The temptation to spend or commit all of $1.1 billion in long-term federal pandemic aid proved too great to resist for Gov. Daniel J. McKee and state lawmakers in an election year.
Now the state is facing another winter of dramatic energy cost hikes. And the best state leaders and regulators have been able to offer so far are some one-time credits that will mostly benefit the lowest-income ratepayers.
Overlooking the needs and challenges faced by middle-income Rhode Islanders and midsized businesses has become a pattern for Gov. McKee since his regrettable decision last year to tax Paycheck Protection Program loans above $250,000.
In times when money is tight, such prioritization makes sense. But not when you had a massive federal windfall and a historic state surplus of $900 million at your disposal.
Gov. McKee and state lawmakers need to come up with a winter energy savings plan that significantly eases the financial burden of more than just the state’s neediest residents.