. It is irresponsible. And, in some cases, it is insulting.

The Governor is asking us to tighten our belts again? Local property tax payers can barely breathe. 

The Governor talks about tax relief, and then proposes a massive, back-door property tax increase. The Governor talks about better schools, and then proposes the same broken funding system that holds Rhode Island behind so many other states. The Governor talks about fiscal fitness, and then leaves taxpayers stuck with the same outdated, expensive union contracts.

Taxpayers all over Rhode Island are buckling under an outmoded revenue collection system that relies too heavily on property taxes. There are models in New England and all over the country showing that greater state participation creates systems that are less burdensome and work better. Last year we proposed, and the General Assembly adopted, a method for collecting revenue via consumption. Already it is considered a success -- the Governor himself praised it in his budget address.

We all agree that education is our highest priority in the state, yet our method for providing the capital for education is both too reliant on property taxes and too unpredictable from year to year. In Providence, we have transformed ourselves into one of the most financially efficient urban school districts in New England according to two recent studies. Test scores are on the rise. We are poised for excellence but lack an adequate formula to get us there. In fact, this budget further erodes the state support of Providence Schools. It decreases the state share of the education budget.

Finally, I implore the Governor and his staff to do more than talk about fiscal fitness. Making a government leaner, smarter, and stronger means rolling up your sleeves and sitting down at the table with every stakeholder. This administration and our city workers have shown that big changes are possible when parties come together. Belt tightening is hard work. We are doing our part, and it is only fair that the Governor do his part too.

 

Sincerely,