The end of the year brings some good news to those who think that state government has been a hindrance to the progress of Rhode Island’s economy.
Ten municipalities have been selected by the state to pilot a statewide e-permitting initiative, the result of a call put out by the Office of Regulatory Reform and the Office of Digital Excellence.
Transparency, simplicity and speed are what an online portal promises for businesses and individuals seeking permits for building, fire, electrical, mechanical and plumbing work. The launch is slated for September, and if all goes well, the rest of the state’s towns and cities will be able to join the effort, which will include other processes as well.
And speaking of the ORR, it issued the final report on its accelerated regulatory review process. Unfortunately, its publication is an occasion for both cheers and jeers.
The cheers result from the completion of this detailed examination of the state’s regulatory regime, a process created by the General Assembly in 2012 and which Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee rightly sped up.
In 17 months, state agencies reviewed roughly 26,000 pages for more than 1,600 regulations. The effort identified more than 250 potential changes – elimination, modification or consolidation – with nearly 75 percent of those completed. But it is not enough.
The effort needs to be redoubled, with a more complete understanding of the financial implications of the regulations in question, especially on small businesses. This report is only the first of many steps the state must make to turn Rhode Island into a more friendly atmosphere for businesses of all shapes and sizes. •
