05/08/2009 09:45 EDT
05/07/2009 13:45 EDT
05/05/2009 15:45 EDT
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Governor Donald L. Carcieri and Dr. David Gifford, Director for the Rhode Island Department of Health, today announced that a student at North Kingstown high school is being tested and monitored for possible swine flu. DOH has sent the sample to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for testing. Results are expected in 24 to 48 hours.
In an abundance of caution, Governor Carcieri recommended that North Kingstown School officials suspend classes at North Kingstown High School through the remainder of this week, until the State receives results of further testing from the CDC.
North Kingstown School Superintendent Phil Thornton has confirmed that classes at North Kingstown High School will be suspended for the remainder of this week, with all home and away sports and after school activities being cancelled, effective this afternoon. SAT testing, scheduled for this Saturday, will proceed.
Information on swine flu and the latest news and updates can be found at:
An updated report on state budget gaps appears in the March 2009 issue of statenews, published by the Council of State Governments. Using data as of February 12, 2009, the anticipated budget gap of $450 million for FY 2010 represents 13.7 percent of the state's total budget.
Past media coverage has reported that Rhode Island's budget gap is the widest in the nation. That is not accurate. Of all states where data was available, Rhode Island lands in the middle of the pack and is below the national average of 15.9 percent.
There are a number of states that have significantly higher budget gaps, including Nevada (30%), Arizona (29.8%), California (25.6%), New York (24.3%), with Connecticut (23.1%) rounding out the top five.
In New England, Connecticut (23.1%) and Vermont (20.8%) top the list of states with the largest percent budget gap, followed by Rhode Island (13.7), Massachusetts (11%) and Maine (5.8%). Data was not available for New Hampshire.
Governor Carcieri's tax reforms have garnered significant attention by the Tax Foundation. According to new analysis by the Tax Foundation, the Governor's proposals would "dramatically improve the ranking of the state's business tax climate. Had the proposal been in effect for 2009, Rhode Island would have moved from 46th to 16th in the nation when it comes to 'business-friendliness.'"
Tax Foundation staff economist Josh Barro, author of the 2009 State Business Tax Climate Index, (a study that measures how well a state's tax system encourages investment by maintaining a broad tax base and low rates), analyzed the tax proposal's effects on Rhode Island's business tax climate ranking.
"While small states can face competitive disadvantages with their larger neighbors (especially if those neighbors are wealthier), they also have an opportunity to specialize in attracting a certain kind of capital or business activity," Barro argues. "Now, Gov. Carcieri has identified an opportunity for Rhode Island to step out from its neighbors' shadows."
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Initial $4 million grant to support youth training and job support
View a larger video of this press conference
At a press conference today, Governor Donald L. Carcieri, joined by Senate President M. Teresa Paiva-Weed and Director of Labor and Training Sandra Powell, announced details of the nearly $17.2 million in workforce training and employment grants funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
This workforce development stimulus package includes:
“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is a bridge to a stronger economy. The foundation of a good economy starts with its people,” said Governor Carcieri. “It is critical for our workforce to be trained in the jobs of the new economy. Workforce training provides people with the skills they need to be successful.”
www.gov.ri.gov and www.dot.ri.gov allow taxpayers to track expenditures
In a continuing effort to improve transparency and accountability in state government, Governor Donald L. Carcieri today announced the launch of two new transparency portals, www.gov.ri.gov and www.dot.ri.gov, allowing taxpayers to view all expenditures of the Office of the Governor and the Department of Transportation. Department expenditures are displayed in a detailed, user-friendly format in the context of expenditure classifications with a few easy clicks, which will be updated on a weekly basis
The portals were created by the Department of Administration in partnership with RI.gov, at no cost to the Rhode Island taxpayers. In February, the DOA transparency portal was launched, and DOA and RI.gov is working with other State departments to broaden the scope of the transparency and create similar sites for all departments.
“During these difficult economic times, it is imperative taxpayers know exactly how and where government is spending their money,” said Governor Donald L. Carcieri. “The website portal brings information to the public, online and in a timely manner. I commend RI.gov and our Accounts and Control for managing this process and their commitment to bring transparency across all state agencies.”
