DUELING STATE OF THE STATE/BUDGET ADDRESSES cast a sharp contrast in leadership approach this week.
Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee got tepidly positive reviews for his budget speech primarily because he has offered no new taxes or fees for the next fiscal year. Given that the governor has been hell bent on increasing state taxes in his first two tries, it was a welcome relief for salons not to have to battle that nonsense again. Other than the list of candy store items in the spending plan, there was no hint of any game changing plans to shake us out of the bottom of too many economic lists.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick showed purpose. He wants to raise the income tax a point (doubling exemptions, kind of another raise taxes on the rich scheme) and then he lowered the boom with a call to drop the state sales tax from 6.25 to 4.5%.
The Patrick plan leaves Rhode Island flat footed. Again. Couple the assault on the gaming business to come with the new sales tax; we are left staring into the competitive abyss.
How will Chafee and the legislative leadership react? Who knows? But it's always a react, isn't it?
MEANWHILE, THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE SET THEIR OWN ECONOMIC SUMMITS…with the theme of “moving the needle” coming out of the senate president’s latest 27 page report. If moving the needle was all we had to do it might be nice. Conceptual problems abound at the top.
THE PRESIDENT’S GUN CONTROL EXECUTIVE ORDERSnibble around some interesting edges. Good thing he clarified that doctors can ask you about your guns. Let me clarify that you don't have to answer.
THE NRA DOESN'T HELP THE COUNTRYwith its latest ad characterizing the president as a hypocrite over school safety. But it helps the membership drive which seems more important to the organization.
AND SLOWLY, THE SCHOOL SAFETYARGUMENT is taking hold, with more federal dough allocated for options to put police officers in all schools. This should have been done first. It's not a throwaway solution.
NOTRE DAME SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF. The Manti Teo story from the Internet site “deadspin” is a travesty. More will come out, but to cast the linebacker as a victim of a hoax when he lied about how he met his reportedly deceased girlfriend and the rest of the garbage he spewed and the team used as an inspirational and promotional tool is just a total abdication of responsibility.
50 years a fan of The Fighting Irish. No more.
Can't pick a winner this weekend between the Pats and the Ravens. Gonna be a good one.
Enjoy the president’s inauguration Monday. Toned down, but still historic.
