The Governor's 2005 Budget

Carcieri holds firm on education cuts A tough-talking Governor Carcieri said yesterday that his proposed 2005 budget sends two messages to the education community: Rhode Islanders aren't geting their money's worth out of public schools, and it's time to try new approaches.

Parents say longer day won't fix schools PROVIDENCE -- For the first time in the debate over a longer school day, parents came to the microphone, but what they had to say was not what the Board of Regents had hoped to hear.

Special interests to fight Carcieri plan
PROVIDENCE -- Advocates for the poor, environmental protection groups, union leaders and city and town officials are gearing up for a fight.

Budget 2005: Carcieri budget targets smokers, public schools PROVIDENCE -- State employees, cigarette smokers, public college students and some low-income families would all pay more under the new state budget that Governor Carcieri proposed last night.

Budget 2005: Charter schools get increase The governor has proposed cutting school aid to cities and towns -- a decision that is bound to infuriate taxpayers, superintendents and school committees from Woonsocket to Westerly.

Budget 2005: Borrowing for capital projects tops $530 million
PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri is proposing an ambitious spending plan that would ask voters in November to approve $234.5 million in new bonds and ask the General Assembly to sign off on more than $300 million in additional loans.

Budget 2005: Tuition climbs at steepest rate in 20 years Governor Carcieri's budget proposal may protect some elements of public higher education, but it also asks Rhode Island students and families to shoulder more of the burden of paying for college.

Budget 2005: Carcieri budget repeals several tax breaks for businesses In an attempt to raise about $13.5 million, Governor Carcieri has recommended repealing a number of tax breaks for businesses, changing an income tax filing requirement for business owners, and raising an annual tax for companies that operate in the ...

Budget 2005: Train station gets back on track
Governor Carcieri's capital budget outlines a $169.5-million financing plan for an Amtrak station in Warwick, but is not intended to signal that the long-delayed project is finally going forward, according to Carcieri's spokesman, Jeff Neal.

Budget 2005: 75-cent increase in cigarette tax proposed Governor Carcieri proposes to raise the cigarette tax by 75 cents per pack, bringing the Rhode Island price for cigarettes to $6.10 a pack -- higher than the current price in any other state.

Budget 2005: 800 poor families could lose benefits
Nearly 800 families who receive child-care assistance through a nationally lauded welfare-to-work program would be excluded if Governor Carcieri's proposed new, lower eligibility ceiling takes effect.

Budget 2005: Cell phone users may be paying more
Wireless phone users will be asked to fork over even more money to the state under Governor Carcieri's budget proposal.

Budget 2005: Fire marshal could add inspectors
PROVIDENCE -- The state fire marshal's office, which had seen its staff dwindle prior to The Station fire, would gain five fire inspectors under Governor Carcieri's 2005 budget proposal.

Budget 2005: Prison plan on the cutting edge
Because of their behavior behind bars or the nature of their crimes, some inmates remain in higher-security prisons right up to the day they're released.

Budget 2005: Ethics panel won't get money to beef up
Governor Carcieri's proposed budget makes it clear he isn't putting his money on the state Ethics Commission to solve the government's ethics problems.

Budget 2005: The Impact
Municipalities: Tipping fees for cities and towns at the landfill would be frozen at $32 per ton under the governor's budget. Legislation had called for it to be increased to $38.46 per ton. This freeze would save the communities $2.7 million.