Rhode Island Governor Carcieri Promises Veto Of State Budget

Governor Cites School Aid Cuts, Tax Hikes, Tobacco Funds & Union Giveaway

Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri today pledged to veto the FY 2008 state budget that was approved this afternoon by the Senate. The House of Representatives approved the budget plan early Saturday morning.

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“This budget is a huge disappointment for every Rhode Islander who wants a bright future for their children and grandchildren,” Governor Carcieri said. “But it is a huge win for the labor leaders who appear to be in charge of both the House and the Senate.”

“Instead of agreeing to my plan to solve the budget problem by reducing personnel costs, the General Assembly has decided instead to balance the budget on the backs of Rhode Island families,” Carcieri said. “In particular, the General Assembly cut school aid, raised taxes and squandered one-time tobacco settlement funds.”

“Cutting school aid hurts children, local communities, and property tax payers,” the Governor said. “Raising taxes injures families and businesses, thereby undermining job growth. And by squandering the tobacco money, the General Assembly is robbing future generations to pay today’s bills.”

“Not only did the General Assembly do nothing to solve Rhode Island’s long-term fiscal problems, they actually included a provision in the budget designed to halt any potential progress in the future,” Carcieri said. “The anti-privatization measure – which was added to the budget at 11:30 on Friday night – is a clear giveaway to the state employee unions. Allowing private companies to provide some state services could save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. But this budget would make that impossible.”

“Unfortunately, I have no choice but to veto this budget,” the Governor concluded. “It’s bad for Rhode Island families, for school children, for communities, for business and for the future of our state.”

Source: Rhode Island Governor