Rhode Island has received a “D-” grade for government spending transparency in the fourth annual report from the R.I. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund. more

An awful lot has been espoused of late supporting the elimination of the sales tax in Rhode Island. In theory I can’t say that I disagree with the many pundits promulgating the idea – or, maybe I should say I don’t fully agree with them. more

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee and members of the General Assembly are backing legislation designed to improve benefits and services for veterans and their families. more

BOSTON – Gov. Deval L. Patrick last week filed a transportation bond bill to authorize and fund a 10-year plan for the next generation of transportation investments. more

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Environmental Management this month issued guidelines for “the priority interests of the state” regarding the conservation and management of marine fisheries. more

Christine Ferguson, the director of the R.I. Health Benefits Exchange, is anxious to win over skeptics in the business community about the new health-insurance exchange. more

Rhode Island lawmakers hope a federal spending bill expected to be approved last week will allow the national Job Corps workforce-development program to soon start accepting new enrollees. A national freeze on enrollment following budget shortfalls could keep as many as 100 Rhode Island at-risk youths from gaining education and vocational training if it lasts until the current June 30 projection. more

Rhode Island has seen little to no improvement in economic opportunity indexes from 2011, the R.I. Center for Freedom and Prosperity announced Thursday following the release of its 2012 Report Card On RI Competitiveness. more

Rhode Island is a state with 87 high-hazard dams, 156 structurally deficient bridges and 6,401 public road miles - 70 percent of which are considered to be of poor or mediocre quality. more

PROVIDENCE – Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin on Wednesday announced a $150,000 grant to the Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island to help homeowners facing foreclosure. more