News and press releases from RIPEC, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council

News

• 5/10/2012 According to a briefing released today by Bryant University’s Center for Global and Regional Economic Studies and the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC), the CEI for the first quarter of 2012 increased 1 percent (annualized rate).  Rhode Island’s economy continues to expand at a rate significantly slower than the regional and national average: The U.S. Gross Domestic Product increased at an annualized rate of 2.2 percent in the first quarter of 2012, and the New England economy expanded during the same quarter at an annualized rate of 3.3 percent.  See the press release.  See the briefing.
• 2/20/2012 RIPEC will hold a forum, sponsored by Fidelity, on the state’s business climate.  Key policymakers and stakeholders, from within Rhode Island and representing national organizations, will discuss how Rhode Island measures up on a number of metrics relating to the business climate, as well as steps the state can take to improve the perception that the state is not a good place to start or grow a business.  See the media alert.
• 2/10/2012 According to a briefing released today by Bryant University and the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC), the CEI for the fourth quarter increased only 0.7 (annualized) – roughly the same increase seen in the third quarter and significantly lower than the 2.6 percent in the second quarter. In addition, projections show that the state’s economy will expand just 0.9 percent in the second quarter of 2012.  A PDF of the report is available here.
• 11/4/2011 The Rhode Island Current Economic Indicator (CEI) shows that the pace of the economic recovery slowed significantly in the third quarter of 2011, creating a dark cloud looming over future growth.   According to a briefing released today by Bryant University and the Rhode Island Public Expenditure council, the CEI increased 0.9 percent (annualized rate). This is significantly lower than the 2.2 percent in the second quarter and much slower than projected in the 2011 Q2 Briefing.  A .pdf of the briefing is available here.
• 11/2/2011 We need the same spirit of unity today to meet this challenge. When Americans set aside their individual interests and pursue a common vision built around a thriving economy and a strong middle class there is nothing this country can't do.  And nowhere does the spirit of shared responsibility offer greater promise than in the field of education.  For America to move forward, our educational and political leadership must come together on behalf of children—speak openly and honestly about our educational challenges—and work together to solve them.  Click here to read the full speech.
• 10/19/2011 RIPEC will hold a forum on pensions, sponsored by Fidelity, which will focus on the challenges facing the state’s pension system and efforts at reform.  Key policymakers and stakeholders will put the issue in context and discuss steps the state should take to ensure long-term sustainability and equity in the pension system.  See the full media alert.  See the full program.
• 8/25/2011 As Rhode Island continues to implement far-reaching education reforms, and as the debate around the national reform agenda continues, Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, will visit Rhode Island to deliver the keynote address at the 68th RIPEC Annual Meeting.  Secretary Duncan, who has also served as the chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools, will also speak at a town hall meeting prior to the RIPEC dinner. See the full press release.
• 8/9/2011 Despite a significant slowdown in the U.S. economy in the first two quarters of 2011, Rhode Island sustained its economic recovery and expanded faster than the national economy. Moreover, the Rhode Island Leading Economic Indicator projects the economy will expand 2.2 percent (annualized rate) over the next two quarters. See the press release. See the briefing.
• 6/29/2011 Two bills before the Senate and House today seek to change the status quo by mandating binding arbitration for school district employees in the event that contract negotiations reach an impasse.  It is RIPEC’s position that binding arbitration would divert attention from the much-needed education reform that is currently occurring.   See the press release.
• 6/15/2011 It is widely recognized that the state’s current sales tax system does not receive high marks on national business climate or tax surveys, and that changes to the tax structure are necessary.  Any changes, however, must be part of a thoughtful and deliberate process.  The discussion about how best to move the state’s tax policy into the 21st century should be driven by policy – not the need for revenue.  See the full press release.
• 5/10/2011 The Rhode Island Current Economic Indicator for the first quarter of 2011 increased 1.9 percent (annualized rate). This rate is about the same rates observed in the third and fourth quarters of 2010 as illustrated in Figure 1 and Table 1. This suggests that the Rhode Island Economy has sustained a very much needed economic expansion over the last few quarters. See the briefing.
• 9/28/2010 RIPEC will hold a forum on the State’s current business climate, sponsored by Fidelity, which  will feature presentations from The Tax Foundation and the four gubernatorial candidates.  The  discussion will provide insight into how Rhode Island ranks vis a vis to the rest of the country  and the methodology behind these rankings, and what the State can do to improve the perception  that Rhode Island is not a good place to start and grow a business. Joseph Henchman from the Tax Foundation will discuss Rhode Island's business climate and the four gubernatorial candidates will respond. See the press release.
• 8/16/2010 RIPEC to host forum on education:  Key decision-makers will present their thoughts on the future of education in Rhode Island. See the media alert.
• 8/10/2010 RIPEC's 67th Annual Meeting will be held Monday, October 4, 2010.  The speaking program will begin at 6:30.  Due to high interest, the event has been moved to the Rhode Island Convention Center, One Sabin Street, Providence RI.   See the press release.
• 6/6/2010 Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System will deliver the keynote address.  U.S. Senator Jack Reed will introduce Chairman Bernanke. See the press release.