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May 25, 2008

A Dark Cloud on a Sunny Day

Justin Katz

So didja see the Providence Journal jobs section, today? Perhaps it might be more accurate to say, "the near-lack of a jobs section."

I have two words for the state of Rhode Island: cut taxes... now... drastically. (Well, hey, if the Projo can double the size of its job section by plugging in two full-page ads for employment advertising, then I can inflate my advice by a couple of words.)

Comments

Why would employers want to locate in RI? It has the worst business climate in the country. Workers comp tax and every other tax is sky high. Who wants to deal with the 30% extra cost of the unions? That number might be low.

Posted by: Citizen Critic at May 25, 2008 7:27 PM

Yeah, but don't forget what the economic development people keep telling us: "Rhode Island has a great quality of life!"

Rings true, too.

After all, how many other places can come close to duplicating our potholed roads, failing bridges, below average performing public schools, cold winters and high taxes?

Buffalo? Rochester? Detroit? Cleveland?

Yes, we're in fine company indeed!

Moreover, those other places haven't been called "the Louisiana of the North" for they can't duplicate our "high" levels of corruption-free public servants, right?

Posted by: Tom W at May 25, 2008 9:36 PM

Yes, as Private Sector jobs decline & contract, isn't it unbelievable that we can not reduce the number of Public Sector jobs as well, since there are fewer people working to pay the taxes of the Public Sector employees.

Our Public Sector employees invoke "minimum manning", "tenure", "bumping", "grievances", etc. ...you know, all those special Union things so near and dear to a Union members heart that enable them to cling FOREVER to the taxpayer's tit ...even when its been sucked dry.

Posted by: George Elbow at May 26, 2008 9:45 AM

It's a holiday weekend. Even in a better economy, the jobs section is always smaller on holidays.

Posted by: rhody at May 27, 2008 1:15 AM

>>It's a holiday weekend. Even in a better economy, the jobs section is always smaller on holidays.

I guess we're going to be having many more holidays in RI over the coming years ...

However it'll be boom time for those who own a U-Haul franchise.

Posted by: Tom W at May 27, 2008 8:09 AM