Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee’s latest idea for repairing the Rhode Island economy may be his most controversial. more

Compiling the list of those hurt by the implosion of 38 Studios LLC is easy. more

The New York Times published an excellent account of how Curt Schilling bilked the taxpayers of Rhode Island out of millions of dollars to subsidize his now-defunct company, 38 Studios LLC. Unfortunately, there was something missing from the story: Schilling himself, who declined to speak to the reporter. more

One of the most important goals that former R.I. Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Keith W. Stokes set when he took the job in early 2010 was the need to measure the results that the state’s various economic-development programs were producing. The lack of any such controls was exposed by a two-part series in Providence Business News in June 2010 that documented how little the state knew about the companies it had supported through the federally funded Small Business Loan Fund and its related microloan fund. Despite federal reporting requirements, the state had no idea how many jobs the recipient companies currently had. In addition, the failure rate of the loans was double that of similar commercial loans made by banks. more

To the editor: Your Morning Call e-newsletter (“Legal fees mounting in 38 Studios case,” Sept. 18, 2012), prompts several observations. I hope there is enough money for potential recovery to justify the large legal fees involved. Before the state spends any more of our money on this, I think they have an obligation to tell the public how much we might be able to recover. more

Just as the collapse of 38 Studios LLC illustrated the importance of keeping close tabs on taxpayer-backed loans, the bankruptcy also marked the demise of a two-year effort to improve how all R.I. Economic Development Corporation investments are monitored and analyzed. more

More than four months after being charged by Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee with examining the R.I. Economic Development Corporation in the aftermath of the 38 Studios LLC implosion, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council has come back with a 140-page report that makes clear change is needed. The report looks at the EDC today, at best practices across the country, and recommends what the state should do to improve the business-development environment in Rhode Island. more

As if Rhode Island needed another black eye on its national reputation as a place to do business, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee has taken on the Sisyphean task of trying to extract more revenue from the 38 Studios LLC bankruptcy. more

PROVIDENCE – Another loan guarantee approved by the R.I. Economic Development Corporation in 2010 has turned into a financial liability for the state. more

Rhode Island may have its credit grade cut by Moody’s Investors Service after lawmakers debated defaulting on $75 million in debt that brought a company started by former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling to Providence. more