13 cities, towns sue Carcieri over tax

Submited by: Administrator

Thirteen communities have filed a class-action lawsuit against Governor Carcieri for withholding nearly $20 million in automobile excise-tax money the communities were supposed to receive on Feb. 1.

Carcieri budget proposal: cutting and compensating

Submited by: Administrator

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—In his final-year effort to “set the stage for a prosperous future,” Governor Carcieri on Tuesday proposed new tax breaks for business and deep cuts for cities and towns, while relying on $95 million in federal aid yet to be approved by Congress to fill state government’s latest gaping budget hole.

In last quarter, Rhode Island given $801 million

Submited by: Administrator

Rhode Island state agencies, public and private schools, municipalities, private companies and individuals were awarded $801 million in federal stimulus money in the last three months of 2009, according to a federal report that tracks stimulus spending every three months.

The stimulus money paid for 1,345 jobs during that three-month period, known as the fourth quarter of the year. The money paid for more than jobs, such as materials used in construction projects as well as grants to social-service agencies that pass the money on to individuals meeting the criteria of the agency’s program.

Teach for America launches its Rhode Island program

Submited by: Administrator

2009 tax break may cost some taxpayers a refund

Submited by: Administrator

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Expecting a fat tax refund this season? Not so fast. Part of the economic stimulus law enacted a year ago created a new tax break, called the Making Work Pay tax credit. It reduced the amount of federal income tax withheld from workers’ paychecks.