Week in Review

Week of February 5, 2006

February 6
Carceri announces accessible, affordable health care strategy
Governor Carcieri today unveiled his plan to improve health care for small business and establish a health information network to create a real-time and more accurate system of care for patients.
The Governor announced that he will submit legislation to establish SelectCare, which will create a more affordable healthcare option for small businesses. The funding for this new plan would come from a $100 million fund, from securitized tobacco payments. He also proposed a $20 million bond for health information technology that will enable a public-private partnership for health information technology.

Governor Carcieri’s initiatives announced today are part of his five-point plan – first unveiled in October – to directly address the issues that have caused health care costs to rise at three times more than the rate of inflation and four times faster than wages. In making his announcement, the Governor also announced legislation to address the issues of wellness and access to primary care, as well as budget savings from smarter state purchasing of health care by the state.

February 6
Governor announces additional funding for Warwick
Governor Carcieri was joined by Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian at Warwick City Hall to announce the inclusion of $1.5 million in additional funding for that city in his Fiscal Year 2007 budget. That figure will increase to $2.3 million in FY 2008.
This is part of Governor Carcieri’s proposal to include Warwick in the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program. This program is designed to help cities offset the burden of having such a large airport, as well as lost property taxes.

“I’m glad that we can show our gratitude to Mayor Avedisian and to the people of Warwick for hosting T.F. Green,” Governor Carcieri said. “T.F. Green is a vital economic engine for our state. Our ability to grow jobs will depend on the continued success of the airport. And I will continue to support efforts to make T.F. Green more competitive.”

February 7
Governor Carcieri’s budget focuses on personnel, welfare reform and tax relief
Governor Carcieri announced his budget for Fiscal Year 2007 budget, which includes a number of new initiatives designed to eliminate a nearly $300 million projected budget deficit, while holding the line on taxes, and making strategic investments in Rhode Island’s future prosperity.

With a nearly $300 million deficit, balancing this without raising taxes was extremely difficult, the Governor said. However, he was able to phase out the car tax.

Governor Carcieri explained the five priorities that he committed to when addressing the budget. “First, keep spending growth as low as possible. Second, avoid any broad-based tax increases and continue to provide property tax relief through the elimination of the car tax, and increased education aid. Third, make strategic investments in our economic future by focusing on math and science education and economic development projects targeting innovative technologies. Fourth, reform the state personnel system just as we reformed the state pension system last year. Finally, reform our human services entitlement programs to slow the growth rate of expenditures, so that they are more affordable for taxpayers, more effective for program participants, and more in line with our neighboring states. The budget I am submitting today accomplishes those goals.”

February 8
Big Audit saves big money, Governor says
Governor Carcieri says that the Big Audi implemented almost three years ago will save Rhode Island taxpayers will save over $140 million through this fiscal year, which ends on June 30. Looking forward to Fiscal year 2010, Rhode Islanders should save more that $500 million.
“By streamlining state government, by instituting smarter purchasing practices, and by negotiating better contracts for state services, we have improved the way we deliver state services to the public while lowering the costs of those services to the taxpayers,” the Governor said.

February 9
Governor hosts housing awards ceremony
Governor Carcieri hosted the 2005 Partners-In-Housing Awards Ceremony at the State House.
Among the award winners was the Rhode Island chapter of Local Initiatives Support Corporation, which is celebrating its 15th year and has attracted almost $100 million in corporate investment in the state.

Governor Carcieri has made affordable housing a priority, and has allocated over $17 million the Neighborhood Opportunities Program. This is a program that has created over 900 affordable housing units since 2003.

February 9
Carcieri names new state Adjutant General
Governor Carcieri appointed Brigadier General Robert T. Bray as the Adjudant General of the Rhode Island National Guard. Today’s announcement concludes a nationwide search, which was headed by Rear Admiral (retired) Joseph Strasser.
Carcieri praised Bray as an experienced soldier and administrator with more than 35 years of emergency management experience. “He has a national reputation and is highly regarded for his outstanding leadership style, for his great command of strategic planning, and for his strong fiscal management skills,” Carcieri said.

Brigadier General Bray joined the National Guard in 1971. He has served in Germany and Korea, been awarded the Legion of Merit for his service, and rose through the ranks in becoming Brigadier General in 2004. “It is my great honor to serve as the Adjutant General of the State of Rhode Island,” Bray said. “I look forward to the challenges that full-spectrum capability requires for the global war on terrorism and for all-hazard preparation and response.”

February 11
Carceri participates in Brown University Career Week
Governor Carcieri, a Brown University alumnus, served as a panelist for Brown University’s Career Week 2006 Networking Conference. The Governor, who graduated from Brown in 1965 with a degree in International Relations, served on the Government & Policy Panel. More than 1,100 students attended the Conference.

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