But Governor Carcieri's spokesman says the $20 million sought by the social-service groups is unlikely because of a huge budget deficit.

01:00 AM EST on Thursday, February 2, 2006

BY KAREN LEE ZINER
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE -- A warm place to live, food on the table, and affordable health care for Rhode Islanders on low or limited incomes. That's the thrust of the One Rhode Island Fiscal Year 2007 Platform.

The platform carries a $20-million price tag.

But a spokesman for Governor Carcieri yesterday said Rhode Islanders are "up to their necks in taxes" and any increased spending such as called for by One Rhode Island's platform, is highly unlikely.

The One Rhode Island coalition of more than 150 community, faith, labor and social-service organizations yesterday released their "Real State of the State" document and proposed solutions, at a news conference at St. Edward's Food Center on Branch Avenue.

The coalition urged Carcieri to "see the world" through the eyes of the people and families served by its agencies, and exhorts passage of the platform.

The coalition seeks state investment in programs such as food-stamp outreach, childcare assistance, adult education and increasing the state's refundable Earned Income Tax Credit.

Doing so, the coalition argues, creates "the potential to generate millions of dollars in economic activity by leveraging significant federal funds," and by helping families to work, pay taxes, and buy goods and services.

But while Carcieri won't be releasing his budget proposal until next week, "the governor believes it's an extremely difficult budget year and increasing state spending in any area is going to be extraordinarily challenging," said spokesman Jeff Neal.

The state "is facing a budget deficit of over $230 million. This is the worst budget deficit that Governor Carcieri has ever faced," said Neal, "and I believe it's the worst deficit since Governor Sundlun.

"Let's be clear. That budget deficit would exist simply to maintain services at current levels. That is not factoring any types of increased spending in any program." In that light, he said, the One Rhode Island platform likely faces a uphill battle, Neal added.

Neal said Carcieri "does continue to believe the state of our state is dynamic and vibrant and he rejects doom and gloom messages designed to frighten Rhode Islanders."

Among those speaking at the news conference was Jeanne Gattegno, president of the Rhode Island CAP (Community Action Program) Agency Association, who read from the Real State of the State document.

"When the governor says that 'Jobs are growing,' he doesn't mention that wages are stagnant, and that he just threatened to veto raises for our state's lowest-paid workers," the document states.

"When the governor says 'Investment is booming,' he doesn't reflect on the fact that a huge number of Rhode Islanders don't have enough money to have a bank account," it states. "And that we aren't investing in affordable housing to help keep our younger, educated work force here in the state."

And, it states, "When the governor says, 'Parks and open spaces are increasing,' we say, 'Good, because more people are having to sleep in them."

Bernard J. Beaudreau, executive director of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, noted that "we had over 6,000 homeless adults last year," and "we still have 100,000 Rhode Islanders who lack health care."

Beaudreau said that one third of all the state's food pantry clients "lack a high school education," and Rhode Island "has the lowest adult education attainment and the lowest investment in adult education in the region."

Among the major proposals of the One Rhode Island platform:

Extend eligibility for a once-a-year clothing allowance to all children in the Family Independence Program (FIP), and increase the allowance to $150.

Reinstate the annual $100 weatherization for families on cash assistance.

Increase the state's refundable earned-income tax credit.

Raise the minimum wage to $7.10 in 2006 and $7.40 in 2007.

Continue to provide state funding for a food-stamp outreach effort, to leverage federal matching funds.

Allow Family Independence Program recipients to combine work with up to 10 hours of education or training to fulfill the 30-hour work requirement.

Allow undocumented high school graduates who meet certain criteria to pay in-state tuitition at public institutions of higher learning.

Allow parents who are working at least 20 hours a week to receive subsidized childcare during the time spent in education or training activities.

Neal defended the governor's record against some of the allegations in the Real State of the State.

"Since the governor's first State of the State address in 2003, "we have created 14,000 net new jobs" and are "well on the way to reaching the governor's goal" of 20,000 net new jobs, said Neal.

With regard to the Family Independence Program, "Rhode Island has one of the most generous welfare programs in America. That hasn't changed. At the same time, it has one of the worst programs in terms of accomplishing the goal of getting people out of welfare and into work."

Neal said Carcieri "has made historic investments in the Neighborhood Opportunities Program" for building affordable housing, and created, for the first time in the state's history, "an office specifically to design state housing policy," and hired housing advocate Noreen Shawcross to direct it.

kziner@projo.com/(401) 277-7375