March 3, 2009
Marching Toward the Bottom with 10.3% Unemployment
Anyone heard hints of budget and economic-policy progress in the General Assembly? I ask because Rhode Island's unemployment rate is now at 10.3%:
The unemployment rate in January spiked by nearly a full percentage point over the revised December figure of 9.4 percent. It has ballooned by four percentage points since January 2008. (Earlier, the state estimated a 10-percent unemployment rate for December based on a survey of businesses. That rate was recalculated through the annual review of payroll tax filings.)Nationally, unemployment increased to 7.6 percent from 7.2 percent in January. The national rate for February is due on Friday.
Cut taxes (and spending). Erase regulations. Build infrastructure. Standing around in State House back rooms like frozen deer just isn't sufficient.
"Cut taxes (and spending). Erase regulations. Build infrastructure."
Yes to all that.
I hope it goes to 30%. The voters deserve no less as they keep electing circus freaks like Levesque, Rice, Lima, Diaz, Slater, Sosnowski, Walsh, Handy, Segal, Ajiello, Cicilline, Murphy, Williamson and too many others to even list.
Posted by: Mike at March 3, 2009 8:33 AMHere is yet another study where RI does poorly
http://www.mercatus.org/PublicationDetails.aspx?id=26154
Only New York and New Jersey rank worse than RI in personal and economic freedom.
I tried, in vain, to see if my Garmin GPS would direct me to John Galt's valley in Colorado.
Given the composition of the General Assembly, there is no optimistic scenario for Rhode Island, except perhaps in the distant future, and then only in theory.
Posted by: Tom W at March 3, 2009 10:05 AMI agree with Mike, "we" get the government that we deserve, especially when most of "us" in this state are genetically predisposed to vote Democrat in every election.
Posted by: Chris at March 3, 2009 1:00 PM