CONTACT:
Kate Brewster, Executive Director
Office (401) 456-8239
Cell (401) 486-9532
kbrewster@ric.edu

Jennifer Leigh, Director of Communications
Office (401) 456-2752
Cell (401) 595-9885
jleigh@ric.edu

RELEASE: 26,000 more Rhode Islanders living in poverty, according to latest Census Data (9.22.11)
The Census Bureau has released a second set of state-level poverty data, this time from the 2010 American Community Survey (ACS). The results show that in 2010, more Rhode Islanders were experiencing economic distress, as 26,000 more Rhode Islanders fell into poverty last year. The data also gives demographic and geographic information for the Ocean State, and shows that, in Rhode Island, blacks and Hispanics are three times more likely to be living in poverty.
Click here for a summary sheet of key data points, charts, and response from The Poverty Institute.

RELEASE: One in Eight Rhode Islanders under 65 Lacked Health Insurance Last Year, According to New Census Data (9.13.11)
According to data released from the Census Bureau, one in eight Rhode Islanders under 65 lacked health insurance in 2010. Employer-sponsored coverage declined, and coverage through the Medicaid program helped prevent more from falling into the ranks of the uninsured.
Click here to read the press release

RELEASE: Rhode Island needs better review of “tax spending” (May 11, 2011)
Rhode Island gave up  $1.67 billion in potential revenue in 2008 through tax credits, exemptions, deductions, and other preferential tax rates but little is known about whether these “tax expenditures” are benefitting Rhode Islanders or the state’s economy.  This release explains how analysis of this spending can be improved, and how Rhode Island’s tax expenditure reporting compares to other states across the country, according to a new national report by our partner the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

EVENT: Poverty Institute's 2011 Budget Rhode Map Conference Friday, March 4th, Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, 8:15 am - 12:00 pm
Although Rhode Island's economy is slowly recovering from the Great Recession, state budget deficits are projected for years to come. Rhode Islanders deserve a balanced approach to balancing the state budget. This means continuing to be mindful of spending and looking at ways in which we can make our revenue system more sustainable for the long-term. Hear from local and national experts on topics including pensions, tax expenditures and corporate tax reform at our annual budget conference.
Click here for more information and to register.  

PRESS STATEMENT: Report claiming Rhode Islanders moving out to avoid estate tax is unmoving (Kate Brewster 1.11)
The Poverty Institute has prepared a statement in response to the report released today, titled "Leaving Rhode Island," that tries, yet fails, to show that the estate tax is driving wealthy Rhode Islanders out of the state.

PRESS RELEASE: Since recession began, Rhode Island’s increase in poverty is largest in New England (9.16.10)
Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released preliminary state-level data showing that the poverty rate rose substantially in Rhode Island, to 12.9 percent during 2008-2009, up from 10 percent during 2006-2007.  Over 28,000 new Rhode Islanders joined the ranks of the poor in the Ocean State in one of the worst economic downturns in recent history, bringing the total number of Rhode Islanders living in poverty to 133,000.

PRESS STATEMENT: Regarding the 2010 Tax Credit and Incentive Report
This year's Tax Credit and Incentive Report, published by the Division of Taxation, shows that Rhode Island's revenues were reduced by close to $40 million due to five tax credits that 59 unique companies took advantage of during Fiscal Year 2010. This is the third time the cost of these tax expenditures has been reported. Unfortunately, the second part of the report, providing critical information about the jobs, wages and benefits produced as a result of the credits has never been reported as required by law. In difficult times like this, it is imperative that we are getting the biggest bang for our collective bucks. By depleting our resources on untested tax credits and incentives we are missing opportunities to invest in proven econo9mic development strategies like education and infrastructure.
Click here to read the report from the RI Division of Taxation

REPORT: "An Uneven Path: State Investments in Women's Economic Self Sufficiency"
The Poverty Institute is proud to announce the public release of our newest report "An Uneven Path: State Investments in Women's Economic Self Sufficiency." State investments in programs that help women and their families attain or maintain economic self-sufficiency have been severely eroded in recent years. This report, co-released with the Women's Fund of Rhode Island, documents the impact of the cuts to the four main programs that help low- and modest-income families make ends meet: child care assistance, cash assistance, health care, and child support.  In these harsh economic times, it is imperative that women have access to the programs that help them seek and sustain employment while caring for their families.
Read the full report
Read the executive summary
Read the press release

PRESS RELEASE: Rhode Island Taxes Hit Poor and Middle Class Hardest (The Poverty Institute and ITEP, 11.18.09)
Who Pays? A Distributiuonal Analysis of Tax Systems in All 50 States (Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, November 2009) is a comprehensive analysis of state and local tax systemsin all 50 states. According to the new study, low- and middle-income families in Rhode Island pay a far higher share of their income in state and local taxes than do the wealthiest families.
• FACT SHEET: Who Pays? Rhode Island Fact Sheet

PRESS RELEASE: The Poverty Institute celebrates 10 years, plans to incorporate (11.12.09)
Ten years after being founded at Rhode Island College School of Social Work, The Poverty Institute will incorporate as a non-profit organization this fall.

PRESS RELEASE: More than one in nine Rhode Islanders continue to live in poverty 
CHART: 2008 Rhode Island Poverty Information
CHART: 2008 New England Poverty Information
CHART: 2008 Poverty Information in Rhode Island by Demographic
CHART: 2008 Poverty Information by Rhode Island County

PRESS RELEASE: RI Tax Expenditures Reporting One of the Worst in the Country, Report Shows (4.9.09) 
Rhode Island’s budget continues to hide tax expenditures, and its tracking of tax expenditures is one of the worst in the country, according to a national report. Simultaneously, state lawmakers are currently considering legislation that would shed a bright light on this form of state spending.

PRESS RELEASE: Linda Katz is honored with two distinguished awards (4.6.09)
Linda joined Congressman Patrick Kennedy and members of HealthRIght as honorees of Health Care Policy Heroes, an award presented by Ocean State Action. Then, on May 4, Linda will be receiving the “Profile in Change” award along with Senator Jack Reed, given by the Fund for Community Progress.

PRESS RELEASE: Repealing Rhode Island’s Capital Gains Tax Break Would Ease Budget Woes and Improve Tax Fairness
The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) and The Poverty Institute recently co-released ITEP's report "A Capital Idea" that shows Rhode Island could save upwards of $49 million per year if it were to repeal the tax break the state currently offers for income from capital gains. The report also shows that Rhode Island is only one of nine states to grant preferential tax treatment to all income derived from long-term capital gains.
· Full Report
· Rhode Island fact sheet

PRESS RELEASE: Rhode Island Standard of Need: Study shows price tag of living in Ocean State; finds more families hurt by shrinking safety net (12.17.08)
• Full Report
• Executive Summary
• Chart: Yearly costs compared to federal poverty level
• Chart: The costs of meeting basic needs for families and individuals
• Chart: Subsidies help families with lower wages make ends meet

PRESS RELEASE: Local and National groups say estate tax must be preserved if tax system is to remain fair (12.08)
According to The Poverty Institute and Citizens for Tax Justice, the estate tax must be preserved, especially during an economic crisis such as the one the federal and state government is facing. Yet, policymakers have signaled an interest in cutting estate taxes both in Rhode Island and at the federal level. 
Click here to read the full report

PRESS RELEASE: One month left for 20,000 Rhode Islanders to claim their economic stimulus payments (10.08)
20,000 Rhode Islanders, many of them low-income seniors, veterans and people with disabilities, have yet to claim their economic stimulus payment due to them from the federal government. If filed, these payments could potentially put $6.6 million back into the state's economy. We are trying to get the word out across the state about this, and alert people to the several sites across the state that offer free tax return preparation through October 15, 2008.
Click here for the Rhode Island fact sheet on unclaimed economic stimulus payments
Click here for a listing of free tax preparation sites across Rhode Island

PRESS RELEASE:  Twelve percent of Rhode Islanders are living below poverty level (9.08)
Data released from the U.S. Census Bureau on August 26th reveal that the poverty rate remained statistically unchanged in Rhode Island from 2006 to 2007.  However, these numbers do not accurately reflect the financial crisis that many Rhode Islanders are facing, according to the Poverty Institute.
• RI Statewide Poverty Data  • RI Poverty Data by County • New England Comparison •
• RI Poverty Data by Demographic •

PRESS RELEASE:  Major Reform to Welfare Leaves Rhode Islanders at Risk (6.08)
House of Representatives passes state budget that overhauls Rhode Island's welfare program, leaving thousdans of low-income families at risk.
For more informaton about the key provisions of the new welfare program - Rhode Island Works - click here.

PRESS RELEASE: State of Working RI 2007 Released (12.07)
Report finds most workers continue to experience declining wages and benefits while income inequality has grown; state needs to invest in its workforce to meet demands of changing labor market and ensure economic competitiveness

UPCOMING EVENTS
Click here for more about the Institute's upcoming events and information about community meetings.

  All documents are in downloadable PDF format