At Press Conference to Commemorate First 100 Days, Governor Notes Successes and Priorities
Governor Donald L. Carcieri today marked his first 100 days in office by reviewing his accomplishments to date and by calling on the General Assembly to support his initiatives to reform state government and improve Rhode Island’s education and economic development potential. At a State House news conference, Carcieri noted that -- despite his administration’s accomplishments during his first 100 days in office – much remains to be done.
“One hundred days ago, I officially launched my crusade to create a state government that is competent, efficient and ethical,” Carcieri said. “I also promised to make Rhode Island more business friendly and to get our fiscal house in order, while providing opportunity for those who are most vulnerable to lead fulfilling lives.”
Carcieri continued. “One hundred days later, I’m here to tell you that we’ve made significant strides in accomplishing all of these goals. At the same time, I’m here to warn that the process of reforming state government and improving our state in general has just begun, and that I continue to need everyone’s help to get the job done.”
Governor Carcieri went on to list a number of his administration’s successes in reforming state government, growing the state’s economy, reshaping the state budget, and protecting Rhode Island’s most vulnerable citizens.
Government Reform
Governor Carcieri noted several accomplishments in his efforts to reform state government, including issuing an Executive Order on ethical standards to state employees and introducing legislation to institute a real Separation of Powers.
The governor also noted that the review of state-issued cell phones, gas cards and cars -- which he ordered in February -- resulted in $80,000 in annual savings in cell phone charges and a reduction of 40 percent in the number of gas cards. Finally, Carcieri announced that he intends to launch a fiscal fitness program – designed to improve government efficiency – early next week.
Growing Rhode Island’s Economy
Governor Carcieri noted that his efforts to grow Rhode Island’s economy and make the state more business-friendly include: setting the goal of creating 20,000 new jobs over the next four years; negotiating an agreement to keep GTECH in Rhode Island; travelling to Washington, DC to personally urge General Dynamics to locate its new Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle plant in Rhode Island; and beginning to raise funds for a new Biotech Training Center at URI.
Additionally, the governor noted that he had killed the container port proposal, created an Advisory Committee to study the highest and best uses for Quonset; and redirected the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation to foster job growth throughout the state.
Reshaping Rhode Island’s Budget
Despite the threat of a huge budget deficit, Governor Carcieri submitted a balanced budget that is fiscally responsible, prudent and compassionate. The governor mentioned that his budget proposal includes: targeted investments in the economy, education, and infrastructure; an increased state share of the proceeds of video lottery terminals; continuation of the hiring freeze; holding harmless critical social service programs; and no increases in sales or income taxes.
The governor’s budget proposal also includes a comprehensive state personnel reform package, which would: reduce total employment costs by more than $7 million; offset the huge growth in pension costs by asking state employees and teachers to contribute more to their retirement plan; and reform the cost of living (COLA) increases for newly retired state employees. The Governor will also ask state employees to cover a portion of the cost of their health care insurance.
Protecting Rhode Island’s Most Vulnerable Citizens
From the beginning of his administration, Governor Carcieri has stated repeatedly that he would not balance the budget on the backs of Rhode Island’s most vulnerable citizens. The governor’s budget proposal included no cuts that would reduce services to individuals enrolled in critical social service programs such as RIPAE and RIteCare that serve our elderly and our low income families. Additionally, since coming to office, the governor has helped secure $25 million in additional federal funds for RIte Care; opened Harrington Hall in Cranston as a temporary homeless shelter during the recent cold snap; and promised to invest $5 million for low income housing programs.
Priorities and Challenges for the Coming Year
Finally, Governor Carcieri pointed out that his efforts to reform state government, grow the state’s economy, reshape the state budget, and protect Rhode Island’s most vulnerable citizens would ultimately depend on the support of the General Assembly and of citizens throughout the state.
Noting that he planned to crisscross the state over the coming months to advocate for his budget proposal, the governor called on the people of Rhode Island and the General Assembly to support the three specific proposals that he believes are most critical to achieving his goals. These proposals are: stimulating the economy by increasing funding to the Slater Centers; creating an educated workforce by tripling the state’s investment in adult literacy and investing more than $5 million in the Met School and for Charter Schools; and reforming state government by enacting real Separation of Powers legislation.