Reports
Tax Expenditures Report Analysis (Tax Facts #8, June 2008)
The 2008 Tax Expenditures Report is produced by the Division of Taxation. It documents cost estimates for 211 tax credits, deductions, and exemptions that reduce the tax liability of selected firms or individuals. Unlike direct spending programs, tax expenditures became permanent provisions of the tax code and are not part of the annual budget appropriations process. This report analyzes the TER and finds that much is still unknown about the costs (and outcomes) of tax expenditures.
Fact Sheet: How the "Families Work" approach to welfare compares to current law and the Governor's proposed "Work First" approach
This side-by-side analysis documents the differences between the proposals being put forth by the Poverty Institute and Governor Carcieri's administration that would amend the state's welfare program - the Family Independence Program - as they relate to work requirements, exemptions from program requirements, time limits, sanction policies, and other programmatic topics.
"Families Work" - A proposal to make welfare work for families
Governor Carcieri has proposed replacing the current Family Independence Program (FIP) with the "Work First" Program (H-7390, Article 16). The Poverty Institute and a number of community partners have proposed amendments to FIP contained in the "Families Work" bill (H-8113 Representative Dennigan and S- 3006 Senator Gibbs and Majority Leader Paiva-Weed). FIP provides cash assistance for children and their parents or caretaker relatives. Unless disabled or otherwise exempt, parents are required to participate in work readiness activities as a condition of receiving benefits. This is the first in a series of issue briefs comparing the Governor’s "Work First" program with the "Families Work" changes to FIP.
Key Provisions of Article 17 - Relating to Medicaid (5.08)
Governor Carcieri has proposed significant changes to the state's Medicaid program through Article 17 of the FY09 Budget. This paper outlines the key provisions of the legislation.
The Child Support Enforcement Program: A Critical Investment for Children's Success (4.08)
This report highlights how the Rhode Island Child Support Enforcement Program works and makes recommendations for legislators on ways to further improve this extremely important and cost effective program.
Comparison of Work Supports in Rhode Island and Other New England States (4.08)
A comparison of the income eligibility criteria for the major work support programs across the New England states shows that Rhode Island is in line with its counterparts, not more generous.
Ten Things Rhode Islanders Should Know About the State's Fiscal Crisis (4.08)
Several oft-cited, but inaccurate, themes continue to dominate the debate surrounding Rhode Island's budget crisis - such as "the rich are fleeing the state due to high taxes" and "Rhode Island is a welfare magnet." This fact sheet dispels many of these myths by providing facts and another perspective to the state's fiscal crisis.
Analysis of Governor Carcieri's Proposed Changes to the Family Independence Program (3.2008)
Governor Carcieri has proposed repealing the Family Independence Act, Rhode Island's TANF Program that provides cash assistance and work readiness to families, and replacing it with a "Work First" program. The proposal would end the entitlement to cash assistance for children and require all applicants to first seek employment at a time when RI's unemployment rate is the highest it has been since 1995. Among the other harmful policy changes are reduced time limits, a family cap, restricted work readiness activities if a family fails to find employment, and eliminating supplemental cash assistance to low-wage working families.
Rhode Island Cannot Afford Recently Enacted Tax Cuts (Tax Facts #7) (January 2008)
This issue brief discusses why Rhode Island should repeal two recently enacted tax cuts: the reduction of the capital gains tax and the alternative flat tax. These two tax cuts will cause the state to lose more than $62 million in the coming fiscal year. Given Rhode Island's severe budget crisis, the state cannot afford to continue these two policies.
State of Working Rhode Island 2007 (12.07)
The Poverty Institute's biennial study that documents trends in wages, occupations, unemployment, and the state's workforce. The report points out that the state’s labor force of 578,000 is more diverse, older and better educated than it was two decades ago but workers face a triple whammy – slowing job growth, eroding wages and benefits, and growing inequality.
Red Flags for RIte Care (11.07)
The RIte Care/ RIte Share program provides comprehensive health insurance for children under age 19, parents and pregnant women in low and modest-income families. This report by The Poverty Institute illustrates that enrollment in the RIte Care program has been declining since 2004 with precipitous declines since January 2007.
Income Gains and Charitable Giving Among Wealthy Rhode Island Taxpayers Exceed Neighbors (9.07)
This report by the Poverty Institue illustrates that income gains among the wealthiest Rhode Islander's are exceeding those of our New England neighbors. Also, charitable contributions by the weathly have been stronger than neighboring states.
FY2008 State Budget Wrap-Up
Includes highlights of the General Assembly's decisions regarding state revenues and expenditures for the coming year.
2006 Rhode Island Standard of Need (1.07)
The Poverty Institute finds that it costs $50,000 a year to live and raise a family in Rhode Island. What a family needs to earn depends
largely on whether they are eligible for tax credits and work supports like child care and health care subsidies.
2003 Rhode Island Standard of Need
The Status of Women in Rhode Island - A mid-decade report (1.07)
This study, commissioned by the Women's Fund of Rhode Island and written by the Poverty Institute, measures how well Rhode Island women are doing on several indicators including political participation, employment and earnings, social and economic autonomy, and heatlh and well-being.
The Other Side of the Legder: Options for Raising State Revenues (Tax Facts issue #6)1.07)
The Poverty Institute's report proposes several areas where the state could start to address weaknesses in the revenue side of the ledger.
Census Data 2006: Situation of low-income working families in Rhode Island remains bleak despite four years of economic recovery
The latest census data on poverty, health insurance, wages, and more.
TABOR in Rhode Island? A Fiscal Nightmare for the Ocean State (Tax Facts Issue #5) (7.06)
As the Supreme Court prepares to decide whether Governor Carcieri has the authority to place non-binding questions on the ballot, the Poverty Institute has prepared a one-page brief on the severe problems with the question that asks voters whether the Constitution should be amended to include a tax expenditure limit.
For more information about the disastrous consequences of tax expenditure limits, visit http://www.cbpp.org/ssl-series.htm
Starting RIte Child Care
The Right Start for Children, Families and Rhode Island (4.06)
This report, sponsored by the Women's Fund of Rhode Island, examines the outcomes of and changes to the Starting RIte program in Rhode Island over the past seven years since its inception.
2006 Tax Expenditure Report Analysis (Tax Facts Issue #4) (4.06)
This report documents the purpose and cost of tax breaks, incentives, exemptions, and other expenditures.
Why Medicaid Matters to Rhode Island (4.06)
This report documents the breadth and scope of Medicaid funding in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island's Personal Income Tax (Tax Facts Issue #3) (3.06)
Rhode Island should not cut personal income taxes of top earners in the state as it is unnecessary and unaffordable.
Rhode Island's Disappearing Corporate Income Tax (Tax Facts Issue #2) (3.06)
Read about how RI's corporate income tax collections are the lowest in the country.
Capital Gains (Tax Facts Issue #1) (3.06)
Rhode Island cannot afford to eliminate taxes on Capital Gains.
Pulling Apart: Synopsis of Income Inequality in Rhode Island
Read a summary of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report on income inequality in Rhode Island.
FY 06 Budget wrap up (10.05)
An analysis of the enacted FY06 state budget and its impact on low-income programs.
State of Working Rhode Island (9.05)
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the trends in job growth, unemployment, wages, poverty, and work-related benefits in Rhode Island.
K-12 Education Financing in Rhode Island (5.05)
An analysis of the proposals aimed at redressing Rhode Island's education finance system. RI ranks 4th nationally in dependence on local property taxes, which amounts to a regressive burden on poor residents. Proposals include amending the state constitution, introducing a statewide property tax, and employing a foundation formula to ensure dependable and adequate funding.
Report Summary.
The Rhode Island Standard of Need
2003 Rhode Island Standard of Need calculates what it costs to live in Rhode Island and documents the importance of government programs in a family's budget.
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