Tax reform
When the General Assembly reconvenes in January it undoubtedly will deal with issues related to capital gains and income tax reform, both aimed at easing the tax burden for wealthier Rhode Islanders.
In previous considerations these issues have had a cool reception from the General Assembly, lobbied actively by labor groups and activists for poorer Rhode Islanders who object to what they contend are tax breaks for the rich. However, in both instances, what has been proposed in the past, and will be proposed in the future are programs that will only make Rhode Island competitive with neighboring states.
Beyond Cash Donations: How New Forms of Giving Are Transforming Not-for-Profit Accounting
Evolving Funding Landscape for Not-for-Profits Not-for-profit organizations are being asked to do more with less,…
Learn More
Not only should the General Assembly consider these proposals seriously, but it also should consider finding a more equitable income tax system than our current version that simply piggy backs the federal income tax.
The Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council considers tax reform among its key programs this year. So should the General Assembly.
While legislators have rejected efforts to ease tax burdens in our top brackets, they have failed to heed the calls of business leaders who suggest that by failing to initiate meaningful tax reform, the Assembly is discouraging companies from moving to Rhode Island, and encouraging wealthier Rhode Islanders to leave the state.
For the last few years we have been lulled into a false sense of security by a burgeoning economy. But while economists agree the economy will continue to expand, they also are convinced that the rate of growth is slowing. For Rhode Island that means that if we are to maintain our momentum we must become more competitive.
Blue Cross initiative
The results are in, and the results are not surprising.
Rhode Islanders want quality health care coverage and are not that concerned about cost. That’s because employers are paying for much of the health care costs of their employees. Employers also want their employees to have quality health care coverage, but they, not surprisingly, are a little more aware of costs because they’re paying the bulk of the insurance fees.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island reports that it spent close to $2 million surveying various groups to learn more about their perceptions and feelings relative to health care insurance coverage. Some may believe that is an extraordinary amount to spend on a survey, but if the research brings about positive results, then it is a valid investment.
The Blue Cross study provides a volume plus of valuable information that will not only help Rhode Island’s largest insurer, but may prove valuable to other insurers, along with health care providers.
The research, however, means little unless it results in some positive changes, both assuring continued quality coverage and cost containment. Blue Cross says it plans to develop a number of initiatives from its research, some of which could be based upon wellness programs and high risk behaviors.
While we see both as important, we also raise concerns about maintaining privacy for individuals and avoiding discriminatory hiring practices that might result.
We suspect that for Blue Cross the research might have been the easy part. Developing innovative programs from it may be an even greater challenge.
