Archive 2006
Linda Katz joins Senator Jack Reed in speaking at a press conference announcing the Senator's bold move in the final hours of the 2006 Congress to secure Children's Health Insurance Program funding for states in 2007. (12.06)
Click here to read the Providence Business News article.
Wooing Hollywood - at a price (12.10.06)
Click here to read comments by Ellen Frank, Senior Economicst at the Poverty Institute, as she and Gary Sasse, Executive Director of RIPEC, share concerns about the cost of film tax credits enacted in recent years that appear to outweigh the benefits on RI's economy.
The Poverty Institute Trains Hundred of Social Service Providers on Changes to Public Benefit Programs (11.22.06)
"The Poverty Institute is criss crossing the state in an attempt to educate social service providers about the changes made during the last legislative session to Rhode Island's RIte Care, Child Care Assistance, and Family Independence Programs". Click here to read the Providence American article.
Head of human services agency to step down (11.22.06)
Ronald Lebel announced that he will retire at the end of the year from his position as director of the Department of Human Services. Click here to read the Providence Journal article which includes quotes from the Poverty Institute.
Jobless Rate Sounds Great But There's A Catch (11.12.06)
The national unemployment rate hit 4.4 percent last month, a five year low, and over the past year real wages in the United States rose by 2.4 percent. However, the unemployment rate has become a less useful indicator of what is going on in the economy. Click here to read the Providence Journal article which includes quotes from the Poverty Institute.
RIPEC study urges state to realign its spending (9.16.06)
Click here to read the Providence Business News article which includes comments from the Poverty Institute in regard to the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council's recent study.
RI Gets Failing Grade for College Affordability (9.10.06)
Click here to read the Providence Journal article which details Rhode Island's standing according to "Measuring Up 2006: The National Report Card on Higher Education".
Press Release: Community leaders expressed relief that one of the Governor's ballot questions is not going forward; They warned it would have had disastrous consequences. (8.06)
Click here to read more.
Raising minimum wage doesn't end contentious debate (7.14.06)
"Massachusetts and Rhode Island have raised wages for their lowet paid workers, but critics of all kinds say that will not solve a larger problem." Click here to read the Providence Journal's article which includes quote from the Poverty Institute.
Welfare Money at Risk (7.2.06)
Click here to read comments by Linda Katz about the new requirements that states must meet for federal welfare funding.
Press Release: Don't Cut Federal Estate Tax (6.28.06)
The RISES Coalition (Rhode Islanders for Social and Economic Security) issued a press release today opposing any significant reduction in the estate tax. Linda Katz, Policy Director, and Dick Silverman, Board Member, spoke on behalf of the Poverty Institute. Click here to read the release.
"House gets $6.6 billion state budget" (6.14.06)
"A key House committee yesterday approved a $6.6 billion state budget that provides a tax cut for the state's richest taxpayers while averting most of the welfare and state employee benefit cuts Governor Carcieri proposed." Click here to read the Providence Journal's article which highlights key budget issues and includes quotes from The Poverty Institute.
Assemby set to unveil state budget (6.8.06)
Click here to read the Providence Journal article which includes quotes from The Poverty Institute.
Role reversal? Tax cuts for the rich (5.9.06)
Click here to read the Providence Journal article by M. Charles Bakst regarding last weeks passage of a bill to cut income taxes for the wealthy.
Report: RI Business Taxes among Lowest in U.S. (4.17.06)
The Providence Business News ran a full story on the Poverty Institute's report about the state's disappearing corporate income tax. Click here to read the story.
Senators promise tax relief (4.12.06)
Click here to read Ellen Frank's remarks about a proposal from the Senate to relieve property taxes.
Benefit, cost of tax-cut plan debated (4.06.06)
Click here to read Providence Journal coverage of presentations made to the Joint Committee for Economic Development by Ellen Frank, Sr. Economist at the Poverty Institute, and Michael McMahon, Director of the RI Economic Development Corporation.
Critics say RIte Care cuts would hurt Hispanics most (3.30.06)
Click here to read Providence Journal coverage of the House Finance Committee hearings on proposed cuts to RIte Care.
Welfare cuts decried (3.28.06)
Click here to read Providence Journal coverage of House and Senate Finance Committee hearings on welfare cuts.
Coalition calls for Constitutional Spending Caps (3.18.06)
Click here to read the Poverty Institute's comments about the problems with imposing a spending cap in the Providence Business News
The Rich will Come to RI Anyway (3.17.06)
Click here to read the Letter to the Editor submitted by Ellen Frank refuting data in a previously printed op-ed about RI's taxes on the wealthy.
Legislators get 2 views of tax-cut plan (3.16.06)
Click here to read ProJo coverage of hearing on Taxpayer Relief Act.
Research group finds state's business climate dismal (3.3.06)
Click here to read Providence Journal story about the Tax Foundation's study about tax rankings and Ellen Frank's comments about the problems with their methodology.
Taxes no Threat to RI's Economy (2.24.06)
Click here to read the op-ed by Ellen Frank and Linda Katz that refutes the myths that the wealthy are fleeing RI and the poor are flocking to the state.
Press Release: Concerned Rhode Islanders Speak out Against Governor's Budget (2.15.06)
Click here to read a joint press release from One RI and the RISES Coalition about the Governor's budget cuts.
One RI Marshalls Support to Fight Budget Cuts (2.12.06)
Click here to read Woonsocket Call article.
Budget Priorities: Acknowledging life on the edge (2.9.06)
Providence Journal story of journalist's M. Charles Bakst's visit to local food pantry. Click here to read.
FY2007: $3.15 billion budget unveiled, cuts decried (2.08.06)
Governor Carcieri proposes massive cuts to welfare and othe social programs. Click here to read.
Carcieri seeks faster welfare to work route (2.5.06)
Carcieiri proposes cuts to welfare. Click here to read.
House democratic leaders banking on flat tax plan (2.3.06)
Providence Journal coverage of democratic "tax relief" plan. Click here to read.
Carcieri extends Medicaid help, but won't declare emergency (1.31.06)
Providence Journal story about the call for a state of emergency over the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. Click here to read.
State of the State: It's Carcieri's night--and the first lady's (1.29.06)
Providence Journal story about Governor Carcieri's State of the State speech. Click here to read.
Deconstructing RI taxes (1.16.06)
Ellen Frank, Senior Economist, letter to the editor about Rhode Island's top marginal tax rate. Click here to read.
Lincoln Park Rolls Dice on RIPTA Promo (1.12.06)
Providence Journal Coverage of deal to use RIPTA buses to promote gambling at Lincoln Park. Click here to read.
RI Childhood Poverty (1.10.06)
Providence Journal story about the increase in RI childhood poverty rates. Click here to read.
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