The Providence Business News/CELLULARONE ® executive poll
is a weekly survey of 70 top business leaders throughout the
state, representing small and large companies in a variety
of industries and businesses.
Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty believes Rhode Island should use the money it
receives from the Tobacco settlement on health care issues, including
smoking cessation programs. Others believe the state should use the
money for education programs, or to reduce debt. Rhode Island expects to
receive $17 million this year, with larger amounts coming in future
years.
QUESTION: While Lt. Gov. Fogarty is suggesting the use of the funds
solely for health care, there is no reason the General Assembly could
not apportion the money to various programs. Please list your order of
priority for use of the money. If you feel it should only go to one
area, please only note that one program. (It was difficult to come up
with specific percentages for the answers. Listed below, however, is the
order of preference that was clear in the respondents’ answers. Very few
responses listed only one use for the money.)
1. Health Care
2. Education
3. State debt reduction
Other (these received only one response): Reduce state income tax for
individuals; infrastructure.
QUESTION: With the House of Representatives voting impeachment and a
trial possible in the U.S. Senate, we wondered how our executive poll
members felt about the possible removal of President William J. Clinton
from office. Would you prefer:
Removal from office…..12.5%
Censure, without a trial…..62.5%
Censure,
with a trial…….16%
Acquittal…………………………8%
